《My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world》 Chapter 1 Awakening on a Cold New Years Night {Note: Read the auxiliary.} --- [In a fantasy multiverse--a place similar to Earth yet different in many ways.] Ding! The host has activated the system. A translucent blue panel appeared in front of Kent, glowing faintly in the dim light of his bathroom. Kent''s heart nearly stopped at the sight. He blinked once, twicewas he hallucinating? The panel displayed words he had never seen before: ~System Panel~ Spiritual points: 699 sp Shop | Lottery | Income History [Note: Spiritual Points short = SP.] His finger hovered over the buttons as if afraid of touching them would make the whole thing disappear. "What the hell is this?" Kent murmured to himself, his voice a mix of awe and confusion. "Did I awaken? Is it like those stories on the news?" Unable to stop himself, Kent pressed the Shop button. Another menu unfolded before his eyes, revealing the first item for sale, a Spiritual Fruit priced at 10,000 spiritual points. At the bottom of the screen, his balance ticked upward steadily +1 +1 +99. Many notifications were seen. "Thank you, God! Thank you!" Kent cried out of joy, tears welling in his eyes. His hands trembled as he clutched his chest. "I finally got a chance to become rich. I awakened a money-generating power. This money-generating power will change everything. I can earn money, buy food, pay Nima''s school tuition and even find a girl" His thoughts were flooded with images of his sister, Nima, smiling brightly as she finally ate to her heart''s content. For so long, life had been a cruel cycle of poverty, dry carrots and some vegetable soup, and cold nights. Overwhelmed, Kent sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "This is it my chance." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he cried tears of joy, his eyes shimmered with the reflection of glowing money signs, his mind spinning with dreams of a better future. "But before diving into the details of what is happening right now, let''s see what happened a few hours earlier." Earlier That Night A young man was sitting on a roadside bench, thinking about how to earn more money. He has a little sister, now he needs to send her to a school but he doesn''t earn enough money to admit his sister to a school. "Let''s go home first." He says to himself. The road was cloaked in shadows, lit by only flickering street lamps. Their neon yellow glow attracted swarms of insects mosquitoes and flies buzzing relentlessly. Bzzzz ''Tap-tap.'' A lone moth smacked into the glowing neon light, its wings fluttering weakly against the glass. A few blocks away, laughter echoed through the narrow alley of a small house. An eleven-year-old girl named Nima skipped inside, holding something tightly in her small hands. Her voice was bright and sweet as she sang an off-tune melody: "La la la la la~!" ???????? The house had modest old wooden furniture, cracked walls, and a flickering 1990s TV in the corner broadcasting the nightly news. "This is just in reports of individuals awakening strange powers that continue to rise. Authorities urge caution, as some of these ''Awakened'' have used their abilities to harm civilians. Just yesterday" The news anchor''s calm voice contrasted with the grim footage of a young woman attacked by an Earth-type ability user. But Nima wasn''t paying attention. She twirled through the small living room, blissfully unaware. A voice boomed from the doorway. Seventeen-year-old Kent, scrawny and wearing patched-up clothes, entered the house looking exasperated. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his face carried the weariness of someone far older than his years. "Nima! Put that dried meat down." Nima froze mid-spin, clutching the fish like it was a prized treasure. "Just one bite! Please?" Kent''s brow furrowed. "It belongs to the Aunty next door! It''s not ours." She used our yard to dry her meat. Our yard has more sunlight. "Ugh!" Nima groaned dramatically, stomping her foot. "But I''m so hungry! Just a teeny bite, and I promise I''ll" "No," Kent said with his big brother''s authority. Nima puffed out her cheeks in frustration and turned away, grumbling. "Hmph! Mean brother. You always say no." Kent sighed deeply, his heart softening at the sight of her small, dejected figure. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of carrot. "Here. If you''re hungry, eat this. It''s good for you." "Carrot? Again?!" Nima turned to him, her face full of exaggerated horror. "We''ve had carrots for dinner every day this week! I''m turning into a carrot!" Kent couldn''t help but chuckle at her outburst. He pressed his hand to his chest dramatically. "Oh My little sister is all grown up now! She argues with me like an adult." "Stop teasing me!" Nima whined, tugging on his sleeve. Then, her tone shifted. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she clasped his arm tightly. "Brother, can we have cup noodles tonight? Please? It''s New Year''s Eve ''31st December''! We''ve got to celebrate!" Kent hesitated, his smile faltering. Cup noodles something so simple, yet out of reach for them. His fists tightened slightly at his sides. Seeing his hesitation, Nima hugged his arm tighter, her voice pleading. "Please, please, please! I dreamed about it last night, too. It was beef flavoured" She trailed off, drool practically dripping from her mouth. ???? Okay, you can have it in your dreams then. Kent said jokingly. Keep some for me too. She gets angry And sought. Find, then I will live without cup noodles. But I will never eat carrots for dinner. She bites her brother''s hand in anger. You you have another little sister outside. I know!! She is very angry and about to cry. ???? Kent is in shock. They are very poor. They grow carrots and some other vegetables in their front yard to save money and they eat those every day. "She is very stubborn. She won''t eat anything until I give her cup noodles." Okay, Okay! Stop now. I''ll get you cup noodles," Kent said, rolling his eyes. "YES!" Nima leaped with joy, spinning in a circle. "You''re the best, Kent! I want the beef flavour!" "Alright, alright, you little monster. Stay here and wait. I''ll be right back." The cold air hit Kent like a slap to the face as he stepped outside. His breath came out in misty puffs, and the streets were eerily quiet almost too quiet. It was New Year''s Eve, but the distant crackle of fireworks felt a world away. He walked quickly, his thoughts fixed on Nima and her innocent excitement. "She really wanted cup noodles that badly" Kent murmured with a small smile. "That girl she''s too stubborn for her own good." Meanwhile, at home, Kent''s neighbour Aunty Zhou brings some beef to give them as a New Year''s gift. Nima received the gift. She is very happy. She prepared two plates. Saying when Kent comes back I will add the noodles into the beef. Then she puts one extra piece of meat on her brother''s plate. Then she became happy. Signing meat.... meat. I gave my brother one piece of extra meat. He should be happy when he comes back. Meat.. meat... I gonna eat meat. ???? She is watching outside the window. Fireworks are in the sky. She thinks about why it is taking so long. Ting! Kent sent her a video of a big firework on Nima''s phone. She replied in massage hurry up Kent I am hungry. Are you watching fireworks with another little sister? Sigh! This girl. Let me hurry. As he crossed an empty intersection, his phone buzzed again. A video message from Nima popped up. She had recorded herself eating imaginary noodles and saying dramatically, "Kent, hurry up, or I''ll starve to death!" Kent chuckled softly, shaking his head. "This girl" Kent was coming back after buying the noodles. Suddenly ???? WOOOOOP! WOOOOOP! The blaring horn of a truck shattered the silence. Kent''s head snapped up. A massive truck barreled toward him at full speed, its headlights blinding. SCREEEEECH! "NO!" Kent shouted, his voice swallowed by the truck''s deafening roar. BAM! The impact sent Kent flying through the air like a rag doll. His body hit the pavement with a sickening thud, sliding several feet before coming to a stop. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the cracked asphalt. But he was still holding the cup noodles on his hands. For a long moment, everything was still. The truck skidded to a halt. The driver stumbled out, his face pale as he stared at Kent''s motionless body. "I I didn''t see him What have I done?" Panicking, the driver tossed a wad of crumpled cash near Kent''s body before fleeing into the darkness. High above, the night sky split open. A faint crack appeared in space, glowing faintly against the darkness. Something small and otherworldly, a glowing energy ball fell silently from the heavens, like a shooting star. It descended toward Kent''s lifeless body. SHOOOOM! The energy ball falls exactly in the chest of Kent. A pulse of energy radiated outward, causing the air to vibrate around him. Kent''s body glowed brilliantly, the blood on his skin evaporating in an instant. His broken bones cracked back into place, and the gashes on his flesh sealed themselves. He gasped, his lungs suddenly filling with air. His eyes shot open. "Wha?!" Kent sat up sharply, his hands gripping the cold ground beneath him. His mind reeled. "I I''m alive? How is this possible?" He glanced down at himself. His clothes were soaked in blood, but his body it was fine. No pain, no injuries. "What the hell happened to me?" Ding! The sound rang clearly in his mind, startling him. "The host has activated the system." A glowing panel appeared before him. Kent didn''t notice anything. His mind was just blank for some time. But somehow he managed pick up the cup noodles. The rest of Kent''s journey home was a blur. People screamed as he passed, mistaking him for a ghost. He ignored their shouts, his only thought on reaching Nima. When he finally opened the door to their small house, Nima''s face lit up. "Kent! You''re" Her voice caught in her throat as she saw his blood-stained clothes. Tears welled in her wide, innocent eyes. "What happened?! Are you okay?" Kent forced a smile, ruffling her hair. "I''m fine. Don''t cry." "But but the blood" "It''s not mine," Kent said quickly. "I helped someone who got hit by a car. Took him to the hospital. That''s all." Nima sniffled, wiping her eyes. "You''re always helping others Go shower, you almost give me a heart attack." In the bathroom, Kent stripped off his clothes and froze. His reflection in the cracked mirror was unrecognizable. His frail, skinny body was gone. In its place was a lean, muscular frame like that of a trained athlete. "What what happened to me?" he whispered. Ding! The system panel appeared again. Awaken- SSS-Rank Skill: Copy Spiritual Energy. "Author''s thoughts: I am a tiny fish among Whales. Give me some support. Any support is appreciated." ~''Thank you.''~ Chapter 2 Spiritual Energy and the Mysterious Lottery --- Inside the small, dimly lit bathroom, Kent stood under the cold stream of water. The droplets cascaded down his body, it was very cold. He was pouring cold water into his body, but he wasn''t shivering at all. "What happened to me?" Kent murmured, wiping dust off the mirror with his hand. His voice was filled with disbelief. He flexed his arm slightly. This isn''t normal. Before he could wrap his head around it, a sudden notification rang in his ears. Ding! System Panel SSS-Rank Skill: Copy Spiritual Energy Description: The host can copy spiritual energy from others by triggering their emotions (joy, anger, sadness, love, frustration, etc.). Area of effect: 100 miles. Make it into spiritual points (SP) for use. The system finds an error in the host body. The Host cannot absorb spiritual energy directly from the environment. Spiritual energy is stored as ''Spiritual points'', a balance that can be spent in the system shop, lottery, and others. Kent stared blankly at the glowing text hovering before him, only half-listening as the water continued to patter against his shoulders. "What''s this?" he whispered. "Spiritual energy points? Not money?" but it says Balance. Kent shut the water off abruptly, grabbed the old towel, and sat on a wooden stool. Droplets fell to the creaky wooden floor as he sat. Income RecordC +1, +1, +98 spiritual energy copied from the xxxx. +1, +7, +99 spiritual energy copied from the truck driver. +1, +9, +99 spiritual energy copied from the xxx, xxx, xxx. Kent''s eyes twitched as he scrolled. "Are you kidding me? I thought I''d hit the jackpot real money!" He groaned, leaning back. "So this system is basically, some weird scam." Before he could complain further, a familiar voice echoed from the other room. "Kent! Are you done yet?" Nima shouted impatiently. "I''m hungry!" Kent rubbed his temple and called back, "Nima! Just cook the cup noodles yourself. And make some for me, too!" Ding! Suddenly, the system chimed in his mind. +66 spiritual energy copied from Nima. +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent froze, his eyes widening. "Wait what happened just now." He stared at the glowing screen. "So this is how it works? All types of emotions, any reactionwill let me copy their spiritual energy?" His voice filled with realization. He smirked slightly as he leaned back, the puzzle pieces slowly coming together. "Joy, anger, sadness whatever emotions they feel because of me. I can copy it and turn it into my spiritual points." Kent tilted his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I can''t absorb energy from the environment like those so-called awakened cultivators on TV but if I can trigger reactions from others, I can still collect it." He squinted at his balance. Balance: 1110 points Kent suddenly perked up. "This this looks like a balance. Maybe I can withdraw it into cash?" The thought sent a wave of excitement through him. He clapped his hands together and shouted, "System! Withdraw balance into money!" Nothing happened. "Money!" he repeated. "Cash! Dollars! Withdraw!" Still nothing. "Damn it, you useless system!" Kent grumbled. "You show me points like I''m rich, but I can''t even touch the money?" Kent''s frustration only lasted a moment before curiosity got the better of him. Another glowing option caught his attention. Lottery. "Huh? A lottery?" Kent muttered, scrolling to the new tab. "Let''s see what this is about." The panel transformed into a large wheel divided into 15 slots. Kent frowned when he saw the design. Empty Empty Empty Only 3 slots had faint, shadowy outlines, their contents hidden. The rest were labelled as "empty." "What''s the point of this?" Kent muttered, leaning closer. "How rigged can you get?" At the bottom of the panel, a small message flashed: Cost: 100 Spiritual Points per spin. Kent scratched his head. "A hundred points for this useless-looking wheel? Forget it" Then, his gaze fell back on his balance. 1110 points. "Screw it," he said with a sigh. "Let''s just try once. What''s the worst that can happen?" The moment he pressed the spin button, the system came alive with sounds inside his mind. Woop Woop Woop Woop Woop The wheel began spinning furiously, the pointer moving so fast it became a blur. Kent stared at it, leaning forward in anticipation. His palms grew clammy. "Stop on something good. Stop on something good!" The wheel slowed down, and Kent held his breath. Clink. Clink. Clink The pointer approached one of the shadowy slots. "Come on, come on!" Kent whispered. Ding! The wheel stopped. A blinding blue light burst out of the screen as a notification appeared. [Congratulations! You have won a Physique Enhancement Fruit.] Kent blinked, stunned. "A fruit?" Is it like the Devil fruits from one piece? The system panel flickered, and a new section labelled Item Storage appeared. Inside, a glowing blue fruit the size of a large grape sat calmly. Description: Physique Enhancement Fruit Boosts the host''s physical strength / improves physique for cultivation. Kent swallowed nervously as he stared at the description. "Wait a minuteimproves physique for cultivation, boost strength, a fruit that? Isn''t this similar, like the powers of Devil Fruits?" Only if I can awaken some kind of ability like Gum Gum or Flame Flame. The blue fruit glowed faintly inside the storage panel. "Can I take it out?" Kent wondered aloud. "System, bring the fruit out!" Poof! Suddenly, the fruit materialized in front of him, floating for a brief moment before landing softly in his hand. It was smooth, glowing faintly, and emitted a soft humming sound. "Whoa" Kent whispered, holding it closer to his face. "This looks legit." But then his brows furrowed. "What if it''s poisonous? What if this is some weird prank from the system?" His stomach growled loudly in response. Grrrrr! Kent sighed, glancing at the fruit again. "It doesn''t look dangerous. And honestly, I''ve got nothing to lose. I survived getting hit by a truck, didn''t I?" He held the fruit up, took a deep breath, and popped it into his mouth. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Glup! The moment Kent swallowed the fruit, a wave of energy exploded inside his body. "AAAAHHH!" Kent screamed, clutching his stomach as his whole body heated up like molten lava coursed through his veins. His muscles tensed. His bones cracked audibly. CRACK! CRACK! Every fibre of his being burned with a strange, overwhelming power. The entire room began to glow faintly as blue light pulsed from Kent''s body. BOOM! The old wooden walls vibrated from the shockwave of energy. Minutes passed. The room fell silent again. Kent collapsed back onto the floor, breathing heavily. His skin glistened with sweat, and his chest rose and fell in sharp gasps. He glanced down at his hands. They looked stronger. His blood veins pulsed faintly with blue light before disappearing. "Holy crap." He sat up slowly, examining his body. His muscles were firmer. His energy levels felt like they''d skyrocketed. "I feel stronger," Kent whispered in disbelief. The system chimed again. Ding! "Physique Enhanced. +.... +.. Kent sat there, stunned. A slow grin crept across his face. "This system it might not be so bad after all." Chapter 3 The Path of a Cultivator Begins --- Kent leaned back, staring at his hands, still buzzing with energy from the Physique Enhancement Fruit. "Does this mean the fruit enhances the physique of weaklings like me and gives a temporary boost to stronger people?" He mumbled. His thought shifted to something he''d read in a Cultivator Book. A mysterious organisation published a cultivation book for the public 5 years ago. 18 years ago, everything changed. Before that, only a handful of talented individuals, major clans, and exclusive organizations had talent for cultivation or magical powers. It was raresomething out of myths and legends. Then, around 18 years ago, traces of spiritual energy began spreading across the globe. At first, only a few elites could harness it. But in time, it grew... And five years ago, the world took a giant leap. Everyone, no matter how ordinary, began to feel spiritual energy. Humanity''s potential exploded. Everyone can cultivate now. People can awaken unique powers randomly. There''s no limit to it. Anything people can imagine or hear/ watch/ read in anime, novels and manga, all those powers becoming a reality. They just need some kind of trigger to awaken their superpower. It could be anything. Like from running, getting angry, kicking rock, etc. Any random things can make someone awaken a unique superpower. But it''s not that common to get a unique power. A survey shows that 01 in 10,000 people can awaken a unique superpower. The chances are increasing with the spiritual energy recovery. Everyone can cultivate but Leveling up as a cultivator is totally different thing. People need proper discipline and techniques to level up. Without a proper technique people can''t progress much further. Old cultivation books and marital art''s books come handy here. People can follow those techniques to level up alone. Cultivator organizations released books on cultivation techniques, guiding people on how to level up their cultivation. But all techniques they released were for low level. Once someone crosses Level D they have to join some organisations to progress further. It came at a cost. To cultivate spiritual energy requires moneylots of it. You need to buy many spiritual foods, pills, tools and treasures. Not everyone could afford to pursue this path, and fewer could master their awakened unique superpower. The world now followed a global ranking system: F-Rank: The weakest. E-Rank: D-Rank: C-Rank: B-Rank: The current peak of humanity. Strong, powerful individuals. A-Rank: A mythical goal. Officially, No one had reached it yet. (There are rumours online that few people are Level-A cultivators or even stronger, but no proof.) [Note: There are more ranks but no ancient records published yet. Normal people don''t know anything about that.] Kent rubbed his chin thoughtfully, excitement dancing in his eyes. "So my spiritual energy copying skill is actually god-tier!" he muttered. "This fruit alone proves it! I can draw cultivation treasures like this from the lottery and system shop. I just need more spiritual points... which is basically money!" He clenched his fist, a huge grin spreading across his face. "YAY! I''m gonna be a big-shot cultivator!" I will become rich Heh Heh Heh. Kent jumped up, punching the air. The excitement was too much. ???? "KENT! Are you gonna stay in there all day?" His sister Nima''s voice snapped him out of his daydream. Her irritation carried through the thin walls. "Noodles are getting cold!" she added with a huff. Ding! +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent smirked. Thanks for the bonus SP, sis. He quickly towelled off, put on his clothes, and rushed out of the bathroom. Annoying his sister too much could result in disaster. The kitchen smelled heavenly. A small old broken table in the middle of the room held two bowls of steaming noodles topped with some extra slices of meatmeat that Kent recognized immediately. "Wait a minute... is this from Aunty Zhou next door?" Kent asked, raising an eyebrow. Nima pouted slightly, avoiding his gaze. "She gave it willingly! I just borrowed some." Kent chuckled, sitting down. "Borrowed? Nima ignored him, focusing on her noodles. Kent picked up his chopsticks and took a big bite. His eyes widened as the flavours burst into his mouth. "Whoa, not bad, Nima!" he said. "This is better than usual!" Nima looked away, trying to hide her smile. "It''s nothing," she said with fake modesty. "Besides, you''re the one who''s supposed to be the noodle expert, not me." Kent grinned, sensing an opportunity. "Oh? Since you''re so much better at cooking now, how about you take over from here on out?" Nima glared at him. "Child labour is a crime. I saw it on TV. " Ding! +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent''s grin widened. Easy points! "Don''t push your luck, Kent!" Nima snapped, pointing her chopsticks at him. Inside, Kent couldn''t help but celebrate. "Ha! My sister might just become my spiritual point ATM," he thought. Then, guilt crept in. "But I can''t always rely on making her angry... I need another plan to earn points." After dinner, Nima tugged on Kent''s sleeve. "Let''s go build a scare crow for our yard," she said. The crows in this area are getting very naughty. They poop everywhere and eat anything they find. "Nima picks up some carrots."???? Kent frowned. "You''re using up our carrots? Those are for eating, not decoration!" Nima puffed up her cheeks. "Fine! But you have to buy me some sugar apple candy later, okay?" "Deal," Kent said with a sigh. Outside, snow fell lightly over the small yard. The siblings began putting two dry tree sticks in front of their vegetable garden. "Doesn''t these scarecrows look like us?" Nima said, standing back to admire their handiwork. Kent examined the lumpy scarecrow of Nima with a smirk. "Nima, let''s talk seriously for a second. What do you want to be when you grow up?" I am planning to send you to a school. Nima blinked, surprised. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" I don''t want to go to school. But I have a dream. She grinned proudly. "I''ll be like youa seller! But I won''t sell eggs, I will be the big boss seller. I''ll sell sugar apples! That way I can eat them all the time, too." Many people will work under me. They will all call me boss Nima. Kent burst out laughing. "Ha! I knew you only wanted the job which has snacks!" "Hey!" Nima pouted. "What about you? Why are you asking me questions like some old man?" Do you have money to send me to a school? +99 sp copied from Nima. Before Kent could react, Nima scooped up a snowball and hurled it at him. WHACK! It hit him square in the face. "You little!" Kent shouted, laughing as he grabbed his own snowball. The two chased each other around the yard, their laughter ringing out in the quiet night. Snowballs flew through the air, landing with soft PLOPS. While the siblings played, far across the city, a different scene unfolded. Somewhere in a busy district A government official stood locked in combat with a towering man whose fists glowed with rocky energy. The news had reported an "earth-awakened" individual attacking citizens earlier that day. "Stand down!" the official roared, spiritual energy crackling around him. The earth-awakened man growled, slamming his fists into the pavement. BOOM! The ground cracked violently, sending shockwaves rippling outward. People screamed as they fled the area. The fight continues... Back at home, completely unaware of the chaos elsewhere, Kent and Nima finally returned inside. Both were covered in snow, laughing and panting from exhaustion. Kent flopped onto the couch and pulled out his phone. Nima peeked over his shoulder. "Who are you texting?" Kent smirked. "A group chat with my classmates. Unlike some people, I have friends, Because I go to school." Nima pouted. "Are you picking up girls? Don''t, Ignore your pretty, lovely sister?" You can''t have a girlfriend until I approve of her. Ding! +77 spiritual energy copied from Nima. "Don''t be jealous," Kent teased, typing rapidly. He cracked a few jokes in the group chat, he was testing if he could earn SP from group chat. He was surprised to find out that it''s working. Thee jokes earning waves of laughter reactions from his classmates. Ding! +33, +55, +66 spiritual energy copied from classmates. Kent smirked to himself. "Not bad. Jokes = free spiritual points. This system is starting to feel like cheating." Nima squinted at him suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like that? Are you sick? You never act like this!" Today for some reason you are acting like you wanted to irritate people. Kent cleared his throat. "I''m just being charming, as usual." Nima rolled her eyes. "Weirdo." After earning a decent batch of spiritual points, Kent opened the system lottery again. "Time to try my luck," he whispered. The wheel appeared in front of him, its empty slots mocking him. Cost: 100 spiritual points per spin. Kent rubbed his hands together. "Alright, let''s do this." He pressed the button. Woop woop woop woop woop The wheel spun furiously. Clink. Clink. Clink Empty. "Damn it!" Kent grumbled. He spun again. Empty. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ugh, come on!" Spin three. Empty. Kent''s eye twitched. "Is this thing rigged?!" By the sixth spin, he was about to lose hope whenDing! The wheel stopped, and a golden and white light burst from the panel. "Congratulations! You have won a.." Kent sat up straight. "Finally! Another item!" He grinned, staring at the glowing thing in the System. "Looks like my luck''s turning around after all." --- Chapter 4 The Page of Fire. ---- WOOSH! A sudden flash of light exploded from the system screen, filling Kent''s room with a blinding glow. He flinched, covering his face with his arms as the light pulsated like a living entity. "What the?!" Kent shouted, stumbling backwards onto his creaky bed. Before he could process what was happening, the glowing light condensed into a page, shimmering like a molten piece of paper. It floated gently in the air, its edges pulsing with a mix of white and golden-like flames. Whoosh! Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crackle! The strange page hovered in front of Kent''s wide eyes, completely still as if it was waiting for something. Kent squinted. "System what is this? Explain!" He waited. Nothing happened. "Hey! Don''t just throw weird glowing stuff at me and stay quiet!" He yelled, waving his hand in frustration. Still, there was no response. "Ugh, fine. Be mysterious then," Kent grumbled, glaring at the system. Suddenly, the page ignited. FOOOOM! ''WHITE''- Flames erupted from its centre, swirling in the air like a fiery Dragon. The glowing energy spiralled toward Kent, its heat intense but not burning. "W-Wait! Wait! I didn''t agree to this" Before Kent could escape, the spiritual flames rushed into his chest with a loud ''WHAM!'' "AAAAAH!" Kent clutched his heart as a burning sensation erupted deep inside him. The fire wasn''t painful, but it felt like something powerful was being etched into his very soul. The air crackled with energy. A strange light pierced through the ceiling, descending from the sky above Kent''s house. It looked as if the heavens themselves had split open, pouring light into his tiny room. Sizzle! Whoosh! The glow faded, and Kent slumped onto the floor, panting heavily. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he clutched his chest. "What the hell was that?" he muttered, feeling an unfamiliar warmth lodged deep inside him, like a flame resting in his heart. His hand pressed against his chest as if trying to feel it. Nothing seemed differentno glowing aura, no fire powers bursting from his fingertips. "Did something just form inside me?" he whispered. Kent scrambled to his feet and glanced around the room. Then, an idea struck him. "Maybe I need to do a pose or chant a spell to make it work?" He spread his legs apart dramatically, raised his arms to the ceiling, and shouted, "Flame Fist! .... Fireball Attack!"... Nothing happened. "Too much anime," he muttered. " I thought I awaken Flame Flame powers. What a bummer. Let me try again, this time jumping into a martial arts stance he had once seen in a movie. "FIRE BURST KICK!" .....???? Silence. The only sound was the faint creaking of the floor beneath him. After a few more ridiculous attempts, Kent dropped to his knees, defeated. "What a scam! This system gave me heartburn, not a fire superpower!" It''s already morning, Kent dragged himself out of his room, his head hanging low in disappointment. Nima was sitting on the couch, munching on a leftover carrot. ''She turned to him with a frown.'' "Hey, Kent! What''s with all that noise in your room? Are you practising kung-fu or did you lose your mind?" Kent ignored her comment and asked, "Did you see any strange lights coming from the sky just now?" Nima''s eyebrows shot up. "What? Are you sick or something? Let me check." She marched toward him, standing on her tiptoes as she placed her small hand on his forehead. "You don''t feel hot. Did you hit your head?" Nima teased. "If something came out of the sky, our old and broken house would''ve been destroyed, idiot." Kent sighed. "Stop joking. I''m fine." Nima smirked. "No, you''re not. Let''s go! I''ll take you to the doctor to check your brain!" "Quit messing with me," Kent said, rolling his eyes. Then, in a sudden attempt to distract her, he added, "You know what? Today is the first day of the New Year. I''ll treat you to a sugar apple candy." Nima''s face lit up instantly. She jumped to her feet, her voice filled with joy. "WHAT?! Kent, you''re finally becoming a good big brother! Let''s go!" "First, brush your teeth," Kent deadpanned. Ding! +10 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy). Kent''s mouth twitched into a smirk. Easy points. A few minutes later, The streets were bustling with people. It seemed like the entire town had come alive to celebrate the New Year. Music played from street performers, bright decorations hung across buildings, and laughter echoed from every corner. "Look, Kent!" Nima squealed, pointing to a group of performers. They were juggling flaming torches, the fire illuminating their faces as they twisted and flipped in the air. The crowd around them cheered, clapping enthusiastically. Kent paused, his heart suddenly skipping a beat. "What''s this feeling?" he muttered to himself. A strange warmth flared in his chestthe same spot where the fiery energy had entered earlier. Kent stared at the fire performer, his instincts buzzing. Is he awakened? Kent''s eyes narrowed. He couldn''t explain it, but he felt connected to the flames. It was like the fire called out to him, whispering promises of power. "Am I feeling this because of that page?" he wondered aloud. "It''s like I can control it if I try. But something''s missing" "Kent!" Nima''s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She was already halfway across the street, waving frantically. "I found the sugar apple candy seller! Hurry up, or someone else will buy them all!" Kent sighed and jogged over. The sugar apple stand was surrounded by children and their parents, but Nima skillfully pushed her way through the crowd. "Two sugar apples, please!" she said cheerfully, glancing back at Kent. Kent handed over the money and smiled as Nima grabbed the apples. She bit into hers immediately, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Ahhh, this is heaven!" she said dramatically. Kent chuckled, taking a bite of his own apple. "Glad you''re happy. You''re so easy to bribe." Nima puffed her cheeks. "Only because it''s a sugar apple candy! Don''t get cocky." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy). "Nice," Kent whispered under his breath, grinning as he checked his system. On the other side of the festival, a man stood nervously near the fire performers, glancing around. He wore simple clothes, but his hands still crackled faintly with flames. Suddenly, three figures dressed in black coats approached him. Their faces were stern, their steps purposeful. "Sir," one of them said coldly. "You are under arrest for using your powers in public without permission." The man blinked. "Arrest? What are you talking about? I was just performing! I didn''t hurt anyone!" One of the black-coated men stepped forward, flashing a badge. "We are government officials. We belong to a special organization that deals with awakened individuals like you." The man''s expression darkened. "I don''t know about any stupid rules!" "You should have registered," the official replied. "Now, come quietly." you will be free after you register as an awakened. But the man didn''t listen. He was a criminal from another town. He can''t get identified by these people. He clenched his fists, flames bursting from his palms. WHOOSH! "I''m not going anywhere!" he shouted, launching a fireball at the officials before dashing away into the crowd. "Stop him!" one of the officials shouted. The chase was on. The fire user followed Kent and Nima. Thinking these kids are easy targets, I will take them hostage. ''Back Home'' Kent and Nima finally returned home after some wandering around the festival, the sugar apples candy were half eaten and their bellies were full. Kent fumbled for the key, unlocking the door as Nima skipped ahead. Just as Kent was about to step inside, a shadow appeared behind him. "Excuse me," a deep voice said. Kent turned to see a tall man wearing a long black coat and sunglasses. His expression was unreadable, and his presence felt unsettling. "Have you seen someone running this way?" the man asked. Kent blinked. "Uh no. I just got back. Why?" The man adjusted his coat, his sharp gaze lingering on Kent for a moment longer than necessary. "Never mind," the man muttered before walking off into the alley. Kent watched him disappear into the shadows, unease prickling at the back of his neck. "Who was that guy?" Kent muttered. Nima poked her head out of the house. "Kent! What are you doing? Come inside already!" Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I''m coming" As he stepped into the house, he couldn''t shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated. --- Chapter 5 A Spiritual Purchase ---- Kent leaned back against the worn-out couch, exhausted from the day. He pulled out his phone and swiped lazily through a few notifications. The New Year''s celebration has ended for him and Nima, but his classmates were still posting photos and videos of their fun on social media called Cultibook. "Oh great," Kent muttered sarcastically, narrowing his eyes at a video titled: "New Year Fireworks at the Golden Plaza!" The screen flashed with images of his classmates laughing, cheering, and stuffing themselves with expensive food at a fancy restaurant. Bright lights and fireworks reflected off their smiling faces. He scrolled down further and noticed a trending post in a web forum called World Alliance. "The Rise of the Awakened: Powers and Their Unknown Potential" The post was pinned at the top of the forum and had thousands of likes and shares. Curiosity got the better of him, and Kent clicked on it. World Alliance Post- "Since the appearance of awakened individuals five years ago, humanity has entered a new era. People are awakening powers beyond imagination. Some control fire, others manipulate earth, water, air, healing, alchemy or some other type of superpowers. Many awakenings are identical, and no one truly knows the full potential of an awakened ability. The powers depend on one''s talent, willpower, and understanding of spiritual energy. But one thing is clearawakened individuals will shape the future of this world." Kent sat up, his eyes glued to the screen. "So it''s not just random abilities? These guys might not even know how strong they can get." His thoughts drifted to the fire performer earlier in the carnivalthe strange connection he felt to the flames. Could that be related to his system? Was there something inside him waiting to be awakened? BZZT! His phone buzzed loudly, interrupting his thoughts. A group SMS popped up from his classmates. "Class 10c- A New Year Dinner! ?????????" Kent''s lips twitched into a humourless smile as he opened the message. Photos of lavish dishes and glittering fireworks filled the chat. His classmates sent texts like: "This restaurant is awesome! The steak melts in your mouth!" "Cheers to a new year, bros!" "Why didn''t we see Kent anywhere? Lol!" Kent scrolled through the messages, feeling his chest tighten. He wasn''t surprisedhe was used to being excluded. After all, what was a poor egg seller like him doing in a group of rich kids? "Hah as if I''d get invited anyway," Kent muttered, forcing a laugh. Suddenly, a shadow appeared over him. "What are you looking at?" Nima asked, her voice full of curiosity. She was holding the half-eaten sugar apple candy, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Kent quickly tilted his phone away. "It''s nothing." Nima narrowed her eyes and snatched the phone from his hands before he could stop her. "Hey! Give that back!" Kent protested. Nima''s eyes darted over the screen. "Ooooh! Your friends didn''t invite you to their fancy dinner?" Kent stiffened. "No, they did!" he lied, crossing his arms and looking away. "I just didn''t want to go because I have a little sister to look after." Nima raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh really?" "And besides," Kent continued, trying to sound mature, "they''re all going to expensive places. Why would I waste money on that? I''d rather save it for us." Nima smirked, chewing her apple loudly. "Yeah, yeah. I know what you mean. You''re not cheap, big brother. You''re just responsible." Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she stretched out the word responsible to tease him. Kent''s smile twitched. "Did you just call me cheap?" "Nooo! I didn''t say that!" Nima giggled, stuffing the rest of the apple into her mouth. Kent grabbed her ear gently and tugged. "Oh, so I''m cheap now, huh?" "Ow! Ow! I''m kidding!" Nima yelped, swatting his hand away. Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent smiled internally. Easy points. "Alright, that''s enough messing around," Kent said. "Go gather some vegetables from the yard. I''m going to cook something special with the leftover beef from Aunty Zhou (neighbour)." Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima crossed her arms, frowning. "Why do I have to do all the work?!" "Because you called me cheap," Kent shot back with a grin. "Ugh, fine!" Nima stomped outside, muttering under her breath, "Kent you mean big brother." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent chuckled as he sat back down, phone still in hand. He glanced back at the class group chat. The photos of expensive dinners and fireworks didn''t sting as much anymore. In fact'' Kent smirked.'' Kent: "Wow, you guys are eating food that costs my entire month''s income. But why does Xxx''s face look like the chicken on the table?" Classmate 1: "LMAO! Kent, you''re hilarious." Classmate 2: "Bro, you should''ve come. We''d treat you to a glass of water at least!" Classmate 3: "Hahaha! Comedy King Kent strikes again!" Ding! +40, +55, +60 Spiritual Energy copied from classmates (Joy). Kent grinned as the points rolled in. "Thank you for the donations, you rich idiots," he muttered under his breath. He opened the system screen and checked his current balance. Current SP Balance: 10,250 Kent''s eyes widened. "Whoa. I actually crossed ten thousand points?" For the first time, the system''s mysterious store didn''t feel so out of reach. He scrolled through the items eagerly, his finger hovering over the glowing Spiritual Fruit for Cultivation. Spiritual Cultivation Fruit Cost: 10,000 SP Effect: Allows the host to unlock their cultivation foundation by nourishing the body with spiritual energy. It will be the only way the host can level up his cultivation. [This fruit are cultivator fruit. It''s not like normal fruit which grows by absorbing spiritual energy. Later in the story, some normal spiritual fruit will be mentioned. Don''t confuse it with Kent''s system cultivation fruit.] Kent leaned forward, his heart pounding. "If I eat this I can actually start cultivating. I can become strongermaybe even awaken some kind of power!" He clicked the Purchase button. Ding! "Purchase successfully. The Items have been placed in inventory." The screen flickered, and a glowing fruit appeared in the system''s Item Storage tab. It was vibrant blue, about the size of a plum, and pulsed faintly as if alive. Kent stared at the fruit, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside him. "It''s called a fruit, so it''s gotta be safe to eat, right?" He hesitated, holding his hand in front of him as the glowing fruit materialized into his palm with a faint woosh. It felt cool to the touch, yet waves of energy radiated from it, sending shivers up his arm. "This is it" Kent whispered, swallowing hard. GULP! He threw the fruit into his mouth and bit down. CRUNCH! The texture was soft, almost like biting into a ripe peach. Sweet juice burst onto his tongue, and Kent felt an immediate rush of energy flood through his body. Suddenly'' BOOOOM! Kent''s entire body exploded with heat. His veins felt like they were on fire, and his heart pounded so loudly it echoed in his ears. "AAAHHHH!" He collapsed onto the floor, clutching his chest as golden light erupted from his skin. Sizzle! Crackle! His muscles tensed, his bones vibrated, and every cell in his body felt like it was being infused with power. "It burns!" Kent grunted through gritted teeth. "What what is happening?!" Outside the house, Nima heard the faint sound of a thud. She paused, arms full of vegetables. "Big brother?" she called. "Did you drop something?" Back inside, Kent lay panting on the floor as the glow around his body faded. His heart still thudded wildly, but the burning sensation was gone, replaced by an incredible lightness. He sat up slowly, blinking as he stared at his hands. "I I feel different," Kent whispered, flexing his fingers. His muscles felt firmer, his senses sharper, and for the first time, he could feel the faint hum of spiritual energy flowing through his body. Ding! "Congratulations! The host has unlocked their cultivation foundation." Host: Kent Physique: level 1 (10 max) Cultivation: Level F Skills: Copy spiritual energy (SSS) Kent grinned, his face flushed with exhilaration. "I actually did it. I''m a cultivator now!" ''Yaaahhhooo.'' But before he could celebrate properly, Nima''s voice came from outside the door. "KENT! I swear if you broke something, you''re cleaning it up!" Kent chuckled weakly. "Relax, Nima. I just tripped." Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Annoyance). Kent smirked as he climbed to his feet. The system had given him a foundation, and now, the real journey was about to begin. ---- Chapter 6 The Spark of Fire ---- Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Ding! +25 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (annoyance). Wow! She is being so generous. Let''s make her a little more angry then I will help her. A few minutes later, Nima came sprinting back inside, her face pale and her arms full of leafy vegetables. "Big brother!" she panted. "Someone just just broke into our house and fainted!" Kent froze mid-scroll. "Huh? What do you mean ''broke in and fainted''? Who..?" "I don''t know! But it was someone big and scary!" Nima clung to his arm. "What should we do?" Kent sighed, standing up. "Carp! Seriously? Let''s go check." The two rushed outside to the small yard, the evening sky growing darker by the minute. In the middle of the garden lay a manthe same fire performer from the carnival earlier. He looked unconscious, his clothes singed and tattered. Kent blinked. "It''s that guy from before" S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima tugged on his sleeve, eyes wide. "Big brother, what do we do? He''s not moving! If he dies, you''ll go to jail, and I''ll be all alone! Your pretty little sister abandoned!" Kent''s eyebrow twitched. "Stop the drama, Nima! He''s not dead. At least I don''t think so." "Then call an ambulance!" Nima shouted. Kent scratched his head. "Ambulance? You know we''d have to pay for that, right? Let''s call the police insteadthey''ll pay for it." Before he could move, the man on the ground twitched. +99 sp from the jack. (Frustration) Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you''re awake now?" The man stayed still, his eyes cracked open slightly, watching Kent and Nima. Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. Kent thinking. "You''re not unconscious, are you? You''re just faking!" He just poked the man two / three times. The man didn''t respond, but his lips twitched slightly. Kent leaned closer, making a dramatic face. "Oh, I see how it is! You''re not in a comayou''re trying to scam us for money! Hah! Nice try!" Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. "Big brother," Nima asked cautiously, "should we take him inside until the police come?" Before Kent could answer, the man thought to himself, Yes, yes! Take me inside. I checked you-kids live alone. Once I''m in, I''ll silence you both and hide from those black-coat lunatics. Ha ha ha But Kent shook his head. "No way! We''ll keep him here in the yard. If we move him, the police might accuse us of destroying evidence!" The man mentally cursed Kent. +799 sp from the jack. Nima frowned. "At least give him some water! He looks terrible." Kent waved her off. "It takes too long to boil water. Just give him some iceit''s basically the same thing." "ICE?!" Nima stared at him in disbelief. "Yeah! Go get some from the fridge." Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. The man groaned weakly, muttering, "These kids are so mean What happened to kindness?" Before he could complain more, he coughed loudlyCough! Cough!drawing Kent''s attention. "Ugh cough, cough" "Hey! Sir Stay still!" Kent said, pushing him back down on the ground. Ding! +499 Spiritual Energy copied. (Anger) The man tried to sit up again, but Kent shoved him down firmly. "Stop moving, sir! You''re injured!" Ding! +887 Spiritual Energy copied. (Anger) Suddenly, a notification popped up in Kent''s vision. Ding! "Fire source detected. The host has a Fire Affinity. Do you want to copy the fire ability?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait what? I can copy abilities?" The system chimed again. "Host can only copy abilities, for which the host has an affinity. This is an SSS-Rank''s side skill." Kent''s jaw dropped. "Damn it, system! Why didn''t you tell me earlier?! Copy it now!" The moment he gave the command, a surge of fiery energy erupted from the performer and entered Kent''s body. The page from earlier, the one Kent had received from the system suddenly flared to life. FWOOSH! It glowed brightly, sucking in the fire energy. The page transformed into a small flame before merging into Kent''s chest. Kent stumbled back, clutching his heart. "It''s it''s like I was missing a spark to light my fire!" Ding! "Heart Fire Activated. The Host can no longer be harmed by fire unless it is divine-level fire." ["Ultimate Mission Activated: Gather 7 Types of Fire to Fully Master and unlock the true power of Heart Fire." ] Note: Kent didn''t see the ultimate mission. He was busy celebrating getting new power. Kent barely had time to process the notifications when the man suddenly lunged forward, gathering fire in his palm. "You brat!" he roared. "I''ll burn you to ashes!" He lost his temper. He needs to hide soon. The man pressed his flaming hand against Kent''s stomach. WHOOSH! Nothing happened. Kent blinked. "Uh what are you doing?" The man''s eyes bulged. "WHAT?!" Nima screamed, "Get away from my brother!" The man tried again, pouring all his fire into Kent, but the flames simply fizzled out. Kent yawned. "Are you done?" WHAM! Kent punched the man''s head, slamming him into the ground. Ding! +999 Spiritual Energy copied(Anger). After a few more punches, Kent said you want to rob us of money. You Thief. I will teach you a lesson. The man Jack and Kent are both on the same level. Kent caught Jack off guard. That is why he was able to beat him so easily. The man begged for mercy. "I don''t want your money! I''ll give you mine! Just let me go!" Kent grinned. "Now we''re talking!" The man handed over a crumpled stack of cash before fleeing into the night. Kent says goodbye to Jack. He says, please visit again to give us some extra money. Kent thinks this guy is very weak. Why the hell did he try to rob us when he is so weak? As silence settled, Nima crossed her arms. "Kent, stay away from awakened people next time. You''d be dead if it weren''t for me!" Kent laughed. What! How did you save me? ????Nima says I make him run away. He was scared by my scolding. +99 sp from Nima. (Anger) "Alright, Grandma, I''ll be careful." Patting her cheek, he whispered, "I''ll tell you a secret. I''m awakened too." Nima raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then turn the vegetables in the yard into meat." Kent facepalmed. "Let''s just go inside, make dinner and then go to bed. I have eggs to sell tomorrow." --- Chapter 7 A Day of Eggs, Jokes, and Power --- The golden rays of dawn filtered into the small, creaky house as Kent stretched with a loud yawn. His muscles felt a little different tighter, stronger since consuming the Spiritual energy and Physique Enhancement Fruit the other day. "Time to hustle," Kent muttered, slipping into his old coat and grabbing the woven basket full of chicken and duck eggs. (Note: He collects full one-month eggs together from a nearby farm.) Outside, the morning air was crisp, and faint mist lingered in the quiet streets. Kent made his way to the local market, where small vendors were already setting up their stalls. He picked a familiar spot near the corner, set his basket down, and arranged the eggs carefully. "Fresh eggs! Best eggs in town! Only one dollar for a dozen!" Kent called out, putting on his brightest, salesman smile. An elderly lady approached, leaning on her walking stick as she eyed Kent sceptically. "You again, Kent? How fresh are these eggs?" Kent grinned, holding up an egg dramatically. "Auntie, these eggs are so fresh that if you crack one open, the chick might still say hello!" The lady snorted, trying to suppress a laugh. "You cheeky brat." sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). "Alright, I''ll take a dozen," the lady said, shaking her head with a small smile. A grumpy old man wandered over next, his wrinkled face pulled into a scowl. "Why are your eggs so expensive today? I could buy gold for this price!" Kent crossed his arms and sighed dramatically. "Uncle, these aren''t just eggs they''re miracle eggs! You eat these, and your bones might stop creaking. You might even feel young again!" The man glared at him, but a faint chuckle escaped his lips. "Hmph! Miracle eggs, my foot. Give me ten." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). A young couple stopped by next. The man picked up an egg and squinted at it. "Are these organic?" "Brother, these eggs are so organic they make grass-fed chickens jealous," Kent quipped. The girlfriend giggled, elbowing her boyfriend. "Just buy them already." Ding! +30 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). Within an hour, Kent had sold almost all his eggs, earning enough for the day and gaining a nice chunk of spiritual points (SP) in the process. "Thank you for your donations!" Kent whispered under his breath as he packed up his basket. Back home, Nima was still curled up under her blanket when Kent walked in. The soft sounds of her snoring filled the quiet house. Kent set the basket down and headed to the kitchen. He cracked open some of the remaining eggs, frying them up with the leftover rice from the night before. The rich smell of cooking food wafted through the air. "Breakfast is ready!" Kent shouted. A moment later, Nima stumbled into the kitchen, her hair messy, rubbing her eyes. "Big brother, you''re too loud" "Too loud? Then you don''t get breakfast," Kent teased, waving the plate of food in front of her. Nima''s eyes snapped open. "Wait, no! I''m awake now!" She pounced onto the chair, grabbing her fork eagerly. "You''re lucky you can cook, big brother. Otherwise, you''d be hopeless." Kent smirked, sitting across from her. "Lucky for you, I''m a man of many talents. Eat up!" Ding! +10 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). After breakfast, Kent grabbed his worn-out backpack and headed to school. The familiar clamour of students greeted him as he entered the gates. Today is the first day of school after the new year. Groups of kids laughed and shouted, and a few were still buzzing about the New Year carnival. Kent slipped into his classroom and took his usual seat near the back. He tried to keep a low profile, but whispers about awakened powers were already spreading. "Did you hear? Someone awakened their powers yesterday!" "Yeah, I heard it was Ryan from Class 10-C!" "Ryan? The muscle-head? What power could he possibly awakensuper punching walls?" Kent raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Ryan, huh? That''s the last guy I''d expect to get powers," he thought. Ryan: A rich kid, always bullies Kent for being skinny and poor. Kent always gets first place in class. That''s also a reason. Just as the bell rang, the door slammed open. BANG! A towering figure stepped insideRyan, a broad-shouldered guy with short-cropped hair and an intimidating glare. His shirt sleeves were torn, revealing bulging muscles that didn''t seem normal for a teenager. "Morning, losers!" Ryan barked, grinning as he flexed his arm. "Guess what? I awakened my powers. Strength type, baby! Who wants to see me punch a desk in half?" Without waiting for a reply, Ryan grabbed an empty desk with one hand and CRACK! he snapped it clean in two. The class erupted in chaos. "WHOA!" "Ryan, chill! You''re gonna destroy the classroom!" "Is this guy serious?!" Kent leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "Yep. Classic Ryan." Ryan turned his attention to a skinny student near the front. "Hey, you! I bet I could throw you across the room. Wanna try?" The poor kid paled. "N-No thanks" Kent sighed, shaking his head. "Here we go again." Ryan''s antics continued as he flexed and threatened to "test his powers" on random students. The teacher walked in, took one look at the scene, and immediately backed out. "I''ll have to call for help" Meanwhile, Kent couldn''t resist taking advantage of the situation. Now he is stronger. He can fight back. He raised his hand casually. "Hey, Ryan!" Kent called out with a grin. "With all those muscles, can you lift your grades too?" The class burst into laughter. Ding! +40 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). +55 Spiritual Energy copied (Frustration from Ryan). Ryan''s face turned red. "What did you say, egg boy?!" Kent leaned back, unfazed. "I said, don''t let your brain skip study day." It''s turning you into a bigger idiot than you were before. More laughter exploded through the room. Even Ryan''s friends couldn''t hold it in. "SHUT UP!" Ryan roared, but his loud voice only earned more giggles. Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Two men in Black coats entered the classroom, their serious faces silencing everyone instantly. "Ryan?" one of them said firmly. Ryan turned, his bravado faltering. "Uh yeah?" "You''re coming with us." "What?! Why?" "You used your powers without permission. You need to pay a fine. The second reason is that the government needs to register all awakened individuals." Ryan tried to protest, but the men grabbed his arm and dragged him out. "Hey! Let go of me! I''m not done flexing!" The classroom watched in stunned silence as Ryan disappeared down the hallway. "Well," Kent muttered, "there goes our entertainment for the day." Ding! +600 Spiritual Energy copied (Mixed Emotions from Classmates). After school, Kent returned home, kicking off his shoes and collapsing onto the old couch. "Time to see what I can get with all this SP," he said, opening his system panel. Current SP Balance: 15,650 His eyes lit up. I earned that much SP. "Let''s spin the lottery!" The glowing wheel appeared, divided into empty slots and hidden prizes. Spin 1 Empty. Spin 2 Empty. Spin 3 Physique Enhancement Fruit Won! "Nice!" Kent cheered, watching the glowing fruit appear in his system inventory. He kept spinning, determined to test his luck. Spin 4 Empty. Spin 5 Physique Enhancement Fruit Won! Spin 6 Empty. Spin 7 Physique Enhancement Fruit After more than 50 spins, Kent had collected 10 Physique Enhancement Fruits. "Alright, let''s max out my body," Kent whispered eagerly. He summoned the glowing fruits one by one, each the size of a large grape. Gulp! .... Crunch! The moment he ate them, heat surged through his muscles. His bones crackled, his body pulsed with energy, and every fibre of his being felt like it was strengthening. Ding! "Physique Enhanced. Strength and Endurance +1 +1 +1." "Maximum Physique Reached." Status:- Host: Kent Physique: level 10 (max.) Cultivation: Level F Skills: Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) Kent stood up, flexing his arm experimentally. His once scrawny body now felt solid, his muscles lean and powerful. --- Chapter 8 Trouble Finds Trouble --- "I''m like a strength-type awakened now," he said, grinning. "All this just from a bunch of fruits!" I guess I need to go and find the one piece!! He says to himself jokingly. Then he clenched his fists, eager to test his newfound strength. "Alright! Time to find someone to fight!" Kent''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he glanced outside. "Somewhere in town, there had to be someone to test my power on." "Let''s see what this body can do!" The sun hung low in the sky as Kent strolled lazily through the quieter streets of town. His hands were stuffed in his pants pockets, and a faint smirk lingered on his lips. He was literally waking like Dloflemingo. "I''ve got strength now," Kent muttered to himself, "but it''d be a shame to let it go to waste. I need someone to test it on preferably someone who deserves it." The streets were nearly empty as the New Year celebrations wound down. Vendors packed up their stalls, and the sound of distant fireworks echoed faintly through the air. Kent''s boots crunched softly on the gravel road as he wandered aimlessly, whistling a little tune. "MEOW!" A stray cat hissed at him from atop a trash can. Kent stopped, turning his head. "Oh? You want to fight too?" The cat stared him down, unimpressed. Kent chuckled. "Relax. You''re safe for now. I''ve got bigger fish to fry." As he walked further into town, something caught his attentiona faint flicker of light in a dark alleyway. Kent squinted, his senses tingling. "That looks familiar" he whispered. He crept closer and peeked around the corner. There, slumped against a wall and surrounded by faint embers, was the fire user Jack. Oh, it''s the same guy who had tried to scam me back at the house. Heh heh! Smirked ????. His clothes were dirty and torn, and faint flames flickered weakly around his hands. "Well, well, well," Kent said aloud, stepping into the alley with an exaggerated clap. "If it isn''t Mr. Candlelight himself!" The fire user''s head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. "You You again?!" Kent grinned. "Yep, me again. You look worse than the leftovers I ate last night. Are you trying to scam someone else, huh?" +99 Sp from jack. ( Frustration) The fire user growled, stumbling to his feet. "I don''t have time for this!" Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you''ve got time. Trust me." The fire user roared and launched a fireball straight at Kent''s chest. "WHOOSH! BOOM!" The explosion lit up the alleyway, sending dust and debris flying. Smoke curled through the air as the fire user panted, a grin creeping onto his face. "Hah! That''s what you get, brat!" But when the smoke cleared, Kent stood there completely unharmed, brushing soot off his jacket. "You''re gonna need a bigger fire," Kent said casually, yawning. Ding! +50 SP copied (Frustration). The fire user''s grin disappeared. "What the hell?!" "Come on," Kent taunted, cracking his knuckles. "Don''t disappoint me." With an angry roar, the fire user summoned a barrage of fireballs, flinging them wildly. "WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!" Kent weaved through the flames effortlessly, his enhanced physique allowing him to move with inhuman speed. "Missed me!" Kent teased, dodging left. "Still missing!" he said, sidestepping another. "Are you even aiming, or are you just hoping I''ll stand still?" Ding! +60 SP copied (Frustration). The fire user screamed, his flames flaring wildly. "I''ll turn you into ash!" Before Kent could finish the fight, a deep voice echoed from the shadows. "Yo, Jack! Need a hand roasting this kid?" Kent turned to see a massive man stepping forward, a metal bat slung over his shoulder. The guy was built like a truck, muscles bulging beneath his torn sleeves. Kent sighed, scratching his head. "Great. You brought backup. What is this, a two-for-one deal?" The bat-wielding guy sneered. "You''re gonna regret messing with us, brat." Kent smirked. "Oh, I doubt that." The fire user gathered flames in his hands while the bat-wielding man charged straight at Kent with a roar. "SWOOSH! WHOOSH!" Kent ducked under the bat swing, narrowly avoiding a headshot. He spun around, delivering a kick to the man''s side. "THUD!" The guy stumbled but didn''t fall. "Not bad," Kent muttered. "You''re tougher than you look." The fire user took the opportunity to launch another massive fireball. "WHOOSH! BOOM!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent leapt aside, landing gracefully as the flames scorched the ground. "Careful, Candle Guy! You almost burned your buddy there!" The bat-wielder glared. "Shut up!" With both men attacking, Kent shifted into high gear. He grabbed the bat mid-swing and yanked it out of the guy''s hands effortlessly. "Mine now," Kent said with a grin. BONK! He tapped the guy heavily on the head with the bat. The man''s eyes rolled back as he collapsed onto the ground. Ding! +75 SP copied (Desperation). The fire user watched in horror as Kent turned his attention back to him. "Y-You freak!" Kent tilted his head. "Freak? Nah. I''m just an egg seller who hates troublemakers." The fire user unleashed his full power, flames surging into a blazing inferno. "DIE!" The fire roared forward, engulfing Kent completely. Silence! The fire user grinned victoriously. But then WHOOSH! The flames disappeared, and Kent stood there untouched, cracking his neck. "Fire doesn''t work on me, buddy," Kent said. "I''m flameproof." The fire user''s jaw dropped. "W-What?!" Kent dashed forward in an instant, delivering a series of blows: WHAM! A punch to the gut. THWACK! An elbow to the jaw. CRACK! A kick to the chest sends the fire user sprawling. The man groaned, completely defeated. Kent dusted off his hands and looked down at the two unconscious troublemakers. "Well, that was fun." He pulled out his phone, dialling the police anonymously. "Hello? Yeah, you''ll find two idiots knocked out behind Central Alley. Enjoy the clean-up." Before leaving, Kent scribbled a note on a piece of scrap paper and tucked it into the fire user''s pocket. Note: "Caught these guys causing trouble. Courtesy of your friendly egg seller C." Kent walked off into the night, whistling to himself. Ding! +999 SP copied (Despair). Chapter 9 Invincible F-Rank ---- The streets were calm when Kent strolled back home. The echoes of his earlier fight still played in his heada smug grin plastered across his face. "Two against one, and they still couldn''t lay a finger on me," Kent muttered proudly, kicking a small stone along the path. "At this rate, I''m not just F-RankI''m invincible at F-Rank!" The soft glow of streetlights flickered, and Kent''s mood was soaring. Every muscle in his body felt tight, brimming with energy from the physique fruits he''d eaten earlier. The small glow of Heart Fire in his chest still pulsed faintly, reminding him of the day''s spoils. When Kent walked into the house, Nima was already asleep, snuggled under her blanket. Her soft snores echoed faintly, making him pause. "Sleeping like a baby," Kent whispered, grinning. "Good. Less trouble for me tonight." He slipped into the small, creaky chair by the table and summoned the system screen. System Panel SP Balance: 24,800 "Twenty-four thousand," Kent whispered with glee, rubbing his hands together. "Time to test my luck on the lottery again." The glowing Lottery Wheel appeared in the air before him. Its edges spun with faint sparks of light, divided into empty spaces and glowing slots. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Come on, big rewards!" he said, pressing the spin button. Spin 1: Empty "Okay first one''s just a warm-up." Spin 2: Minor Energy Recovery Pill "Eh, not bad. Could be useful later." Spin 3: Physique Enhancement Fruit Kent''s grin widened. "Jackpot! Another one!" He kept spinning, the wheel flashing brightly each time. Spin 4: Physique Enhancement Fruit Spin 5: Empty Spin 6: Physique Enhancement Fruit By the end of his spins, Kent had three more Physique Enhancement Fruits in his inventory. His excitement was practically radiating off him. Current SP Balance: 21,800 Inventory: 3 Physique Enhancement Fruits Kent summoned one of the fruits. It appeared in his palmvibrant blue, glowing faintly with energy. "This stuff is better than steroids," Kent said, holding the fruit up like a trophy. "What will happen when I eat physical enhancement fruit in max out body?" He tilted his head back and swallowed the fruit whole. GULP! The moment it hit his stomach, it just vanished. Ding! "Physique Enhancement Boost. Strength +50%. Endurance +50%." "Woo!" Kent flexed his arm, watching the muscles bulge slightly beneath his coat. So now I will only get a boost from eating the fruit. It makes me stronger for some time. Kent stood up and stretched. His body felt solid, like an unbreakable wall of steel. He clenched his fists, marvelling at the sheer power coursing through him. "Not bad. Not bad at all," Kent muttered, smirking. He reached for a nearby wooden chair and lifted it effortlessly with one hand, spinning it around like it weighed nothing. THUD! He set the chair down, his grin widening. "I''m like a strength-type awakened now, but all I did was eat a bunch of glowing fruits. Physical cultivators are very strong. They train for years for what I just got overnight." Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Let me buy two more spiritual fruits. I have enough Spiritual points for that. What will happen if I eat those? Will I rank up again? I can''t wait to see. Shop: Spiritual Fruit 10,000 SP ------------- Buy He pressed the buy, Then he bought two spiritual energy fruits/ cultivation fruits from the system shop. After eating the fruits he felt like his body now held more power. More spiritual energy. Did I level up? Why isn''t anything happening like last time? Hey system, says something. What''s going on? Why didn''t something happen like last time? To his question response, a notification comes. Ding! Rank: F level (middle) He quickly checked the World Alliance Forum ranks. To verify all the ranks. There Kent finds out. Each level has three stages. 1 lower 2. Middle 3. Upper/Peak He also finds out some hidden information. There were some ruins full of treasure and danger that have been opening all over the world for the past few years. Since the resurrection of spiritual energy. Many people enter there and never return again. Some returns with a lot of treasure. Many government organizations, big families and clans control this ruin when it appears. Kent says. It''s too dangerous. Hmm. But I don''t have to worry about that. The government will look after that. Right now I just need to get stronger. Then his mind returned to his rank situation. So I am at the middle of F level. I have to work hard to earn some more Spiritual points. I have to reach the peak rank first. Then the Level E. Let''s make dinner now. I have to wake up Nima from her sleep. I have so much work to do at home. I need her help. ... . . . . Next day- The school bell rang loudly as Kent dragged his feet into class, still feeling the weight of yesterday''s events. He slumped into his seat at the back, yawning lazily. His eyes darted around the room; everything seemed normal at first. Ryan, the musclehead who had caused chaos before was taken by the government, now he was sitting smugly in his chair again. The guy flexed his arms for no reason, grinning at anyone who made eye contact. "Hey, the muscle- for brains is back," Kent muttered to himself. "He didn''t stay gone for long." Ryan''s voice boomed across the classroom, cutting through Kent''s thoughts. "Guess who''s back, losers? That''s right, your future number-one hero!" Hek Hek Hek! (Laughs) Students groaned, rolling their eyes, but some whispered in awe about Ryan''s powers. Just then, the classroom door creaked open, and their homeroom teacher walked in with a stern expression. The usual chatter quickly died down. She set a stack of papers on the desk and adjusted her glasses, scanning the room. "Settle down, everyone. I have an important announcement," the teacher said, her voice sharp and serious. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What now?" he whispered to himself. Chapter 10 The Blood Test and the Secret Plan --- The teacher cleared her throat. "As you all know, the number of awakened individuals is increasing all over the World. It has become essential for society to identify and guide these individuals to ensure order and safety." She paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the class. "Our school has been chosen to host a mandatory test to determine whether you are awakened or have the potential physique of an awakened person. Every student must undergo this test." The entire class exploded into whispers and chatter. "A test for awakened powers?!" "What if I''m one of them?!" "Man, I hope I get something cool like fire or lightning!" Kent, however, paled visibly. He slouched lower in his chair, tugging his hood over his head. "A test?!" he thought, his heart pounding. "This is bad. This is really bad!" The teacher raised her hand, silencing the class. "The test will involve a blood sample, which will be analyzed to determine your spiritual physique or awakening potential." With spiritual power back. Many elements and metals change. By simply mixing mercury with someone''s blood we can identify someone''s physique. "Kent froze in place." "A blood test?!" he thought, panic flooding his mind. "If they test me, my physique will be off the charts thanks to all those fruits I ate!" Ryan smirked from across the room, flexing his arms obnoxiously. "Blood test? Pfft. I''ll pass with flying colours. They''re gonna see I''m the real deal!" Kent groaned internally, clutching his head. "Ugh, I can''t afford this kind of attention! If they find out I''m physically stronger than most awakened people, the government will be all over me!" They will make a lab rat. Some funny idea goes through his mind. He was inside a cage. The doctor put needles into his butt to pull out blood. Someone cut his hand to test it. His body is preserved in chemicals in the museum for display. He sought. ''Nooooooo!!'' The teacher asked. Kent what happened to you? Why are you yelling? Then she asks, "Do you know what mercury is? Kent says. I know what mercury is. Its is full of mercury liquids. That is why it is called mercury. +9, +8,+10,+19 sp from xxx , xxx, xxx Everyone was shocked by his bad jokes. But it was very good for him. He gets a lot of spiritual points. Kent is very happy. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The teacher ignored Kent and then continued, "The test will be conducted tomorrow during school hours. Anyone who avoids the test will face consequences." Kent''s mind raced. "Tomorrow? That gives me less than a day to figure something out! I need a plan- fast." After school, Kent trudged back home, his bag slung lazily over his shoulder. His mind buzzed with thoughts as he kicked the small stones along the road. Thud Thud! "If they take my blood, it''s game over," Kent muttered to himself. "I''ll light up that test like a supernova, and then they''ll start asking questions that I can''t answer." "They will make me a lab rat. I can''t tell anyone that I have a system." I have kept it a secret. As he stepped into the house, Nima sat on the floor, humming a tune as she stacked vegetables into a lopsided pyramid. La La La~!???????????? "Welcome back, big brother!" she chirped without looking up. Kent blinked, an idea hitting him like a bolt of lightning. "Nima blood test wait, that''s it!" He grinned, crouching beside her. "Nima, my favourite little sister, you love me, right?" Nima''s humming stopped as she gave him a suspicious look. "Why are you acting weird? What do you want from me?" "Nothing much!" Kent said, his voice sickly sweet. "I just need a tiny favoura drop of your blood." Heeeeehhhh! Nima''s jaw dropped. "MY BLOOD?! Are you a vampire now?!" "No, no! It''s for science! Yeah, a school science experiment." "Liar!" Nima crossed her arms. "Why would your science class need my blood?" Kent sighed dramatically, rubbing his forehead. "Fine. I''ll tell you the truth. They''re conducting a test tomorrow. I don''t want to do it, so I''ll use your blood instead." Nima blinked. "Why?" "Because if they test me, I''ll become famous!" Kent exaggerated, waving his arms. "You don''t want people swarming your big brother, do you?" Nima stared blankly. If Kent gets famous many girls will fly around him like butterflies. No. I must protect him. Cough Cough! "Uh-huh. And what do I get out of this?" Kent smirked. "I''ll buy you cup noodles for the next three days." Nima snorted. "Cup noodles? Not enough. I want fried rice. With eggs and tomato!" "Deal!" Kent declared, holding out his pinky. Nima grinned, locking her pinky with his. "You better not cheat me!" "Of course not," Kent said, patting her head. "You''re the best sister ever." . . . . . . ..... The Next day at school- The gym was bustling with students lining up for the blood test. Nurses sat at small stations, drawing blood samples, one student at a time. Kent''s heart pounded as he clutched a tiny vial of Nima''s blood in his pocket. "All I need to do is swap it out," he thought. "Easy, right?" As his turn approached, Kent put his plan into motion. Step One: Distraction. I got this. Kent''s turn arrived. The nurse pokes a needle into his finger and takes his blood. She puts the vial on the desk. Before she could label it with his name. Kent fumbled dramatically with his bag, spilling its contents onto the floor. "AAAAAH! My homework! My everything!" Kent shouted, drawing everyone''s attention. The nurse looked over, startled. "What''s going on?" Step Two: Switch the blood. While everyone was momentarily distracted, Kent quickly pulled out Nima''s blood vial and swapped it with the collection tube on the desk. "Sorry! Sorry!" Kent said, scrambling to his feet. "I''m just clumsy, I guess!" The nurse rolled her eyes. "Hurry up. The line is long." The nurse collected the sampleNima''s bloodwithout a second glance. Kent sighed in relief as he walked away, his palms sweating. "That was close," he muttered. "Too close." After school, When Kent got home, he was in a good mood. "Another day, another disaster avoided," he muttered, tossing his bag onto the floor. But his smile faded when he heard faint coughing from Nima''s room. "Nima?" Kent called out, stepping inside. Nima lay curled up on the bed, her face pale and her small body shivering. "Nima! What happened?!" She looked up weakly. I took a bath. "The water was so cold I''ll be fine" Kent''s chest tightened. "Why didn''t you boil some water? I told you not to shower with cold water" You work so hard selling eggs and with school. I didn''t wanted to waste gas. The gas is running out. We still need to use it for the entire month. You foolish girl! Kent says. ''Let''s go see a doctor.'' You look very sick. Nima forced a smile. "Doctor visits cost money, big brother. I''m okay, really" +99 sp from Nima. (Sadness and love) Kent''s eyes burned as he clenched his fists. "This this is because of me. I can''t earn enough money to give my sister a good life. I need to fix this." Then, an idea struck him. "Wait the Physique Enhancement Fruit!" It should be able to make her body condition better, right? I should feed her some fruit. Maybe I can even make her awaken with the systems help. Kent summoned his system in a panic, opening the lottery. But his heart rate dropped when the fruit wasn''t there anymore. "Where is it?!" he shouted. Then, a new tab appeared in the store. "Physique Enhancement Fruit: Now Available for Purchase (1,000 SP each)." Kent blinked. "They moved it to the store because I maxed out my own physique?" "Thank the heavens!" I was scared. Without hesitation, Kent bought ten fruits in a frenzy. He pulled one from his inventory and gently held it out to Nima. "Here, eat this. It''ll make you better." Nima blinked, too weak to argue. She took the glowing fruit and popped it into her mouth. As soon as she eats the fruit. It vanished, and Spiritual energy flowed into her full body. "Hmm? It just vanished?!" she said, frowning. "I didn''t even have a chance to taste it! What did you feed me?!" Before Kent could answer, Nima sat up suddenly, her pale complexion already flushed with life. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, blinking in surprise. "I feel great! What was that?!" Kent grinned, patting her head. "Nothing. Just a little magic." Chapter 11 The Special Class ---- Kent sat on the edge of Nima''s bed, grinning ear to ear as she stared at him suspiciously. The glowing aura from the Physique Enhancement Fruit still lingered in the air after she ate the first one, leaving her looking both confused and revitalized. "Big brother, what was that weird fruit?" Nima demanded, crossing her arms. "It disappeared as soon as I ate it! I didn''t even get to taste it!" Kent leaned forward dramatically, lowering his voice as if he were about to share a top-secret mission. "That," he said, pointing a finger at her, "This is my superpower." Nima blinked. "Superpower?!" "Yep," Kent continued, puffing out his chest. "Your big brother has awakened a special ability. I can create magical fruits that make people stronger. Pretty cool, huh?" Nima''s eyes widened with excitement. "Whaaat? So now, you''re like the people on the news?!" "Exactly," Kent said with a nod, acting like it was no big deal. "And guess what?" "What?" Kent raised his hand dramatically. WHOOSH! In a flash of light, nine more Physique Enhancement Fruits appeared in his palm. They glowed faintly, filling the small room with a soothing energy. Nima''s jaw dropped. "Whoa! Where did those come from?!" "Magic," Kent said, winking. He held the fruits out toward her. "Here. Eat these. All of them." "All of them?!" Nima frowned, poking one of the glowing fruits. "Are you sure I won''t explode or something?" "You''ll be fine," Kent reassured her, patting her head. "You trust your big brother, right? These will make you stronglike an awakened person." Nima''s face lit up. "You mean I''ll get powers too?!" Kent nodded. "Yep. Do you want to be like the people you see on TV? Strong, cool, and unstoppable?" Nima didn''t even hesitate. "Yes! I want to be strong too!" I will become like Goku or Naruto. She laughed, I will beat all the bad people. "Good," Kent said, grinning. "Then eat these. I''ll handle the rest." Nima grabbed one of the glowing fruits and popped it into her mouth. GULP! Like the first one, it vanished immediately, leaving her looking both amazed and slightly annoyed. "Still no taste," she muttered. "Focus on the results, not the flavour," Kent said, smirking. As Nima ate the fruits one by one, a soft glow surrounded her. The energy seeped into her body, making her look healthier and more radiant with each passing moment. After finishing the last fruit, Nima stretched her arms and legs experimentally. "I feel I don''t know stronger? It''s like I''m not tired anymore!" "See? Told you," Kent said smugly. Nima looked at him curiously. "But you said I''ll get powers. How do I use them?" Suddenly, ''Almighty punch!!'' She punches Kent in the stomach. Kent fell from the bed, into the ground. "What the." "Nima, what are you doing? " Nima replied, I was testing my power. You said you are awakened. Why are you acting like your in pain? Where are my superpowers? ''Like Shadow Clone something!!!'' "That''s the next step," Kent said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "First, you need a cultivation technique." "A what now?" "It''s like a training method that helps you absorb spiritual energy and unlock your powers," Kent explained. Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Then where do we get one? Do you have magical techniques too?" Kent chuckled, patting her head. "Don''t worry about that. Your big brother has his ways." "Are you lying again?" Nima squinted at him. "Nope! I''ll get you a technique soon enough. Just leave it to me," Kent said confidently. The next morning, Kent headed to school feeling refreshed, last night he made a joke in the group chat, SP points still trickling in from his group chats. His phone buzzed occasionally with notificationsclassmates sharing memes, jokes, and complaints about Ryan. "Keep it coming," Kent thought, smirking as he farmed SP quietly. Few minutes later, As he entered the classroom, the usual noise and chaos greeted him. Students whispered about the blood test results, eagerly waiting to hear who had made it into the special class. Ryan, of course, was standing in the centre of the class, flexing his arms again as if preparing for a bodybuilding competition. "I bet I''m C-Rank. No, waitI know I''m B-Rank," Ryan boasted loudly, grinning. "No one else in this class can compete with me." Kent slipped into his chair at the back, rolling his eyes. "This fool Ryan, his brain cell must be exhausted from all that flexing." The classroom door swung open, and the teacher walked in, holding a clipboard. The class immediately fell silent. "Good morning, everyone," the teacher began, adjusting her glasses. "I have the results from yesterday''s blood tests. Listen carefully. These results determine whether you will be joining the special class for awakened individuals." The students held their breath as the teacher began reading names. "RyanB-Rank physique." Ryan stood up dramatically, flexing his arms. "Told you!" "CharlotteC-Rank physique." "EthanC-Rank physique." "MariaC-Rank physique." "XxxxD-Rank physique." The teacher paused before reading the next name. "KentF-Rank physique." A few students snickered, whispering among themselves. "F-Rank? Figures." "Why''s he even on the list?" Kent leaned back in his chair, scratching his head. "F-Rank? Hah. If only they knew." But something else caught his attention. Kent thoughts, "Nima has an F-Rank physique. Last night she ate ten physique enhancement fruits. That means if we she got tested again, she''d probably be A-Rank or higher!" My results will be same too. He grinned to himself. "Good thing I swapped the blood." The teacher put the clipboard down as a new figure entered the rooma tall man wearing a dark uniform, his presence radiating authority. "Good morning," the man said, his deep voice silencing the room instantly. "I''m your special instructor, assigned to guide you in the special class." He scanned the room with sharp eyes before continuing. "The physique rank you were givenwhether F, C, or Bdetermines your body''s potential to absorb and grow with spiritual energy. A higher rank means faster growth. However, physique might change with time." The class held their breath. "you will all start from Level F when it comes to cultivating spiritual energy. Regardless of physique, you must train hard to unlock your potential." Students murmured in confusion. Ryan, of course, shot up from his chair. "What?! You''re telling me I''m the same as Egg Boy over there?!" The instructor raised an eyebrow. "If you don''t train properly, your physique won''t matter. Focus on progress, not pride." Kent smirked. "Couldn''t have said it better myself." Ryan shot him a glare."Shut up, F-Rank!" Ding! +40 SP copied (Frustration). The instructor continued, "The special class begins in two days. Each of you will receive a basic F-level cultivation technique and spiritual tools to assist you. The world is changing and you, the youth, must adapt to it." His sharp gaze landed on each student, lingering just long enough to make them squirm. "Train well, and you may find yourselves rising far above the limits you see today," he finished. As the instructor left, Ryan continued to grumble loudly about his "high physique," while Kent casually leaned back, grinning to himself. "Thanks for the SP, Ryan," he thought. He opened his system quietly. Ding! +60 SP copied (Frustration). +45 SP copied (Annoyance). "Keep it coming, guys," Kent muttered under his breath, pretending to yawn. "You''re all helping me ''awaken'' my sister." After school, Kent returned home and pulled up his system screen, scrolling through the store. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now that Nima''s physique is off the charts as mine, I need to find her a good cultivation technique. And maybe some spiritual tools too." He grinned as he browsed the system, SP points shining brightly. "All this SP thanks to my classmates, my little sister is going to become unstoppable," he thought, feeling unusually proud of himself. Kent leaned back in his chair, staring at the glowing system screen. "And I''ll keep it that way. No one''s gonna mess with usever." Chapter 12 Momos, Cultivation, and the Soulbinder ---- Kent slumped into his creaky chair, cracking his knuckles as the system interface popped up before him. His gaze landed on the Spin Wheel, a familiar sight that had both blessed and cursed him in equal measure. "Alright, let''s see what we''ve got today," he muttered, rubbing his hands together. Please give me something good. His SP balance glowed brightly: Spiritual points: 15,000 SP. "Fifteen thousand, huh? Enough for a few spins. Time to hit the jackpot!" Kent smirked, pressing the spin button confidently. Spin 1: The wheel spun rapidly, its glowing sections blurring into a whirlwind of light. Kent leaned forward, his heart racing. The wheel slowed down, stopping on "Stinky Momo!" ( for readers only) A small puff of steam appeared, and a single momo floated down onto his desk. "What the hell?" Kent muttered, staring at the momo suspiciously. The momo was plump, perfectly shaped, and glowing faintly. But the smell. "Why does it smell like someone''s sweaty socks were boiled in a dumpster?" Kent gagged, waving his hand in front of his nose. Kent looked closely. Is it poop? It looks weird and smells like something just pooped here. System, is this some prank?" Kent asked. After the light fades from the momo, A system notification comes. ''Stinky momo.'' A food!! Kent says, "What? What the hell is a Stinky momo? I never heard of it. System, you are definitely joking with me", but there is no response from the system. Kent sought multiple times. "Hello, system. System, say something. Answer me!" Curious (and stupidly hopeful), Kent poked the momo a few times. It jiggled slightly, almost taunting him. With a resigned sigh, he picked it up, thinking it should be something like physically enhancing fruit. He made a hesitant face and a weird look, then took a cautious bite. Nothing!!! The Stinky Momo has no spiritual energy or any kind of power. Kent gets sad for a second. His face is like he is very disappointed. BOOM! Flavours exploded in his mouth like fireworks. His eyes widened as he chewed. "This this is the BEST momo I''ve ever eaten!" he exclaimed. "It''s even better than the normal momos from the best food stall!" "System, I take back my complaints. You''re a genius to make this!" Encouraged, Kent spun the wheel again. Spin 2: Stinky Momo. Spin 3: Stinky Momo. Spin 9: Stinky Momo. By the fifth spin, Kent was surrounded by a mountain of glowing momos, each one wafting its terrible smell. His room now smelled like a poorly managed gym locker. The empty slots of the spin wheel are all filled with momos. It is basically a guaranteed price for a spin. "DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" Kent yelled, throwing a momo at the wall. Nima''s voice rang out from the living room. "Stop yelling, Kent! I am watching TV. I''m trying to watch Goku fight Frieza!" Kent sighed, slumping back in his chair. "Fine, one more spin. Just one more. If it''s another momo, I''m rioting." Spin 10: Jackpot! The wheel stopped abruptly, and a loud chime echoed through the room. A glowing black paper appeared in midair, floating gently before Kent. "I FOUND IT!" Kent yelled triumphantly. ???? Nima stomped into the room, her face scrunched up in annoyance. "What are you yelling about now? She is furious, pulling her dress sleeves, ready to beat Kent. After entering Kent''s room, Nima smells really bad. ''She asked did you poop ???? in your pants?'' Why does it smell so bad here? Do you have diarrhoea? She says, ???? Covering her nose. Before Kent could respond, the black paper flew out of the system goes into Nima''s chest. "AHHHHHHH!" Nima screamed, stumbling backwards. "KENT! SOMETHING WENT INSIDE ME! I''M GONNA DIE!" "AHHHHHHH!" "I''M GONNA DIE!" Kent panicked, grabbing her shoulders. "No, no, no! Calm down, Nima! It''s okay! You''re not gonna die!" "YOU DON''T KNOW THAT!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face. "WHAT IF I TURN INTO A MONSTER?!" "Relax!" Kent said, patting her head awkwardly. "It''s uh probably a cultivation superpower. Nothing bad, I promise." Nima stopped crying, sniffling loudly. "Superpower? Really?" "Yeah! Kent gestured at the glowing screen that only he could see." System Notification: "Soulbinder (SSS-Rank Skill) Awakened. The host is connected via blood relationship." . . . Nima''s Status: Physique: Max (10) Cultivation: level F (Lower) Skill: Soulbinder (SSS-Rank) Description: Extract dead souls using chains and bind them as contracted servants. No level limit but limited slots (0/1). Looking at the screen, Kent grinned nervously. He thinks, this damn system. Do you want my sister to become a necromancer or something? Then he thinks I can''t tell Nima anything about her powers. She will get angry. Let''s just keep it a secret. It''s not like she will find out everything by herself. "It''s all good! So how do you feel?" he asked. Nima tilted her head thoughtfully. "I don''t know but I feel like there''s a big, dark space inside me, my heart. It''s like I can hold something there." "Interesting," Kent muttered. "Try sensing spiritual energy. Close your eyes and concentrate." Nima did as he said, her small face scrunching up in focus. A moment later, her eyes shot open in excitement. "I feel it!" she shouted. "I can feel the spiritual energy! I can absorb it!" She immediately jumped up, twirling around the room in a happy dance. Ding! +20,+76,+99... SP copied (Joy). "NOW I''M AWAKENED!" she yelled, beaming. Kent watched her, smiling faintly. But inside, he was fuming. "DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" he thought angrily. "She can level up so easily now! Meanwhile, I''m stuck farming SP like a clown to buy my way up!" After her celebration, Nima saw some stinky momos on Kent''s bed. What is this? Kent said it''s stinky momos. Do you wanna try it? It''s delicious. She yelled, nooooooo'' it''s smell. Before she could finish the sentence. Kent saw an opportunity, and her mouth was wide open. He quickly grabbed a slinky momo and put it inside her mouth. He grabs her mouth and covers it with his hands. "Don''t spit it out," he says, "chew it. You will thank me." +9 sp from Nima. (Angry) She started chewing the Stinky Momo. +19 sp from Nima. (Satisfaction) Hmmm. Yummy ????. I want more. Kent says no. I will sell it in the market tomorrow. She accused Kent, saying, You have another little sister outside. I know. You wanted to give her all the yummy foods. He sighed deeply. "Alright, alright, take some and go do your homework. I''ll cook dinner." After dinner, Nima fell asleep almost instantly, snoring softly????????????. Kent peeked into her room and noticed something strange she was sleeping without a hint of worry, covered under a soft blanket. Faint moonlight was coming inside the room through the window. With the moonlight, there was also a blue and white mix of coloured spiritual energy coming and entering her body. ''Spiritual energy.+1. +1.. +1..'' Her body seemed to absorb spiritual energy automatically, as naturally as breathing. "It must be because of her maxed-out physique," he muttered. "Meanwhile, I have to grind for every scrap of progress." ....."Ughh!" "Damn, you weird system." sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then Kent leaves Nima''s room. Yawning and scratching his head. I am sleepy ???? too. Let''s go to bed. I have to sell Slinky Momo''s tomorrow. The following day, Nima woke up feeling more energized than ever. She feels like something is calling her from the ward. She stretched her arms and wandered into the yard, noticing a few dead ants and a cockroach lying near the vegetable patch. She is now sure that it''s coming from the dead insects; she closes her eyes and focuses on the dark space she felt inside her. Slowly, she reached out toward the dead ant. It all comes to her naturally. As if like breathing. She knows what to do. Her instinct is guiding her. WHOOSH! The ant''s soul materialized faintly, glowing like a tiny wisp of light. It floated into her hand before disappearing into the dark space. Nima''s eyes widened. "Whoa! What''s happening!" Encouraged, she turned her attention to the cockroach and tried the same thing. The ant''s soul disappeared, replaced by the cockroach''s. "Huh so only one at a time," Nima murmured. Then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. "I know exactly what to do with this!" Kent was snoring loudly????, sprawled out on his bed like a starfish, arms and legs spread. Nima crept into his room silently, holding the cockroach''s soul in her hand. "Time to wake up, big brother," she whispered, grinning wickedly. "BOO!" She shoved the glowing soul toward Kent''s face. He jolted awake with a loud yell, tumbling off the bed in a tangle of blankets. "WHAT THENIMA?!" he shouted, clutching his chest. "Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack?!" Nima burst out laughing. "You should''ve seen your face, Kent! Priceless!" Kent groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Seriously? You''re using your superpower for pranks now?" "Why not?" Nima said, sticking out her tongue. Kent sighed but couldn''t help smiling faintly. "Well, at least you''re figuring things out on your own. That''s impressive." Nima puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! I''m a genius, not like you!" Ding! +30 SP copied (Pride). As Nima walked off, Kent slumped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Floating notifications were there. Nima: CULTIVATION: Level- F (Middle) "She''s already mid-F rank," he muttered. "At this rate, she''ll surpass me in no time. I can''t let that happen!" He clenched his fists. "I''ve got two days before the special class starts. I need to do something anything to get ahead!" Chapter 13 Into the Forest of Monsters ---- Sitting on his bed. Kent scrolled through the World Alliance forum on his phone, and then he lazily lay on his bed. The forum was abuzz with posts about spiritual energy''s effects on the world. His eyes skimmed past flashy titles like: "Awakened Individuals Ranking Contest!" "Best Cultivation Techniques for Beginners!" "Breaking News: Evolved Monsters in the Wild!" The last one caught his attention. Thread Title: Evolved Monster Sighted Near Metro City''s Forest Author: SkyHawk99 "Confirmed reports say a strange creature has been sighted in the forest near the border of Metro City. Witnesses claim it''s stronger, faster, and far more dangerous than any normal animal." "Experts believe it''s an evolved monster created by the resurgence of spiritual energy. Stay safe!" Kent''s eyes widened as he sat up. "Evolved monsters, huh? Looks like spiritual energy isn''t just making people stronger it''s affecting animals too." He scrolled down further, reading comments filled with wild speculation: "It''s probably a giant wolf or something!" "Maybe a spirit tiger? I heard one was spotted near the northern mountains!" "Whatever it is, no normal person should go near it!" Kent chuckled. "No normal person, huh? Good thing I''m anything but normal." Kent tossed his phone aside and stood up, cracking his knuckles. "I''ve got two days before the special class starts. If I''m gonna keep up with Nima and those muscleheads at school, I need to practice." He glanced at his reflection in the dusty mirror. "What better way to test my new powers than by taking down an evolved monster?" The thought sent a rush of excitement through him. He stretched his arms, loosening up his muscles. "Alright, time to hunt a monster." Before leaving, Kent made a quick stop in the kitchen, tossing a few essentials into a small backpackwater, snacks, and a flashlight. He paused for a moment, staring at the glowing system screen hovering before him. "Let''s check the store," he muttered, swiping through the items. The shop menu was filled with all sorts of things: cultivation fruits, low-level tools, and even beginner spiritual techniques. But everything cost SP, and he didn''t want to waste SP just yet. "Nah, I''ll manage with my fists," Kent decided, closing the system. I need to save my SP for level-up only, at least for now. Otherwise, Nima will cross me in cultivation soon....!!!!!! He called out to Nima, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, playing with the cockroach soul wisp. "I''m heading out for a bit. Don''t burn the house down while I''m gone." "Where are you going?" Nima asked, not looking up. "To... uh... train," Kent replied vaguely. Nima raised an eyebrow. "You''re not running off to fight something, are you?" Kent froze for a moment. "Me? Fight? Pfft. Don''t be ridiculous." The sun was setting as Kent walked toward the edge of the city. The towering skyscrapers gradually gave way to smaller buildings, then fields, and finally, the dense forest that bordered Metro City. The forest was eerily quiet, its towering trees casting long shadows across the ground. Kent took a deep breath, feeling the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air. "So this is what a spiritual energy-infused environment feels like," he murmured. "Kinda spooky, but I like it." As he ventured deeper into the forest, he noticed subtle changes in the wildlife. The trees seemed more extensive and more vibrant, their leaves glowing faintly in the dim light. It''s like the trees also evolved. Strange noises echoed through the woodslow growls, rustling leaves, and occasional screeches. "Looks like the animals and trees here are already evolving," Kent muttered, tightening his grip on his backpack. Suddenly, a low growl rumbled through the air. Kent froze, his eyes darting around. The growl grew louder, coming from the shadows ahead. A pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared, followed by a sleek, muscular form stepping into the light. It was a wolf but not an ordinary one. Its fur shimmered with a silvery glow, and faint wisps of spiritual energy emanated from its body. Its teeth look far more prominent and sharper than a normal wolf. Saliva was dripping ???? down from its mouth into the ground. Drip! Drip! "Whoa," Kent breathed. "An evolved wolf." The wolf snarled, baring sharp teeth as it crouched low, ready to pounce. Kent smirked. "Alright, buddy. Let''s see what you''ve got." The wolf lunged forward with incredible speed, closing the distance in a blink. Kent barely dodged to the side, feeling the rush of air as the wolf''s claws grazed his jacket. "Fast!" Kent exclaimed. The wolf turned, growling louder as it prepared for another attack. This time, Kent didn''t dodge. As the wolf leapt, Kent met it head-on, his fist glowing faintly with energy. "WHAM!" His punch connected with the wolf''s side, sending it flying into a nearby tree. The impact cracked the bark, and the wolf yelped before collapsing to the ground. Kent stood over it, panting slightly. "Not bad for my first fight with a monster, huh?" Ding! +50 SP From spiritual wolf (Fear). So, this thing is called a spiritual wolf. Is it because it can absorb spiritual energy? "I guess that''s the reason." My system is helpful. I can quickly know people, animals, or any other things that have conciseness and a little bit of intelligence. The only thing I need to do is trigger an emotion. The wolf growled weakly, struggling to get back up. Kent raised his fists, ready to finish the fight, but paused when he saw the fear in the creature''s eyes. "Eh, you''re not worth it," he muttered, lowering his fists. "Go on, scram." The wolf hesitated for a moment before limping back into the shadows. Kent continued deeper into the forest, his confidence growing with each step. The fight had been short, but it gave him a taste of his enhanced strength and max physique. "If that''s what an evolved wolf can do, I can''t wait to see what else is out here," he muttered. The forest grew darker, the spiritual energy thickening in the air. Kent felt his heartbeat quicken, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the trees, shaking the ground beneath his feet. Kent grinned, his fists clenching. "Now THAT sounds like a real challenge." Chapter 14 Clash with the Beast ---- The ground beneath Kent trembled as the roar echoed through the forest. Birds scattered from the treetops, their wings cutting sharply through the eerie silence that followed. "Alright," Kent muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Time to see what I''m really made of." He tightened his grip on the straps of his backpack and followed the sound of the roar. The trees seemed denser now, their shadows stretching endlessly. The spiritual energy in the air grew thicker, almost suffocating. It''s evening right now. He wandered around the entire day. After a few minutes, Kent entered a small clearing bathed in moonlight. At the centre stood a massive creature, quickly three meters tall. Its form was hulking and monstrous, with thick, scaled skin that shimmered faintly with spiritual energy. Its eyes glowed a deep red, and its claws looked sharp enough to shred steel. "Holy crap," Kent whispered, his breath catching. "What is that some kind of evolved bear?" The beast roared again, its voice shaking the trees. It locked eyes with Kent, and for a moment, he could feel the sheer weight of its spiritual presence. The system chimed faintly in his mind: "Evolved Beast: Spiritual Bear (F-Rank Middle)." "Middle F-Rank, huh?" same rank as mine. Kent muttered. "Alright, big guy. Let''s dance." The Spiritual Bear charged with surprising speed for its size, its claws carving deep gouges into the earth as it barreled toward Kent. Kent darted to the side just in time, feeling the rush of air as the bear''s claws swiped inches from his face. "Whoa! You''re fast for a big guy," Kent said, grinning nervously. "But let''s see how you handle this!" He swung a punch, aiming for the bear''s side. His fist connected with a loud thud, but the beast barely flinched. "Uh-oh," Kent muttered, stepping back quickly as the bear turned toward him, growling angrily. The beast swiped at him again, its claws leaving deep marks in the ground as Kent dodged. "Alright, so punching isn''t gonna cut it," he muttered, thinking quickly. Kent clenched his fists, focusing on the faint spark of fire energy within him. He could feel it burning in his chest, small but potent. "Let''s light things up," he said, smirking. His fist ???? ignited with a faint orange glow, spiritual flames aura licking his knuckles. (No flame/fire:- because he can''t use or control flame yet). He charged at the bear, dodging another swipe and landing a flaming punch on its side. "BOOM!" The flames exploded on impact, causing the bear to stagger back with a loud roar. "Yes!" Kent cheered. "it works!" The bear turned toward him, its eyes blazing with rage. It roared again, the sound deafening, and charged once more. Kent darted around the clearing, using his agility to stay out of the bear''s reach. He landed another flame aura punch, then another, each strike chipping away at the beast''s defences. The Spiritual Bear, now wounded and enraged, unleashed a burst of spiritual energy. The air around it shimmered, and its movements became even faster. "Aw, come on!" Kent groaned, dodging another swipe. "Can''t you just go down already?" The bear lunged, and this time, Kent wasn''t fast enough. Its claws grazed his arm, tearing through his jacket and leaving a shallow cut. "Damn it!" Kent hissed, clutching his arm. "Alright, no more playing around." He focused his fire energy again, this time channelling it into both fists????????. The flame''s aura lights brighter, illuminating the clearing. "Let''s finish this!" Kent yelled, charging at the bear. The beast swung its claws, but Kent ducked under the attack and leapt upward, landing a powerful flaming uppercut to its jaw. "WHAM!" The impact sent the bear flying backwards, crashing into a tree and then the ground. It let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body limp. Kent stood there, panting heavily, as the flames aura around his fists flickered out. Ding! +200 SP copied (Fear). +1000 SP copied (Despair). "Phew," Kent muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was way tougher than I expected. Good thing I''m awesome." As Kent approached the fallen bear, he noticed a faint glow surrounding its bodya sign of lingering spiritual energy. "Hmm," he thought. "This thing''s soul might be worth something. But I can''t use it. Nima, on the other hand" He grinned, already imagining her reaction. When Kent returned home, Nima was sitting at the dining table, munching on a piece of ????. She looked up as he walked in, covered in dirt and scratches. "What happened to you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just training," Kent replied casually. "Anyway, put on your shoes. We''re going outside." Nima blinked. "What? Why? Where?" "You''ll see. Trust me." Kent replied. Are you taking me out for dinner? ????? I am so happy. You are finally acting like a big brother. Kent paused, thinking about his wallet. I didn''t sell anything today. But I have some money from the scammer ''fire user guy.'' I can treat her to a nice meal. Then Kent said. We will have dinner on our way back home. But now I will take you somewhere else. As they were at the border of the forest. Nima yelled, are you going to feed me wild vegetables now? Kent said no. Just be patient. I have a surprise for you. After that, we will go to your favourite ???? noodles place. ''I am trusting you for now.'' But if you mess with me, I will run away from home. I saw it on TV today. A little sister''s big brother always messes with her. She runs away from home. Then, live a princess life. Don''t blame me if I become a princess. "Kent said, pulling her ears, stop joking around. We are almost there." The siblings returned to the clearing under the cover of night. The Spirit Bear''s massive body still lay there, its spiritual energy faint but present. "Whoa," Nima said, her eyes widening. "Is that a monster Bear?" "Yep," Kent replied, crossing his arms. "And you''re gonna extract its soul." Nima stared at him, then at the bear, then back at him. "Wait, you mean with my power?!" "Exactly," Kent said. "Come on, give it a try." Why are you trying to make me get an ugly thing as my underling? Can''t you find something cute? Didn''t you play with the cockroach this morning? What''s wrong with the Bear? It''s stronger. Kent said. Nima, in anger, bites Kent''s arm like an angry crocodile.???? You are bullying me, big brother. Awwwwh! ''Just do it if you want extra beef with noodles.'' Nima hesitated, but Kent gave her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and focusing on the dark space inside her. Slowly, a chain comes??. The chain pulls the spiritual Beat soul out of his body. The Spirit Bear''s faint spiritual energy begins to gather, forming a glowing orb above its body. "Whoa," Kent muttered, watching in awe. The chains pull the floating orb toward Nima, sinking into her chest. She opened her eyes, gasping softly. "I did it!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up. "I have its soul!" Ding! System Notification: "Soulbinder Slot: 1/1 filled. Spiritual Bear soul bound successfully." Kent patted her on the head. "Nice work, Nima. You''re a natural." Nima grinned, "Let''s go. I am hungry. This is not cool! I can feel its ugly look! What else can I do with it?" Kent shrugged. "Guess you''ll have to figure that out. Just don''t let it eat me in my sleep, okay?" Nima giggled. "No promises." As they walked back, Kent couldn''t help but smile. "With her power and my system, we''re gonna become the strongest," he thought. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But deep down, he knew the world was changing faster than anyone could predict. Chapter 15 The Best Meal for Nima ---- Kent and Nima walked back toward the city, the faint glow of streetlights flickering in the distance. The forest behind them felt darker now, the echoes of their encounter with the Spirit Bear still lingering in the air. Nima was practically skipping, a satisfied grin plastered across her face. "That was amazing, big brother! I feel so much stronger now! But" She stopped mid-skip, clutching her stomach dramatically. GRUMBLE! She looked up at Kent, her eyes wide and pleading. "I''m starving! You promised noodles! With beef! Extra beef!" Kent scratched his head, his confidence faltering. His pockets were nearly empty. He hadn''t sold a single egg, and the money he had left was from that scamming fire user. It''s not enough for two people to buy extra beef noodles. "Well" he began, trying to say something. Nima narrowed her eyes. "Don''t you dare say we''re having carrots for dinner again. I swear, Kent, if you make me eat another carrot" She pointed at the half-eaten carrot from earlier still in her pocket as if it were evidence in a court case. Kent sighed, shaking his head. "No carrots. I promised, didn''t I?" As they walked into the outskirts of the city, Kent''s stomach churnednot from hunger, but from anxiety. He thought he had more money. But it was less than what he calculated. "He mentally counted his money: enough for a plain meal for him and a feast just for Nima." "She deserves the best," he thought. "But I''ll just have to settle for plain noodles myself. Being a big brother isn''t easy." Nima''s eyes lit up as they reached her favourite noodle shop. The warm, savoury aroma of beef broth wafted through the air, making her stomach growl louder. "Here it is!" she squealed, pointing excitedly. "Beef noodles! My favourite!" Kent smiled faintly, stepping inside the small, cosy shop. The owner, an older woman with kind eyes, greeted them with a wave. "Welcome! What can I get for you?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron. Kent glanced at the menu, his heart sinking at the prices. ''It went up.'' He forced a smile. "One large beef noodle soup, with extra beef, for my sister, please." "And for you?" the owner asked. Kent hesitated. "Uh just plain soup noodles for me." Nima blinked, looking up at him. "Plain soup? You don''t want beef?" "Nah, I''m not that hungry," Kent lied, patting his stomach. "I''ll save the good stuff for you." Nima stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she grinned. "You''re such a weirdo, Kent." The bowls arrived steaming hot, and Nima''s eyes sparkled as the smell of rich beef broth hit her nose. Her bowl was loaded with tender slices of beef, glistening noodles, and a fragrant broth that seemed to shimmer with perfection. Kent''s bowl, in contrast, looked depressingly plaina few strands of noodles floating in a clear broth. "Wow, this is the best meal ever!" Nima said, clasping her hands together before digging in. "She inhaled the fragrant steam, her eyes closing as if she were about to enter a dream. The first bite sent her taste buds into overdrive, and she let out an audible ''Mmm!'' of satisfaction." SLURP! SLURP! The sounds of Nima enjoying her meal filled the air as Kent quietly ate his plain noodles. "Big brother, you don''t know what you''re missing!" Nima said between mouthfuls. "This beef is amazing! It''s so soft and juicy!" "Yeah, I bet," Kent muttered, poking at his noodles. After a few minutes, Nima paused, her chopsticks hovering over her bowl. She tilted her head, studying Kent''s face. "You''re not even enjoying your noodles," she said. "Do you want some of mine?" Kent shook his head quickly. "Nope, I''m good! Eat your fill, Princess." sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima grinned. "Princess, huh? Fine, I''ll allow it. But you owe me dessert next time!" After eating some more, Nima left half of the meat and soup for Kent. I am full, Kent eat the rest. I can''t eat anymore. Kent just stared at Nima for a few seconds. He doesn''t know how to respond. Nima gets up from the chair, holds the bowl, and then pours it into the Kent bowl. After eating, When they returned home, Nima flopped onto the old couch, rubbing her full belly. "That was the best dinner ever! I could conquer the world now." I always wanted to eat a bowl of noodles with extra beef. "Thank you, big brother." Kent chuckled, sitting down beside her. "Glad you enjoyed it." Nima leaned against him, yawning. "You''re not a terrible big brother after all, you know." "Thanks," Kent said silently. "High praise coming from you." As Nima drifted off to sleep, Kent stared at the faint cracks in the ceiling. I have to earn extra money to fix the cracks. "I need to step up my game," he thought. "I can''t keep scraping by like this. If I want to give her the life she deserves, I need to get stronger. Faster." He clenched his fists. "The special class starts in one day. Tomorrow I will sell slinky momos all day. Earning as much cash as possible. Next morning... Ding! +60, +70,+90,+9,....SP copied (Frustration). +45,666,113,55,+SP copied (Annoyance). People''s faces were full of frustration and annoyance on the streets. Kent just set up his Stinky Momo stall. Its smell is making people''s emotions go wild. Stinky! Stinky! ???? Kent is very happy. Without doing anything, he is earning SP. Suddenly, a few of the other stall owners came to Kent. They were asking what are you doing? Are you mad at us? Kent doesn''t understand what they are talking about. With a confused face, he asked what are you all talking about? ''Uncle and Aunty.'' You all are good people, and you have helped me a lot. I am very grateful to you all. Why would I be angry with you? One uncle asked, then why did you bring poop here? Because of the poop smell, no customers will come here. Kent replied with a concerned face. Uncle and aunt''s, it''s something I made. It''s called Stinky Momo. It is very...very tasty. Eating one from the box. "Try it, everyone. You will like it." One uncle tried one and said where did you learn to make something like that. I never heard of stinky momos before. Kent replied, "It''s just something I found wandering around." ???? Boom! +19.... SP From xxx, xxx,xxx(joy). All the uncle and aunt''s minds blow with the flavour. They felt like heaven. It''s a flavour no one has ever tasted before. "It tastes so juicy and fresh. Its fragrance exploded into my mouth at the first bite. With the perfect spice. I feel like I am in heaven." MHHHHH! Chapter 16 The Special Class Begins ---- Everyone praises Kent. Saying you are really good at making it. It will be a good business. Kent said I will be selling stinky momos from now on. All of you should covenant into something that fits with momos. In this way, all of our business will grow. You all help me a lot. Everyone is happy to hear that. They said, Don''t mention that again. Life is very hard for you and your sister. We all just wanted to help. Kent says to the crowd, Free samples are available, then he starts to yell, five dollars for a dozen of Momo''s. Come and get yours soon. "Stock is limited." A huge crowd comes to buy it. They all saw the other stall owners'' reactions when they ate. In no time, all the momos were sold. He also earned a considerable amount of SP from them. Kent thinks selling stinky momos earns me a lot of money and SP. It''s a win-win situation. I don''t even have to pay for Momo''s; the system gave it to me for free. I also earned a considerable amount of SP in the process. Saving money will be much easier now. With happiness, flowers were blooming inside his mind. Money was raining down on him. Happy, Happy, Happy! ?? The next day, as usual, he sells stinky momos. Then he went to school. Today is the first day of special class. Kent stood at the gates of the special class building, a towering structure tucked away in the far corner of the school campus. Unlike the main school, this area was surrounded by high walls topped with surveillance cameras. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence making it clear that this wasn''t an ordinary classroom. "Fancy," Kent muttered, adjusting his worn-out backpack. "All this for a bunch of kids who can throw fireballs and lift cars?" The gates creaked open, revealing a pathway lined with neatly trimmed hedges and glowing lights. Kent followed the path, the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air sending shivers down his spine. "This place feels different," he thought. "Stronger." The special class was held in a sleek, modern room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the school grounds. As Kent entered, he immediately felt the weight of judgmental stares. Most of the students were seated in small groups, chatting confidently. Their uniforms were pristine, their postures oozing self-assurance. Compared to them, Kent''s patched-up outfit and casual demeanour made him stand out like a sore thumb. At the front of the room sat a boy who looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. His golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and his bright blue eyes seemed to glow faintly. "Who''s that?" Kent muttered under his breath. "Ethan Cross," someone whispered nearby. "He has an A-Rank physique. Looks like an angel, doesn''t he?" Kent rolled his eyes. "Great, a poster boy for perfection." Ethan noticed Kent looking and smiled warmly. He picked up his bag and walked over, drawing more stares from the class. "Hi, I''m Ethan. Mind if I sit here?" Kent blinked in surprise. "Uh, sure. Go ahead." Ethan sat down, extending a hand. "You''re Kent, right?" "Yeah," Kent replied, shaking his hand. "How''d you know?" "I heard about you," Ethan said. "The F-Rank guy who awakened on his own without any clan or organisation backing made it into the special class. That''s impressive." Kent snorted. "Yeah, tell that to the rest of these guys. They look like they''re ready to throw me out." ''Ethan chuckled.'' Ding! +30 SP copied (Amusement). Across the room sat Mia Carter, a girl with long black hair and striking green eyes. She had an air of quiet intensity, her gaze fixed on her desk. Despite her silence, she commanded the attention of nearly every boy in the room. Many boys were talking about her. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Man, she''s gorgeous," someone whispered. "I heard she has an A-Rank physique too. What do you think? Should I talk to her?" "You look like a fat toad; don''t dream about making her your girlfriend." Kent glanced at her briefly before turning back to Ethan. "Looks don''t matter in here. It''s talent I care about." At the back of the room stood Ryan Hale, arms crossed and glaring at everyone like they were beneath him. His broad shoulders and sharp features made him look more like a professional fighter than a student. "He''s A-Rank, too?" Ethan whispered. "Strength type. Rank-B. He''s not exactly friendly." Kent replied. Kent smirked. "I like unfriendly people. They''re easy, SP." thinking on his own. The room fell silent as the door opened, and a woman in her mid-thirties strode in. Elena Rivers had sharp auburn hair and an equally sharp gaze. She is a level C cultivator, and this is evident in her graceful yet commanding movements. "Welcome to the special class," she began, her voice calm but firm. "You''re here because you have potential. But the potential is meaningless without discipline." She scanned the room, her eyes briefly resting on Kent before moving on. "First, some rules," Elena continued. "Everything that happens in this class stays in this class. Sharing information with outsiders is a violation of Nexus law and will result in severe consequences." A boy in the back raised his hand nervously. "What if someone already told people they''re in the special class?" Elena''s gaze turned icy. "Then they''ve already made their first mistake." She pointed to the Nexus emblem on the wall a swirling design of interconnected lines, symbolizing unity and control. "Nexus is the central organization overseeing all awakened individuals. They are responsible for regulating spiritual energy and maintaining order in a world that''s rapidly changing." She gestured to another symbol beneath it: a single eye surrounded by a ring of stars. "The Watchers serve Nexus directly. They''re the ones who enforce the rules and deal with threats rogue awakened people, spiritual beasts, and anyone who defies the law." Chapter 17 Nexus and Watcher introduction. ---- Elena''s tone grew grave. "Currently, Nexus and Watcher have FOUR LEVEL-B cultivators some of the strongest people in the world. They are the pillars holding this fragile peace together. Disrespect them at your own peril." We call them Nexus to show our respect. You all will be given ranks once you finish your education. The world is changing. We don''t even know what will come next. We have to prepare for anything. We will share cultivation resources with you. Hopefully, one day, you all will join the Nexus & Watchers. These are the positions of NEXUS & WATCHER. They go from - Tier-1(lowest) Tier-6 (highest). NEXUS (Leaders) Overseer (Tier-6): The supreme leader of Nexus, making all major decisions. Archons (Tier-5): Top-level enforcers and strategists who lead divisions within Nexus (e.g., Operations, Research, Security). WATCHER (Operatives) Commanders (Tier-4): High-ranking officers who oversee tier 3 and lower in the field. Sentinels (Tier-3): The elite operatives handling the most dangerous missions. Wardens (Tier-2): Mid-tier agents responsible for hunting down threats and guarding key locations. Trackers(Tier-1): Scouts and frontline Watchers who specialize in reconnaissance and pursuing targets. After the explanation, Elena stepped aside, revealing a tray of small vials filled with silvery liquid. "This is how we''ll determine your current physique," she explained. She picked up a vial and added a drop of blood. The liquid shimmered before turning faintly pink-red. "F-Rank," she said. She held up another vial, this one glowing a deep crimson red. "A-Rank." "When your blood mixes with this mercury substance, it reacts to your spiritual potential. The deeper the red, the higher your rank. You''ll be tested again in one month to measure your progress." One by one, the students approached the tray to look closely. Ryan went near and said let me test, he dropped blood from his fingertips, and his vial turned a brilliant crimson, eliciting murmurs of admiration. "Of course," Kent muttered. "Muscle head B-Rank." We all know that. Our rank was told two days ago. Why waste resources? Ethan laughed softly. RR Ding! +25 SP copied Ethan (Amusement). S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! +25, +89,+99+1.. SP copied xxx, xxx, xxx (Amusement). Ryan started talking. Hey Kent, you F-Rank. ''Don''t joke around with your low-level physique.'' The whispers began immediately. He has the lowest-level physique here. "Seriously? Why''s he even here?" "Must''ve been a mistake." Ding! +5, +9,+19+1.. SP copied. Kent smirked internally. "Keep talking. You''re just SP farms to me." Okay! Okay! "Everyone gets back to your seat. Soon, you all will be given resources and techniques for cultivation." The class continues... After class, Kent returned home, tired but satisfied. The day had been long, but the SP notifications ringing in his mind were proof that it had been worth it. SP Balance: 41,678. "Not bad," Kent said, pulling up the system store. He scrolled through the items, his eyes fixed on the Spiritual Fruit. "This should push me to E-Rank," he thought, purchasing two fruits. As the first fruit materialized, exactly that moment, Nima walked into the room, her eyes lighting up. ''What is that Kent? It''s look so good.'' It''s a fruit for... before he could finish talking. "Is that for me?" Nima asked with glowing eyes. Kent''s heart just melted as he looked into his sister''s eyes. She is the only family he has in this entire world. It''s just one fruit. I can buy three more, which should be enough for me to level up. Then, he handed it to her. But before she could take a bite, the fruit flew out of her hand and back into Kent''s. "What the" Nima exclaimed. "Why can''t I eat it?" Kent frowned, reading the system notification: "This item is exclusive to the host." "Well, that''s awkward," Kent muttered. Nima puffed her cheeks in frustration. She bites Kent''s hand where the fruit is. Half of Kent''s hand was inside her mouth. "Give me the fruit, Kent," she demands. Kent said you can''t eat it. You have another sister outside Kent. You wanted to give her the fruit. She yelled dramatically. She became angry.. Nima punched Kent in the cheek (she always plays with Kent like that), but her newfound strength shocked him. "Ow! Ow! Take it easy!" She blinked, her eyes wide. "Oops! Sorry, big brother!" Kent groaned, rubbing his cheek. How are you so strong? "She said I don''t know." Kent says to the system, Check her status. A floating notification appears. Name: Nima Cultivation: Level -F (Peak) "You''re already at the peak of F-Rank, What the....?" It''s only been two days since you started cultivating. Nima nodded sheepishly. "I guess so?" Kent sighed, pulling out four boxes of momos to placate her. "Here, eat these. Now promise not to break me in half." ''She says, this time I let it go. But you have to feed me fried rice with tomato.'' Then she leaves the room. Once Nima was happily munching on her momos in the dining room, Kent first bought one more fruit, then focused on consuming the fruits. "LET''S LEVEL UP NOW." "She is already stronger than me. It hurt my big brother''s pride. Soon she will be able to beat the shit out of me." The first fruit sent a warm, fiery energy coursing through his body, reshaping and strengthening his body with spiritual energy. The second and third fruits amplified the amount of spiritual energy inside his body, leaving him feeling lighter and more powerful than ever. Ding! "Congratulations! The host has reached E-Rank." Kent flexed his hand, marvelling at the surge of spiritual energy flowing through him. He could feel the world around him more vividly the spiritual energy in the air, the faint hum of life all around. Host: Kent Physique: level 10 (max.) Cultivation: level E (Lower) Skills: Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) As he prepared for bed, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck. Kent paused, his eyes narrowing. "Someone''s outside," he muttered. He moved toward the window, peering into the shadows beyond the yard. For a moment, he thought he saw a figure standing still, watching. But when he blinked, it was gone. Chapter 18 A Mystery Man and his offer. --- Who was that? That person was strongmaybe C-level. But the spiritual energy was far beyond Teacher Elena''s, and she''s the only C-level I know. Does that mean the figure was a B-level? But why would a B-level expert be here? There are only four Level-Bs in the entire country. Today Miss Elena told me that in the class. Did the figure sense my level-up? Then why did he/she hide? Whatever. I have over 10,000 SP now. It''s time to buy another spiritual fruit. Kent opened the system window. SP: 11,678 [Shop] | [Lottery Spin] | [Income History] He tapped on the Shop tab, expecting the usual options. And thenHis jaw nearly hit the floor. Spiritual Energy Fruit: 100,000 SP "A hundred thousand SP for one fruit?! This is a robbery! At this rate, I''ll be stuck at Level E forever!" Kent clenched his fists. His veins bulged. "Damn you, System! What the hell is this?!" he roared. "You''re telling me I need a hundred thousand just to buy a fruit?! The price went up ten times!" Had it increased because he levelled up? "Hey, System! Answer me!" A notification popped up. [System Notice] [Every time the host levels up, the price of spiritual fruit will increase.] [At each level, the host can only buy five Cultivating fruits. The host will receive a random gift with each level-up.] [System upgrade in progress. Gift will be granted upon completion.] And just like thatthe system went silent. Kent nearly exploded. "How long is this gonna take? At this rate, Nima will reach Level E in a day or two, and I''ll still be stuck here!" It had taken her just two days to reach the peak of F-level. "Am I really going to be the big brother who needs protection from his eleven-year-old sister?" His face turned pale. His soul practically left his body in shock. "System, you screwed me over!" Kent desperately tried to open the system window again. "Let me at least use my spins! Listen, System, you better give me something good!" [System Updating. Please wait...] No response. His frustration hit a peak. He slumped onto his bed, face-down. "I can''t use the system. Which means... I can''t even sell stinky momos tomorrow morning." Kent groaned. "Just great. Another day of suffering." He decided to sleep it off. The Next Morning, Nima woke up early and decided to watch TV until Kent got up. Their television was an old relic from the 90ssomething Kent had salvaged from a junk shop. Most days, it needed a good beating to start working. She flicked the power switch. The screen remained black. "No problem, she says. A few well-placed slaps should do the trick." She hit the side of the TV. Nothing happened. Another slap. ThenCRACK! Nima''s hand went straight into the TV. Sparks crackled. The machine groaned. And then BOOM! A deafening explosion rocked the house, blowing a hole through the kitchen wall and reducing the TV stand to ashes. Kent shot out of bed. Aunt Zhou, their nosy neighbour, had also heard the explosion and came rushing over. "NIMA!" Kent bolted into the room. "Are you okay?! What happened?!" Nima''s eyes brimmed with tears. She sniffled. "K-Kent I broke the TV. It hurts so much and now I can''t watch my TV shows anymore!" Kent narrowed his eyes. She''s acting!!! He could see it in her face. No real pain. It''s just dramatic flair. She was trying to dodge a scolding. "She blew up the TV and the kitchen wall. Just what we neededanother expense I can''t afford." Aunt Zhou barged in. She scooped up Nima and coddled her like a baby. "There, there, you''re a big girl! Don''t cry!" she cooed. Then she whirled on Kent. "KENT! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Kent blinked. "Huh?" "You''re just standing there, looking like you just woke up from a nap while your little sister ALMOST GET KILLED?!" "Well, when she puts it like that..." Before he could respond, an old man stepped into the house. Kent frowned. "Hey, old man! Who the hell are you?!" Aunt Zhou waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Kent. This is my husband. He just came home a few days ago." She beamed at the man. "My husband is a very important person. He works all the time, but he loves me so much. He''s wealthy, but for me, he''s willing to live in the countryside!" The old man coughed loudly to shut her up. "Zhou. Enough." He turned to Kent. "The girl is fineno need to scold her. Zhou, take her to our home. I need to talk to the boy." Aunt Zhou hesitated but eventually nodded and left, taking Nima with her. The moment they were gone WHAM! Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old man threw a punch at Kent. Kent barely blocked it, but pain shot through his arm like lightning. "WHAT THE HELL, OLD MAN?!" he shouted. "WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME?!" The old man chuckled. "Not bad, kid. You''re stronger than I thought." His hand glowed. A thin blade of spiritual energy extended from his fingertips. Before Kent could react, the old man slashed. A sharp breeze passed himhis shirt was sliced clean through. Kent clenched his fists. Fire aura flared in his palms. "YOU CRAZY OLD MAN! AHHHHHH!" He charged. The old man watched him with a calm smile as if he were playing with a baby chick. "Oh? How amusing." His eyes gleamed with interest. "This boy His fire affinity is strong, but he can''t wield it properly. And there''s something else something untapped. I haven''t seen potential like this in years." Kent threw a flurry of punches. The old man dodged every single one. "Damn it! Just stand still!" The old man chuckled. Young man, I am very impressed with you. "I want you to become my disciple." Kent froze. "What?" "I''ve been looking for a good seedling for a long time," the old man continued. "Last night, I sensed your spiritual energy. You''re at Level E, right?" Kent''s eye twitched. "Wait IT WAS YOU?! YOU WERE THE CREEPY SHADOW FROM LAST NIGHT?!" The old man smiled. "Indeed." Kent''s rage erupted. "You crazy old man! First, you attack me. Then you say you want me as your disciple?!" He crossed his arms. "IN YOUR DREAMS." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration) +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Anger) The old man stared at him, stunned. He had imagined this scene so differently. He thought he''d show off his power, extend the offer, and Kent would bow and say, "Master!" with awe in his eyes. Instead IN YOUR DREAMS. The words echoed in his mind like a curse. "Youth these days are so unpredictable" The old man sighed. "Don''t be so hasty, boy. Listen to me, I am a" Kent didn''t let the old man complete his sentence; he walked away from the old man. He goes out of his house. He found Nima happily munching on meatballs at Aunt Zhou''s house. "This tastes good, Aunty Zhou! Can I have more?" Kent sighed. "Nima, don''t trouble Aunt Zhou." Aunt Zhou chuckled. "Oh, nonsense. She''s adorable!" The old man followed Kent, rubbing his temples. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." Kent mockingly stuck his tongue out at him with frustration. "Come on, Nima. Let''s go home." Chapter 19 A Heart to Heart conversation. --- Nima held Kent''s hand tightly as they walked into their home. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked up at him. "Big Brother, when are we going to buy a new TV?" Kent froze mid-step, gripping the door handle. A long sigh escaped his lips before he turned to her. "Do you know why I haven''t sent you to school yet?" Nima tilted her head, thinking for a second before answering. "Because we''re orphans? And we ran away from the orphanage?" "That''s one reason," Kent admitted. "But the other is... we''re poor. I''m saving money for your education. Right now, we can''t afford a new TV." Nima''s eyes widened in horror as her soul visibly left her body. She turned into a lifeless stone, standing frozen in place. Somewhere in the background, a passing bird turned to stone as well, cursed by Nima''s sheer frustration. +999 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Nima snapped out of her stone-like state, her face twisting in anguish. "Kent! How am I supposed to watch my favourite shows?! My anime, my dramas, my reality TV showsEVERYTHING will be ruined!" She grabbed his arm and shook him violently. "I don''t need to go to school! I already know all the math for fifth graders! Don''t force me to run away!" Kent chuckled, prying her hands off his sleeve. "Nima, I know you''re a genius," he said, ruffling her hair. "You could probably skip grades and go straight to high school if you had a tutor. But school isn''t just about studies. You need to learn new skills, make friends, and experience life outside. That''s why you have to go." She pouted, crossing her arms. "So? What does that have to do with my TV?" Kent sighed. "We''ll buy a new TV after I get you admitted next month. You have to wait until then." +99 SP copied from Nima (Sadness). Nima kicked the floor lightly, her voice softer now. "I know you work hard, Kent I can just get a scholarship as a cultivator. That way, you don''t have to" Kent cut her off immediately, his expression turning serious. "Nima, you''re only 11 years old." He placed his hands on her shoulders. " "Do you know what happens when an orphanwho''s just 11suddenly awakens as a cultivator?" She blinked. "...What?" "Trouble." Kent sighed. "Do you know the usual age when people awaken their powers?" She shook her head. NOO!! "Fifteen," Kent said. "That''s the average." He crossed his arms. "According to the government, the earlier someone awakens, the higher their chances of reaching Level A. That''s why if anyone finds out about you, bad people will come after you. They''ll try to take you awayforcefully." Nima froze, realizing the weight of his words. Kent gently squeezed her shoulders. "That''s why we have to keep this a secret until I''m strong enough to protect youor until you''re strong enough to protect yourself." Nima clenched her fists. "I understand." Kent grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Who knows? Maybe you''ll get so strong that you''ll be the one protecting me in the future." Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Really?! Then I''ll be the big sister!" Kent chuckled. "We''ll see about that." +30 SP copied from Nima (Joy). Kent stood up, brushing the dust off his worn-out pants. "Alright, you already ate at Aunt Zhou''s house, right? So I''ll make something for myself." Nima''s grin immediately disappeared, replaced by an exaggerated scowl. "I''M HUNGRY! I''LL EAT WHATEVER YOU EAT!" Ding! +19 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent sighed. "Fine, fine. Come on, let''s eat together." After breakfast, Kent left for school, his excitement barely contained. Today was the second day of special class. He had no idea what they would learn, but he hoped for something that could make him more vigorousor more prosperous. As soon as he entered the classroom, he noticed something. Everyone was busy talking to each other. Kent had just stepped through the doorway when WHAM! Someone shoved him from behind. Kent stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance. A familiar voice sneered. "Move out of the way, F-rank." Kent turned around to see Ryan smirking arrogantly. But before Kent could say anything'' "Cut it out. Don''t act recklessly," a voice called out from inside the classroom. "It was Ethan." He walked toward them, his sharp gaze fixed on Ryan. "Are you okay, Kent?" Kent shrugged it off. "It was nothing. Ryan isn''t that strong. Everyone in this class is the same rank, so it''s not like he can actually hurt me." +99 SP copied from Ryan (Anger). Ryan''s face turned red. "You YOU''RE CALLING ME WEAK?!" His fists clenched. "THEN LET''S FIGHT!" The entire class went silent for a moment Then "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" Excited shouts erupted, filling the room with energy. Students began gathering around, their faces lighting up with anticipation. Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, this escalated fast." FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Outside the classroom, loud shouting and cheering echoed through the hallways. Miss Elena, standing outside, furrowed her brows. "What the hell is going on in there?" Ding! +6, +77, +86, +98, +67 SP copied (Excitement). Meanwhile, inside the classroom Kent sat back, arms crossed, grinning like a villain. He didn''t care about the fight breaking out. He wasn''t interested. Why?---Because he had already won. The entire class was still F-rank, but he was already Level E. No matter how much they fought, he could beat anyone here with a single punch. So, instead of fighting, he farmed SP like a businessman collecting rent. Just thenTHUD! The door swung open, and Miss Elena stormed into the classroom. Instantly, the room fell silent. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. Some students were too scared to breathe, while others sat with their backs straight like model students. "For different reasons, every student either feared or respected Miss Elenasome sought to impress her, while others were simply terrified." "Everyone, take your seats," Elena commanded. Within seconds, the entire class scrambled to sit down. Kent, sitting in the middle, glanced at Ethan and Mia, who had taken the seats beside him. Ethan sat on his right, while Mia sat on his left. Elena cleared her throat. "Before we begin, let''s start with something basic that most of you should already know. But for those who don''t, pay close attention." Elena paced to the front of the class, her eyes scanning the students. "Spiritual energy is not the same everywhere. Some places have more, some have less, and some have none at all." She tapped the board behind her. "Areas rich in spiritual energy are called Spiritual Lands. In these places, cultivation is faster and more effective. Many of you come from families who own such lands." Several students nodded in understanding. "However," she continued, "some areas have spiritual energy so dense that they are currently uninhabitable. Nexus and Watchers categorize these places into three levels: Low, Medium, and High." Elena turned to face the class, her expression serious. "Then, there is another dangerthe sudden emergence of Ruins and Pocket Dimensions." A few students muttered among themselves, but Elena raised a hand. "For those unfamiliar, ruins are ancient battlefields or graveyards where countless warriors perished. These places were lost for thousands of years until now." Her eyes flickered with a strange light. "Pocket Dimensions, on the other hand, were once controlled by powerful ancient sects and clans. They created separate realms and used them as their sect, but due to the disappearance of spiritual energy, these places became inaccessible for centuries." The classroom was dead silent. "But now spiritual energy is returning. And as a result, these places are awakening." She looked around, gauging the students'' reactions. "Some ruins and pocket dimensions are harmless, but others are deadly. If you''re pulled inside, the only way out is to find the Main Treasure or the Formation Core to clear the dimension." A few students paled at her words. "Inside, there are hidden dangersancient beasts, zombie-like monsters, mythical cities, and entities beyond human comprehension." The tension in the air grew thick. Finally, Elena clapped her hands. "That concludes today''s lesson." A few students let out sighs of relief. "Now, I will distribute your cultivation resources." A few Tier-1 Watchers entered the room, each carrying trays filled with small, diamond-shaped stones. Each student was handed three white, shimmering spiritual stones. Elena folded her arms. "These are Spiritual Stones. They will help you cultivate faster. Unlike absorbing spiritual energy from the atmospherewhich contains many impuritiesthese stones provide pure, condensed energy." She continued, "Each stone lasts about ten days for someone with a B-rank physique. However, since many of you have basic cultivation, these three stones should be enough to push most of you to Level-E Peak." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A ripple of excitement spread through the class. "But remember," Elena warned. "After this, you will only receive resources based on your cultivation progress. Do not waste this opportunity." ''Fullfil your dreams. Become the best Cultivator of this era.'' Kent, for once, remained silent. Because for him, this information was new. His whole life had been about survivalabout making money, finding food, and ensuring that Nima had a better future. He never had time to think about the bigger world outside. Elena''s words opened his eyes. Kent''s Dream (For SP Farming Purposes) After a moment of deep thought, Kent raised his hand. Elena arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Kent?" He took a deep breath and then "My dream is.EQUAL JUSTICE! FREEDOM!" A heavy silence filled the room. Elena blinked. Once. Twice. She had no idea how to respond to that. Ding! +999 SP copied from Elena (Frustration). She slowly closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled. Ding! +778 SP copied from Elena (Frustration). Without saying a word, she decided to ignore him. She cleared her throat. "Class dismissed. Remember, do NOT share this information with outsiders." As the students packed their things, Ethan approached Kent, smiling. "Hey, let''s walk home together." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Our homes are in different areas. Don''t you have a car? Aren''t you supposed to be rich?" Ding! +99 SP copied from Ethan (Shocked). Ethan''s face twitched. "Dude, I just thought we could hang out." But you don''t seem interested in that. Give me a call if you change your mind. Kent chuckled. "Alright, I''ll call you sometime." Ethan handed him his number and then left. For the first time, Kent felt something strange. Maybe making friends wasn''t such a bad idea after all. Chapter 20 A Suddenly visitor. --- On his way home, Kent casually tossed the three spiritual stones in the air, catching them one by one with a grin. His excitement bubbled overhe couldn''t wait to try absorbing them once he got back. Deep down, he knew it wouldn''t work because of his SSS-rank Copy Spiritual Energy skill, but a small part of him still clung to hope. He refused to overthink it. Humming a tune, Kent stepped inside his house. The familiar warmth of home greeted him, but something felt off. "Where''s Nima?" Usually, when he returned, Nima would run to him from watching TV. If she wasn''t watching TV, she was probably asleep. Wait I almost forgot. Kent suddenly remembered this morning''s incidentNima had blown up the TV. Right That explains the silence. Shaking his head, he made his way to Nima''s room and knocked. Knock! Knock! "Nima? Nima, are you awake? Nima?" Kent knocked louder. "I''m home! Guess what?" The door creaked open slowly, revealing Nima standing there, clutching a patched-up teddy bear in her arms. The teddy looked like it had gone through a fashion crisis, covered in randomly coloured patches like a rainbow quilt. But what caught Kent''s attention wasn''t the teddyit was Nima''s expression. Her eyes were dull, and her entire posture screamed ''upset.'' A black aura of frustration seemed to radiate off her. She sighed dramatically. "What is it?" Kent, utterly oblivious to her mood, beamed as he held up his spiritual stones. "Do we have something to eat?" Then, without waiting for a response, he excitedly continued, "Today, I learned so many things! And looklook!" He held out the shiny spiritual stones like they were the greatest treasure in the world. "With these, I''ll reach Level D soon!" Nima rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might disappear into another dimension. "You woke me up just to show me some stupid rocks?" she yelled. Ding! +99 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent grinned. "Don''t be sad! I''ll wait for you at Level D!" Ha Ha Ha!!! Nima''s scowl vanished in an instant. She raised a hand, pointed at her nose, and smirked. "No need. I''m already Level-E." Kent froze. His entire body turned stiff as a gust of wind howled dramatically behind him. CRACK! Tiny cracks appeared in the air around him as if his soul had shattered. Then"W-WHAT?!" Nima tilted her head smugly. "You don''t have to wait for me. I''ll catch up to you soon, Big Brother." Kent snapped out of his daze, muttering under his breath, "She''s progressing so fast" His mind suddenly drifted to the Physique Enhancement Fruits. If he sold them, he''d be a trillionaire overnight. But he knew better. If people found out he had such magical fruits, powerful cultivators would come after him. He couldn''t let that happen. Not until he was one of the strongest. Kent rubbed his hands together, grinning like a villain plotting world domination. Meanwhile, Nima let out a small yawn, covering her mouth with one hand. "Kent, what am I supposed to do all day at home?" she complained. "I slept the entire day. The TV''s gone, and you refuse to buy a new one." Kent flinched. "Oh crap I forgot about that. I need to change the TV topic very FAST. Ideas!" Kent exclaimed with a fake burst of enthusiasm. "Nima! When I was coming home, I saw that some of our tomatoes were ready to be picked! Do you want some fried rice with tomatoes?" Nima''s eyes immediately sparkled. She kicked her feet up in the air, gripping her teddy bear like it was a weapon of war. "YES! YES! YES!" Kent sighed in relief. Thank god, I''m saved for now. But deep down, he felt guilty. Sooner or later, he''d have to buy her a new TV. For now, though, it was time to pick some tomatoes. As Kent plucked ripe, red tomatoes from the vines, he couldn''t help but marvel. "These things are huge." Each tomato was round, plump, and almost glowingfar better than any normal ones he had seen before. " The reason must be the spiritual energy affecting them" As he worked, he overheard voices coming from Aunt Zhou''s house. A man''s calm, friendly voice drifted through the open window. "I''ll come again when the ruins of Metro City open. It''s very close to opening." Kent''s hand paused mid-air, still holding a tomato. Ruins? Metro City? His eyes narrowed slightly as he listened more closely. Something interesting was going onKent couldn''t hear properly what they were talking about. He thought, why do I feel like this guy is a cultivator? Whatever. Aunty Zhou''s husband is a cultivator, too. This guy must be hare for the old man. I should go inside. The person finished talking and said goodbye. As he passed Kent, he stared at him intently. Kent, still holding the tomatoes, raised an eyebrow. What''s with the stare? What does he want? Stop looking at me like that! Just go already! Never mind. If he doesn''t want to leave, I''ll go. Let''s avoid trouble. That old fart is powerful. I don''t want to mess with one of his people. But just as Kent was about to step away, the person suddenly spoke. "Wait a moment, please." Kent froze. What does he want? Does he want to fight, like the old man? But his spiritual energy feels like a Level C cultivator I can''t beat him. A cold chill ran down his spine. What the hell is going on? Why there are so many strong cultivators around my house and in the city? Since last week, Kent has been noticing a few powerful presence in Metro City. He tightened his grip on the tomatoes. Can I beat him? What if he doesn''t hold back like the old man? I can''t run away either. Nima is inside. What will happen to her if I run? Step Step Step The person moved closer, his hand raised. Damn, he''s making a move! Damn it! Damn it! Kent gritted his teeth. I''ll give it a shot. I can''t run but I''ve to become a role model and big brother to Nima. I can''t just run from problems. Taking a deep breath, Kent focused intensely, drawing spiritual energy from his heart...A faint orange aura flickered to life, gathering around his palm. ???? Whoosh! ???? Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was still holding the tomatoes, but as his fire aura flared up on his hands, the pot in his hand began to melt slightly from the outside. Kent spun 180 degrees, his stance solidifying. A few tomatoes tumbled to the ground as he turned to face the approaching figure. ThenThe guy extended his hand. "Hello. My name is Lian." I heard about you from Mr Yu. Silence..... Kent stared at him, his mind grinding to a halt. "Glad to meet you," Lian says to Kent. THIS GUY SCARED ME FOR NOTHING?! Couldn''t he just say hello earlier? WHY BUILD UP ALL THAT TENSION?! Kent sighed internally. I''ve taught him a lesson. Lian, seemingly unaware of Kent''s internal turmoil, repeated himself. "Hello, I''m glad to meet you." Kent narrowed his eyes. "How glad are you? Can you show me?" Lian blinked. +99 SP Copied from Lian (Shocked). Lian jumped back, visibly stunned. What what kind of answer is that?! How am I supposed to respond?! I was never taught how to handle a conversation like this! His thoughts spiralled into confusion. +88, +99, +77, +75 SP Copied. Meanwhile, Kent bent down to casually pick up the fallen tomatoes, his expression calm and collected. Behind him, Lian was still frozen, unable to process what just happened. Kent smirked. "Now you''ll know," he muttered, brushing dust off the tomatoes. "Don''t mess with me again. You almost gave me a heart attack. I should go inside." He gave Lian one last HMPH! Before turning away, his steps were confident. Should I rent a new house? He wondered. This place is becoming chaotic with weird people but the rent is cheap here. Back Inside the House, Kent shut the door behind him with a click. Nima, sitting on the old couch, looked up at him suspiciously. "What happened? Why are you breathing so heavily? Why are you so sweaty?" Kent wiped his forehead. "Huh? N-Nothing. Just" Nima''s eyes narrowed. "Did you go for a jog? But you just left a little while ago. How can you sweat like that in such a short time?" Then, her expression changed as a wild thought struck her. "Wait the only way to sweat that much would be" "KENT, DID YOU POOP OUTSIDE, IN THE YARD?!" +77 SP Copied from Nima (Anger & Confusion). Kent choked on air. "W-WHAT?! NO! DON''T SAY WEIRD STUFF LIKE THAT! YOUR THOUGHTS ARE WILD" Nima crossed her arms. "Hmph. Then what happened?" Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Shh! There are a lot of cultivators around here. You have to be careful when you go outside to play." His voice lowered. "Aunt Zhou''s husband is a cultivator. That old man is very strong. Maybe even a Level-B cultivator." Nima''s eyes widened. "That old man? Really? Are you sure?" Kent nodded. "Yes. And he''s powerful. This morning, he attacked me. Wanted me as his disciple. I never felt that much power before." Nima''s eyes sparkled. "WOW! That sounds like something out of an anime! Like those evil big bosses living in the countryside!" She punched the air a few times, pretending to fight an invisible enemy. "Don''t worry, Kent! I''ll work hard at cultivation! Once I become a BIG BOSS myself, I''ll beat all the OTHER big bosses and protect you! No one will be able to bully you!" Heh heh heh! ???? Kent chuckled, crossing his arms. "Thanks, Nima." Then, under his breath, he muttered: "But who will save me from you?" Later that evening, Kent and Nima cooked fried rice with tomatoes together. The tomatoes, grown from their own farm, were more prosperous in flavour than anything they had eaten before. Nima chewed happily, her legs swinging beneath the chair. "This is SO GOOD! We should grow some more tomatoes!" Kent smiled, enjoying the meal. --- Author Note: Hello, English is my second language. I might make some mistakes while writing. I am too poor to afford an editor. If you find any weird sentences or errors, please comment so that I can fix them. I will work day and night to fix everything. Thank you for reading till now. Chapter 21 A sword Cultivator ---- . . The following day, Nima pouted unhappily, sitting by the window as Kent prepared to leave for school. She sighed. "You''re leaving again" Kent ruffled her hair. "I''ll buy you a new TV soon. Just give me a few more days." She nodded slowly, still sulking. Kent smiled. "Alright, be good at home. Study a little, okay?" Nima watched him walk away from the windowleaning her head on the sill. "BYE!" she called out. Kent yawned as he walked, still frustrated from last night. Even after trying multiple times, he had failed to absorb the spiritual stones. He refused to give them to Nimashe was already progressing at a monstrous speed, far faster than anyone else. Suddenly, his spiritual sense tingled. !!!!!!~~~????? He turned his head sharply. In the courtyard, the old man, Xian Yu, was practising his sword techniques. Swish! Whoosh! The air hummed with energy as Xian Yu''s sword aura sliced through the wind, leaving streaks of golden light behind. Kent paused. He was mesmerized by the sword moves. The old man moved like a phantom, each stroke of his blade flowing seamlessly into the next. His long silver hair billowed in the air, his left hand resting behind his back while his right wielded the sword with deadly precision. Then FWOOSH! Leaves fell from a nearby tree. With a single swing SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Every single leaf was sliced in half mid-air before they even touched the ground. Sizzle Sizzle ???? The sheer spiritual energy in the cuts burned the edges of the leaves. Behind Xian Yu, an enormous spiritual sword manifesteda towering 8 to 10 meters tall, hovering majestically in the air. The sword in his hand was equally imposingwith a blue hilt, silver borders, and mysterious ancient runes inscribed along the blade. Anyone could tellthis was no ordinary sword. Kent''s eyes widened in awe. Damn, this old man is strong. Then Clank! Xian Yu sheathed his sword with a crisp sound, turning to Kent with a satisfied smile. "Good morning, Kent." Before Kent could reply, Aunt Zhou stepped into the courtyard. "Oh, Kent! You''re up early." Kent nodded. "Good Morning, Aunt Zhou." Then he turned to Xian Yu. "Practicing so early, old man? What type of sword technique is this?" The old man grinned. "It''s my family''s sword technique. " Kent raised an eyebrow. Obviously, I can see that, old man. I meantwhat''s the name of the technique? I can''t tell you the name unless you want to learn it. "Do you want to learn it?" No thanks, he just nodded politely. "I see. Well, I should get goingI''m already late for school." He turned to leave, but "Wait a second, Kent." Xian Yu''s voice stopped him mid-step. Aunt Zhou looked concerned. "Yu" she started but stopped herself. Kent adjusted his school bag strap and turned back. "Yeah?" Xian Yu smiled and lifted his sword. "What do you feel when you look at this sword?" Kent glanced at the blade. "It''s long. It''s old. It''s sharp. Why?" +499 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). The old man''s eye twitched. He jabbed his finger against Kent''s chest. "I''m serious! Answer properly!" Kent sighed, then he looked at the sword again, this time thoughtfully. "It''s a tool that can alter someone''s fate. A blade that can cut through mountains and riversif wielded by the right person." He met the old man''s gaze. "In the hands of the wrong person, it becomes a tool of war and destruction. In the hands of an ordinary person, it''s just a piece of steel." Xian Yu stared at him, eyes widening slightly. So young, yet so insightful Then, the old man grinned and lifted the sword high into the air, striking a dramatic pose. "What do you think, young man?" he said, his voice grand and theatrical. "Want to learn? Want to become my disciple?" Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent''s face lit up like an excited child. "Wel Well I. I DON''T." SPLURT! The old man froze. Kentsy words stabbed him into his heart like a thousand invisible blades. He stumbled back, clutching his chest. PUH! He spat out a mouthful of imaginary blood. +999 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Heart Bleeding). Kent turned on his heels. "Excuse me, old man. I gotta go." Xian Yu reached out weakly. "Wait!" WHOOSH! But Kent was already gone. +999 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Anger). The old man gritted his teeth. "That brat What a troublesome child. Doesn''t he realize the honour of becoming my disciple?" Aunt Zhou patted his back reassuringly. "He''s still young, Yu. He doesn''t want to learn it right now." Xian Yu sighed deeply. "I don''t have much time left. I can''t let my skills fade away. The spiritual energy has returnedI need to pass on my legacy." His gaze hardened. "I need to find a successor." Kent walked down the streets, passing tall buildings. He shook his head, muttering. "That old man keeps trying to trick me into becoming his disciple." He checked his SP notifications. +11, +99, +17 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Kent grinned. "Why am I still getting SP from him? Damn, he must be thinking about me. What a Grumpy old man." A bus rumbled past him as he reached the school gates. Kent entered his class. The classroom was already filled with students chatting amongst themselves. Kent settled into his seat, eager to see what today''s lessons would bring. A few hours later, Lunchtime arrived. Students gathered in groups, chatting and eating. Kent, however, sat alone under a tree, lost in thought. "I still can''t see how much SP I have collected. The system is down. But I need to earn more SPthat''s for sure." "Today, I didn''t get a chance in class to earn SP. I have to do something But what? Should I beat someone up? That''ll definitely get me SP but I''ll also get punished." Suddenly VROOT! VROOT! His phone vibrated. Kent looked down at the screen. His eyes narrowed. Oh, a group SMS from Ryan. Let me see what he''s sent. ?? Massage: Let me show you all something. This is a video of some cultivators. Watch it. I''m hiring people. It''s an excellent opportunity for you all. Kent opened the video. ?? It was a recording of several individuals playing baseball, using spiritual power. Oh, isn''t this just like the anime Dragon Ball Super baseball match? Ryan sent another message to the group. "I want to build a team. Many organizations are planning to hold a baseball match featuring cultivators." I''ll pay you all a good amount of money. This is a great business opportunity. Several students replied: One: Great idea. I''ll join. Two: How much money? Three: I want to be a shareholder. Four: This is a good opportunity to earn some money. Kent: Has anyone asked Miss Elena? She said not to share that we''re in a special class. Ryan, are you planning to declare that we''re all cultivators? ...Silence. +889 SP copied from Ryan. (Frustration) +999+999+999 SP from Xxx xxx xxx. Oh, I''ve earned a lot of SP. Thanks, classmates, for that. But this is only good if we have permission, Kent thought, holding a spoon in his mouth. Another SMS arrived in the group. ?? One: Oh, Ryan. The young master of the Hale family. You can''t handle Kent. He!! He!! He!! Ryan: Kent, I''ll beat you. I challenge you. Two: Come on, don''t act so seriously. Ethan: Don''t be a loser, Ryan. After school, Kent returned home. Nima was waiting for him at the door. "What took you so long? I''m bored to death." I am sorry. "School ended late today. What do you want to eat for dinner? Carrot soup?" Kent asked. +199 SP from Nima. ???? "Kent thoughtNima doesn''t want carrots, huh?" Fine, noodles it is. Kent prepared the noodles. Nima, with a mischievous grin, said, "Let''s see who can finish faster. The loser does the dishes." They ate in a rush. Kent almost choked. Damn it, I lost. You win, Nima. Cough!! Cough!! Kent was coughing. I''ll wash the dishes. Suddenly, he heard a familiar sound. Ding! System upgrade complete. The reward for level-up is given. Kent felt something stir inside his body. What''s happening? A massive surge of spiritual energy gathered around his heart, creating an empty space. His spiritual scene was pulled into space. Within the blank space, a swirling silver and black mist formed. From it, a white dagger emerged. Kent stared in shock. What is this dagger? Is this my reward? But why is it inside my heart? He tried to reach out with his spiritual form, but the dagger resisted, flying away just beyond his grasp. Damn it, system. What kind of reward is this? Why can''t I touch it? Another notification popped up. Ding! Adjusting the dagger''s power to match the host''s level. Reducing power: 90% Current power: 10% Finally, Kent was able to touch the dagger. He tried to pull it out, but it refused to come out, showing resistance. He gathered all his power into his hand. Ahhhhhh!!!! With all his might, he yanked the dagger free from the blank space within his heart. When he finally succeeded, he was back in his original body, holding the dagger in his hand. Chapter 22 A new Weapon. --- The dagger quickly materialized into a solid form, its presence undeniable. The handle and blade were etched with ancient marks, the meaning of the markings lost to time. Near the base of the handle, a small gem-like rock glowed faintly. It seemed to resemble a face, but not quitea strange, ethereal semblance. The gem pulsed with a soft light. System Notifications Ding! Name: SOUL SLASHER Class: Legendary Power: 10% Note: The dagger''s power will increase as the host''s cultivation level rises. Usages: The host Can slash enemy souls, inducing fear. Effect: Freezes target for 1-10 seconds, depending on the enemy''s level. (Effective against all levels.) Kent gripped the dagger in his hands, his thoughts racing. This... This is amazing. It can freeze any enemy, no matter their level. The stronger they are, the less time they''ll be frozen. It''s perfect for me. I will never go and poke a Level B opponent anyway, "At least not yet." This will be a great trump card in battle. He infused some spiritual power into the Soul Slasher, trying to mimic the moves of the old man Xian Yu with his own brand of flair. Haiyya!!!... Woosh!!! Cut!! ..... Cut!! Something fell to the ground. Kent could sense the dagger''s resistance. It''s almost like it has a consciousness of its own. "He says, Is it trying to fight me? Maybe it''s because I don''t know any sword techniques." From the kitchen, Nima heard the strange sounds Kent was making. "What''s wrong with you, Kent? Are you playing with the dishes? Are you a little kid who plays with the dish soup bubbles?" Kent didn''t pay attention to her. He was lost in thought. "I need to learn sword skills. This dagger won''t obey me unless I can use sword aura properly." "Maybe I should ask the old man next door? But that grumpy old fart..." He swung the dagger again, this time more confidently. Nima, growing irritated, jumped onto Kent''s back. "Hey! Answer me! What are you doing? Where did you get that funny-looking knife?" Kent sighed, finally acknowledging her. "Nima, this is my superpower. I got this knife as part of it. Now get off me. You''re getting heavy. Maybe you need a diet plan." ???? +77 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) Just then, both siblingsKent and Nima heard a noise from the roof. Kent quickly whispered, "Shh... Someone''s up there." Three figures in long black jackets dropped from Kent''s roof and then landed in Aunty Zhou''s house. Two of them bowed respectfully to the third. "The person we''re looking for lives here," the leader said. Kent and Nima peeked from the window, trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on. Xian Yu comes out of the house. The old man settled into a chair in the yard. He looked at the three men with a raised eyebrow. "What are you kids looking for?" The leader signalled to the others. "Don''t do anything without my order." With that, he approached Xian Yu, releasing a wave of spiritual energy. Kent frowned, thinking, What''s happening here? This guy is strong... Is there going to be a fight? "What should I do?" Kent muttered. Nima nudged him. "Move, I can''t see." Kent whispered to himself, "I''ll go save Aunty Zhou if a fight breaks out." The leader, noticing Kent''s curious eyes from the window, locked onto him. Kent quickly ducked down, hiding. Damn, he saw me. He''s really strong. Now that he saw me, I can''t secretly go and save Aunty Zhou. The leader spoke up. "I am Logan, a student of the late Charles." "I am here to meet you, Mr. Xian Yu." Kent''s thoughts raced with wild imagination. So the old man is hiding from his enemies... That''s why he lives out here in the countryside. He must''ve killed that Charles guy. What will happennow that they''ve found him? Xian Yu remained calm, sipping his tea. "Sorry to meet you outside, respected Nexus Logan. This is my wife''s home. It''s not a place for uninvited guests." Hearing the name ''Nexus,'' Kent recalled what Teacher Elena had told him. "So, he''s the one... The leader of the government forces." "Logan, Is it? I''ll keep that in mind. Just now, You''ve really scared me. I''ll hold a grudge for this." Logan nodded to Xian Yu''s comment with a hint of recognition in his eyes. Kent''s thoughts swirled. So, is the old man part of Nexus? The two began to converse. Logan spoke first, his voice firm. "Your fountain physique was destroyed before the return of spiritual energy. You can''t fight without risking your life. Every time you use your power, you shorten your lifespan. If only there were a way to restore your physique." Xian Yu, with a thoughtful look, poured more tea into his cup. "Let''s not discuss about that. It''s my fate, and I''ve accepted it." Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I don''t have much time left anyway. The only way to prolong my life is to break into Level A, but with my broken physique, that''s impossible." Xian Yu''s tone softened. Logan says, "Thanks to you, many of the world''s problems were solved ten years ago. At that time, you and Chen Li were the only Level B cultivators in the world." "Hey, your master was also Level B," Xian Yu added. "But he died in that incident eighteen years ago... that was a time when my foundation was damaged. We all suffer from that battle." Now look at you and his kid. Both Level B cultivators, protecting the country." He paused, then asked, "So, why have you come here, kid? Logan stood up, his expression serious. "I''m here to invite you to the Nexus ranks. Join us as the 5th Nexus. Now that spiritual energy is returning faster than ever before, the time to act is now." Kent and Nima struggled to listen in. Nima whispered, "I can''t hear anything. Let''s go outside." Kent shook his head. "We can''t. They will beat us for being naughty kids." Both of them knew the two men were far too strong for them to handle. Outside, the conversation continued. "Join us as the 5th Nexus," Logan insisted. Xian Yu spat out his tea in shock. "What...?" "Cough!! Cough!!" He quickly recovered, apologizing. "Sorry, Nexus Logan. Right now, I''m just an old man. As you just saw, I can barely handle my tea. I don''t want to fight beside you, young people." Logan stood up from the chair, his tone softer now. "Perhaps I went a little too far. But you''re the only Level B cultivator who doesn''t belong to any organization." I know your clan doesn''t want to side with anyone, Logan continued, "but if you change your mind, the 5th Nexus position is yours. Soon, many new opportunities will open up. If we find anything that could help your broken physique, we''ll offer it to you, whether you join or not." Logan added, "I hope that one day your clan won''t be our enemy over the ruins and the pocket dimension. All I want is to protect my homeland." Xian Yu, holding his teacup, smiled faintly. "I feel the same way. For peace, love, and our country." Logan and his followers bid farewell and left, leaping effortlessly across the rooftops. Whoosh! Whoosh! Moments later, Aunty Zhou appeared at the door, asking, "Are you okay? What were they saying? I couldn''t hear a thing." Xian Yu replied, "They must have used a spiritual tool to block the hearing. That... Nexus Logan. Quite the character." They went inside, continuing their conversation. Kent and Nima, frustrated at not being able to overhear more, Kent sighed. "Go to bed, Nima," Kent said. Once she left, Kent decided to check the system for any new upgrades brought on by the recent level-up. Chapter 23 A Sudden Surprise by the System. -- Kent was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Hey, System, open the system window and let me see what''s new there." The usual screen popped upnothing had changed. What the? Kent thought, furrowing his brow. System, what did you upgrade? You take that long time to upgrade for nothing. System notifications arrived: New skill: Appraisal added to the system. Note: Each use will cost SP. The amount will be based on the level item or target. Kent blinked. Ohhh, a new skill, but it costs SP? Damn you, System. Why can''t you give it to me for free? He grumbled, then turned to check if there was anything new in the shop. Shop | Lottery | Income History | Chat Group ???? What''s this new ''Chat Group'' option? Kent wondered, noticing the lock sign beside it. He tried multiple times to enter the Chat Group window, but every time, a message popped up: "The level is too low. The level is too low. The level is too low." "System, what''s this supposed to mean?!" Kent growled, irritation rising. Ding! The host can''t join any chat group until cultivation reaches LEVEL C. Kent stared blankly at the screen. So you''re telling me, after two whole days of upgrades, you''re just telling me I''m weak? "He groaned and rechecked the shop. Still the same two items." Spiritual Points: 156,789 SP. Items: Physique Enhancement Fruit. He cursed the system again and rolled back into bed, falling asleep. The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Kent. He groggily got out of bed, cooked breakfast, and prepared for school. Outside, the old man, Xian Yu, was practising his sword moves. The birds were flying freely in the clear sky. Once done with his daily routine, Xian Yu suddenly heard Kent''s voice. "Goodbye, Nima!" Kent called out to his sister. Xian Yu quickly froze and struck a dramatic pose, acting like he was still in the middle of his sword practice. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whooshing!! Whooshes!!! "Good morning, Mr. Xian Yu! How are you doing?" Kent greeted him. Xian Yu was caught off guard by Kent''s sudden approach. Haaahhh!!!! He cleared his throat. "Goodnight, Kent. Ahem! I mean good morning." Kent couldn''t help but chuckle. "Mr. Xian Yu, your sword technique looks pretty cool." The old man''s eyes sparkled with pride. He jumped toward Kent, eager to show off. "You like it, huh? It''s pretty cool. Want me to teach you? I''ll show you all the cool moves!" Kent smirked. "I want to, but there''s a problem" Xian Yu, undeterred, waved his hand. "It doesn''t matter what the problem is! There''s nothing that can stop me from teaching you! I can solve any problem!" Ke paused for a moment before telling about his problem. Meanwhile, Xian Yu thought, "I know you like money. Just say it. He grinned slyly." Kent asked the old man. "Well, it''s not that big of a deal The thing is, I was wondering, how good were your academic results?" Xian Yu puffed up his chest proudly. "Back in the old days, I was the top genius in my class. I got an A+ in every subject!" OH! That''s excellent! Kent said, giving a thumbs-up. "I knew I made the right choice asking you." Xian Yu started to suspect something was off. "Wait he''s up to something." Kent leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Xian Yu, I''ll have time to practice swords if you could take over as Nima''s tutor. You know, most of my free time goes into teaching her. You could tutor her when I''m at school. Plus, you''re very oldshe could look after you if you trip and fall by mistake. ????" +999 SP from Xian Yu (Shocked). Kent held back a laugh. His own joke thoroughly entertained him. With a twinkle in his eye, he called out, "Nima Nima! Come out!" Thud! Nima kicked the door open, her voice sharp. "You you stone-hearted big brother!" ???? I can''t watch my anime and dramas, and now you want me to study all day? (She''d overheard everything from the window.) +999 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent shrugged, unfazed. "Old man, you have no idea how lucky you are. My little sister is such a nice girl. You wouldn''t find anyone like her in the entire city." Xian Yu, still trying to process everything, nodded slowly. "You''re right. I can''t find anyone like her who can kick the door that hard." Kent lowered his voice. "Mr. Xian Yu, the truth is... Nima is an awakened person, too. She became a cultivator at such a young age." WOW! Xian Yu says, "l don''t know, she is this incredible kid." Shh, old man. No one knows about that. I want to keep it a secret. I don''t want people to bug me about joining clans or organizations. In the background, Nima fumed like a wild beast while Kent and Xian Yu chatted happily. "Nima, come here. Kent called her." "Why did you call me Kent? What do you want?" Kent raised an eyebrow. "From now on, when I''m at school, you could go to Aunt Zhou''s house. You''ve always wanted to play in Aunt Zhou''s house, right?" Nima was not buying it. "Don''t fool me, Kent. I''m not a little kid anymore. You can''t trick me!" +666 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent smirked. "If you don''t listen to me, I''ll stop making fried rice and noodles for three months. Decide now, what do you want?" ''Study Or no Gried Rice for three months.'' Kent muttered to himself, "You have no idea how hard I worked to get this old man to be your tutor. It''s free, too! Saves me a ton of money." Nima finally gave in, glaring at the old man as she stormed off to Aunt Zhou''s house. "I''m not a little kid! Ugh! Kent, I know you just blackmailed me." Xian Yu sighed. "Why is she looking at me like that? I''m the victim here." Kent, satisfied, waved goodbye to them both, calling out, "Have fun!" Inside Aunt Zhou''s house, Nima walked in, scowling. "Aunt Zhou, what are you doing?" Aunt Zhou greeted her warmly. "Oh, look who''s here! Want a snack? Come in, I''ve got plenty." Nima grinned. "From now on, I''ll study with your husband. After Studying, can I watch TV? I haven''t watched my anime and drama since our TV broke." Aunty Zhou replied, "Of course! But only after studying." One minute later...Nima munched on snacks, savouring each bite. Yum! Yum! Xian Yu grumbled from behind her, Take your time, kid. Don''t choke on it. "Damn it, I wanted to find an apprentice, but now I become a babysitting." He paused, a thought crossing his mind. Wait a minute. It''s not a bad idea. She''s more talented than Kent. Xian Yu grinned mischievously. Heh Heh Heh! "I''ll teach both of the siblings my sword techniques," he decided. Meanwhile, Kent was walking down the street when a system notification popped up. Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the first mission. Reward: Spiritual Cloak. (A cloaking ability) Use: Creates a spiritual energy cloak using the host''s energy. It can be used as a defence and also blocks spiritual senses. This technique can be taught to blood-related people. Kent''s eyes lit up in excitement. His thoughts go back to this morning incident. "When he woke up this morning. He was rubbing his eyes when suddenly, a mission alert sounded in his mind." Ding! Mission: Find a tutor for Nima. Reward: ??? Time: One day. What the? The system gave me a mission now. Is this because of your upgrade System? Answer me! [Ding! The system will be more active now. From now on, the system will assign missions to the host. The host must complete all missions. Some missions have time limits. Missions cannot be refused. Failure to complete a mission will result in a deduction of SPdepending on the task.] Kent groaned. I can''t refuse a mission? And if I fail, will I lose SP? No way, System! I won''t let you take my SP. I need to find a tutor quickly. "Kent grinned slyly. I''ve got a plan. I''ll trick old man Xian Yu." Present time...Back at Aunt Zhou''s house, Xian Yu was teaching Nima, watching as she wrote. Xian Yu says, "You''ve got strong, steady handwriting. You could become a calligraphy artist." Nima tilted her head, uninterested. "Do they make a lot of money?" "Not really. Only a handful of them earn well," Xian Yu replied. "Then I don''t want to. I want money!" Nima declared, munching another snack. "I''ll sell at the market like Kent. That''s how we survived until now." Xian Yu sighed, watching the two siblings. I''ll help them as much as I can until my time runs out. He looked at Nima, thinking, Damn, these kids have it tough. After that, his thoughts shifted to Kent''s training, and I''ll teach Kent this. No, wait that one! Yes, that move will be best for him. Chapter 24 Sword training Start --- In the afternoon, the sun remained bright, casting golden rays across the yard. A soft, cool breeze rustled the leaves as Kent returned from school. Xian Yu and Nima stood on the yard, waiting for Kent. The old man''s sharp eyes scanned Kentbefore he spoke. "Go change into something more suitable for training. Quickly, both of you!" A few minutes later, Kent and Nima returned, dressed in t-shirts and jogging pants. The old man stood tall, his weathered face unreadable as he addressed them. His voice carried the weight of experience, unwavering and firm. "The first lesson is simple," he said, his piercing gaze locking onto them. "You will swing your sword 1,000 times. Only after that can you take the next step." Kent and Nima exchanged uneasy glances, gripping their wooden swords tightly. The unfamiliar weight made their hands feel clumsy. "Observe," Xian Yu continued, picking up his own sworda battered yet well-maintained blade. The worn surface bore the marks of countless battles. "This is how it''s done." He moved with the grace of a panther, deliberate yet fluid. "First, lower your body at a 45-degree angle," he instructed, adjusting his stance. "Your feet should be planted firmly. Balance is everything." Raising the sword above his head with both hands, he ensured the blade was perfectly straight, pointing toward the heavens. "Now, swing downward in a clean, precise motion." He demonstrated his sword moves. "Watch this he says, The wooden blade cutting through the air with a sharp whoosh before stopping inches above the ground." "Remember," he straightened, turning to face them with an intense stare. "The blade must not touch the ground. If it does, that swing doesn''t count. Precision is key. Sloppiness won''t be tolerated." The siblings nodded, determination glinting in their eyes despite their hesitation. Xian Yu handed them their training swords. "Begin. I will count." Taking a seat on a worn wooden chair, he folded his arms and watched as the lesson commenced. "1 2" His voice sliced through the air like a whip. Kent and Nima started, their movements stiff at first. Swish! Swish! "8 99 198" Sweat beaded on Nima''s forehead. Her arms trembled with every swing, and by the 200th count, her movements had slowed. Her breathing was ragged. "I I can''t do it," she panted, her wooden sword slipping from her fingers as she collapsed to her knees. "Nima!" Kent called out, pausing mid-swing to glance at her. "Keep going!" the old man''s voice was unrelenting. "She''s done, but you are not. Push through!" Kent gritted his teeth, his arms burning with fatigue. But he tightened his grip and continued. "299 599" His shirt was soaked with sweat. His legs felt like jelly. Each swing sent jolts of pain through his shoulders, but he refused to stop. "888" The old man''s voice carried a hint of approval now. "999 1,000!" Kent''s final swing was as precise as the first. He barely managed to hold himself up before collapsing, gasping for air. Xian Yu nodded, a rare flicker of a smile appearing. "Good. Both of you did well." He glanced at Nima, who was sitting on the ground, staring at Kent in awe. Nima,"You gave up after 200. Not bad for a first try." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, turning to Kent, his eyes narrowed slightly. "And you you pushed through when most would have quit. That is the spirit of a warrior." Kent grinned weakly, pride swelling in his chest despite his exhaustion. Xian Yu stood, his chair creaking as he rose. "Rest for now. Tomorrow morning, we begin again." The Next Morning...As dawn barely kissed the sky, a rhythmic knocking echoed through Kent''s house. The sun had yet to rise fully, and the world remained painted in hues of deep orange and soft gold. Kent, still exhausted from the previous day''s training, groggily woke up. Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled to the door, opening it just as the first light of day spilt over the horizon. Xian Yu stood there, looking as composed as ever. "Let''s begin. Where''s Nima?" Kent yawned. "Sleeping." He crossed his arms. "You can wake her up if you thinkyou can handle her anger, but I''m not doing it. She''ll go into a crazy mood if I try to wake her up." The old man''s expression shifted as he imagined Nima''s wrath. In his mind''s eye, she was yelling at him, demanding apologies. He quickly brushed the thought aside. "Ahem! Ahem! I will teach her later, maybe after homework in the afternoon. You, come with me." They walked into the yard, where various weight bags and large stones lay scattered around. Xian Yu gestured toward them. "Put these on." Kent strapped on the weights: 150 kg on his vest, 50 kg on each leg, and 20 kg on each arm. "Now, swing the sword exactly as you did yesterdaybut this time, strike the rock. There is one simple rule you must obey, that is you can''t break the wooden sword." Kent''s brows furrowed. Seriously... Are you telling me to break rock with wood? This is totally the opposite of common sense. "How do I break a rock without breaking the wooden sword?" It''s impossible!!! "You need to become one with the blade," Xian Yu said. "Connect your spiritual sense with the wooden sword. This is the first step toward mastering the Sword Dao." He pointed to the ground, saying. "Once you finish three stages of training, you will be able to do this." Xian Yu raised a single finger. A faint, shimmering aura gathered around it, forming an invisible blade. With a single swing, the training dummy and the ground beneath it were sliced in half. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Old man, you''re amazing! Teach me that move. Right now, I need to learn these cool moves. Not some wood breaking the rock!" Xian Yu flicked Kent''s forehead. "Stop dreaming. You won''t be able to do it until you master the fundamentals. Also, stop calling me ''old man.'' From now on, call me Master." "No way Kent replied. I''m only here to learn your sword moves, not to become your disciple." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Xian Yu sighed. "Enough talking. Start practicing. First, swing the sword 1,500 times in the air. Then, strike the rock 500 times. You must complete 2000 swings before it''s time for school." "Before school?!" Kent groaned. "Yes. Now get to it." You don''t have enough time to waste. As Kent began training, Xian Yu observed him closely. "When I was a child, I could barely swing 100 times with 200 kg," he murmured to himself. "But Kent has already surpassed 500 swings. His physical strength is unbelievable. Is he hiding his true level?" His gaze darkened with curiosity. "He''s definitely at a Level E cultivation, but unless he has an A-rank physique, this shouldn''t be possible. I need to test both siblings later." After completing his 1500-air swings, Kent attempted to strike the rock. The first impact caused a crack in the wooden sword. The second swing deepened the cracks. The third swing snapped the sword in half. +999 SP from Xian Yu (Frustration). The rock remained unscathed. Xian Yu stroked his beard. "I only brought one wooden sword today. I don''t have any more wooden swords. Go home! Tomorrow, I''ll have more wooden swords ready for you. If you break one in three swings, then I guess you will empty the wooden sword market." Kent, too tired to argue, nodded and dragged himself inside the house, already dreading the next day of training. Chapter 25 Testing New powers. --- After the morning training, Kent was out of breath and, drenched in sweat, decided to bathe. "After bathing, I''ll wake up that lazy little sister of mine," he muttered, dragging himself toward the bathroom. "I''m too tired to do everything alone." Once refreshed, Kent made his way to Nima''s room to wake her up. She was sound asleep, lying like a baby, free from the burdens of the world. Her innocent, peaceful face filled Kent''s heart with affection. Looking at her, Kent mused to himself, "My little sister has the Soulbinder SSS-RANK skill, a power that sounds like something a villain would wielddark and ominous. But it''s far too overpowered for my liking. I wish I had her skills. Unlike mine, which doesn''t even allow me to cultivate properly." An idea sparked in Kent''s mind, and he decided to use his appraisal skill to check if there were any hidden side effects to Nima''s skill. This way, "I could also evaluate my own appraisal abilitiesafter all, SP is valuable to my growth. I don''t want to waste it on random things just for the sake of curiosity. I''m such a genius." Kent chuckled to himself, feeling proud of the plan. "Ha ha ha!" He activated the System, speaking aloud, "System, use the appraisal on Nima''s Soulbinder skill. Show me what cool things this skill has." The System notifications came through: Calculating [Ding! Cost: 1000 SP (Price reduced by 90% due to blood relation.) Do you want to use it?] [Yes / No] Kent eagerly selected "Yes." Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Appraising Complete. Ding! Nima''s Status: Physique: Max (10) Cultivation: Level E (lower) Skill: Soulbinder (SSS-Rank) 1. The user can''t feel any emotion if she kills a person (No PTSD). 2. She can read captured soul memories. 3. She can understand all souls'' languages. Description: Extracts dead souls and binds them as contracted servants: no level limit but limited slots (1/2). Kent read through the information, his eyes lingering on the description. He thought to himself, "SSS rank means there are likely three more sub-skills tied to this one." But it''s good that she won''t feel any mental trauma or anxiety if she kills something. In a world like this, killing to survive is inevitable. The peaceful world we once knew is gone. Kent stared at Nima, pondering her overwhelming abilities. With a physique maxed out at level 10, she progressed faster than anyone. She could capture souls and keep them as her servants, read their memories, and communicate with any soulall of this without fear or PTSD. ''This system is cruel to me''...Frustration boiled inside him. Here I am, stuck making jokes and causing trouble to level up. Wait a minute. My skill is also SSS rank. I should have three sub-skills too. Without wasting another second, he activated the appraisal on himself. "System, use appraisal on my Copy Spiritual Energy SSS-RANK skill." Calculating Ding! Cost: 10,000 SP. Kent''s eyes widened. "System, wasn''t it supposed to be 1,000 SP?" His voice was filled with irritation. "What the hell?" Ding! There is no discount on the host himself. Do you want to use it? [Yes / No] "No No, I don''t want to," Kent grumbled. "I need to save my SP to level up first." Nima''s level was still behind his, but who knew? In a few days, she might surpass him. "I can always check my skills later when I have enough SP. I already know that one of my sub-skills lets me copy powers from others under certain conditionslike if I have an affinity for their superpower or skill." Kent, still fuming with frustration, couldn''t stop thinking about his other two sub-skills. "I can''t waste any SP right now, he thought, but I can''t stand not knowing!" His anger bubbled up, and he shouted at the system. The sudden outburst was enough to wake Nima from her peaceful sleep. She groggily blinked up at him and yawned. "What are you doing, Kent? Did I sleep too long?" she asked, stretching. "I came to wake you up," Kent replied, "I need some help with breakfast. My arms are sore from training, and I need to finish everything quickly before school." Nima lazily got out of bed and followed Kent to the kitchen. As they worked together, Kent told her what needed to be done while he handled most of the cooking. Nima huffed, clearly irritated. "How dare that old man put you through such tough training? He doesn''t even know how to solve math problems, yet he acts like he''s some big shot!" She paused, clearly fuming. "And he even made your hand sore? I''m going to have a word with him. You need less training, not more." Kent smiled at her protectiveness. "Ooww, my little sister really cares for me." But Nima was still speaking. "He doesn''t know you''re the world''s best cook! If your hand is sore, who''s going to cook for me?" Kent''s face fell slightly. Just shattered... ???? Damn it... She cares more about food than me. Nima tries to hold back a laugh. Kent asks, "Nima, you''re pulling my leg, right?" She grinned mischievously. "Nope! I have to tell him you''re the best cook. Now, hurry up and make breakfast! I''m starving!" Kent stops cooking and approaches Nima with a playful grin. "You little... naughty little girl. I''ve got to teach you a lesson." Before he could catch her, Nima darted away, laughing. "You naughty little thing, always pulling my leg! Let''s see if you can outrun me now!" A few minutes later, they were seated at the table, enjoying breakfast together. Once they were done, Kent handed Nima over to Xian Yu for her lessons. "Old man," Kent said with a smirk, "take care of her. She''s got a sharp tongue today, but I''m sure you can handle it." Xian Yu sighed dramatically, muttering to himself, "I wanted a disciple, not a babysitting job." Kent entered the special class, a sly grin on his face. Today was the day he''d get to test out his new skill. The other students were already seated, chatting amongst themselves. "Today''s the day," Kent thought to himself, "Let''s see how good this Spiritual Cloak really is." During a break between lessons, Kent slipped into a quiet corner of the hall, his excitement building. He closed his eyes and focused, tapping into the flow of spiritual energy within him. He says, "System, activate Spiritual Clock." A faint shimmer surrounded him as a translucent, cloak-like barrier formed around his body. The air inside felt oddly calm, almost serene, as if the world outside had been muted. "Whoa," Kent whispered, clearly impressed. "This is pretty cool. Let''s see what it can do." He stepped out of the hall and spotted a group of classmates nearby. Sneaking up behind one, he deactivated the spiritual cloak. "BOO!" The student jumped, spinning around. "What thewhere did you come from?!" Kent grinned. "Just testing a little something." Ding! +77 SP copied (Fear). Encouraged by the success, Kent spent the rest of the break sneaking up on classmates, startling them, and earning SP. One student turned bright red with embarrassment after Kent suddenly appeared behind her, a blush creeping up her neck. (She might have a crush on Kent) Ding! +88 SP copied (Embarrassment). Another tripled over himself as he tried to back away from Kent''s sudden appearance. Ding! +99 SP copied (Shock). By the time the break ended, Kent had accumulated over 20,000 SP. "Not bad," he thought, heading back to class. "This skill is already paying off." After school, Kent returned home and immediately called out. Nima, "Where are you?" "I''m inside," she replied. "The old man had somewhere to go, so I came back home." Kent entered the house and smiled at her. "Nima, I''ve got something to teach you. It really useful. You will like it." She tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it?" "It''s a skill called Spiritual Cloak," Kent explained. "It''ll help you defend yourself and block spiritual senses in case of an emergency. You can sneak around without getting noticed by anyone." Nima''s eyes widened with excitement. "Really? Teach me!" Kent spent the next hour guiding her through the basics, showing her how to channel her spiritual energy and form the cloak-like barrier around her body. By the end of the session, Nima had managed to create a miniature, flickering version of the cloak. "Not bad for your first try," Kent said, ruffling her hair. "I''m impressed." Nima beamed with pride. "Thanks, big brother!" Ding! +99 SP from Nima (Joy). Kent couldn''t help but smile. With her growing so fast, I need to step up my game. Chapter 26 A test & The Night Hunt ---- After that, Nima started telling Kent about her day. "You know, today the old man Xian Yu did this... and that..." He almost choked on his tea when I told him I wanted to learn high school math. He tried to solve math problems, but he kept veering off into teaching me other subjects. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Knock! Knock! Kent opened the door to see the old man, Xian Yu, standing with a sad and pissed-off expression on his face. Kent said, "Mr. Xian Yu, she''s just a kid..." +999 SP from Xian Yu (Frustration) Kent felt a little tense, realizing the old man was upset. Xian Yu cleared his throat. "I''ll solve your math problems, Nima. Hand me the notebook." Then he changed the subject. "Kent, why are you looking so tense? Don''t worry, I don''t mind. I know she''s just a kid." He turned to Nima. "Listen, I was solving math problems before you were born." Nima fired back, "How old are you?" Xian Yu paused. "I... I''m 71 years old. Why?" Nima smirked, "I''m only 11 years old. You''ve been doing math for 60 years, and you still can''t solve high school math?" +999 SP from Xian Yu (Anger) "You little... Hey, Kent! What have you been teaching her? Why is she like this?" Xian Yu growled. Kent quickly realized the situation was escalating and that he couldn''t afford to let them fight. If they argued more, he''d lose both a free tutor and babysitter. An idea suddenly clicked in Kent''s mind. "Grandpa Xian Yu, calm down," he said, trying to defuse the tension. He quickly thought He wanted me to call him master all the time. Maybe that''ll calm him down. +999 SP from Xian Yu (Shocked) "You both call my wife ''aunt,'' and now you''re calling me ''grandpa''?!" Xian Yu stared at Kent. Kent''s soul seemed to leave his body at that moment. He had acted too hastily, not thinking carefully when his mind just blurted out "grandpa" after hearing that Xian Yu was 71. He stood there, frozen and soulless. "I messed up big time." Xian Yu waved his hand. "Alright, kid. You''re right. From now on, you can call me grandpa, and from now on, call my wife ''grandma,'' too. She looks young, but she''s actually older than she looks." "Although we don''t have any children, we''d like to have some grandkids." The old man''s serious expression softened. "Alright, enough of that. I''m here for something important." He handed Kent two vials of mercury. "Take these, test both of your physiques and tell me what the results are." As he handed over the vials, he leaned in closer to Kent. "Why do you look so tense again? Don''t tell me you don''t have an F-rank physique?" "No, no," Kent said quickly. "When I tested for the special class, my results were F-rank. No need to test again." Xian Yu didn''t relent. "Some people''s physiques change over time. I want to know if yours has. Nima never tested her physique, right? You know how to do it, don''t you?" The old man left, but not without saying, "Tell me the results in the morning." As soon as he left, Nima turned to Kent. "What should we do now, Kent? You told me never to tell anyone about our max-level physique. Should we tell him the truth?" Kent shook his head. "No. We''ve only known him for a few days. Even though he''s teaching us sword techniques, we can''t trust anyone. At least, not now." "Even our parents left us in an orphanage. This old man is just a neighbour. He and Aunt Zhou are kind to us, but we can''t reveal our secrets to anyone! Let''s check our physiques first. Then we''ll decide what to do." Kent pricked his finger and dropped a drop of blood onto the mercury. The moment it touched, the mercury vanished with an explosive blast. Crack! Boom! "What does this mean, Kent? What are we going to show the old man?" Nima asked, her eyes wide in confusion. Kent said gravely, "It means our physiques are too strong to be measured with current technology and methods." "Now what?" Nima asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "I have an idea, Kent. What if we use someone else''s blood to fool the old man?" Kent raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going to find someone who''ll give their blood at this hour?" "But you gave a good suggestion, Nima." Kent smiled. "I could just go to the metro city forest and get some beast blood. That might work." Nima shook her head. "You don''t need to go. Did you forget I have the ugly Bear? We can use the ugly Bear''s blood." Kent taps on Nima''s forehead. Silly, That Bear is a soul. It has no blood. Why are you so dumb sometimes? +99 SP copied from Nima.(Angry & frustrated) Kent, "You called me a dumb. You don''t love me anymore? You have a little sister outside. I know it now." I won''t talk to you until you buy me a sugar apple. Huh! Stop your acting, Nima. Stay at home. I will come back soo,n and don''t play with the vial, or you will break the vial while I am gone. Whoosh! The forest near Metro City was eerily quiet under the pale moonlight. The faint rustling of leaves in the cool breeze was the only sound, but it carried a sense of unease. Kent trudged forward, his fists clenched, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. "This better work," Kent muttered to himself. "If I can just get some beast blood, I can fool the old man and avoid any suspicion." He stepped over a fallen log, his mind racing. "If I told him the truth about our physiques, he''d definitely ask too many questions. But lying to him? It feels wrong" A sudden growl snapped Kent out of his thoughts. He froze, his fire aura instinctively flaring around his fists as his eyes darted toward the sound. From the darkness emerged a Shadow Panther, its sleek, black fur shimmering faintly with spiritual energy. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kent, and its tail flicked menacingly. "Well, aren''t you a handsome one," Kent muttered, taking a step back. "Alright, fluffy one, let''s see what you''ve got." The panther growled, crouching low before leaping at him with terrifying speed. Kent barely had time to dodge as the panther''s claws swiped past him, tearing through a nearby tree trunk like paper. "Okay, not so fluffy after all!" Kent shouted, summoning his fire aura into his palms. He thrust his hands forward, launching a hard punch at the beast. The panther snarled, twisting mid-air to avoid the attack. It landed gracefully, its eyes narrowing as it sized him up. "Oh, you''re a smart one," Kent said, smirking. "But I''ve got more tricks up my sleeve." The panther lunged again, faster this time. Kent rolled to the side, his fire aura igniting around his fists. He countered with a fiery punch, managing to graze the beast''s side. The panther yelped, its fur singed, but it quickly recovered, circling him with predatory intent. "Alright, time to end this," Kent muttered. He focused his energy, summoning his Soul slasher dagger. The dagger gave light, illuminating the forest around him. The panther hesitated, its instincts warning it of the danger. Kent took the opportunity to charge, landing a powerful stab into the panther''s belly. With a final growl, the panther collapsed, its spiritual energy fading. +1999 SP copied from Panther. (Death) Note: The highest SP Kent can get is 2000." It''s the limit for one-time earning of extreme emotions ''for now.'' Kent crouched beside the fallen panther; he pulled a small water bottle from his pocket and carefully drew some of the beast''s blood. "This should be enough to convince the old man," he muttered, holding the bottle up to the moonlight. The dark liquid shimmered faintly, a testament to the panther''s spiritual energy. As Kent made his way back through the forest, the vial of blood clinking softly in his pocket, doubt began to gnaw at him. "The old man''s not stupid. He''ll probably figure out that this isn''t our blood. And what if he asks more questions?" He paused, leaning against a tree as he stared up at the stars. "Why am I even doing this?" he asked himself. "He''s been nothing but kind to us, and here I am with doubt and trying to deceive him. But I can''t tell him the full truth either. It''s too risky." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe I''m overthinking this. I''ll tell him our physiques are better than E-rank and leave it at that. I am telling him the truth." Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By the time Kent reached the edge of the forest, he had made up his mind. "I will drop the whole blood idea," he said to himself. "It''s too risky, and it feels wrong. I''ll say we tested and found out our physiques are stronger than E-rank. That should be enough to satisfy him without raising too many questions." He glanced down at the bottle in his hand before tucking it back into his pocket. "Better to keep this just in case. Who knows? It might come in handy later." Kent slipped back into the tiny house. Nima was waiting for him. He placed the bottle on the table before sinking into a chair, his body sore from the fight. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. "I hope this works. If he asks too many questions, I''ll have to come up with something fast." Nima asked. Kent, what happened? Why are you so silent? Nima, Listen to me. I have decided we won''t use the beast''s blood. If the old man asks you anything about our physique test, just say. We have better physiques than E rank. Just avoid all other questions from him. You are an expert in that. Nima bites Kent''s hand. You are picking on me. Both siblings play a little bit, making jokes. Then they go to bed. Chapter 27 The Old Mans Suspicions The early morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden hue over the siblings'' tiny house. Kent sat at the table, nervously tapping his fingers against the wood, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing in the quiet room, while Nima busied herself eating a piece of bread she had drenched in sugar water. "What''s the plan again?" Nima asked between bites, her voice muffled by the food. "We tell him our physiques are better than E-rank but stay vague," Kent said, pacing back and forth, his feet shuffling across the wooden floor with a creak-creak. "No specifics, no numbers. Just enough to make him think it''s not worth digging deeper." Nima rolled her eyes, her voice laced with mockery. "You''re overthinking this. Grandpa Xian Yu isn''t a detective." Kent paused, rubbing his temples, his fingers pressing hard into his forehead. "You don''t understand. The old man''s sharper than he looks. One slip-up, and he''ll start asking too many questions." Knock! Knock! The sound jolted them both. Knock knockthe distinct, sharp thud against the door resonated in Kent''s chest. Kent straightened his back, forcing a calm expression as he walked to the door. Opening it, he found old man Xian Yu standing there, his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face. "Good morning, kid," Xian Yu said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Creak. "So, did you test your physiques?" Kent exchanged a quick glance with Nima, who gave him a subtle thumbs-up from behind her bread. "Yes, we did," Kent said, his tone even. "And, uh well, it turns out our physiques are a bit better than E-rank." Xian Yu raised an eyebrow, his smile fading. "A bit better?" Kent nodded quickly. "Yeah. Somewhere between E and D, I guess. But it''s hard to be sure." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu. (Frustration) Xian Yu studied him for a moment, his sharp gaze making Kent''s stomach churn with a sinking thud. "You''re not lying to me, are you?" Xian Yu asked, his tone soft but firm. "N-no!" Kent stammered, forcing a laugh. "Why would I lie about something like that?" +99 SP copied. Xian Yu''s eyes flicked to Nima, who was busy pretending to be fascinated by her bread. "And what about her?" Xian Yu asked. "She''s never been tested before, right?" Nima froze, then turned to him with wide, innocent eyes. "I think I''m around the same rank as Kent. Maybe a bit stronger. I''m just a kid, after all." Xian Yu sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I see" The old man turned away, looking out the window as if lost in thought. "I don''t blame you for not trusting me," he said quietly. "You''re orphans, and you''ve had to fend for yourselves. Trust doesn''t come easy." Kent and Nima exchanged guilty glances. The weight of his words hit them like a soft thud in their chests. Xian Yu turned back to them, a small smile on his face. "But I''ll earn your trust someday. Mark my words." With that, he gave them a brief nod, preparing for the training. "I will wait outside." Then he left the house, leaving the siblings in an awkward silence. "Well, that went better than I expected," Kent muttered, sinking into his chair with a sigh of relief. Nima grinned, leaning her chin on her hands. "You were so nervous. I thought you were going to faint." "Very funny," Kent said, glaring at her. "You''re lucky you didn''t slip up with your innocent act." "Who, me?" Nima said, feigning shock. "I''m the perfect picture of innocence." "Sure you are," Kent said, rolling his eyes. Nima laughed, then pointed at the bottle of blood still sitting on the table. "So, what are we doing with that?" Kent glanced at it, frowning. "I''ll get rid of it later. It''s useless now." Just as Kent was about to relax, the familiar ding of the system echoed in his head. Ding! Mission Assigned: Learn (sword aura) the first stage of sword technique. Reward: ??? Time Limit: None. Kent groaned, slumping in his chair as the sound of the notification left him feeling drained. "Great. More training." "What''s wrong?" Nima asked, tilting her head. "Nothing," Kent said quickly. "Just thinking about how much work I have to do." Nima smirked. "You mean how much work Grandpa Xian Yu is going to make you do?" Kent shot her a look. "Don''t push your luck, Nima." A few minutes later, Kent joined Xian Yu in the small yard behind Aunt Zhou''s house. The old man was already there, practising his sword techniques with his usual graceful movements, the swish-swish of his blade cutting through the air like a whisper. "You''re late," Xian Yu said without turning around. "Good morning to you too, Grandpa," Kent said, earning a sharp glance from the old man. "Alright, kid," Xian Yu said, lowering his sword. "Let''s see if you''ve been paying attention." Kent sighed, stepping forward. "Let''s get this over with." For the next hour, Xian Yu put him through a gruelling series of drills, and the thud of Kent''s wooden sword meeting the ground echoed with every mistake. Xian Yu corrected his form repeatedly, pushing him to his limits. "You''re improving," Xian Yu said grudgingly as Kent collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. The air around Kent was thick with exhaustion. "Thanks," Kent wheezed. "I think." As Kent lay there, staring up at the sky, something clicked in his mind. "The mission" he muttered to himself. "It didn''t say anything about the time limit. Just how hard is it to learn the sword aura?" He sat up, his eyes narrowing. "It didn''t even tell me about the reward." Xian Yu raised an eyebrow. "What are you mumbling about, kid?" "Nothing!" Kent said quickly, jumping to his feet. "Let''s go again!" "I like your warrior spirit, Kent," the old man said. "Don''t blame me when your body gets sore. Now start doing the 500 swings (rock breaking) with the wooden sword." "But remember, each time you break a wooden sword, three will be a punishment." Kent groaned as he picked up a new sword. His body screamed for rest, but he pushed through, swinging again and again. But it didn''t last long. Today, he broke the wooden sword after just 20+ swings. Crack! Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From behind, the old man slapped Kent with LEVEL-D strength. Kent was thrown a few feet ahead. Ouch! Ouch! ???? Kent yelled, clutching his back. "Are you a mad old man? You want to kill me?" "Stop nagging," Xian Yu said, unfazed. "This is also a part of training. My master trained me this way. See how strong I am?" "You your time was in dinosaur time. Don''t compare that with this era!" Kent shot back, his pain momentarily forgotten. +99 SP copied from Xian Yu. (Speechless) A few seconds later, Kent stumbled back home, groaning as he went. "Today''s training is over. Don''t you have to sell in the market?" Chapter 28 Earning SP the --- After finishing his morning training with Xian Yu, Kent dragged himself back home, sweat dripping from his brow. His body ached, but the thought of earning SP kept his spirits high. "It took me FIVE spiritual fruits last time to cultivate From LEVEL-F to LEVEL-E. I should need five fruits this time, too. One fruit cost now- 100,000/- Spiritual Point. It''s ten times more expensive than the previous level. I need to hit 500,000 SP before my cultivation reaches LEVEL D," Kent muttered to himself, wiping his face with a towel. "Let''s check my spiritual points first," Kent muttered. He opened the system to view his SP balance. After checking, he sighed. It wasn''t enough for him to level up anytime soon. Spiritual Points: 187,123 SP. Kent asks with a deep voice, "Hey, system, what''s the difference between cultivating fruits at each level? They all look the same. Can I buy about 30 or 50 Cultivation fruits?" [Ding! System notifications- Dear host, you can only buy five Cultivation fruits at each level. Like the price, the fruit''s spiritual energy also increased by ten times.] "What a bummer..." Kent says, "Nima will soon become a cultivator of Level E (middle). At this rate, I''ll never catch up to Nima. I need a plan to earn SP faster. I need to get creative." While sipping a glass of water, Kent leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing mischievously. "If the system rewards me for triggering emotions, then I just need to mess with peoplewithout getting myself in trouble, of course." Nima walked into the room, chewing on a carrot. "What are you scheming now, Kent? Why does your facial expression look like you plan to do something weird?" "Nothing that concerns you. My face is normal as always." Kent said, grinning. "That grin is terrifying," Nima replied, narrowing her eyes. "Bye, Nima, I have to set up my stall." Kent stepped outside, ready to put his plan into action. First plan- The Stinky Momo Stall (Revisited): Kent set up his infamous stinky momo stall in the middle of the bustling street. The smell wafted through the air, causing immediate chaos. "What is that smell?!" a passerby exclaimed, covering their nose. "It smells like someone left socks in a sewer for a month!" another yelled. "I can''t take it anymore." +56 SP copied (Disgusting). +77 SP copied (Annoyance). +79 SP copied (Fainting). A curious man approached, pinching his nose. "What are you selling?" "Stinky momos," Kent said proudly, holding up a steaming plate. "One bite, and you''ll forget all your problems!" The man hesitated before taking a bite. His eyes widened. "This this is amazing!" he shouted, shoving another momo into his mouth. "It''s the best thing I''ve ever tasted!" +133 SP copied (Joy). Kent smirked. "That''s the magic of stinky momos." Second plan- The "Lost Wallet" Prank: Kent walked into the crowded market area and "accidentally" dropped a fake wallet filled with Monopoly (fake) money. "Excuse me! You dropped your wallet!" a kind woman called out, picking it up. Kent turned around dramatically. "Oh, thank you! You''re an angel! This wallet contains my life savings!" As she handed it to him, the play money spilt out, revealing the fake bills. The woman''s expression shifted from concern to disbelief. "Are you serious right now? This isn''t real money!" +88 SP copied (Annoyance). +45 SP copied (Shocked). Then, he decided to go even further. He casually dropped the wallet in the busy street. When people saw it, filled with money, they thought they''d hit the jackpot. But as soon as they picked it up, their hopes were shattered. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +99 SP copied (Annoyance). +451 SP copied (Anger). Third plan- The Dramatic Falling Act: Kent positioned himself near a group of teenagers( 16-17 years). As they passed by, he suddenly tripped over his own feet, flailing his arms like a cartoon character before landing with an exaggerated thud. "Are you okay?!" one of the teenagers asked, startled. "I think I think I broke my pride," Kent groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. The group burst into laughter. Giving him a lot of SP. +99 SP copied (Amusement). +112 SP copied (Sympathy). By the time Kent returned home, his SP balance had skyrocketed. System, check my current SP. He said! Ding! Current SP: 212,456. Kent grinned, staring at the system screen. "Not bad for a day''s work. Who knew being a clown could be so profitable?" Nima was sitting on the couch, flipping through an old comic book, when Kent walked in. "You''re home early," she said without looking up. "What''s with that smug look?" "Nothing. You read, don''t disturb me. I will get ready for school. After that, I will leave you with Grampa Xian Yu to study." +99 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) A few moments later, Nima was sitting on a wooden chair, holding a pen in her hand and writing something. Opposite her, the old man Xian Yu sat, watching over her. Both of their faces are pale and full of frustration and annoyance. None of them wanted to be here in the yard, one studying and the other teaching. Kent waved his hand, saying have fun. I am leaving. See you later. Rustle! .... ???? ???? ???? Rustle! A wind blowing some leaves passed in the background of Nima and Xian Yu. Both silent. In the school. Some students were gossiping. One saying you are awesome. "You have got luck." Another saying. "I wish my family also had something like that. You are great. Bla Bla..." Kent walked into the classroom, his eyes scanning the room before settling on the group. He sat down at his desk, noticing Ethan Cross seated next to him."What''s going on?" Kent asked Ethan. "I heard loud voices outside. What are they talking about? Why are they so excited?" "Why, they are holding that grass like it''s some kind of treasure?" Kent continued, raising an eyebrow. Ethan leaned in and explained, "That''s not ordinary grass. It''s spiritual grass, filled with spiritual energy. Eating it can boost cultivation. "Kent nodded. "Ah, so that''s why they''re so hyped." "Yeah. Ryan reached Level E last night," Ethan said. "He''s giving the grass out to celebrate. "Kent frowned. "He made it to the next level so fast. He should be the top student in our class." "Didn''t miss Elena say it takes about 15 days to break through?" Kent asked. Ethan shrugged. "Ryan has an A-rank physique, and his family bought him spiritual land for cultivation. That''s why it''s faster for him."Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait... What is spiritual land?" __ Note: I request everyone to vote for this book. Thank you. __ Chapter 29 A Arm Wrestling with Ryan --- "Oh, you didn''t know?" Ethan wears glasses to look and sound like an intellectual. "A spiritual land is a place where spiritual energy is more concentrated compared to other places. You know, spiritual energy is still recovering. Not all areas of the world contain equal amounts of spiritual energy. Some places are rich in spiritual energy, while others have very little." "The old and ancient places like ruins and pocket dimensions Miss Elena told us about drawing more spiritual energy. Spiritual land is a smaller version of those. Those places gather more spiritual energy than others. It can make animals and plants mutate and evolve faster." "Spiritual lands are extremely expensive. If someone lives on those lands, their cultivation is faster. Spiritual land also has different levels. All land is not the same. Some places might also harm you, like a graveyard or an old battlefield. Those places have negative effects if you cultivate them for too long." Kent says, "You also have a spiritual land. Congrats on your breakthrough." Ethan''s chest puffed up a little hearing that. "Yes, yes. I broke through yesterday. My spiritual land is a little higher than Ryan''s." "Kent, why don''t you come and cultivate at my place? Your breakthrough will be faster. Although your physique is F-rank, it should make you cultivate faster." Kent, with a smirk, thought to himself, "Oh, I broke through to Level E two days ago. And my sister is also a Level-E cultivator. But Ethan must belong to a big clan, I guess. He owns a higher level of spiritual land. And he doesn''t show off like Ryan. He''s not like others, an arrogant person. I guess I can be friends with him." Meanwhile, in the classroom, many students were saying, "Ryan, show us your power! We want to know how much stronger you are at Level E!" Ryan became full of confidence and showed off his muscles. "Watch, watch! ???? Ha ha ha!!" From behind, Kent says, "Your arms look so thin and weak. Are you sure you levelled up?" Ryan got embarrassed. All the students started laughing. +99, +77, +88, +65, +35 SP from students. +999 SP copied from Ryan (Embarrassment). Ryan defended himself. "It''s not about the look and appearance. How about you challenge me to an arm wrestling match, Kent?" Kent replied, "Sure, why not? I want to see how strong you are." Ryan says mockingly, "Come, I''ll show you... F-rank physique." Both of them held their hands, and people started cheering in the background. They were pushing against each other. From the right side, Kent paused Ryan''s hand. From the left, Ryan went back. "What are they doing? Are they dancing or something?" students were murmuring. Ethan says, "It looks like they''re showing us an arm wrestling dance." Ryan thought, "He always embarrasses me in front of others. I''ll break his hand. Then I''ll apologize afterwards. He''s a cultivator; his hand will heal in a week." Ryan used all his power. His eyes turned red with anger, and he yelled, "Ahhh!" But Kent didn''t feel anything. His physical power was already higher than anyone in the class. He had maxed out his physique. Kent pushed with only half of his strength. Ryan fell backwards on his butt from the force. Slam! Everyone was shocked. "What just happened? Kent is a Level-F cultivator, and Ryan is Level-E!" +999, 888, 777... SP copied from students (shock). Kent realized he had used too much power. "I didn''t think he''d be so weak. What should I do now?" He scratched his head and said, "Suddenly, I feel full of strength. I don''t know why. Maybe I reached Level E and awakened as a strength-type." Then he says, "Thank you, Ryan. You helped me level up. I''m grateful to you. Let''s celebrate both of our breakthroughs. Where''s the spiritual grass? Here, take it. Have fun!" Kent distributed all the grass to his classmates. Ryan became as stiff as a stone, giving Kent a lot of SP. +999 SP copied from Ryan (Frustration). +999 SP copied from Ryan (Shocked). +999 SP copied from Ryan (Anger). S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +999, +999, +999, +999 SP copied from others. Kent laughed. "Now I can show my power without any worries. I''ll say Ryan helped me level up faster. I''m such a genius. ????" Ethan asked, "Did you really level up just from arm wrestling?" Kent replied confidently, "Yes. Didn''t you see?" Ethan said, "Then you should definitely tell Miss Elena about this. You''ll get more cultivation resources." Miss Elena came into the classroom. Before Kent could say anything, the rest of the class started to tell her everything. How Kent level up. Miss Elena said, "You''re already a self-awakened cultivator, and now you level up faster than your physique and even gain strength-type power." She handed him two more spiritual stones. With the previous three, Kent now had a total of five spiritual stones. These stones were useless to him. Nima could use the spiritual stones, but Kent didn''t want to give them to her. She was already progressing faster than he was. Ethan came over and asked, "What''s wrong? Why do you look disappointed?" Kent quickly had an idea. ???? ???? "I have a good deal for you, Ethan. Do you want to buy some spiritual stones for a cheap price? I have five in total. They''ve never been used." Ethan was shocked. "Don''t you need the spiritual stones for cultivation? You know, all these stones in our Dragon County are controlled by Nexus and the Watchers. You''ll never get any more spiritual stones in the future if they find out you sold them. Think about it, Kent." Kent murmurs to himself. "I don''t need these stones. I don''t care if I get more or not. But I can sell them to earn some extra money. But how much do they cost? What if Ethan cheats on me?" Then he defends Ethan, thinking, "No, Ethan is rich. He doesn''t need to cheat me. These stones probably don''t cost much. People can easily absorb spiritual energy from the air for free. I don''t need them. Nima''s already progressing faster than me, and I can use this to earn some extra cash. But how much do they even cost? I don''t know the real value of these spiritual stones." Kent kept thinking about this over and over again. Ethan broke his thought. "Are you sure you want to sell them? I don''t have much pocket money left. I can buy two from you. But I know a place where we can sell them all. We have to be careful. Nexus and the Watchers can''t find out about this." Chapter 30 A Risky Deal --- "Spiritual stones are very important for a cultivator. Kent, think about it again," Ethan said, his voice laced with concern. Kent took a step back, putting on a sorrowful expression. He was trying to create tension before delivering his next words. "Alas! Do you think I don''t know how important and precious these spiritual stones are?" he sighed dramatically. "I''m an orphan, and I have a little sister. We survive on the small stall I set up before school. You don''t know how hard it''s been for us all this time." Ethan looked at him, puzzled. "But what about your cultivation? How will you progress without them? Your growth will be painfully slow." Kent shook his head, his face a mask of determination. "I don''t have the luxury of focusing on my cultivation. I have to make a living for my sister and me. Most of the time, I''m working, leaving no time for cultivation. So, it doesn''t matter if I use the spiritual stones or not. My progress will always be slow. Besides, look at todayI levelled up unexpectedly." He shrugged, almost nonchalantly. "Don''t worry, I''ll just do some more arm wrestling with Ryan if I need to level up further. You''re around, aren''t you? You can help me with a few matches, too." Ethan frowned. "You really plan on using that? You''ll be back to square one." Kent waved him off. "We''ll get more spiritual stones next month. I''ll use those for my cultivation then." "Damn it, how long do I have to convince him?" Kent thought, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Just agree to my request already." Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, I''ll help. Meet me after school. I''ll take you to a secret place. We''ll sell the stones, and if there''s anything left, I''ll buy it." Kent smirked, an expression of triumph flickering across his face. "Plan a success." "Do you have a bank account?" Ethan asked suddenly. "We''ll need a secret one. These spiritual stones are worth a lot. Each one is going for fifty thousand dollars." Kent''s eyes widened in shock. "Fifty thousand dollars?" He gulped. "I''ve never had more than five hundred dollars in my account With that kind of money, I could give Nima the life she deserves." He paused, realization dawning. "No wonder Nexus and the Watchers use military-level security to transport these stones. If someone stole even one box, it would be like millions of dollars lost instantly." "I don''t have a secret account," Kent admitted, his voice thoughtful. "Is it a problem if I use my real account?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "It''s not a big deal, but if someone from Nexus investigates you, how will you explain the money?" Kent chuckled. "Nobody''s going to care about an orphan boy. I don''t think it''ll be an issue. It''s illegal to check someone''s private information anyway." +99 SP copied from Ethan. (Surprised) Ethan didn''t know how to respond. He knew that by going to the black market and selling the stones, they were breaking the rules, but Kent seemed unfazed. "Alright," Ethan muttered. "Let''s go." After school, Kent and Ethan met behind the school''s back gate, away from prying eyes. Ethan looked around nervously, adjusting his glasses for the disguise. "You sure about this, Kent?" Ethan whispered. "The black market isn''t a joke. One wrong move, and we could be in serious trouble." Kent smirked, clapping him on the back. "Relax, Ethan. We''re just selling some stones, not smuggling ancient relics." Ethan rolled his eyes. "Spiritual stones are practically ancient relics in Dragon County. Nexus and the Watchers keep a tight grip on them. If they find out, we''re toast." "Then let''s make sure they don''t find out," Kent said confidently. Ethan sighed. "Alright, follow me. I know someone who can help us." Ethan led Kent through the winding alleys of Metro City, past bustling marketplaces and quiet, shadowed corners. Eventually, they reached a small herbal shop with a faded sign that read "Herb Haven." Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan knocked on the door three times, paused, and then knocked twice more. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a scar running down his cheek. He studied them for a moment before stepping aside. "You brought an unknown kid?" the man asked, his voice gruff. Ethan cleared his throat. "He''s the one selling the stones, Mr. Fang. I''m just here to make sure everything goes smoothly." Mr. Fang''s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kent. "You don''t look like someone who''d have spiritual stones. Where''d you get them?" Kent grinned, holding up the pouch of stones. "Let''s just say I''m good at collecting things." Fang smirked and motioned for them to follow him inside. The shop''s interior was dimly lit, with shelves lined with jars of dried herbs and mysterious powders. Fang led them to a hidden room behind a sliding panel, where a small table and two chairs waited. "Show me the goods," Fang said, sitting down. Kent placed the five stones on the table, their white, crystalline surfaces glinting faintly in the light. Fang picked one up, inspecting it closely. "These are high-quality stones," Fang said, nodding appreciatively. "Where''d you say you got them?" Kent shrugged. "Let''s just say I have connections." Fang raised an eyebrow but didn''t press further. "Alright, I''ll give you 240,000 dollars for the lot." "240,000?!" Kent exclaimed, leaning forward. "These are worth way more than that! You''re trying to rip me off!" Fang smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You''re lucky I''m even offering that much, kid. The risk of selling these stones is huge. Nexus and Watchers have eyes everywhere." Ethan nudged Kent, whispering, "240,000 is actually a good deal, Kent. Let''s not push our luck." Kent frowned but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Deal." As Fang transferred the money to Kent''s bank account, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. Fang''s expression darkened. "Stay here." He slid the panel shut and stepped into the leading shop. Kent and Ethan exchanged nervous glances as muffled voices reached their ears. "What''s going on?" Ethan whispered. Kent peeked through a small crack in the panel. Two men in black coats, their Nexus badges gleaming, were speaking with Fang. "They''re Nexus and Watcher agents," Kent muttered. Ethan''s face paled. "We''re dead. We''re so dead." "Relax," Kent whispered, pulling out his Spiritual Clock ability. "If they come in here, I''ll hide us." The minutes felt like hours as Fang spoke with the agents. Finally, the footsteps retreated, and Fang returned, his face grim. "They were asking about some random unauthorized trades," Fang said. "You kids need to leave. Now." Kent and Ethan didn''t need to be told twice. They quickly slipped out through a back exit. The night had grown late by the time Kent finally returned home. Nima was already asleep. He had informed her earlier that he would be late after studying and training with the old man, Xian Yu. She had dinner with them and now was resting. After some work, Kent went to bed, his phone in hand. He stared at the numbers in his bank account. "One, two, three, four, five, six" He jumped out of bed, yelling in disbelief. "I''m rich!" His mind raced as he imagined money pouring down around him. He pictured himself sitting on a throne made of cash, sleeping on piles of money, his thoughts spinning wild fantasies. "What should I buy first? A car? A plane? A ship? Or maybe a noodle shop for Nima?" As soon as he mentioned Nima, an old memory resurfaced in his mind. ----''Two years ago, they had run away from the orphanage. Kent had just turned 15, and someone had wanted to adopt Nima. But she didn''t want to leave Kent. She cried for two days straight. Then, Kent made the toughest decision of his life. He took her and ran away from the orphanage. They lived on the streets for a week before Kent managed to find a cheap house to rent.'' Nima had asked him, "Big Brother, is this really our house?" Kent smiled softly and said, "It''s not ours, but from now on, we''ll live here." Nima had smiled back, a spark of determination in her eyes. "One day, I''ll buy this house, and we''ll make it our permanent home. We''ll live together forever." Back to the present: "I know what I''m going to do." Kent''s voice was full of purpose. "I''m going to buy this house. I''ll talk to the landlord and surprise Nima." Suddenly, a sound echoed in Kent''s mind. [Ding! Mission: Investigate the Spiritual Land on the outskirts of Metro City. Objective: Uncover the secret behind the abnormally high spiritual energy concentration. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Unidentified). Penalty: -200,000 SP if the host fails. Time: 7 Days ] Kent stared at the mission, his initial reaction one of frustration. "200,000 SP? That''s almost a week''s worth of farming spiritual points!" Chapter 31 Mission Preparation and New Challenges ---- But the reward intrigued him. A spiritual treasure could be anythingan artifact, a skill, or even something that could give him a significant advantage in cultivation. "I am very sleepy right now," Kent muttered, clenching his fists. "Tomorrow morning, I will check the mission." As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the small house, Kent sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the system screen hovering before him. "System," Kent said aloud, "tell me more about this mission. What exactly am I supposed to investigate?" [Ding! Mission: Investigate the spiritual Land on the outskirts of Metro City. Objective: Uncover the secret behind the abnormally high spiritual energy concentration. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Unidentified). Penalty: -20,000 SP if the host fails. Time Remaining: 6 Days, 17 Hours.] He looks at the location on the internet. He finds many photos. Kent sighed, rubbing his head. This is the Nexus and Watchers logo on the fence at that location. That means it''s already under their control. How am I supposed to sneak in without getting caught?" He glanced at Nima, who was munching on a piece of tomato at the dining table. "Nima, you''re pretty good at sneaking around, right?" Nima raised an eyebrow. "Why? Are you planning something dangerous again?" "Of course not," Kent said, waving her concern away. "I''m just asking hypothetically." "Hypothetically, I''m not helping you," Nima said, smirking. I am a good girl. Please don''t invite me into your sinister plans. After breakfast, Kent set out for school, his mind already working through his plan. If he was going to investigate a Nexus-registered spiritual land, he needed informationentry points and, most importantly, ways to avoid being caught. In class, he casually approached Ethan, who was busy scribbling notes. "Hey, Ethan," Kent whispered, leaning over. "You know a lot about spiritual lands, right?" Ethan adjusted his glasses to act like a teacher. "Of course. Why do you ask?" "I heard there''s a Nexus-registered spiritual Land near Metro City," Kent said. "Do you know anything about it?" Ethan''s eyes widened. "You''re not thinking of going there, are you? That place is off-limits to civilians. Nexus has it locked down tighter than a dragon''s nest." "I''m just curious," Kent said, feigning innocence. Ethan sighed, leaning closer. "The Blessed Land you''re talking about is called the Emerald Vein. It''s one of the most concentrated spiritual energy sites in the region. Nexus has stationed multiple Watchers there to guard it." "Why''s it so heavily guarded?" Kent asked. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There are rumours," Ethan said, lowering his voice. "Some people say it''s not just a spiritual landit''s a gateway to an ancient pocket dimension or a ruin. Nexus doesn''t want anyone tampering with it." That evening, Kent sat at the dining table, scribbling notes on a piece of paper. Nima watched him from across the table, her head resting on her hands. "You''ve been acting weird all day," Nima said. "What are you planning now?" "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent replied. Nima narrowed her eyes. "If you get arrested, don''t expect me to come bail you out." I saw you are making plans to break into somewhere. Won''t write your plans on paper, you stupid. Kent chuckled. "Don''t worry, kiddo. I''ve got this under control." His plan was simple: sneak into the Emerald Vein, gather the information the system wanted, and get out before anyone noticed. As Kent finalised his preparations, a soft knock came at the door. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching behind his back to summon the Soul Slasher dagger. "Who could that be at this hour?" Nima whispered, her eyes wide. Kent signalled for her to stay quiet as he approached the door. When he opened it cautiously, he found Ethan standing on the other side, his expression tense with nerves. "What are you doing here?" Kent asked, stepping outside. "I knew you were up to something," Ethan said, crossing his arms. "You''re planning to sneak into the Emerald Vein, right?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Keep your voice down!" Ethan sighed. "Listen, I don''t know what your deal is, but if you''re really going to do this, you''ll need help." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Why would you help me?" "Because if you get caught, it''ll come back to me," Ethan said. They will indeed investigate you if they catch you. Then, they will find out I helped you sell the spiritual stones. "You''re not exactly subtle, Kent. Besides, I might know someone who can get you inside." "I won''t ask why you want to go there, but as a friend, I''ll help you, Kent." The next evening, Ethan led Kent to a dimly lit restaurant bar on the outskirts of Metro City. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and smoke, and the sound of rowdy laughter filled the room. Ethan guided Kent to a secluded corner where a woman with short silver hair sat nursing a drink. She wore a black cloak that partially concealed her face, but her piercing green eyes seemed to see right through them. "This is Lyra, a - lone cultivator," Ethan said. "She''s let''s just say she''s good at getting into places she shouldn''t be." [Note: Lone / individual cultivators are people who don''t want to join / can''t join a clan or organisation or any prominent and wealthy families and in the government. So they work like bounty hunters or adventurers who can be hired for money.] Lyra smirked, leaning back in her chair. "So, you''re the kid who wants to sneak into the Emerald Vein. Got a death wish, do you?" "Not exactly," Kent said, crossing his arms. "I just need to take a quick look around. No big deal." Lyra raised an eyebrow. "No big deal, huh? You do realise Nexus shoots trespassers on sight, right?" "Which is why I need someone like you," Kent said. Lyra chuckled. "Alright, kid. I''ll get you in, but it''s going to cost you." "How much?" Kent asked. "I don''t have much to offer, but how about a discount?"Lyra''s eyes sparkled. "Discount? You must be kidding. Kid, my fee is twenty thousand dollars not a penny less."Kent thought for a moment. I can afford it now, but it''s still too much. I need a way to get a discount."How about half now and the other half when the job''s done?" Kent suggested."Smart kid," Lyra replied, handing Kent a bank account number. "Transfer the first half here." After transferring the money, she said, "Meet me at the forest entrance tomorrow night. And bring your game face. This isn''t going to be a walk in the park." Back home, Kent sat on the old broken sofa, staring at the stars through the window. Then, stand up slowly, opening the door to go out. Nima came out of her room, her hands on her hips. "You''re sneaking out again, aren''t you?" she said. Kent grinned. "How''d you guess?" "You''re terrible at hiding things," Nima said, sitting beside him. "Be careful, okay? I don''t want to end up all alone." Kent''s smile softened as he ruffled her hair. "Don''t worry, Nima, I''ll be fine." As Nima returned inside, Kent clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "Alright, Emerald Vein," he muttered. "Let''s see what secrets you''re hiding." Chapter 32 Infiltrating the Emerald Vein ---- The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light casting an eerie glow over the dense forest surrounding the Emerald Vein. Kent adjusted his hood, trying to calm his nerves as he approached the designated meeting spot near the forest entrance. Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The air was thick with tension, and every sound from the rustling of leaves to the distant hoot of an owl felt amplified. Kent clenched his fists, his spiritual energy swirling faintly around him. From the shadows, a figure emerged. Lyra, the silver-haired lone cultivator, was dressed in a black cloak that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night. Her piercing green eyes glinted as she sized up Kent. "You came alone?" she asked, her voice low. Kent nodded. "Yeah. Let''s get this over with." Lyra smirked. "You''ve got guts, kid. I like that. Follow me, and stay quiet." "Lyra led Kent through the dense underbrush, her movements swift and nearly silent. Kent, on the other hand, struggled to keep up, his footsteps crunching loudly on the dry leaves despite his best efforts." "You''re loud," Lyra muttered, glancing over her shoulder. "You''ll get us caught if you don''t keep it down." "Sorry," Kent whispered, his cheeks flushing. As they moved deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier with spiritual energy. Kent could feel it prickling against his skin, a sensation both exhilarating and unnerving. "Do you feel that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah," Kent replied. "The spiritual energy here is intense." "That''s the Emerald Vein for you," Lyra said. "It''s like a magnet for spiritual energy. No wonder Nexus keeps it under lock and key." After what felt like an eternity, they reached the edge of a clearing. Lyra held up a hand, signalling Kent to stop. "There," she whispered, pointing ahead. Kent followed her gaze and saw the Nexus outpost. A high-tech barrier surrounded the entrance to the Emerald Vein, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Armed Watchers patrolled the perimeter, their sharp eyes scanning the area. "Looks like there''s no way in," Kent muttered, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. Lyra grinned. "That''s where you''re wrong. I''ve got a trick up my sleeve." "She pulled a small, rune-etched device from her pocket. It hummed softly as she activated it, a faint shimmer appearing around them." "Invisibility cloaks?" Kent asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "Something like that," Lyra said. "It''s a spiritual concealment device. As long as you stay close to me, they won''t sense us." ''But we have to hurry. It won''t last long.'' Kent thinks, "Isn''t this similar to my spiritual clock unlike my skill- This has a time limit. System surely gives useful rewards." Kent nodded, his heart pounding. "Alright. Let''s do this." With Lyra leading the way, the two carefully approached the barrier. The concealment device did its job, masking their presence from the patrolling Watchers. Kent held his breath as they slipped past a pair of guards. One of them paused, frowning as if sensing something. "What''s wrong?" the other guard asked. "Thought I felt something," the first guard replied, narrowing his eyes. Kent''s heart raced, but Lyra remained calm, pulling him further into the shadows. "Relax," she whispered. "We''re almost there." Once they passed the barrier, Kent was struck by the sheer beauty of the Emerald Vein. The ground glowed faintly with green light, and massive crystalline structures jutted out of the earth, pulsating with spiritual energy. "It''s like another world," Kent murmured, his eyes wide. "Don''t get distracted," Lyra said. "We''re not here for sightseeing." Kent nodded, focusing on the task at hand. The system''s mission was clear: investigate the source of the Vein''s abnormally high spiritual energy. "Where do we start?" Kent asked himself. Kent asks Lyra. I am looking for something unusual. Do you know where it could be? Lyra pointed to a cluster of larger crystals in the distance. "That''s the core of the Vein. If you are looking for anything unusual, it''ll be there." As they approached the core, Kent felt the spiritual energy intensify, pressing down on him like a heavyweight. Lyra stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing. "Something''s not right." "What do you mean?" Kent asked. "Look at the crystals," Lyra said, pointing to the glowing structures. Kent squinted, noticing faint cracks running through the crystals. Dark, inky energy seeped from the fractures, starkly contrasting the pure green glow. "What is that?" Kent asked, his voice tinged with unease. "Corruption," Lyra said grimly. "I''ve seen this before. It''s caused by negative spiritual energyresentment, hatred, fear. If it spreads, it could destabilize the entire Vein." Ding! System Notification: Objective Updated: Investigate the source of the corruption. Kent sighed. "Of course, it''s never simple." As they ventured closer to the core, the corrupted energy grew stronger, swirling ominously around them. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the air. Kent tensed, his fire aura flaring instinctively. From the shadows emerged a monstrous beast, its body twisted and deformed by the corruption. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kent and Lyra, and it let out an ear-piercing roar. "Great," Kent muttered. "Because this night wasn''t dangerous enough already." Lyra drew a pair of daggers, their edges gleaming with spiritual energy. "You take the left; I''ll take the right." Kent nodded, summoning his Soul slasher dagger. "Let''s do this." The beast charged, its massive claws slashing through the air. Kent rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. "Over here, ugly!" he shouted, aiming a slashing strike at the beast''s side. The dagger singed its fur, but the beast barely flinched, its corrupted energy swiftly healing the wound. "Okay, that''s not fair," Kent muttered. Lyra leapt onto the beast''s back, driving her daggers into its neck. The beast howled, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake her off. "Now, Kent!" Lyra shouted. Kent didn''t hesitate. Channeling all his energy into his dagger, he lunged forward, plunging the blade into the beast''s chest. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its corrupted energy dissipating into the air. +1,500 SP copied from the corrupted beast. (Death) As the beast''s body faded, a small, glowing orb was left behind. Lyra picked it up, her eyes narrowing. "This is" she began, but Kent interrupted her. "Let me guess. The bad news?" Lyra nodded. "Not really, but this is a beast core. That creature evolved so far that it formed a beast core." If this corruption is spread, many animals will evolve in violent ways that could cause some problems. No wonder Nexus and Watcher sealed this entire area. Kent''s eyes widened. "You mean this could spread.?" "Exactly," Lyra said. "But we don''t have enough time. Someone is coming this way." The guard must have heard the noise of our fighting. We have to leave now. Suddenly, a sound comes. Ding! System Notification: Mission Complete. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Soul Refinement Orb). ???? [A fire source is detected. The system advises the host to absorb the fire quickly. ????] A glowing object materialized in Kent''s hand. He inspected it, his mind racing with questions. "What now?" Where''s the fire source? Kent murmurs. Lyra glanced at him, her expression serious. "Move now. We need to get out of here before Nexus finds us." ---- Give a small gift ???? please, if you are enjoying the story. Chapter 33 The Escape from the Emerald Vein --- The Emerald Vein pulsed with unstable energy, the aftermath of their battle leaving an eerie silence. Kent clutched the newly acquired Soul Refinement Orb, its faint glow radiating warmth in his hand. ????? Lyra stood beside him, scanning the surroundings with a wary expression. "We need to get out of here now," Lyra said, slipping her daggers back into her cloak. "Agreed," Kent replied, his heart still pounding from the encounter. "But give me a minute." Kent used his spiritual clock ability on her and then said wait here. I will be back soon. Kent is looking for the fire source. System, give me the exact location. I don''t have time to wander around. Nothing, no response from the system. "Damn it, system. What should I do? Where do I look? What can I do Wait a minute, how could I forget something so important?" System use appraisal in this area. No matter the cost, just do it. Appraisal used. Cost 25,000 SP. System notifications - Corrupted spiritual land. Man-made corruption. Because of corruption and resentment of people, a hellfire is created. Hellfire ???? 1/100 What the Fu*k!!!!.. It''s one per cent of the full flame. You send me here for this. Ding! [Host doesn''t need full flames. Host-only needs to collect a part of 7 types of fire.] . . . (System tells this to readers.)???? [If the host can collect 100% of all seven types of flames. The host will be invincible in the multiverse.] "Okay, okay. I get it." Kent muttered, his mind racing. "Let''s just quickly collect the flame. But how do I collect it? Should I touch it directly?" (Kent goes near a crystal and then pulls it out. Under the crystal is a small black fire. It is tiny. If you light a thin birthday candle, you will get the exact size of the fire.) Kent hesitated for a moment, then reached out and touched the flame. The heat surged through his hand, and he could feel the skin beginning to burn slightly. The system''s voice echoed in his mind: You will not be harmed by any flames unless they are divine fire. Kent grimaced, his eyes widening. This tiny fire... is this powerful? So, hellfire can also damage me. How do I collect the fire? The system says something. Ding! The host is in contact with one of eight fires. Want to absorb it? Do it, hurry up. My hand is straining to burn. [System can''t do it directly because the fire will be stored in the host body. The host needs to do it. The system can guide the host.] The system''s voice resonated clearly in Kent''s mind: Focus your mind and think of absorbing the fire with your hand. Channel your heart fire; it will guide you. You and fire are one. Kent closed his eyes, steadying his breath. He focused, imagining the fire flowing into him, his hand acting as a conduit. Slowly, he began to feel the hellfire merging with him, the intense heat coursing through his body like an unstoppable current. His heart fire stirred as if awakening to guide the foreign flame into his very core. A moment later, Kent felt a strange emptiness within himlike a hollow space within his heart that was suddenly filled with something. The heat from the hellfire fused seamlessly with the burning core inside him. He opened his eyes, his breath coming faster now as he felt the fire settle into him like it had always belonged there. Ding! Absorption complete. Fire collect- 1/7 The host can now use fire attack.???? After that, Kent comes back to where Lyra is. Sorry for the delay. Let''s go. Hurry up! If they find us. "They''ll throw us in a cell," Lyra said bluntly, "and probably interrogate you until you give up every secret you have. Trust me, you don''t want that." Kent gulped. "I get it. Let''s move." The duo retraced their steps toward the edge of the Emerald Vein. The path that had been clear earlier now seemed darker, as though the corruption had spread further. "This place feels... wrong," Kent muttered, his heart flame sparking faintly as a precaution. "That''s the corruption," Lyra said. "It''s destabilizing the Vein''s energy. If it spreads, the entire area could collapse." As they approached the barrier, a loud crackling noise broke the silence. Lyra stopped abruptly, holding out her arm to block Kent. "What is it?" Kent whispered. Lyra pointed ahead. A group of Watchers stood near the barrier, their weapons glowing faintly with spiritual energy. "They''re reinforcing the barrier," Lyra whispered. "They must''ve been trying to contain the corruption." Kent''s stomach dropped. "What do we do now?" Lyra smirked. "Follow my lead." sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lyra reached into her cloak, pulling out a second rune-etched device. She held it up to Kent with a sly grin. "This is a one-time use short-range teleportation talisman," she explained. You have to pay for it. It''s not part of the same deal. "It''ll get us past the Watchers, but we''ll have to time it perfectly." "Perfectly?" Kent asked, his voice rising slightly. "Do I look like someone who''s good with ''perfect''?" Lyra rolled her eyes. "Just hold onto me and don''t let go." The two of them crouched low, blending seamlessly into the dense underbrush, their eyes locked on the Watchers with unwavering focus. One of the Watchers detached from the group, his gaze sweeping the forest warily. Each movement was measured and deliberate, as though he could sense that something was amiss."Now!" Lyra hissed, her voice barely a whisper, but filled with urgency. She activated the talisman, and in an instant, a swirl of spiritual energy engulfed them. The world blurred for a moment before they reappeared several meters away, just outside the barrier. Kent stumbled, his head spinning. "Warn me next time!" "No time for warnings," Lyra said, grabbing his arm. "We''re not safe yet." The two sprinted through the forest, the sound of shouting behind them growing louder. "They must''ve noticed us," Kent said, glancing over his shoulder. "Obviously," Lyra snapped. "Pick up the pace!" A sharp whistle cut through the air, and Kent ducked instinctively as a glowing arrow zipped past his head, embedding itself in a tree. "They''re shooting at us?!" Kent exclaimed. Lyra smirked. "Welcome to the world of individual cultivators, kid." Kent groaned, summoning his spiritual clock abilitya faint barrier formed around them, deflecting another arrow. "Nice trick," Lyra said, glancing at the shield. "Keep that up, and we might actually make it out of here." The forest began to thin, and the city lights of Metro City were visible in the distance. Kent''s legs burned from the effort, but the adrenaline kept him going. "We''re almost there," Lyra said, her voice strained. Just as they broke through the tree line, a Nexus Watcher appeared in front of them, his sword drawn and glowing with spiritual energy. "Stop right there!" the Watcher commanded, his voice booming. Kent and Lyra skidded to a halt, their breaths ragged. "Got any more tricks up your sleeve?" Kent whispered. Lyra grinned. "Just one." Before Kent could ask what she meant, Lyra threw a small smoke bomb at the Watcher''s feet. The explosion of smoke engulfed the area, and she grabbed Kent''s arm, pulling him into a narrow alley. "Keep moving!" she hissed. Kent murmurs, "thank god my spiritual clock technique is able to hide my face. That guy didn''t see my face. Otherwise, I will be on the morning news as a criminal." The two finally stopped in a secluded corner of the city, both gasping for air. "That was too close," Kent said, leaning against a wall. Lyra smirked as she pulled out her phone. "My work is done. Transfer the money. And give me an extra five thousand." She glanced at Kent with a confident grin. "See? Told you I''d get you out." Kent rolled his eyes, transferring the rest of the money. "Yeah, yeah. Don''t spend it all in one place." In reality, Kent''s heart was bleeding. He had never spent this much money in his life. Each digit he transferred felt like it was draining him. He cursed Lyra silently, her lack of a discount stinging his pride. The way she had played him, taking all that cash, made him wish he had thought it through more carefully. "This woman is no joke. She takes all my money. This is the first time in my life I spent over 1000 dollars at one go." Lyra chuckled. "Good luck with whatever you''re planning, kid. Just rememberNexus doesn''t play around. You''d better be ready if they come knocking." With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Kent alone. Sometime later... Kent slipped back into his small house, his body aching from the night''s events. Nima was waiting for him, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face. "Where were you?" she demanded. "Out," Kent said, collapsing onto a chair. Nima frowned. "You''re hiding something." "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent said, patting her on the head. "Go to bed." Nima huffed but obeyed, retreating to her room. As Kent sat alone, he pulled out the Soul Refinement Orb, its glow pulsating faintly. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered. Ding! System Notification: New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Source of Corruption. Kent groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Of course. Because one mission wasn''t enough." Chapter 34 The Corruption Unveiled --- Kent stared at the Soul Refinement Orb glowing faintly in his hand. Its light pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, almost as if it were alive. The system''s latest quest weighed heavily on his mind. Ding! System Notification: Quest Objective: Investigate the origin of corruption and its connection to the Emerald Vein. Reward: Unknown item and new skill slot unlock. Kent''s eyes widened at the reward. "Alright, system, you''ve got my attention. But how am I supposed to investigate something like this? I''m just one guy." Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Nima would kill me if she knew I was taking on something this dangerous." "Kill you for what?" Nima''s voice suddenly broke through his thoughts, making him nearly jump out of his chair. "Nothing!" Kent said quickly, shoving the orb into his pocket. Nima narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You''re acting suspicious, Kent. What are you hiding?" Kent waved her off. "It''s nothing important. Didn''t I tell you to go to bed?" Why are you here again? I came to drink some water. Nima said, pouting as she walked away. "But if you get yourself jailed doing something stupid, I''m taking all your stuff." Kent chuckled, but her words only reminded him of the danger ahead. . . . . The next day, Kent decided to start his investigation by visiting the local library in Metro City. He figured ancient records or books about spiritual energy might give him a lead. "The library was created a few years ago for everyone. Anyone can use it. The library contains all ancient books." "But the most useful ones are not in the library. It''s a good place to learn about the history of old cultivation." The library was quiet, with only a handful of people scattered among the shelves. Kent made his way to the section on spiritual energy, scanning the spines of the books for anything that stood out. "History of Spiritual Lands Ancient Energy Techniques Myths of the Spiritual World" Kent muttered to himself as he pulled out a dusty tome. The book was heavy, and its pages were yellowed with age. As he flipped through it, a particular passage caught his eye: "The corruption of spiritual energy is not a natural phenomenon but a result of deliberate tampering. Ancient texts speak of artifacts that can disrupt the balance of spiritual energy, turning it dark and unstable. These artifacts were often used in forbidden rituals by rogue cultivators seeking power at any cost." Kent''s eyes narrowed. "Artifacts like this orb?" He read further, learning that these artifacts could be traced back to ancient sects that were wiped out during the decline of spiritual energy thousands of years ago. Some were said to exist still, hidden in ruins or passed down through secret organizations or bloodlines. "This explains the corruption in the Emerald Vein," Kent thought. "But why now? And who''s behind it?" Kent returned home, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. He pulled out the Soul Refinement Orb, its glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kent sat on a chair in his dimly lit room, the Soul Orb glowing faintly in his palm. The artifact radiated an eerie yet mesmerizing aura, pulsating like a heartbeat. His curiosity was piqued. What exactly was this orb? "System," Kent said, narrowing his eyes. "Appraise the Soul Orb." A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent window appeared before him. Cost 10,000 SP. [Yes/ No] Do it, Kent said. Ding! [Soul Refinement Orb] Description: A rare artifact capable of upgrading a soul''s strength and potential. Function: Collect the souls of defeated beings to fill the orb. Once complete, the energy can be transferred to a specific soul to enhance its rank and abilities. Limitations: The quality of the soul absorbed determines the upgrade''s effectiveness. Note: You can store multiple souls at a time. Compatibility: Highly effective on individuals with Soulbinding abilities. Kent''s eyes widened as he read through the description. "So, this isn''t just some random item. It''s... a game-changer." His mind immediately went to Nima. Her Soulbinding ability was still untested, but he knew its potential was immense. If the Soul Orb could make Nima grow stronger faster, it was worth exploring. Kent paced the room, spinning the orb between his fingers. "System, did you... plan this for Nima? You''ve given me tools and resources, but this feels different." The system''s mechanical voice responded, emotionless yet oddly reassuring. "Host has a strong bond with Nima. The system optimizes resources to benefit the host and their allies. Nima''s growth aligns with the host''s objectives." He chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you''re saying even my sister''s getting a boost because of me? Guess I should feel flattered." But there was no time for sentimentality. If the Soul Orb was to be used, it had to be tested. He needed to figure out how to collect souls and determine the orb''s capacity. Kent decided to start small. He slipped the Soul Orb into his pocket and ventured into the forest outskirts where lesser evolved beasts roamed. These creatures had been the first to transform when spiritual energy returned, and they were perfect test subjects. It wasn''t long before he encountered his targeta snake-like creature with glowing blue scales and sharp fangs. It hissed menacingly, coiling to strike. "Alright, buddy," Kent muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s see if this thing works." The fight was over in seconds. With his enhanced physique and fire aura abilities, the creature stood no chance. As its lifeless body slumped to the ground, the Soul Orb in his pocket began to hum. A spectral mist rose from the creature''s corpse, drawn toward the orb. Kent watched in fascination as the fog was absorbed and the orb''s glow intensified. "Looks like step one works," he said, holding up the orb. "Now to fill it completely." It automatically collected the soul. I don''t even have to do anything. This is a problem. What if the orb collects only low-level souls? "I have to research it further, I guess." Over the next few hours, Kent defeated several more beasts, each one adding to the orb''s energy. By the time he returned home, the orb was blazing with light, signalling it was full. Nima greeted him at the door, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You''re late again. What were you up to this time?" "Work," Kent said with a grin, holding up the glowing orb. "And I brought you something." Nima blinked, tilting her head. "What''s that?" "An artifact that might make you even stronger," he said, handing it to her. "Think of it as a soul vitamin." She stared at the orb, sceptical. "And what am I supposed to do with it?" "Absorb it," Kent explained. "It''s designed to boost the power of your soul. The system says it''s perfect for someone with your abilities." Nima hesitated but eventually nodded. She sat down and held the orb in her hands, closing her eyes. Kent watched as the glowing energy seeped into her body, but nothing happened. What the why isn''t it working? Kent said. Nima gets angry. Kent, are you pranking me? She slams the Soul refinement Orb into the ground. SLAMS! +99 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) Wait a minute, Nima. I guess I made some mistakes. Summon your servant Soul bear. I think this is for your servant. She summons the spiritual Soul Bear from her dark soul space. The bear''s soul materialized with a dark haze in front of them. "Give the Orb to the bear." She put the orb near the Bear''s soul, and nothing happened. .... ???? Nima is about to yell. That moment, he said feed it to the Bear. After feeding the Orb, it finally works. The Bear is absorbing the souls of other beasts from the Orb. Kent asked can you feel the Orb inside the Bear''s belly? I can feel it. It will take some time to absorb it. But I don''t want this ugly Bear. Can''t you find me something cute, Kent? "She bites Kent''s hand like a hungry shark ????." Kent said I will definitely find something cute later. For now, use the Bear. Maybe it will get cute once it levels up. Chapter 35 The Power of the Soul Orb --- With the success of the Soul Orb, Kent felt a renewed sense of purpose. Nima has a way to level up her soul servant. As long as he had the system and his family Nima by his side, there was nothing he couldn''t achieve. "Get ready, Nima," he said, patting her shoulder. "This is just the beginning. We''re going to need every ounce of our strengths if we want to survive this world right now." Her determined gaze met him. "I''m ready, Kent. Whatever comes, we''ll face it together." The Bear stood silently, its translucent, ghostly form glowing faintly as it began to absorb the energy from the Soul Refinement Orb. The artefact, now dimming, pulsed rhythmically as if syncing with the spiritual energy of the Bear''s soul. Kent watched intently, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. The light from the orb reflected in his eyes, a mix of curiosity and pride. "I think it''s working," he muttered to himself. Nima is lying on the floor, pouting as she observes the process. "It''s still ugly. I thought levelling up would make it sparkle or grow wings or something. At least make it fluffy!" Kent smirked. "What did you expect? A magical unicorn? I can''t control the looks, Nima. Levelling up doesn''t come with glitter and confetti." She glared at him, her sharp gaze piercing. "You always promise me cool things, and I always end up with something creepy! You''re the worst, Kent!" +199 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent chuckled as the system notification popped up. "Relax, little genius. The Bear''s strength is what matters. You''ll see its value soon enough." The room grew warmer as the Bear''s body began to change. Its spectral form solidified slightly, the faint outlines of muscles and sharper claws becoming visible. Its once translucent fur took on a faint sheen, giving it a more robust appearance. Nima''s eyes widened, her pout fading into awe. "Wait... is it actually getting stronger?" Ding! System Notification: Souls From Orb has been fully absorbed. The bound soul has levelled up. Kent raised an eyebrow. "System, show the details." Ding! Soulbear Status: Rank: F (Middle) E (Lower). [ Abilities: 1. Basic Combat Instincts (Improved). 2. Strengthened Spiritual Defense. ] Nima''s mouth dropped. "It levelled up! I didn''t even have to do anything!" "See?" Kent said, nudging her shoulder. "Told you it wasn''t a waste of time." The Bear growled softly as if acknowledging its growth. It stood taller, its once-awkward movements now fluid and deliberate. "Well, it''s still ugly," Nima muttered, crossing her arms. "But at least it''s now a strong kind of ugly now." Kent was about to tease her again when the system chimed. Ding! Mission Reminder... Investigate the origin of corruption in the Emerald Vein. Objective: Trace the source of the corruption affecting spiritual energy in your region. Reward: Unknown item and new skill slot unlock. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent''s smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Emerald Vein That''s tied to the corruption Nexus has been handling." "What''s that face for?" Nima asked, narrowing her eyes. I should be making this face. The bear didn''t become cute. "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent replied, ruffling her hair. "You focus on training your Bear. I''ve got some work to do." Nima grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. "Don''t you dare do something dangerous without telling me!" Kent paused, looking down at her determined face. He sighed. "Fine. I''ll tell you... later. For now, trust me, okay?" Kent pulls out some paper binding... It is the book. He reread the book from the library to get some clues. He made a copy of some pages before he left the library. As he flipped through the pages, one passage stood out: The passage says "Corrupted sites often lead to the appearance of mutated beasts, unstable spiritual lands, and a decline in cultivator health. If left unchecked, these sites can spiral out of control, endangering entire regions." He folds the page with a thud, his mind racing. "So I have to go back there again." Nima''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. " What are you reading? I want to read too!" It''s a book for older people. You can''t read. Nima said, But you are not old. Why do you get to read it? I am bigger than you, so I am allowed to read it. +79 SP copied from Nima (frustration). Later that evening, Kent stood at the edge of the forest. He tightened the straps on his backpack, his resolve firm. "Alright, system. Let''s see what you''ve got for me." The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. But Kent wasn''t afraid. With his abilities, system, and determination, he knew he could face whatever lay ahead. The Emerald Vein and the corruption it harboured were waiting. Kent crouched low, his eyes scanning the perimeter of the Emerald Vein. The moonlight illuminated the dense forest, casting long shadows that danced ominously in the breeze. This time, the area was far more fortified than before. Around the facility, Nexus operatives patrolled in pairs, their spiritual energy faintly detectable even at this distance. Spotlights mounted on trees swept across the forest floor, and the hum of drones filled the air. "Well, this just got a whole lot harder," Kent muttered to himself, adjusting his backpack. He activated his Spiritual Clock, a cloaking ability that masked his presence by bending spiritual energy around him. Ding! Spiritual Clock activated. "Kent whispered, his brow furrowing. "I''ll have to move fast." With the cloaking ability shielding him, Kent slipped past the first set of guards. The Spiritual Clock not only hid his spiritual signature but also muffled his footsteps, making him a ghost in the dense forest. As Kent crept closer to the facility, he noticed new barriers had been set up. A faint shimmer in the air revealed a spiritual energy detection array. Crossing it without alerting the guards would be impossible. --- Note: I request everyone to give their daily Power Stone and Golden tickets. Chapter 36 Navigating Tight Security --- "Smart move, Nexus," Kent muttered, impressed. "But not smart enough." He carefully reached into his backpack and pulled out a small pouch containing a handful of stones. Tossing one a few meters away from the array, he watched as the stone triggered the detection field. Alarms blared, and several operatives rushed toward the disturbance. "Go, go, go!" one of them shouted. Using the distraction, Kent darted past the array, slipping into the shadows. The Emerald Vein facility was eerily quiet compared to the chaos outside. The air was thick with spiritual energy, a mix of natural and corrupted. Kent could feel the tension in his chest as he moved deeper into the structure. His goal was clear: find the source of the corruption and complete the system mission. Kent entered a large chamber filled with old crystals, each one radiating a faint spiritual energy. Most of them seemed stable, but a few glowed with a dark, ominous aurathe corruption was unmistakable. In the centre of the room, a massive machine hummed quietly. Its purpose became clear as Kent observed the process: corrupted crystals were being purified and stored in containment units. "So Nexus isn''t behind the corruption," Kent realized. "They''re trying to stop it." He approached one of the containment units, his eyes narrowing as he studied the glowing crystals. There is a small, black crystal, its energy pulsating like a heartbeat. Ding! System Notification: Corruption Source Identified: Black Vein Crystal. [Note: The Black Vein Crystal is an ancient artefact tied to the corruption of spiritual energy. A long-forgotten sect of rogue cultivators originally created it during the age of spiritual energy''s peak. These cultivators sought to harness and weaponize spiritual energy by concentrating it into powerful cores. However, their methods were unstable, causing spiritual energy to become tainted, dark, and chaoticwhat is now referred to as corruption.] "This is it," Kent muttered. "The cause of all this chaos." He activated his Spiritual Clock again, using its cloaking ability to mask his presence as he examined a machine. (The machine is for corruption purification.) Kent''s curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to know how the machine worked and, more importantly, how the Black Vein Crystal was connected to the corruption. He carefully adjusted the controls, his fire aura sparking faintly as he tampered with the device. Suddenly, the machine let out a loud whine, its lights flickering erratically. "Oops," Kent whispered, stepping back. The machine overloaded, causing several of the corrupted artefacts to shatter. A dark mist filled the room, swirling ominously before dissipating into nothingness. Alarms blared throughout the facility. "Great job, Kent," he muttered sarcastically, slipping into the shadows as Nexus operatives swarmed the chamber. He quickly grabs the Black Vein. System notifications come. Ding! The host is advised to put the crystal in the system storage. Kent quickly followed and put the Black Vein into the system. Then a System notification comes. Black Vein Crystal Stored. Description: A concentrated source of corrupted spiritual energy. Capable of destabilizing spiritual lands and mutating living beings. Function: Acts as a core for corruption, spreading its influence across the surrounding area. It can be neutralized through purification or containment. Warning: Prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage and make the soul violent. Kent''s heart raced. "This thing it''s worse than I thought." Using his Spiritual Clock, Kent navigated the chaos, slipping past guards and avoiding detection. He managed to reach the facility''s exit just as a high-level operative entered the chamber. The man radiated power, his spiritual energy, unlike anything Kent had encountered before. Meanwhile, he was getting many sp from the guard. Ding! +999, +999, +888,567+876. SP copied. Before Kent left, He saw glimpses of Nexus''s plans a map of a massive ancient ruin hidden deep within the metro city, its activation imminent. ,(very soon it will open) "He just took the map. Thinking he might be able to get some treasures from the ruins." Once he was safely out of range, Kent pulled out the map he had retrieved from the facility. It was old and tattered, but the markings were clear. The ruin Nexus was targeting was massive, and its activation could potentially destabilize the entire region. "System, what now?" Kent said, folding the map and tucking it into his system storage. No response... When Kent returned home, he found Nima already asleep on the couch, her Soulbear curled protectively beside her. He quietly spread the map on the table, studying its details under the dim light. "This is bigger than I thought," he whispered to himself. "Nexus is trying to explore this ruin. When will it open? It doesn''t say anything." "I guess I have to go to the location and find out for myself." Kent glanced at Nima, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I''ll protect you, kiddo. No matter what." With the map in hand and a clear goal ahead, Kent knew his mission wasn''t over yet. He folded the map carefully, and this time, he placed it in his bag, his mind already racing with plans for the next step. While Nima is sleeping, I should go and check the location. It''s not very far, but I have never been to that location. It is only a 1:30-hour journey outside the city. I am a cultivator now. I can handle this. Let''s do it. If I find a good treasure, I will become more powerful. Then, I step out of the house full of confidence. Kent is standing in the yard, and suddenly, a sound comes. Ding!. System Notification: Mission complete: Investigate the corruption''s origin and its connection to the Emerald Vein. Reward: 1. Flashing Step. 2. A skill slot. What is this Flashing step? System, can you explain? Skill: Flashing Step. Description: A movement technique that allows the host to dash forward with explosive speed, leaving a trail of dust behind. System Notification: The host has a footwork technique. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Do you wish to learn the Flashing step? [Yes] / [No] Before leaving the yard, Kent decided to learn his newly acquired rewards. [Yes, I want to learn it.] Chapter 37 Nima Finds out the secret ---- Kent stood in the dimly lit yard, the quiet of the night broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets. Ding! Skill learned: Flashing Step. As the system completed the transfer, Kent felt an intense heat shoot through his legs, like a surge of adrenaline supercharged with electricity. ? He stumbled slightly, steadying himself against a nearby fence. "Whoa," he whispered, looking down at his legs, which now glowed faintly with spiritual energy. "This is insane. Let''s see what you''ve got, Flashing Step." The cool air brushed against his face as he stretched his legs, preparing to test his new skill. Nima was fast asleep inside, and Kent had no intention of waking her. This was his time to experiment without any interruptions. Planting his feet firmly in the dirt, Kent inhaled deeply and activated the skill. Boom! The sudden burst of speed caught him off guard, sending him hurtling forward like a rocket. He didn''t stop until he crashed face-first into a stack of wooden crates near the corner of the yard. CRASH! ???? "Ugh..." Kent groaned, sitting up amidst the splintered wood. "Okay, note to self: learn how to stop before using this in public." From inside the house, a muffled voice called out, "Kent?!" The door creaked open, and Nima stumbled out, her hair a mess and her eyes half-closed. "What are you doing?!" she yelled, glaring at him. "Are you fighting a monster or something? I was having the best dream ever!" Kent held up his hands defensively, his face smeared with dirt. "Relax, Nima. I''m just practising a new technique. Go back to sleep." Nima squinted at him, then at the scattered debris in the yard. "Practicing? It looks like you''re destroying the yard. You better fix this before morning!" +199 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). "Alright, alright. Go back to bed. I''ll clean it up later." "Later?" she huffed. "Fine. But if you wake me up again, you''re cooking breakfast for a week!" She stomped back inside, slamming the door behind her. She took the bag with her. The same bag where the map is. "She saw the bag outside on the ground near the gate. She thought Kent mistakenly put it there. Kent didn''t know she took the bag." Meanwhile, Kent dusted himself off and returned to the centre of the yard. "Okay, let''s try this again. But this time... don''t end up in a pile of broken crates." He focused, channelling his spiritual energy into his legs. The warmth returned, but this time, he controlled it, feeling the power flow evenly through his body. "Flashing Step!" Whoosh! Kent dashed forward, leaving a faint trail of dust in his wake. He skidded to a halt just before the fence, grinning triumphantly. "Ha! Nailed it!" Feeling more confident, Kent decided to up the challenge. He grabbed a few barrels, crates, and even an old chair, setting them up as obstacles around the yard. "Alright, time to test my agility," he said, clapping his hands. With a deep breath, he activated Flashing Step again. Whoosh! He zipped between the obstacles, weaving left and right. The chair wobbled, and one of the barrels nearly tipped over, but Kent managed to complete the course without knocking anything down. "Not bad," he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. For his final challenge, Kent placed a single brick in the middle of the yard. His goal was to use Flashing Steps to dash to the brick and stop precisely on top of it without crushing it. "This is it," he said, narrowing his eyes. He activated the skill, dashing forward with precision. Whoosh! As he approached the brick, Kent shifted his weight, slowing down just enough to land lightly on top of it. He balanced there for a moment, arms spread wide for stability, before stepping off. "Perfect!" he said, pumping his fist. As Kent surveyed the yard, he couldn''t help but notice the mess he had made. Dust coated everything, several crates were splintered, and the once-sturdy fence now is learned at an odd angle. "Yeah... I''ll clean that up tomorrow," he said, time to go to the ruin location. With this new technique, I am more confident now. Just as he was about to look for the bag, the door creaked open again. Nima stood there, her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face. She was holding something. She demands."Kent, what is this map!" ????? Pointing the map at Kent''s. You are planning on going there,e aren''t you? What will happen if you die there? I will go with you. You can''t go there alone. Kent said. What you can''t go there. It''s a dangerous place. +777 SP copied from Nima. (Frustration) Then you are not going to. I am stronger than you. I level up my cultivation. sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I am now LEVEL-E (middle). I also have the ugly Bear at Level E (lower). You can see that the ugly bear is the same rank as yours. I am stronger than you. She said to Kent, Showing her muscle .???? "Kent thinks, sooner or later, she needs to fight. She is right, and she is stronger now. She can handle everything. Let''s take her. It will be extra help for me." Alright, you can come. But you have to listen to my every word. You can''t wander off alone. +999 SP copied from Nima. (joy) She jumps. You are the best big brother, Kent. Am I really becoming a big brother who will be protected by his little sister? "Perfect," he said with frustration. I have to level up my cultivation faster. System. How much SP do I have? Ding! Spiritual point: 359,456 SP I can now buy three spiritual fruits. Should I use I level up to Level-E (middle)? I only need 150 thousand SP more to get to LEVEL-D. Let''s wait a little bit. I guess... In a few days, I will be able to earn 150k SP. He glanced at Nima, who was busy packing a small bag with snacks and supplies while singing. ''I am going out to defeat the monster with my big brother. I am so happy.'' Chapter 38 The Path to the Ruins and Nimas Practice Battle. --- SHE STATED SINGING while packing some snacks into her bag-dry carrots????????..... La La La~ ???? ???? Despite her playful demeanour, she was focused and efficient. "Ready to go?" he asked. "Ready!" she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder. The siblings set out, they want to come back early before morning, and the old man Xian Yu will come in the morning to train Kent. They have to come back before morning. As they left the city behind, the landscape grew wilder, the air thicker with spiritual energy. "So, what do we know about this ruin?" Nima asked, hopping over a fallen log. "Not much," Kent admitted. "Just that it''s ancient and dangerous. The map shows some markings around the area, probably warnings or traps." "Traps?" Nima said, her eyes widening. "Like, ''fall into a pit and get eaten by a monster'' traps?" Kent chuckled. "Something like that. That''s why you need to stick close to me." Nima nodded solemnly, her hand resting on Kent''s hand. Okay, I understand. As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls grew louder. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest. Kent froze, motioning for Nima to stay behind him. Kent crouched in the forest, his senses heightened as the pack of Silver Fang Wolves (Level-E) emerged from the shadows, their silvery fur glowing faintly under the moonlight. "Well, this is unexpected," Kent muttered, summoning his fire aura on his hand. "Nima, stay behind me." "No!" Nima said, her voice steady but determined. "I can fight. Let me handle this!" Kent glanced back, a mix of pride and concern flashing in his eyes. "Alright, but be careful. Use the bear and keep your distance." Nima nodded, summoning her Soul Bear with a sharp command. The spectral bear materialized beside her, its translucent form now more defined after levelling up. The pack began to circle, their glowing eyes locked onto the siblings. One wolf lunged at Kent, its jaws snapping. "Flashing Step!" Kent shouted, activating his movement skills. He dashed sideways, leaving a trail of dust. Then, he uses fire aura to engulf the wolf mid-leap. It yelped, retreating with scorched fur. Meanwhile, another wolf charged at Nima. She reacted quickly, summoning her Soulbinder chains. The spectral chains shot out, wrapping around the wolf and pinning it in place. "Now, Bear!" Nima commanded. The Soulbear roared and pounced on the immobilized wolf, its spectral claws tearing into the creature''s spiritual energy. The wolf howled before collapsing into a faint mist, its essence absorbed by the Soul Orb. As the fight continued, Nima noticed the Soul Refinement Orb glowing faintly on her. She instinctively reached for it. Why is it glowing, Kent? Kent said the Soul Orb must have taken the wolf''s soul. It works this way automatically. I didn''t find any way of controlling it. Let me check. Nima said. She focuses her spiritual energy and sense into the Orb. She can feel the orb responding to her. She said Kent, I can control the Orb. I can choose which soul to keep. I guess it''s because you don''t have talents like mine. That''s why you couldn''t do it. ???? .... ???? Meanwhile, Kent defeats one wolf. The orb glowed brighter as it absorbed another wolf''s soul. Nima felt a surge of energy, a new connection forming between her and the orb. "Let me see if I can throw out the wolf''s soul or not." Then, the newly collected wolf soul is thrown out by her command. "It''s working!" she called out to Kent. The soul refinement orb now fully listens to me. I can even throw out a soul from the Orb. "That''s my genius sister!" Kent shouted, launching a fire-infused punch at another wolf. "Keep going!" +999 SP copied from Nima. (Pride) As the remaining wolves attacked, Nima grew more confident, Defeating them and using the orb to absorb their souls selectively. She managed to direct the orb to avoid weaker souls, focusing only on the strongest ones to benefit her Soul Bear. Within minutes, the pack was defeated. Nima feeds the Orb to the Bear. Quickly absorb all the Souls. The Soulbear stood victorious, its translucent form glowing faintly from the absorbed energy. Soulbear Level Up: E (Lower) E (Middle). The bear let out a deep growl, its form becoming more solid and menacing. Its claws lengthened, and a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounded it. "Wow," Nima said, staring in awe. "It now reaches the same level as mine." Kent approached, a proud grin on his face. "Not bad, Nima. You''re learning fast. And the orb you''ve mastered it already." Nima smirked, crossing her arms. "Of course. I''m a genius, remember?" +199 SP copied from Nima (Pride). Kent laughed, ruffling her hair. "Alright, genius. Let''s keep moving. The ruin should be very close." The dense forest gave way to a clearing, revealing the ancient structure they had been searching for. The ruin stood tall, its stone walls covered in vines and glowing runes. The air around it was thick with spiritual energy, making it difficult to breathe for a second. "This is it," Kent said, his voice low. Nima clutched her chest, her face tense. "It''s so... heavy. Is this normal?" Kent nodded, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, ruins like these radiate a lot of energy. Just stay close." As they approached, Kent''s sharp eyes caught movement around the ruin. He froze, pulling Nima behind a tree. "Guards are coming," he whispered. Dozens of Nexus operatives and the Watchers patrolled the area, their spiritual energy faintly detectable even from a distance. Spotlights swept across the clearing, and a faint shimmer indicated a protective barrier around the ruin. "Looks like they''re not taking any chances," Kent muttered. Kent and Nima heard two watchers talking to each other. Watcher One: We have been guarding this place for over a month now. There''s still no sign of opening. What do you think? How long will it take to open? Watcher Two: I don''t know. It''s for hire-ups to worry about. Our job is to make sure no civilians can come to this place. Kent heard their taking. Then he asks the system. Use Appraisal to check how long it will take to open it. Ding! 1000 SP cost. System notifications: Name: Ancient battlefield graveyard ruin. Threat level: Medium-low Opening time: 10 -15 days (depending on spiritual energy recovery of the world.) Suggest cultivation: Level C After reading the notification, Kent said out loud. The ruin is close. Damn it. "So... what do we do now?" Nima asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Kent frowned, weighing their options. "We can''t get in right now. The ruin isn''t open yet, and there''s no way we can sneak past all of them." sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima''s face fell. "So we came all this way for nothing?" "Not for nothing," Kent said, pointing out the Soul Orb. "We levelled up your bear and got a lot of strong souls. That''s progress." Nima''s disappointment lingered, but Kent quickly shifted gears. "Let''s try something," he said. "You''ve been practising the Spiritual Clock, right?" Nima hesitated. "A little... but I''m not good at it yet." "Now''s your chance," Kent said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Focus on masking your presence. Even if it''s just for a few seconds." Nima closed her eyes, summoning her spiritual energy. A faint shimmer surrounded her, but it flickered like a dying lightbulb. "Not bad," Kent said. "But it''s not enough. You have to learn it. I will teach you properly tomorrow. Here, let me help." He activated his own Spiritual Clock, extending its range to cover both of them. The world seemed to dim as their presence vanished, blending seamlessly with the shadows. "Whoa," Nima whispered. "This feels... weird." "It''s effective," Kent said, guiding her away from the clearing. "Let''s head back before someone notices us." The siblings moved quietly through the forest, the Spiritual Clock shielding them from any wandering guards. By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the first hints of dawn were breaking through the trees. Kent deactivated the ability, exhaling deeply. "That was close." Nima nodded, her face thoughtful. "We''ll go back, right? When the ruin will open." "Of course," Kent said, smiling. "But next time, we''ll be stronger." As they walked back toward their small home, Kent couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride. Nima was growing stronger daily, and together, they were becoming a force to be reckoned with. "Get some rest when we get home," Kent said, ruffling her hair. "You''ve earned it." "You too," Nima replied, smirking. "You look like you got chased by a pack of wolves." Kent laughed, shaking his head. "Touch." With the ruin marked on their mental map and their skills growing, the siblings knew this was just the beginning of their journey. As soon as they enter the house. The old man Xian comes. Kent, wake up! Today, I will give you some different exercises. I am so tired ????. I have to train now. Kent murmurs. Grandpa Xian Yu. Can I skip today''s training? The old man holding Kent''s hands drags him for training. Saying that kids of this generation are becoming lazy. I can''t let my disciple be lazy. Chapter 39 Nima Masters the Spiritual Clock ---- The old man yelled, dragging Kent and tossing Kent a wooden sword. "A strong cultivator doesn''t make excuses. Now, to the yard!" The small yard behind their house was quiet, except for the occasional chirping of birds. Kent stood with the wooden sword in hand, his face etched with despair. "Start with the basics!" Xian Yu ordered, demonstrating a series of swift, precise movements. "And don''t even think about slacking off. I''m watching you." Kent sighed but followed along, his movements slow and clumsy at first. After an hour of drills, Xian Yu clapped his hands. "Alright, time for some sparring!" "Sparring? With you?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Of course!" the old man replied, grinning. "Who else can show you how it''s done?" The sparring session was brutal. Xian Yu''s strikes were quick and relentless, forcing Kent to rely on his reflexes and his new technique, Flashing steps to keep up with the old man. Old man Xian Yu says, Kid, not bad, not bad. Your movement is different today. "Kent didn''t fully use the flashing steps. He only used the technique without any spiritual energy. To avoid and keep up with the old man." By the end of the session, Kent was lying flat on the ground, gasping for air. "You''ve got potential, kid," Xian Yu said, his voice softening. "But potential means nothing without hard work. Remember that." Later that day in school... The special class began with the usual routine. Miss Elena was lecturing about the dangers of pocket dimensions when Kent decided it was time to stir things up. "Miss Elena," Kent interrupted, raising his hand. "I have a question." She sighed. "What is it this time, Kent?" "If someone gets stuck in a pocket dimension, does that mean they''ll miss school forever? I am Asking for a friend." The entire class burst into laughter, except for Ryan, who groaned loudly. "Do you ever take anything seriously?" Ryan muttered. Ding! +675 SP Copied from Ryan (Frustration). Ding! +56,78,39,98... SP Copied from Classmates (Amusement). "Alright, settle down," Elena said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Kent, if you''re not going to take this seriously, at least don''t distract the others." "Of course, Miss Elena," Kent replied with a mock salute, earning another round of chuckles from the class. I am very close to earning 500k SP. I need one or two days for that. Then, I can level up my cultivation. ''Kent murmurs to himself.'' After school, Kent rushed back home, eager to continue teaching the spiritual clock to Nima. The old man, Xian Yu, had been tutoring her during the day, and the old man also taught Nima sword techniques. Nima always skips training and slacks off. But she can learn everything very quickly as if the heavens had blessed her. "Alright, Nima," Kent said, stepping into the backyard. "Today, you''re going to master the Spiritual Clock." ???? Nima stood with her arms crossed, her expression determined. "I''ve been reading all day. Now, you want me to practice?" Kent said. If you learn the technique, I will give you a nice meal at your favourite restaurant. Nima jumps. Deal! I want to go to XXX hotpot restaurant. Kent, hurry up. What are you waiting for? Watch me master it. "You''ve got this," Kent said, patting her on the head. "Just focus your energy like I showed you." Nima nodded, closing her eyes. A faint glow began to surround her as she concentrated. Her spiritual energy rippled through the air, forming a faint, transparent shield in front of her. The shield was small and wobbly, but it was there. "You did it!" Kent exclaimed, grinning. "I''m not done yet," Nima said, her brow furrowing in concentration. The shield stabilized, its ticking sound becoming clear and steady. Ding! Nima has successfully mastered the Spiritual Clock. S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The shield grew more prominent, its intricate clock design spinning steadily. "Whoa," Kent muttered, his eyes wide. "You''re a natural, Nima." Nima opened her eyes, her face lighting up with excitement. "I did it! I really did it!" Kent gave her a thumbs-up. "See? I told you you could do it." "Now, let''s see how strong it is," Kent said, picking up a rock. "Wait, you''re going to throw that at me?!" Nima yelped, stepping back. "Relax," Kent said, smirking. "The clock will block it. Trust me." He hurled the rock at the shield. It hit the surface with a dull thud before shattering into tiny pieces. "See?" Kent said, grinning. "I told you it''d work." Nima laughed, her excitement growing. "This is amazing! What else can it do?" "It can also block spiritual senses," Kent explained. "If someone tries to track you or sense your energy, the clock will hide you." "Really?!" Nima''s eyes sparkled. "That''s so cool!" As the sun set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Kent and Nima sat on the rooftop of their house, watching the world grow quieter. "Thanks for teaching me, Kent," Nima said softly, leaning against him. "You''re the best big brother ever." Kent chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Don''t get used to it. I''m only nice to you because you''re the only sibling I''ve got." "Yeah, right," Nima said, smirking. "What about the hotpot restaurant treat?" ''Kent rolled his eyes. Yes, yes... I will take you tomorrow.'' Today, let''s eat fried rice with egg and tomato. Kent thinking. I have to buy the house first from the landlord. Then I will take Nima to a fancy restaurant for a meal. I also need to buy some new clothes for her. Let''s give her a big surprise. Before that, I need to become a Level D cultivator. She is already a stronger and higher-level Cultivator than me. Nima yelled. Kent, what are you doing? Didn''t you say you would cook? Let''s go inside the home. I am hungry. Yeah... Yeah, I am coming. This girl loses her temper when it comes to food. I had better go fast; otherwise, she would start nagging like a Karen. "After dinner, they go to bed. Everything is as peaceful as ever. But little did Kent know his life would take a huge turn soon. The first step will start in the morning." Chapter 40 Mastering the Flames ---- S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Next morning... As the early rays of the sun illuminated Kent''s small yard, a familiar chime echoed in his mind. System Notification: New Quest Unlocked: Master the Flames! Kent sat up on his bed, rubbing his eyes as the system details appeared before him. What is this? I didn''t even get a chance to wake up properly, and the system gave me a mission. Can''t you wait until I go to the washroom and freshen up? I really need to go for a ????. Whatever, let''s check the mission first. After that, I will finish my business. Show me System, What do you have in store for me? Quest Objective: Learn how to fully utilize your flame and fire aura to execute an effective fire-based attack. "Finally, a quest I can work on at home," Kent muttered. "This should be fun." Accept Quest? [Yes] / [No] Without hesitation, Kent selected [Yes], and the first stage of the quest appeared. Quest Stage 1: Ignition Summon and stabilize a fire aura with minimal energy loss. The host has been wasting energy before when using fire aura. "Stabilizing fire aura using minimum spiritual energy, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. So, I was doing it the wrong way. "Let''s see how hard this can be." Training Stage 1: Ignition Kent stepped into the yard, the crisp morning air refreshing against his skin. He took a deep breath, centring himself. "Alright, fire aura, show me what you''ve got." Closing his eyes, Kent summoned his spiritual energy, directing it toward his palms. A faint warmth spread through his fingers as a small flame flickered to life in his hand. Ding! Fire Aura Activated. The flame wavered slightly, its edges unstable. Kent furrowed his brow, focusing harder. "Stabilize come on" he muttered, trying to balance his spiritual energy output. The flame grew steadier but flickered violently whenever his focus wavered. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to maintain it. After several minutes of trial and error, the flame stabilized completely, glowing brightly in his hand. "Yes!" Kent exclaimed, grinning. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 1 Complete. Stage 2: Flame Control Kent wiped the sweat from his brow as the next stage appeared. Quest Stage 2: Flame Control Shape the fire into a small projectile or barrier. "This is where it gets tricky," Kent said, recalling a few days ago what he had read about energy manipulation in one of the books from the library in the special class. He extended his hand, summoning the flame again. This time, he visualized it forming a sphere or a ball in his hand. "Shape it focus" Kent whispered, his voice steady. The flame trembled, stretching outward before collapsing into a chaotic flicker. "Damn it," Kent muttered, summoning it again. For the next hour, he practised relentlessly, shaping the flame into different forms. At first, the results were dismalblobs of fire sputtering out before they could take shape. Eventually, Kent managed to form a small, imperfect sphere. "Not bad," he muttered. "But I can do better." As he continued practising, the sphere grew more defined, its surface smooth and glowing. "Now for a barrier," Kent said, shifting his focus. Summoning a more significant flame, he visualized it stretching into a wall. The energy pulsed in his hands as the fire extended outward, forming a thin, flickering barrier. "It''s weak," Kent said, inspecting the barrier. "But it''s a start." After another hour of refining his technique, the barrier became more stable, its fiery surface radiating heat. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 2 Complete. Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame Fist Kent leaned against a tree, panting slightly. "Two down. Is there more system?" The final stage appeared before him. Quest Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame fist Combine fire and physical force to create an explosive attack. "This sounds fun," Kent said, straightening up. "But also dangerous." Let''s go to the yard for this training. Otherwise, I will destroy the house. He summoned his fire aura again, letting it envelop his fists. The heat was intense, radiating outward as the flames licked at his skin. "Alright, let''s start small," Kent muttered, punching the air. A small burst of fire shot forward, dissipating after a few feet. "Not bad, but it needs more impact," Kent said, narrowing his eyes. He practised combining his punches with bursts of fire, gradually increasing their power. Each strike sent a fiery blast through the air, the explosions growing louder and more controlled. "Let''s try a real target," Kent said, setting up a wooden plank he had found in the yard. With a deep breath, he focused his energy, channelling it into his fist. The fire aura flared brightly as he launched a powerful punch at the plank. BOOM! ???? ???? ???? The plank shattered into splinters, the fire engulfing the debris in a brief explosion. "Yes!" Kent shouted, pumping his fist in triumph. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 3 Complete. Kent collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily as the system notification appeared. Ding! Quest Completed. Reward: Skill Unlocked: Ember Slash (An entry-level fire attack). This skill can level up with the host''s cultivation. +5,000 SP Bonus. Note: The Ember slash will take one skill slot. "That was worth it," Kent muttered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. The system uses the slot I got before from the mission. This skill will get stronger with my cultivation. That hard work really paid off. Kent yelled out loud. Yahooo''!!! Yahooo''!!! The noise from Kent''s training and celebration had finally woken Nima, who stepped into the yard, rubbing her eyes and holding the patch-up teddy bear ????. "What are you doing out here, Kent?" she asked, yawning. ???? "Practicing," Kent replied, sitting up. "Wanna see my new skill?" "Sure," Nima said, her curiosity piqued. Kent stood up, summoning his fire aura again. With a swift motion, he unleashed an Ember Slash, a fiery arc that scorched the ground a few meters away, creating a sword-cut straight line. "Whoa!" Nima exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That''s awesome!" "Pretty cool, right?" Kent said, smirking. "Can I try?" Nima asked eagerly. Kent shook his head. "No. You''ve got your own techniques to master." you can''t do it. Nima pouted, crossing her arms. "Fine. But you''d better teach me later!!!!" "I can''t teach you this," Kent said, "you need to have awakened fire attributes first. He laughs. Without it, you can''t learn it." Nima replied. "What fire attributes do I need?" Kent says, "It''s like your soul''s power. You need fire powers. Like, I can''t have Souls as slaves. Cause I didn''t awaken that power." "But I can learn Firepower. Nima said." Kent asked, "How?" "I need to capture a fire-awaken bad guy and make him my servant. Then I can use fire, too. Ha Ha Ha!" Nima replied. "Damnit. I never thought this way. Kent murmurs. Nima can have multiple types of superpowers with her soulbinder power." "Listen, Nima, Dual types of awakened superpowers aren''t that rare. I know you like to show off a lot. But You need to be careful, Nima, when you have multiple servants. You can''t show various types of power in front of anyone." "I know that. You don''t have to tell me that. I will be a genius with multiple types of powera big boss, just like in anime." Hah Hah Hah!! As the sun begins to become brighter, it is almost time for the Xian Yu training session. Kent and Nima sat together on the old, broken and patched-up chair in the yard, sharing a quiet moment. "You''re getting stronger, Kent," Nima said softly. "So are you," Kent replied. "We''re going to need all the strength we can get for what''s coming." The world is changing very fast. We need to change with the world. Nima nodded, her determination shining in her eyes. "We''ll face it together." Kent smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With his new skill and Nima by his side, he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. Chapter 41 A surprise For Nima and a Confusion. --- Old man Xian Yu comes from behind. He says, Ohhh, you both siblings having a heart-to-heart conversation!!! It''s time for training, Kent. Throws a dull sword at Kent. He jumps from his seat and catches the sword. I am ready, Grandpa Yu. Xian says to start practising. He sat on the chair, and on the other hand, there was an old radio like the one from 1990. ???? "This is my treasure, he says." Nima gave him a look. He says you are really old. Who listens to the radio these days? The old man didn''t care. He plays the radio. ???? OH HOH OH HO! KUNG FU FIGHTING! EVERYONE SAY KUNG FU FIGHTING! EVERYBODY IS KUNG FU FIGHTING!! Meanwhile, Kent is doing his sword practice. He swings the sword, and a faint white aura emerges from his every swing. The old man Xian Yu says. Remember, Kent, each of your swings must go for killing. Never give a chance to your enemies. Never show them mercy if someone or something wants to kill you. Every warrior must remember that the enemy will never show mercy. So they don''t have to show mercy, either. "Kent is doing very well. He is very close to achieving a breakthrough in the sword technique." The old man murmurs to himself. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Every day, he swings the sword over 2000 times. He almost finished his training today.'' The old man stood up from the chair. He put one hand behind and one hand forward, then bent, pointing his finger at the radio button. CLICK! He turns off the song. Says: Kent, it''s enough for today. Let''s call it a day. He looks at his wristwatch. You have school to attend. It''s almost time. Kent said, wiping his sweat from his face. Grandpa Yu, I have a question to ask. Why do I have to train in the early morning? "Why can''t I do it in the afternoon or evening?" He replied well, that''s a long and old story. Xain Yu says, in short, that my master used to train me in the early morning. I am following my master''s teaching. Then Kent says. I am sure when you were a kid, there wasn''t this type of music, right? Why do you play KUNG FU FIGHTING music? Did your master also play music back then? +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). I play music for art and to create a rhythm for you inside your heart. My master didn''t use music; and he used something else. Kent then says why do I have to swing a sword. Why don''t I create art and rhythm? +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Sword techniques vary from time to time. But you need to learn the basics first, and then you can practice doing anything you want. To learn the basics, you need to have rhythm. A real expert can create any move once he gets the hang of rhythm. Kent asked when I would learn heart rhythm. Can''t you teach me some cool moves? I am tired of doing the same thing again and again. Why do you need sword moves? Xian Yu says, making a funny face. You are just a Level-F cultivator. It''s not like you will fight in the ruins or something. Kent says, ohh, Grandpa, I forgot to tell you I Level up. I am a Level E cultivator now. Xian Yu says, How? Don''t you have a low-rank physique? How did you level up so quickly? Or perhaps you have a higher-rank physique? "Kent thinks, damn, this old man is trapping me every chance he gets. He wants to know about my real physique rank." I just wanted to earn some SP from him by asking some questions to irritate him. Then he starts swinging the sword to avoid the old man''s question. Wziz! Whosh! Wziz! I am a low-rank physique Cultivator. I will work hard, Grandpa. Don''t worry. Xian Yu says. Stop that, now go home. I will leave. Kent gets back to prepare for school, and he plans a surprise for Nima. Today, he will buy the house from the landlord. A few minutes later, he goes to school. After school, he goes to the government land office with the landlord to register the house. In the afternoon, after finishing all the paperwork, Kent entered his house and slowly opened the gate. Nima, what are you doing? He sees Nima as full of anger and rage. Her eyes become black. Many questions floated above her head. What happened to you, Nima? Kent asked, showing his worry running towards her. ???? She started by talking like a little baby. Kent, old man Yu gave me high school class 10 algebra and some linear equations to solve. Kent jumps backwards, assessing the situation. She is furious. Let me cheer her up quickly. Otherwise, I will face the anger. "Nima, go clean up. I will take you somewhere cool, and you will like it there." Location change..... . . Their first stop was an enormous shopping mall. Where Nima always wanted to visit. But Kent couldn''t afford a single thing there. Kent goes to a kid''s store. Pick multiple pretty-looking dresses for Nima. Go and try them out, Nima. She comes out of the changing room wearing a beautiful pink dress. She says I like them all. Kent gives his bank card to the shopkeeper. We will buy them all and pack them up for me. Meanwhile, Nima is lost admiring herself in the mirror. I look like a princess on TV now. The next stop was a mobile phone store. Nima always wanted a new phone. Kent picks the latest iPhone model for her. The phone sparkles like a diamond for Nima. She couldn''t hold her happiness. "Her eyes and the phone both are shining like a diamond in the sky. ?? ????" Then Kent buys some dolls for Nima. Especially a big teddy that is 1 meter in size for Nima. She sleeps with a teddy bear. The one she has now is ancient, and Kent has patched it up multiple times. After that, They play in a claw machine and some other games in the game centre. Nima happily enjoys everything. They are both walking in the mall now. Nima is holding her teddy bear tightly in her hands. She started to get worried. She didn''t think all that time. She was busy enjoying everything for the first time. Then she asks, KENT, did you do anything that will make me angry? You have never been like this before. You are treating me like a princess from the TV. ???? Suddenly, a thought comes into her mind. Wait, this exactly feels like the last meal together of my favourite TV show. This is how they abandoned their children, giving them a last good memory. She throws her teddy bear on the ground. She starts crying, hugging Kent. She yelled Kent place, don''t leave me. You are the only family I have. ???? ???? SOB!! SOB!! SOB!! She burst out, her tears falling like fountains. Kent, I will be a good girl from now on. Please don''t leave me. I promise you. Passerby one: He is bullying a little girl. Passerby two: does he look like a jerk? Let''s beat him. Passerby three: let''s wait a little.. Meanwhile, Kent is speechless. He brings Nima to enjoy life like a normal kid. But she totally misunderstood him. Rub ~~ Rub ~~ Kent pats Nima''s head, says stop crying. Listens to me first. First of all, you are not allowed to watch those TV series from now on. Kent picks up the bear and gives it to her. She is holding it like a confused child. Second, I bought the house today from our landlord. I bring you here to celebrate. From now on our lives will be much better. You will always be able to enjoy things like this your entire life. She jumps into Kent''s back. Wow, Really! Do we have our own house now? Did you borrow money from others? I will stop asking for snacks and other food. We have to pay the borrowing money soon. I will help you sell eggs and momos when you go to school. This way we will earn more money. Kent laughs. You don''t have to worry about money, And you don''t have to give up your snack. I didn''t borrow money. Let''s go. I will take you to a movie. Nima is pleased. Movie Movie, we will watch a Movie, eat popcorn and drink soda. ???? ???? ???? "Kent thinks. I bought the house for Fifty thousand dollars."''I gave Lyra 25 thousand.'' I still have 165 thousand dollars. With this money, I will rebuild our house and buy all the latest furniture. Our life will be better!! Chapter 42 Reaching the first stage of sword Dao. --- Next day. Kent is training with old man Xian Yu. Today, he is trying to cut the big rock with a wooden sword. He is very close to cutting the rock. After a few hundred swings, he started to feel something. Then Xian Yu was watching him, sitting and enjoying the music. A few swings later...Kent felt something as if he was born again just now. He felt everything around him was different now. He can feel the sword''s aura now, and if he wants, he can use it. Then he decided to use it. He closed his eyes and felt the sword aura, A white and blue aura, coming out of his body. He channelled the aura into the wooden sword. A sharp blade-like aura covered the wooden sword, and he was able to break the big rock with the wooden sword. The old man Xian Yu says. Bravo. I am proud of you young man. Your first step of training is complete. The next step is sword control. You have to control your sword using the sword aura. He gets enlightened. He mastered the sword aura. Suddenly, a familiar sound came into Kent''s mind. Ding! Mission Complete: Learn (sword aura) the first stage of sword technique. Reward: Sword intent (level 1). All swords will obey the command. Max level: Level 10. Xian Yu says go home. Today''s training is over. I need to prepare the next training plan for you. You must practice by trying to move the sword using your sword aura from now on. Kent is inside his home playing with the Soul SLASHER dagger. Soul Slasher OBEY, my command. Kent puts spiritual energy into the dagger. The dagger is floating in between Kent''s hands. The dagger gave out a black aura with a blue border line. Kent says go cut your target. Kent raises his hand. The dagger goes to the target at a high speed. Whosh! Cut! Cut! Crack! [Dagger: SOUL SLASHER Class: Legendary Power: 10%. Note: Dagger power will increase as the host cultivation levels rise. Usages: Can Slash enemy souls to create fear. Effect: Frozen 1-10 seconds. Depending on the enemy''s level. (All level use)] Soul Slasher cuts one of the chairs inside Kent''s house. It cuts the chair into hundreds of tiny pieces. Seeing that, Kent feels proud. Ha Ha Ha. I have finally done it. I am able to control the dagger now. I have mastered the skill of controlling the dagger perfectly. This dagger never listens to me. But now I do what I say it to do. PROUD !!! ???? SUDDENLY, Nima comes out of the room. Seeing Kent destroyed her favourite chair. She quickly grabs one of the chair legs. BOOM! BOOM! Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She hits Kent on the head. Kent was busy being arrogant and proud of his achievement. ???? "Stop playing with your dagger. Furniture is not a target for you to practice your sword skill!! You destroy my favourite chair. Now, what do you think your punishment will be?" Kent rubbed his head. "Ow... Ow, Nima, that really hurt a lot." A big bump was visible on Kent''s head. You are stronger than me now. You have to pull your strength, Nima. You almost killed me. Nima didn''t care about that. She says my favourite chair. Kent, throwing an apple at Kent. Now peel this apple for me using your sword skill. Kent is scared of her anger. I didn''t notice it. But I really destroyed her favourite chair. I need to calm her down first. Whoosh! Whoosh! Kent peels off the apple, then, holding the apple, he kneels, presenting the apple like Nima is a royal and Kent is a worker. Nima says it''s not enough, "Peel six more apples and two oranges." "Okay, okay. I am not it." Kent peels them one by one, and she eats them all one by one. In this situation, she really became the big boss of a gang. Kent says. How''s that? Are you full now? Do I need to peel more? Do you feel a little bit sleepy? You always feel sleepy when you are full. ???? She yawns. I am not that sleepy. As a punishment, you will cook fried rice with tomato and egg for a month. Kent agreed to the punishment. Then says. I am planning on rebuilding the house. Let''s buy a ready-made home. It will only take 5-6 hours to assemble the house. We are only two people. So we don''t need a big house. Nima says, okay, but I will need a new big TV. And my room will be pink. I need this in the kitchen. Bla bla bla. One day later, they entered their new house. A three-bedroom kitchen and dining house. Nima is pleased. They also bought costly furniture. Nima says don''t play with the furniture again. It''s all brand new. Nima quickly jumps on the sofa and turns on the TV. She is able to watch TV after so many days. Kent took the remote; let''s check some news first. Kent put it on the news channel. In the channel, a blast and police chase were showing. Nima says to Kent what''s this? Put up the volume hurray up. I want to listen. TV news: There was a robbery in the metro city bank by an awakened cultivator. The individual is powerful. "Please be aware citizens. The robber fled into the block D local market." Nima says, Kent, isn''t this the market where you set up your stall? It is really dangerous don''t go to the market until they catch the robber. See, that guy looks very ugly, just like my soul bear. Kent says wait a minute. I saw this guy today. I know the area where he is hiding. Meanwhile, inside the robber''s hideout. There are three of them. One of them says boos the Nexus and Watcher are patrolling everywhere in the city. We can''t get out of the town now. Chapter 43 A sudden mission and a plan for the future. ---- Another one says. We can''t stay here any longer. We need to buy food and water. Boss, what should we do now? Shut up!!! You, number one, buy some food and water. Number two, you keep watch over the area. The number one robber goes out to a shop. He says to one of the shop customers. Did you see anyone from Nexus and Watcher here? The man replied. Yes. I am one of themyou petty robber. We were waiting for you, monitoring every shop in this area. Finally, we are able to find you. The robber number one throws the food and water in the watcher''s face, and then he starts running to the hideout. The watcher informed others on Bluetooth ear devices. He says the robber is spotted 200 meters from my location. The robber attacked everything in front of him to create a distraction. New reporters also come from somewhere. Start''s going live. The robber number one goes into the hideout. ???? Many police cars come. One of the big offices brought out a mike, and he yelled. You have been surrounded! There is no way to escape. Give up your resistance. SURROUNDING IS THE BEST OPTION. The robber boss gets angry. You noise cops. Stop yelling. First, he slaps the robber number one. You idiot. Why didn''t you run elsewhere? You bring them to me. Then, the boss grabbed one of the cars parked nearby. He pulls the car out of the ground. Then he throws the car at the cops. ''TAKE THIS''. You should have just let me rob the bank and run away peacefully. Now, suffer the consequences. One of the cops says. "He is powerful. We can''t handle him. We need a strong cultivator." Bam! Bam! CRASH! The car landed on the ground. Destroying two other police cars. The boss laughs in joy. HAHA, that''s the difference between you weakling and me. You Bunch of loudmouths, cops!! Some strong watcher members come. One gives orders to clear the area. Everyone moved back from here. We will handle it. Miss Elena, a Tier-3 member, says. I will handle the helpers. You handle the robber boss. Whoosh! Whiz! She attacks the two helpers. Throwing a talisman. It landed on the helper''s face, and it became a spiritual blast, throwing the two robbers far away. The boss runs away, leaving his followers behind. Meanwhile, Kent and Nima were watching everything on the TV. Suddenly, a friendly sound comes. Ding! Mission: Defeat the robber boss. Reward: A valuable item for the host''s future growth. Time limit: 2 hours. Failure: - 20, 0000 SP Damn it system. This guy is powerful. Miss Elena is a Level-C Cultivator. She is fighting with the robber. In comparison, I am only Level E. I don''t have a chance. You will take my hard-earned 200k SP from me if I don''t complete the mission. What should I do? I only have one choice now. I need to level up. I have enough SP for that. I was saving my level up for when I entered the ruins. But I have to level up now. Kent buys FIVE SPIRITUAL FRUITS from the system shop. One by one, he eats all five of them. GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! A surge of power comes into Kent''s entire body. He is able to feel a tremendous amount of power now. He can now feel things hundreds of meters away clearly. He can hear things that are far away, too. Ding! Host Level up!! Host: Kent Physique: Level 10 (max.) Cultivation: Level D ( lower) Sword intent: Level 1 Skills: 1. Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) 2. Ember Slash Kent runs out of the house. I don''t have much time. I need to go there and wait for an opportunity. With my Soul Slasher dagger and Level D cultivation, I can defeat the robber. Nima runs behind Kent, saying, where are you going, Kent? What happened to you? Why are you in so much rush? Kent says stay at home. I will go and check things out quickly. The fighting is very close to our house. Kent thinks this robber is at least Level D(peak) if he is able to run in front of Miss Elena and other WATCHERS. Maybe I will get something good from the system, and the robber must have spiritual tools for him. I will hit the jackpot this time. Kent jumps into one wall, then another wall, and then he reaches one of the building roofs. Whoosh! Whoosh! When he landed, he almost lost his balance. Wow! I need to get used to my new strength. He regains his balance. I jumped really high in one go. I do it by instinct. Now, let''s see where the robber is. Boom! ???? ???? Blast! Kent sees the boss and the watcher attacking each other while running. Kent says I need to stay quiet. Wait for an opportunity to strike. Let''s hide here. They will come this way in seconds. Rumble! Blast! Boom! Miss Elena uses her talisman. Throws multiple of them at the robber boss. The robber boss says. Damn it, it''s endless. How many talisman papers does this bitch have? Hey, bitch stop that. Let me leave in peace. I will give you half of the money. ???? That woman is such a big trouble. I can''t be trapped here in this alley. I need to fight back and then find a scope to run out of this town. Now, they are coming from the front too. He throws some cars at Miss Elena. Come on bitch, show me what you got!! Elena dodges the cars. In a counterattack, she throws more talismans at the robber. They clash for some rounds, like throwing rocks at each other. Boom! Boom! Whosh! Whosh! Boom! Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whosh! The robber''s boss said. Damn it. It''s going nowhere. How long did that bitch talisman''s will last? There are fewer cars here now. I need to find some people. Chapter 44 Death of a comrade and a mysterious stone. --- The boss of the robbers ripped the door off a car and hurled it at Miss Elena Rivers with terrifying force. His motive is to finish Elena or at least injure her enough to stop her. Seeing the car door coming at her at high speed, She instinctively raised her hands in defence, but it was futile. Whoosh! The sharp edge of the metal door slashed across her thigh. Slash! A deep cut opened, and blood dripped onto the pavement. Drip... Drip... Drip... Elena clenched her teeth, suppressing a pained groan as a burning sensation spread through her leg. The warm trickle of blood soaked into her pants, but she forced herself to remain steady. "Damn it... That bastard got me. I need to be more careful. I''m running low on talismansI have to close the distance." A Tier-3 Watcher operative shouted, "Elena! Are you okay? Say something!" Before she could respond, the robber''s gaze flicked to a passing cara family of four inside. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. "Perfect." With monstrous strength, he lifted the entire vehicle, passengers and all, as if it weighed nothing. Then, with a wicked laugh, he hurled it straight at Elena. "Try dodging this, bitch! Follow me if you can!" he sneered before dashing off. Elena exhaled sharply. "Bastard!" She turned to her teammate. "Go after him! Don''t let him escape! I want to beat that son of a bitch with my own hands!" The Tier-3 operative nodded and sprinted after the robber. Step! Step! Step! The boss fled at a breakneck pace, weaving through the wreckage of cars and debris. Just ahead, a Tier-2 Watcher happened to cross his path. The moment their eyes met, fear flashed across the Watcher''s face. Before the poor man could react, the robber lunged, snatching him by the throat and hoisting him into the air. "HELP... ME!" the Tier-2 operative choked out, his legs kicking frantically above the ground. The Tier-3 pursuer caught up just in time to see his comrade dangling helplessly, the robber''s fingers tightening around his skull. A sickening crack filled the air. Crack! "No..." the Tier-3 Watcher whispered in horror. "LET HIM GO, YOU MONSTER!" he bellowed, raising his sword. "I''LL KILL YOU!" The robber chuckled darkly, his grip tightening. "Times have changed. In this new era, the weak have no place. They''re nothing more than insects crushed beneath the strong." CRACK! The Tier-2 Watcher''s head caved in, blood and brain matter spurting between the robber''s fingers. His lifeless body fell limply to the ground. The Tier-3 Watcher froze, his sword trembling in his grip. His mind screamed at him to move, but shock rooted him in place. His knees nearly buckled as tears welled in his eyes. Elena arrived at the scene. The moment she laid eyes on the mangled corpse of her comrade, rage exploded inside her like an uncontainable fire. Her voice thundered with fury. "I''M GOING TO RIP YOU INTO PIECES AND FEED YOU TO THE DOGS, YOU SICK FUCK! I SWEAR IT!" The Tier-3 Watcher snapped out of his daze, his grief transforming into a burning hatred. He charged at the robber, his sword gleaming under the dim city lights. "DIE, YOU BASTARD!" CLANG! The robber caught the sword with his bare hands, his smirk never fading. With a casual shove, he sent the Watcher staggering backwards. "You talk too much." Elena wasted no time. She formed hand signs, channelling her spiritual energy. Talisman seals ignited in the air around her, glowing with raw power. Whoosh! Whoosh! She unleashed a barrage of spiritual attacks. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! Boom! BOOM! The ground trembled from the impact, debris flying in all directions. The robber clicked his tongue. "Tch. No time for this." He slammed his fist into the ground. Crack! The pavement shattered beneath him, creating an opening to the underground sewer system. Whoosh! He vanished into the darkness below. Elena cursed. "Damn it! GO AFTER HIM! We can''t let him escape!" Within minutes, helicopters roared into the area, their searchlights sweeping the streets. VROOM!! PAT! PAT! PAT! ???? The city was in lockdown. Meanwhile, in a dark alley... Kent crouched in the shadows, watching the unfolding chaos from afar. "So he took the sewer. That means... he should come out from" His eyes flicked toward a nearby exit. "Right there." He sprinted along the building rooftops, moving swiftly to intercept. At that moment THUD! Kent slammed into someone at the corner of the building. Both of them staggered. Kent cursed. "What the fuck?!" The robber, panting heavily, wiped his brow. "Huff... Huff... Hey, kid, watch where you''re going!" Kent instinctively prepared to attack, but before he could move Whoosh! A sword came flying out of nowhere, piercing straight through the robber''s shoulder. BAM! The force of the impact hurled him into a wall. The robber let out a pained growl. "ARGH!" The wall cracked under the impact, sending rubble scattering. Kent barely had time to react before the robber''s body crashed to the ground right next to him. "What the f?!" His focus slipped for a second. Fizzle His spiritual cloak flickered and dropped. The Tier-3 Watcher landed nearby, stepping toward the robber. His voice was cold and unforgiving. "I planned to take you alive. That''s why I only aimed for your shoulder. But after what you did... I''ll make you beg for death." The robber, groaning, looked up. "Shit If I hadn''t run into that kid, I could''ve gotten away..." Then something clicked. "Wait That kid. He didn''t even flinch when we collided" The robber''s eyes narrowed. He''s not normal. With no other choice, he gritted his teeth. "Looks like I have to use that technique." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strange stone. Kent, still partially concealed, muttered, "Hey, you two continue fighting. Don''t mind me. I''m just an observer." Suddenly +999 SP copied from Stone (Watcher). +999 SP copied from Raka (Robber). Kent scratched his head and awkwardly grinned. "Uh... Believe me, I have an important mission here. You guys go ahead." Both fighters stared at him. The Watcher thought: That bastard brought back up. He''s planning an ambush. The robber thought: Fuck! Another one?! And he''s a master of stealth...! The robber grinned darkly. "Doesn''t matter. I''ll kill you both and enjoy my money afterwards." He crushed the stone in his palm. Immediately, a violent surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body. WHOOSH! Wind howled. The air crackled with power. "Shit!" The Watcher''s eyes widened. "He''s trying to break through into Level C forcefully!" The robber let out a primal scream. "ARGHHHHH!!" His muscles bulged. His veins pulsed. The ground beneath him split apart. The Tier-3 Watcher clenched his fists. "If he succeeds we''re fucked." "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" The robber roared as his body underwent a terrifying transformation. Kent exhaled. "...Well, shit." Chapter 45 MY First kill of a human being. The twilight sky casts long shadows over the city as Miss Elena Rivers races through crowded streets, her heart pounding urgently. Still reeling from her earlier rescue, she pushes herself to catch up with the Tier?3 Watcher. As she rounds a corner, she notices a surreal sighta swirling mass of spiritual energy gathering in an abandoned square, its eerie glow illuminating shattered glass and crumbling concrete. Without hesitation, she quickens her pace, determined to uncover the source of the disturbance. BOOM! The sound echoes off nearby buildings as she arrives at the scene. There, in the centre of the chaos, a desperate robber is engaged in a dangerous act: he is forcefully straining against the limits of his cultivation in a bid to break through to Level C. His eyes burn with both fear and reckless determination. "Damn itI''m late! This guy is trying something extremely dangerous. If he fails, he''ll become a human bomb," he shouts, his voice trembling with both adrenaline and dread. The weight of his words hangs in the air as the unstable spiritual energy threatens to surge uncontrollably. The energy radiates from his body like an ominous aura, its pulsating force ready to burst forth and obliterate everything within an entire city block. The raw power suggests that nothing beneath the threshold of a Level?D cultivator would survivenot even those with modest abilities would be spared from its devastating impact. Elena''s eyes narrow as she scans the scene. "It will be incredibly difficult to stop him now," she thinks, her mind racing with strategies. "Wait, who is that guy? Why can''t I see his face?" The mysterious figure''s hooded silhouette suggests he is from the notorious Dark Allianceclearly, a deliberate attempt to conceal his identity. Not far from her, Kent stands between the Tier?3 Watcher and the robber, his muscles tense and his eyes locked on the unfolding confrontation. He internally muses. This guy is tough, but he''s pushing himself to level up. How am I supposed to defeat him if he succeeds? The tension in the air is palpable, punctuated by the relentless churning of spiritual energy. Amid the chaos, dust and shards of broken concrete swirl in the winda testament to the raw power unleashed in this battle. The sound of the wind, carrying with it the echoes of destruction, fills the space. Wind! Wind! A Tier?3 Watcher member, his face etched with determination and fatigue, brushes the dust from his eyes. "Damn itI was pushed far back by that force," he curses under his breath. "No one in this metro city will defeat him if this continues." His gaze falls upon Miss Elena, whose arrival has added a spark of hope to the dire situation. "Cover me, Elena! We have to stop him at all costs!" he shouts, urgency lacing every word. With that, both he and Elena surge forward into the fray. Without missing a beat, Elena hurls her talisman paper with practised precision. "Roger that, comrade!" she calls out, her voice steady despite the chaos. Whoosh! The robber reacts with equal speed, swinging his handnow wreathed in a fierce, flickering aura of spiritual energyto deflect the incoming talisman papers. They scatter into the air and explode in brilliant bursts of light. Boom! Boom! Boom! sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just a little more, ElenaI''ll finish this. Hold on," declares the Tier?3 Watcher as he shifts his stance. "I''m going to use my blood manipulation superpower." His tone is grim; he continues, "It''s extremely exhausting, which is why I rarely resort to it. It only works with my own bloodI had to cut myself. Give me a second!" He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a small, worn knife. With swift determination, he makes a deep incision on his hand. The pain is evident on his face, but his focus never wavers. With his other hand, he makes a precise gesture to control the blood flow as it gushes out like a fountain. The scarlet liquid gathers around his head, coalescing into a shimmering ball that splits into five distinct parts. From each part, he forms a blood speardeadly projectiles aimed squarely at the robber''s head. Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! The robber instinctively adopts a defensive posture, his eyes widening as he scoffs, "Do you think this is enough to defeat me? You must be joking. What can a few blood spears do to a strength-type user? My body is as hard as iron." His voice carries both confidence and a hint of defiance, even as he braces against the incoming attack. Simultaneously, another Watcher executes a cunning manoeuvre. While distracting the robber, he channels his own blood toward a concealed sword. In a display of swift alchemy, his blood transforms into the shape of a hand. This newly formed blood hand slips silently behind the robber, finding its mark by piercing an earlier wound on the robber''s shoulder. Stab! "ARRRGGHHHH!" the robber bellows in agony as he crumples to his kneesblood streams from his wound in torrents, resembling water gushing from a broken tap. "Pouring!" cries the Tier?3 Watcher, now barely holding onto consciousness as he sits on the ground. "Elena, attack him quicklyI can do little more now. Most of my blood is gone, and I might collapse at any moment." Before Miss Elena can launch her next move, the robber''s gaze fixes on Kentour main characterwho has been observing the chaotic struggle. "What the hell! I''m going to die here, and that guy from the Nexus hasn''t done anything until now. He must be too weak to intervene," the robber jeers bitterly. Kent, taken aback by the unexpected accusation, thinks, Why is he directing his anger at me? I haven''t even attacked yet! His confusion is momentary, for in the blink of an eye, the robber suddenly charges directly at him. "Get out of my way!" the robber bellows, his voice laced with madness. "Have you lost your mind because you couldn''t complete your level-up? He''s the one who attacked you!" He points accusingly at the fallen Tier?3 Watcher, his gesture desperate and erratic. Barking furiously, the robber continues, "I''m going to die soonbut before I do, I''ll kill one more government watchdog. My final act will be to take down a weak ant!" With that, he charges at Kent, and his fist is enveloped in a swirling mass of spiritual energy. "Die for megive me one last moment of pleasure!" he roars, unleashing the full force of his attack. Kent''s mind races as he assesses the oncoming blow. Damn, this attack... this momentumit might be a Level?C cultivator strike. I have to counter, or I''m as good as dead! Every muscle in his body tenses in preparation. In that crucial moment, Kent recalls the invaluable teachings of the old man Xian Yu. The voice of his mentor echoes in his mind: "That''s the wrong stance, Kent! Stand firmpress your feet into the ground, channel your strength through your legs, waist, and arms. Only then can you strike or defend with full power. Make everything fall under your control!" Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kent murmurs to himself. My control is the key to success. He channels the ancient wisdom into his very being and gathers his spiritual energy until his fist begins to glow with a flash of radiant, sun-like brilliance. "Come now, criminal!" he shouts, his voice resolute as he steps forward to meet the charge. In a synchronized moment of violent beauty, Kent bends forward and unleashes a powerful punch at the robber''s hand just as the latter''s fist meets his own. The collision of their strikes sends shockwaves through the air, and the clashing spiritual energies merge into a shimmering barrier that encases both fighters. BOOM! The impact generates a sudden, forceful gust that momentarily blinds Miss Elena, who is still poised with her talisman paper. "What a strong airflow," she exclaims, marvelling at the raw power on display. "If I weren''t a Level?C cultivator, I''d have been blown away!" At the same time, the struggling Tier?3 Watcher clings desperately to the ground, his strength nearly spent as he fights against the wind''s relentless pull. "Damn it what just happened?" he mutters, barely audible over the fading roar of energy. As the turbulent winds finally subside, the Watcher''s eyes widen in disbelief at the sight before him: the robber''s hand lies shattered on the ground, with a significant portion blown clean away. His wrist is entirely obliterated, leaving only exposed, jagged bone in its wake. The robber''s cry of pain is guttural and heart-wrenching, "ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! My hands you bastard!" His voice, now a mix of fury and agony, reverberates through the silent aftermath of the battle. Chapter 46 A New Companion For Nima. --- Blood dripped onto the ground from his exposed bones. He couldn''t believe that the man he''d always thought was weak had done this to him. Dip! Dip! Kent glared at the robber. In the robber''s eyes, Kent appeared as the devil himselfcome to punish him for his misdeeds. Kent maintained his fierce expression, determined not to reveal his inner panic. He still couldn''t believe that he had become this strong after levelling up. He could easily defeat an almost Level?C cultivator with one punch. Have I become the one-punch man?! I don''t want to go bald, he thought. The Tier?3 Watcher observed everything in awe. How could Kent deliver such a devastating attack with his fistdestroying the robber''s hands so effortlessly? There was no record of anyone in the metro city being this powerful. "Hey! Who are you? What''s your connection with the robber? Answer me quickly!" the Watcher barked at Kent. Kent panicked. No wayI can''t take on two Level?C cultivators at the same time while maintaining my spiritual clock technique. Miss Elena knows me. If anyone sees me drop my spiritual clock, it''s all overthe government will take me! "SOUL SLASHER, come out!" Kent commanded. "I don''t have timeGO finish the robber with Ember Slash!" The Soul Slasher burst forth, slicing directly through the robber''s chest with Ember Slash and leaving a gaping hole that extended out his back. Whoosh! Slash! The robber''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. (+1999 SP from the robber. [Death]) The Tier?3 Watcher noticed Kent''s flying daggerand then a flying sword. "Wait this this is a flying sword! Is he a Level?C? A secret Level?C cultivator master in this town? Who knows the Sword Aura Control Technique? We haven''t seen anything like this before. This is going to be very bad if he starts killing people left and right." "Hey, you! Answer me! Who the hell are you? Why are you here in this city? What do you want?" he demanded. "Elena, we have to capture himhe might be very dangerous. We can''t let him escape from here," another voice insisted. Kent leapt onto the roof and began sprinting using his flashing steps, vanishing instantly. "Wait a minutewhere did he go? He was here just now," Miss Elena remarked. "He jumped onto the roof and used some footwork technique to run away. He was swift." "You didn''t see him because he took advantage of all the dust around here. He might be a member of the DARK ALLIANCE. We need to inform headquarters quickly," an observer added. Whosh!! Step! Step! ???????????? Kent running away!! Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Elena, Kent can fight a fake Level?C cultivator and even control a flying swordhe''s a Level?C cultivator himself. We need to find him as soon as possible!" A few minutes later HUFF! HUFF! I managed to run away quicklydashing in the opposite direction of my house so they''d search in the wrong area. I decided to stop my spiritual clock and then catch a bus on my way back home. "System, why didn''t you reward me? Don''t tell me I didn''t finish the mission!" I muttered as I boarded the bus. Ding! The reward was already giventhe notification hidden from a host who, apparently, is too blind to notice its details! "Hey, system! Don''t mock me!" I yelled. "The government almost caught me because of your mission!" (+199 SP from xxx.) "Hey! Kid, we''re sleeping. Stop yelling!" came a voice from the back of the bus. "Oh! I forgot I''m on a bus. I need to keep quiet. Sorry, Uncle!" I replied. "Let me see the reward," I murmured with a smirk as I rubbed my hand. System Notifications: Congratulations, host. Mission: Defeat the robber boss. Status: Complete Reward: A spiritual pet egg. Condition: The host must sit on the egg for a total of 240 hours to hatch it. Note: The host''s sister can also contribute to the hatching task because of the bloodline connection. "What the hell, system! You want me to become a chicken? Why didn''t you say what kind of egg this is? I even need to sit on it for 10 days straight to hatch it. If I only sit on it for one hour a day, it''ll take 240 days to hatch!" At least one thing was promisingNima could also participate in the hatching. But will she? Let''s think about that laterI''m almost home. "Hey, system! Where is my Level Up reward? I''m supposed to get a reward for levelling up my cultivation. I don''t see any notifications" Ding! System Notifications: The reward is prepared, but the host must wait for it. "System, why are your rewards always delayed? Other systems in novels, manga, and anime give rewards instantly!" I grumbled. Sigh! "This is my stop. Hello, sir, bus driverplease drop me off. My destination has arrived!" After stepping off the bus, I found my house cloaked in darkness. Nima was sleeping. "How long has it been?" I wondered, checking the time. 1:00 AM! "Shit! It''s past midnight. I was out for hoursbut it felt like only a few minutes. Let''s wake Nima up. I have a great idea!" I thought. Knock! Knock! "Nima! Nima! Wake upget up quickly! I need to take you somewhere. If you want to tidy up, do it fast because we don''t have time. Wake up!" I smirked to myself. He, he, he! The watchers are probably gone by now. I need to take Nima to that location quickly. Nima, ever resourceful, gathered the robber''s soul and transformed it into her servanta fake Level?C cultivator servant. It was a promising opportunity for her. Bang! A pillow smacked into my face. "Kent! You said you''d be back soon. I waited for you while I was hungryI wanted to eat together. But don''t come! I eat alone and then go to bed. Now I''m sleeping, and you''re disturbing me!" (+999 SO from Nima [frustration and anger]) "???? What do you want? Do you want me to cook dinner for you? I''m not doing that. You go cook dinner! I''ll eat again laterand cook for me too! Hurry up!" I replied, "Come on, my little princess. I''m sorryno, Your Highness, I have a gift for you. Come with me; we''re going out for a bit." Nima''s anger subsided slightly at the sound of me addressing her as "Your Highness." She asked, "Why are we going out at midnight? Give me the gift." "I''m taking you to capture a spirit. I know a good placelet''s go, hurry up! If we''re late, the spirit might disappear!" Nima retorted, "It''s better not to be an ugly bear again. OtherwiseI''ll run away from home!" "Yawn! Don''t worryit''s a good thing. You can let the new spirit absorb your soul bear. You may have one spirit, but it''s better to keep the stronger one." "No," Nima replied. "I have more space in my black hole now. I can have more! I even grew bigger when I reached Level?E cultivator!" What! Really? I thought to myself. She could now have two soul servants. After capturing the robber''s spirit, she''d have one Level?E and one fake Level?C servantand she herself was Level?E. Damn, she was becoming very overpowering. I have the systemI''m supposed to be the main character! After a while, I took Nima to the place where I had killed the robber. "Nima, use the spiritual clock and wait for me here. I''ll go check if there''s anyone around," I instructed. I scanned the entire block and then called out, "Come herecan you feel anything? Any spirit here?" "Nima replied, "Yes! I can see a black ball floating hereit''s a spirit or a soul. Do you want me to catch it?" "Yes, do it. It''s a fake Level?C cultivatorand it''s human, too. It will be your bodyguard from now on." Chapter 47 A plan for future and robbers Memory. --- Nima used her Soulbinder power, summoning four black spiritual chains ?? that pulled the robber''s soul into her black hole. "I got him, Kent. What''s next?" she asked confidently. "What? You captured him that easily?" Kent replied, astonished. "Of course! I''m a genius. What did you expect?" Nima said with pride. "Now, what do we do?" "Let''s get out of here quickly," Kent said. "We need to go home. Then we''ll test your new servant." They swiftly left the location and returned to their home. Meanwhile, after leaving the battle area, Miss Elena and Stoneboth Tier-3 Watchersreported the incident to the NEXUS and WATCHER headquarters. "There has been a Level-C unknown cultivator in Metro City," Miss Elena said, her voice serious. "He''s possibly a Dark Alliance member. The robber used a Dark Alliance technique to level up forcibly. The unknown cultivator killed him to prevent any information from leaking." In a room full of monitors, several people dressed in black coats, along with some government officials in suits, sat around a round table, discussing the incident and reviewing video footage. Liam, a Level-B cultivator from Nexus, spoke first, his eyes glued to the screen. "It''s definitely a Level-C cultivator. Based on the footage, he seems to be strength-oriented, and his sword technique suggests he''s been practising a specialized style." SLAM! Jade Monroe, another Level-B cultivator from Nexus, smashed the table in frustration. "What''s there to discuss? Why are you two hesitating, Logan and Liam? I''ll go and catch the Dark Alliance member myself. I''ll bring him back. I need to go to Metro City now. Get ready, I''m coming!" Yang Li, another Level-B cultivator, holding a brush in his hand, added, "I''ll send over some of my beast talisman paper. Go after that Dark Alliance member. They''ve killed many across the country trying to seize the ruins and pocket dimension." Logan, the leader of Nexus and a Level-B cultivator, spoke with authority, his voice calm but firm. "Alright, Jade. You go. But listen carefully. Don''t cause any problems this time. You always manage to mess things up. And don''t act greedy. I know why you''re so eager to go to Metro Citythe ruins will be opening soon." Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back at Kent''s house, Nima and Kent stepped inside. Kent''s mind was racing with ideas. He could create the most substantial organization in the world using the physique enhancement fruits. However, two things were holding him back: First, the money required to handle such an organization. He didn''t have enough yet, but the robber''s hidden wealth could help. Second, he needed a strong cultivator as the leader, someone loyal to both him and Nima. Kent knew he couldn''t leadat seventeen, no one would take him seriously. He had to stay hidden, his power a secret. But now, with the robber''s money and Raka as their servant, both problems might be solved. Kent turned to Nima. "Summon the robber, Raka. Let''s access his memory. We need to find out where he hid the money. With that, we can build our team and make them loyal to us." Nima summoned the robber, and his form materializedblack, shining with spiritual energy. But Kent''s expression shifted. Something was off. The robber''s spiritual power didn''t feel the same as before. "System, use appraisal on Raka," Kent ordered, a frown crossing his face. Ding! Name: Raka Status: Soul Servant of Soulbinder Nima Cultivation: Level-D (middle) Physique: Level 4 Skill: Strength C Double the average "Damn it," Kent muttered under his breath. "His level dropped. Could it be because of the forced level-up technique he used with that stone? But still, it''s not bad. We can level him up using the Soul Refinement Orb." Kent paused, noticing something else. "Wait... why is he only wearing underwear? What the hell, Nima? Where''s his clothes?!" "What are you yelling about, Kent?" Nima replied, raising an eyebrow. "You told me to summon him. I summoned him. Why are you acting like you''ve never seen a spirit before?!" Kent walked closer to Nima, frowning. "I didn''t take you out at midnight to capture a powerful spirit just to satisfy some strange hobby of yours. Why is he only wearing underwear?" "Why would a dead person need clothes?" Nima countered, laughing. "And he looks like a fighter from WWEall muscles. I gave him the WWE look. What''s wrong with that?" Kent rubbed his temples. "What will people think when I use him as the leader of an organization? He can''t just wear underwear. I need him to look like a boss." "Nima, give him some clothes. A suit or something!" "No way," Nima replied stubbornly. "I want him to look like the WWE. You know nothing, Kent. The most important thing in life is to be happy. And I''m happy with how my servant looks. Why are you complaining?" Kent sighed. "If you need a big boss, I''m available for the job. I always wanted to be the big boss. You want me to give my soul servant that position? Not happening." With a huff, Nima turned to the fridge, singing to herself as she grabbed a snack. "I want some food. Some food for my tummy. I don''t have a mummy. When my brother cooks food, my tummy will be full." "La La La Lah~~" "Nima," Kent called out, shaking his head. "Listen to me. I''ll give you a lot of money if you let him be the big boss. You can buy all the snacks you want with that money. How much do you want? It doesn''t matter if he becomes the big boss of the group." "You''re the boss, Kent," Nima replied thoughtfully. "That makes you the real big boss. He''ll be your manager. Like those TV shows, you know? A hidden big boss, pulling all the strings while the manager does all the work." Nima paused for a moment, imagining the possibilities. Then, she smiled evilly. "Alright, Kent. I''ll let you use him however you want. But I want enough money for one month''s worth of all my favourite snacks. Deal?" Kent grinned widely. "Deal! No more discussion. Now, go ahead and check his memory. Let''s see where the money is hidden and how much. Hopefully, it''s enough to create an 8-10 person team. I can level them up with physique enhancement fruits." A few seconds later, Kent asked impatiently, "How is it, Nima? Can you see anything? How long will it take?" "I can''t see anything," Nima replied, a frown crossing her face. "Nothing''s coming into my mind. What should I do, Kent?" Chapter 48 A Powerful Cultivator comes to the Metro city. --- Kent paused, a flicker of realization crossing his mind. System, help me out here. How does the memory-watching skill work? Ding! Host''s sister, Nima, needs to close her eyes to view the memory of her soul servant. Kent, eager to impress Nima and act like the big brother he wanted to be, stroked his chin, mimicking the wise old man, Xian Yu. "Nima, close your eyes. Try watching Raka''s memory." Nima''s eyes widened. "WOW!! You''re such a genius, Kent! If I don''t close my eyes, I''ll see his memory. Let me try again. Good idea, Kent!!! ????" With a determined look, Nima shut her eyes and focused. As she did, a stream of memories began to unfold before her. The last thing she saw was how Kent had defeated Raka, followed by visions of Raka''s crimeshow he killed many people and where he hid the money after robbing the bank. But there was a strange voidnothing before the robbery. The memories were blank, like a dark abyss. "I found where he hid the money, Kent," Nima exclaimed. "But there''s nothing before he robbed the bank. Everything is empty!" Kent gave a thoughtful nod. "Your lunch was amazing, Nima. It feels like I''m watching an anime too! But this guy, Raka he''s a bad one. What if his enemies come after us when we make him the big boss?" Nima looked sceptical. "Don''t worry, Kent. We''ll make sure he never shows his face again. We''ll appoint someone else as the vice leader to handle things. Raka will only be called upon when we need help. Don''t stress; you''re the big brother, and you''ve got it all figured out." Kent chuckled, relieved. "Exactly! Now, get some rest. I''ll cook something for us to eat." Nima grinned mischievously. "You cook, I''ll relax. It''s almost morning anyway, and I''m hungry after all this soul-searching." Kent sighed but gave in. "Alright, alright! I''ll cook, but you should help me." Nima smirked. "No need, I''ll leave it to you. Raka will help you." She turned toward Raka, who was standing nearby, awaiting his orders. Raka stood silently, ready to follow instructions. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Kent headed off to the kitchen, Xian Yu appeared, calling him for training. Kent quickly excused himself, and Nima hid Raka, making sure everything was in order. Kent left with Xian Yu, but before he went, Nima waved him off from the window. Behind her, Raka silently observed, standing still. Location Change C School Grounds: At school, Kent noticed a murmur in the air. Everyone seemed preoccupied with their phones. Curious, he approached Ethan, who was busy checking his device. "What''s going on? Why is everyone so excited?" Kent asked, intrigued. Ethan looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Haven''t you checked your phone today? Last night, the Watcher released a video offering a reward for anyone who can identify a certain person." Kent frowned. "What video?" Ethan showed him a clip. "This one. It''s about a Level-C cultivator who defeated the robber from last night. The strange part? They say this cultivator lives in our city, but neither Nexus nor Watcher has been able to locate him." Kent raised an eyebrow. That''s convenient. My spiritual clock technique will keep me safe. Ethan continued. "They''re asking anyone who recognizes him to come forward, but with just his height and body shape, how can anyone identify him? It seems like an impossible task." Kent thought to himself, relieved. Great! No need to worrymy spiritual clock technique is OP! Ethan then lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of mystery. "By the way, there''s something else. A Nexus cultivator is coming to our school today. He''s been assigned to oversee Metro City. My family and other big families are trying to avoid him." Kent frowned in confusion. "Avoid him? Isn''t having a connection with Nexus a good thing?" Ethan chuckled dryly. "You don''t know? Every major family in the city knows that interacting too much with him is a bad idea. He''s obsessed with money, but the problem is that he''s terrible at keeping it. People who get too close to him end up losing money. It''s like he has bad luck with wealth. There''s even a rumour that bad luck is his superpower, though he never admits it." Kent''s curiosity peaked. "He''s coming to our school?" "Yep," Ethan confirmed. "He''s also in charge of the new cultivation college Nexus is planning to build in the area." Kent nodded, absorbing the information. "Got it. But I have one questionhow do you know all of this secret information? You''ve never told me which clan you belong to." Ethan didn''t answer, avoiding Kent''s gaze. "Let''s go. We need to gather on the field to welcome the Nexus leader." The wind suddenly picked up, and Kent felt a powerful spiritual energy pressure envelop the area. This aura it feels familiar. It''s similar to what I felt when the Nexus leader visited Grandpa Xian Yu. Kent''s eyes narrowed. If this is the Nexus leader in charge of our city, I''m sure he could''ve taken down the robber in one move. I might think I''m strong, but compared to these Level-B cultivators, I''m nothing. A moment later, a fit yet slightly overweight man jumped down from the school rooftop. He landed gracefully on the PT stage, and despite his size, the landing was as light as a feather, with no sound or crater. The man raised his arms, shouting, "Everyone, gather in a line! Anyone who wants my autograph, form a line!" The students stood in stunned silence. The man, now looking a bit embarrassed, cleared his throat. "Ahem! Hello, students! It''s nice to meet you all. I''m your new principal for the special class. I hold a high position in Nexus and Watcher. My name is Jade Monroe, but you can call me Principal Jade." He launched into a long-winded speech. "You are the future of this country. You must cultivate well and follow all orders diligently" Halfway through, his speech faltered. He paused, trying to remember the next line, but his mind went blank. "I I hope you all um contribute to society well" A heavy silence fell over the crowd. ???? Jade Monroe scratched his head awkwardly. "Forget it! Everyone, stand at attention!" He snapped into a military salute. "Work hard! Make your country and your parents proud. That''s all! Dismissed! Go to your classes. Your teacher will have something important and interesting to share today." The students stood in shock. Their image of a powerful Nexus cultivator shattered. Is this really the Nexus leader? Is he our principal now? This is weird. Chapter 49 Final preparation for the ruins of an ancient graveyard. --- Inside the classroom, an atmosphere of eager curiosity hung in the air. The students exchanged quiet whispers, wondering what important news Miss Elena would deliver today. Kent turned to Ethan, his voice filled with casual interest. "Hey, Mr. All-Knowing, do you have any idea what important information we''ll be hearing today?" Ethan leaned back in his chair, tapping his finger against his chin thoughtfully. "I''m not sure, but I''ve got a hunch, and it''ll be something beneficial for us. I did hear that Nexus and Watcher are planning to increase the special class students'' cultivation levels." Kent raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with mild sarcasm. "Oh? It sounds like it''ll be useless to me then. I''m not like the others. The only thing that can help me level up is SP." His eyes narrowed in thought, frustration creeping into his voice. Why does everything good always go to someone else? Just then, Miss Elena entered the classroom, and the chatter quickly died down. She walked to the front and set her papers on the desk where Mike''s assignment was placed. The students sat up straighter, instinctively aware that whatever she was about to announce would be necessary. "Listen carefully, students," Miss Elena''s voice rang out, commanding attention. "In a couple of days, the ruins near the metro city will open." A ripple of excitement passed through the students, their interest piqued. "We plan to take you to the ruins for your cultivation. The opening stage of the ruin gathers an enormous amount of spiritual energy from the atmosphere. It''s a perfect environment for cultivating your abilitiesbut there''s a risk." The room grew quieter, the weight of her words sinking in. "We don''t know the exact moment when the ruins will open. So, if you happen to be in the area when it happens, you will be forcefully pulled inside. We can''t control this," Miss Elena continued, her gaze steady. Kent''s heart skipped a beat. Pulled inside? He swallowed, his mind racing. He wasn''t sure whether that sounded like an opportunity or a nightmare. "If you are pulled in, you might face dangers beyond anything you''ve encountered before," she added. "But if you can survive and cultivate there for at least two days, all of you will level up at least one minor level. For example, if you''re currently at Level E, you could move to Level E middle in just two days. If you have an A or B rank physique, your progress will be even faster, potentially crossing an entire major levelsuch as from Level-E to Level-D." She handed out a link to an online registration form. "Discuss this with your families. The day after tomorrow, we won''t be having any classes. We''ll take all the students who are willing to go. You''ll be able to register for the ruin cultivation event via the online form." Her tone shifted slightly, growing more serious. "Remember, there is danger involved. No reward comes without risk. So think carefully before you register." After the announcement, the class resumed its usual rhythm. Kent, however, was already lost in thought as he packed up his things. I''m definitely going. I know the ruins they''re talking about. It''s the same one I visited with Nima the other day. His mind spun with possibilities. I''ve read about these ruins in the World Alliance posts. Clearing a ruin can take over a week or more. You need to find the core and defeat the boss guarding it. There''s treasure insidevaluable items and a pocket dimension. But most importantly, it''ll help me grow stronger. I need more battle experience. I need this to hone my abilities. But there were preparations to be made first. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled map Nima had drawn for him earlier that morning. Raka hid the money here, in an old warehouse inside the ventilation system. Let''s get it. Kent followed the map''s directions, navigating the familiar paths until he reached the abandoned warehouse. Without hesitation, he entered and quickly grabbed the bag of money. The weight of it in his hands felt wrong. I''m not a thief, he thought, glancing around nervously. But I really need this money. A pang of guilt hit him. He couldn''t just take it. I know what it''s like to live without moneyhow hard it is. I can''t take this from someone else. His grip tightened around the bag, then loosened. No. I''ll earn my own money. I''ll build my own clan, my own future. He made up his mind. This money belongs to other people. I can''t just keep it. His thoughts raced. But I can''t just give it to the police directly... What if they''re corrupt? A plan began to form in his mind. I need to find someone trustworthy to handle this for mesomeone who''ll do the right thing. Miss Elena came to mind. She''s a Level-C cultivator. I trust her. He nodded to himself, feeling confident in his decision. I''ll call her and tell her where the money is. I can''t risk getting caught. Kent left the warehouse, buried the money in a secluded spot, and memorized the longitude and latitude of the location. With his mindset, he activated his spiritual clock, making his way to a nearby public phone booth. After calling Miss Elena and informing her of the money''s location, Kent let out a relieved sigh. Now, that''s taken care of. His next task was supplies. He needed waterlots of it. He visited a nearby superstore, purchasing five large 5-litre water gallons. He also grabbed several packs of non-perishable food, enough to last him a few days. All set! Kent thought as he checked his supplies. Now, I need to convince Nima. With everything ready, he returned home, feeling the weight of the upcoming days pressing on him. The ruins will be dangerous. But it''s an opportunity I can''t afford to miss. The following day, Kent set up a stall in the market to earn some extra SP. His sign read, "Earn SP Here!" but, unfortunately, sales were slow. He sighed in frustration. +19... +99... +79... +299... +333 SP... from various people Disappointed. +29... +89... +69... +299... +353 SP... from multiple people Disappointed. +69... +29... +99... +399... +533 SP... from numerous people Disappointed. Kent''s shoulders slumped. This is not going well at all. Still, he knew he had more important things to focus on. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 50 A public announcement by the most troublesome Nexus. Last night, Jade Monroe held a press conference with all the TV channels. Jade: I am sorry. What did you ask? I couldn''t hear it. Can you repeat it again? Reporter one: Can you tell me why you came to this city? He replied. I am in charge of this town''s security. You all know the incident with the robber. I am here to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. Also, Nexus and Watcher care very much about the education of the young generations. I am also here for that reason. We will build some cultivation colleges. We choose the metro city as the primary location for our dragon country. As the principal, I will oversee all the colleges. Snap! Snap! Snap! Jade: Take my photos from the left side. I look good from that angle. If someone posts a bad picture of me, I will look for you. Ha Ha Ha! I hereby officially declare that Nexus is going to educate all the youngsters of our Dragon County. I am in charge of all the students. CLANK! In the Nexus headquarters, "Why are you angry, Logan? Liam asked him while eating a bowl of noodles. What''s wrong!!" Please don''t ask me; see for yourself. This might be our biggest mistake for sending Jade to the metro city. We told him to keep the opening of the cultivation college project a secret. But he.! SIGH! Liam took the phone from Logan''s hands, and he saw Jade Monroe''s picture in the news. He is telling the world about the secret project. Jaw-dropping... News: Breaking news!!! Nexus Jade Monroe is in charge of the metro city, and the government is opening cultivation colleges. Liam was thinking, Damn, it. I felt he would do something crazy. But I never imagined this I can''t show my anger in front of Logan. Otherwise, he will tell me to fix everything. Let''s act normal. Ahem... listen, Logan, He is in charge there. I guess it''s reasonable for him to seek some stoplight. We all know how he thinks. I am sure he knows what to do. Let''s hope he doesn''t F?k up everything!! Back to KENT. He is also watching the Jade Monroe press conference on his phone. This guy is so Cringe!!! "Suddenly, He heard a voice asking how much for the stinky momos?" I am not selling. Go away!! ''I am out of stock. Wait a minute... this voice sounds very similar, he murmurs to himself.'' Why am I hearing the same voice from my mobile and behind my back? "Don''t tell me it''s the cringe headmaster!!" +199 SP from Jade Monroe (frustration). Kent looks back to see if his suspicions are true or not. He gets shocked seeing the fat man. It''s really him. Shock! Jade says. If you are out of stock, then how can I see steam coming out of the pots!! After coming to this city, I asked people about the most famous local food in this area. Everyone says there''s a new local food named Stinky Momos. I came to have a taste. Didn''t you see the news today? Don''t you recognize me!! I am on the news today. Kent quickly grabs the pot and gives Jade a box of stinky momos. I was joking, sir. Please take it. It will be 20 dollars. Jade eats one out of the box. Wow, this tastes so good. It''s worth coming here. Give me two more boxes. sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent replied. I am glad to hear that you liked it. Here, take it. That will be sixty dollars. Hey, young man, you look so familiar. Did I meet you before? Yes! I am one of the special class students. We met yesterday at the school field. When you gave your speech. Later, we met on the training grounds. You have a good memory, sir. Ohhh! What a coincidence. I am your headmaster. So I guess I don''t need to pay you. Come to me if you have any Cultivation problems. I will guide you personally. This food will be my tuition fee. Kent is thinking, how cheap- this guy is a Nexus, and he is trying to cheat me out of money. He wants a free meal. But I can''t say NO to him. I need those spiritual stones every month. If I say something, he might hold grudges. Tomorrow, I will join the ruins cultivation team. What if he removes me from the team? I want to get inside the ruins to collect some treasures. What should I do? "Let him leave without paying!!" SIGH! ???? The nearby uncle yelled at Jade Monroe. Hey, you dirty, fat man. What''s wrong with you? Kent is an orphan boy. He also has a little sister to look after who is somehow hungry all the time. Do you know how hard he works just to put food on the table? He pays all his bills for this business and attends school with the money. This is his only income source. How could you cheat him? Don''t you have any moral values!! Jade Monroe replied I am sorry, uncle. Please don''t yell at me, and I didn''t know. Today, I was in the news. Don''t damage my reputation. I don''t want to cheat him. I wanted to give him a chance to learn from me. You misunderstood me. Take this money, young man. I am sorry. I didn''t know that. You are a responsible young man. From now on, you will be my little Bro! I will help you with your cultivation. We will be bros forever. Tell that uncle to calm down. Kent said aren''t you supposed to be my teacher? How did we become bros? I am only 17 years old. How old are you? +999 sp copied from jade. (Embarrassment) Bro, I am just 35 years old. We, cultivators, can live hundreds of years. Now that the spiritual energy is back, we will live even longer. One day, we will become bros. "Why not now? Just call me, bro, in the future. Okay, I have some work to do. I will see you later, Bro!" Meanwhile, at home, Nima''s soul is leaving her body. She is lying on the desk in the front yard. I can''t take it anymore. I am hungry. Aunty Zhou, give me some food. The old man Xian Yu says. Nima, stop playing Possum with me. Do your homework. You still need to solve TWENTY more math problems before eating lunch. Xian Yu smirked with an evil look. He murmurs to himself. You mock me a lot for not being able to teach you math problems. I had to study again for you. Now, I will make you learn every type of math problem there is. Meanwhile, somewhere in the Northern country, a princess is preparing to leave her home and come to the Metro city. Her family is sending her to a college for cultivation. Her father ( Level-B ) holds a prominent position in the world alliance. He has many enemies, and that''s why he is sending her to Dragon County. He talked with Logan for her safety. ty Chapter 51 Meeting an old Friend but he Rejects me. --- Hah Hah Hah!!!! The old man, Xian Yu, laughs heartily, leaning back in his chair as he imagines his granddaughter, Nima, buried under piles of homework. You''ll get a taste of your own medicine soon enough, Nima. Slamm!! The heavy front gate of Xian Yu''s house creaks open with too much force, causing the rusted hinges to groan. A man''s voice booms from the doorway. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Long time no see, Xian Yu! How have you been?" Mr. Xian Yu, my old friend! I''m here to see you after all these years. I''ve missed you so much, especially during your last days! It''s me, Jade Monroe! Long time no see! Did you miss me?" Xian Yu pauses, his mind blanking for a moment as the man''s voice registers in his head. Wait... who is this? Why does my gut tighten with irritation just hearing this? His eyes narrow, scanning the overweight man in front of him. "Jade Monroe?" Xian Yu repeats, genuinely baffled. "What''s going on? I don''t remember anyone who looks like... this." The man laughs loudly, clearly enjoying himself. But Xian Yu''s words strike with the force of an arrow. "You... What? Why do I feel so angry hearing your voice?" His heart sinks as he realizes how genuinely unexpected this encounter is. He blinks at the man in disbelief. "What did you say your name was again?" The man''s cheerful expression falters for a second, but he quickly recovers. "I was shocked by your sudden appearance and your strange words." Jade Monroe''s face falls as he hears Xian Yu''s response. His heart shattershe had expected a warm reunion, even a hug, as if they were long-lost brothers. But instead, he receives nothing but cold dismissal. "You don''t remember me?" Jade stammers, his voice wobbling. "We spent over a year together in the first ruins that opened after the spiritual energy recovery. Only five years, Xian Yu! You forgot me? Did old age catch up to you? Is your mind failing you already?" Xian Yu''s brows furrow in deep concentration as he processes the words. Wait... first ruins? Over a year together? His eyes widen with sudden realization. "You... You''re Jade Monroe?" He exclaims, shocked. "How did you get this fat?" Ha ha ha! Jade laughs nervously, waving off Xian Yu''s blunt remark. "I knew you didn''t forget me! I''m honoured! You still care!" He grins widely, his laughter filling the air. "Let''s catch up like old times, yeah? It''s been forever! How''s life treating you, Xian Yu? Enjoying your retirement?" Xian Yu, trying to suppress a groan, rolls his eyes. How could I forget you? He mutters to himself. You nearly killed me a hundred times over. How could I ever forget the disaster you are? A flash of painful memories hits him. Jade Monroe is the man who triggered every trap in every ruin we''ve ever exploredthe one who stole other people''s food and got us into trouble at every turn. Everyone dreads going on an adventure with him. "You!" Xian Yu exclaims, a vein popping on his forehead. "You nearly caused my death a hundred times over! You were the one who made me suffer through all those ruins! People still avoid ruins because of you, you know!" Nima, who had been watching the scene unfold with wide eyes, stands up from her chair. This is her chance to shine, to finally get out of the endless homework cycle her grandfather insists on. With this fatso here, I can finally stop doing this boring homework! She raises her chin confidently and calls out. "Hey, mister! Did you bring a gift? You can''t come empty-handed after so long! It''s basic manners to bring something when visiting someone after years apart. Are you the type who likes to mooch off free food?" Just like me, Nima silently thinks with a smug smile. Xian Yu snorts, clearly amused by Nima''s boldness. "Ahem! Are you poor? If you''re looking for money, I suggest you leave before I whip some sense into you." Whip? Jade blinks in confusion. "Wait, kid, what are you saying? Whipping my butt? Is that a poem? What, are you trying to scare me with some weird poem? I''m not that educated in this stuff. It''s making me nervous!" Nima looks smug as Xian Yu chuckles softly, clapping Nima on the back. "Good job, kid. That''s the spirit!" They high-five each other, hands clasped behind their backs in a pose straight out of an action movie. Meanwhile, Jade, still shaking his head in bewilderment, sighs. "Anyway, I came to tell you about a new ruin opening near the graveyard mountains. It''s happening tomorrow. I wanted to invite you along. Let''s go, just like in the old days." Xian Yu, still clearly irritated, waves him off. "Thanks for the invite, but no thanks. I''ve retired now. I''m not running headfirst into a ruin to risk my life again. Enjoy it on your own, Jade. I''m good living the rest of my years in peace." Jade''s expression darkens briefly, but he quickly hides it behind a smile. "Your loss, old man. You were always so stubborn. I was going to share the loot equally, but if you''re not interested" He shrugs dramatically. "Well, suit yourself. Let me know if you change your mind. I''ve got work to do, anyway. Tomorrow''s the day. Goodbye, Xian Yu!" Later that afternoon, Kent returns home, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity. "Nima, I''m back. Let''s head home soon." They sit on the sofa as Nima eagerly recounts her day. "Grandpa tried to make me do double homework today. But then this fat guy shows up. His name''s Jade Monroe. Can you believe that? Grandpa was so mad, but I took advantage of the situation and skipped all my homework." Kent''s eyes narrow in concern. "Nima, you have to listen to me. Please don''t get involved with him again. Jade Monroe is from Nexus. He''s in charge of this city now and is my principal. He''s very powerfulLevel B cultivator powerful. He can do a lot more than we can handle." Nima shrugs nonchalantly. "Okay, okay. I''ll give him some snacks next time he comes. I get it, Kent. Don''t worry. When I become a big boss, I''ll protect you, okay? Now go cook dinnerI''m starving!" Kent chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Everything with you starts and ends with food, Nima. You''re a growing girl now, so you can help me cook tonight." "I will help!" Nima grins mischievously as she summons Raka. "Go, Raka! Help Kent cook for me." Kent sighs in exasperation. "Seriously? You''re hopeless, Nima. I told you to help, not summon your soul servant to do your chores. No more using Raka for housework! Got it? From now on, it''s all you!" The following day, Kent prepares to leave for the ruins. "Xian Yu and his wife will care for Nima while I''m gone. Have fun, all of you. I''ll be back with treasures!" Meanwhile, on a remote island, a secretive Dark Alliance meeting is taking place. The Dark Alliance, an organization that cultivates forbidden techniques, is a shadowy force working for the enigmatic ''supreme leader.'' The organization includes various clans and factions, each with its agendawhether for power, revenge, or chaos. All of them work toward a common goal under the supreme leader''s mysterious command. Chapter 52 Whispers in the Shadows All these people follow him for many different reasons. They all have their various purposes. These organizations and clan leaders rule their forces under one supreme leader. Drip... Drip... Drip... The sound of water echoed softly, an unsettling rhythm in the damp, dark hall. In the centre of an unknown island, a massive fortress rose ominouslya relic of ancient times, long forgotten by the world. Its obsidian spires scraped the heavens, jagged and unyielding as if they had once reached for the stars themselves, only to be cast down by time. Inside, the air was thick with an oppressive unease. The long hall stretched endlessly into darkness, illuminated only by flickering torches that barely lit the way. Shadows danced along the cracked stone walls, alive in their menacing way. The flickering light seemed to pull at the room''s edges, hiding more than it revealed. At the far end of the hall, a large stone table sat ominously, commanding the centre of the space. Around it, twelve hooded figures were seated, their faces hidden in the darkness. Their presence, heavy with tension, made the silence all the more unbearable. Thud! A hand, long and clawed, slammed onto the table, shaking the room. Several of the hooded figures flinched, their bodies instinctively recoiling at the force. From the shadows at the head of the table, glowing crimson eyes pierced through the darkness like twin infernos. The gaze alone was enough to freeze the blood of anyone who met it. "What happened to the Emerald Vein plan?" the man growled, his voice low and menacing, laced with an authority that seemed to crack the very air. It was as if the walls themselves were afraid of him, trembling in response. One of the hooded figures hesitated, his body tense, before rising to speak. "M-my lord...," he stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "We... we failed to achieve the desired results. The corruption did not spread as planned." The room grew colder still, as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees with every passing word. The fear was palpable, and everyone in the room could feel the leader''s violent aura tightening around them, squeezing the very air from their lungs. "Why?" The leader''s voice was a hiss, his crimson eyes narrowing in disdain. The man gulped, sweat pouring down his forehead. "I... I checked on the Black Vein Crystal, but it has disappeared. There was... an intruder. Someone breached the Emerald Vein facility and likely took it." A thick silence followed one that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. SWOOSH! In an instant, the leader''s hand shot out from the shadows, his claw-like fingers extending unnaturally long. With a terrifying swiftness, he grasped the man by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground, the fingers digging deep into his flesh. "You dare come to me with excuses?" The leader''s voice dropped to a deadly growl, his nails sinking into the man''s skin, drawing blood with a sickening sound. The pressure was crushing, suffocating. Swirl! "P-please, my lord... forgive me...!" the man gasped, his voice weak and desperate, his hands clawing at the leader''s iron grip, trying vainly to break free. CRACK! The sound of the man''s neck snapping echoed through the hall like a thunderclap, a final, dreadful sound that sent a ripple of fear through the remaining figures. His lifeless body was tossed aside like a rag doll, landing with a sickening thud against the cold stone floor. The other hooded figures sat frozen, paralyzed by fear. The silence that followed was deafening. "I gave you power," the leader''s voice cut through the stillness, icy and controlled. "I gave you techniques that no one in this world could even dream of. And yet... you fail me at every turn." The leader leaned back into the shadows, his glowing eyes scanning the room, each figure feeling the weight of his gaze. "Eighteen years. For eighteen long years, I''ve worked toward claiming the Emerald Vein. Eighteen years of patience, sacrifice, and cunning... only for it to be taken from me?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The room remained deathly quiet, none of the figures daring to meet his eyes, their heads bowed in fear and submission. "This world is a prison," the leader continued, his voice rising with anger. "A barren wasteland devoid of true power. I cannot stay here. The Emerald Vein was supposed to be the keythe core of the Ruins and pocket dimension was supposed to be my way out!" His fist slammed down onto the stone table with a force that shattered part of it, cracks spreading like a web across its surface. "The artefact core..." he murmured, eyes burning with obsession. "It lies in one of these Ruins, one of these pocket dimensions. It will give me the power to escape. To finally leave this forsaken place!" With a sharp motion, he turned toward one of his hooded followers, his voice dripping with venom. "You. Take a team to the Graveyard Mountains Ruins immediately." The figure nodded quickly, fear evident in every movement. "Yes, my lord. I will not fail you." The leader''s eyes flared brighter, like two living fires. "You had better not," he snarled. "Fail me, and your fate will be worse than his." He gestured toward the crumpled corpse of the man whose neck had just been broken. The figure bowed deeply, trembling in fear. "Understood, my lord." The leader leaned back once more, his clawed fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone table. Tap... Tap... Tap... "Find the intruder," he ordered, his voice like ice. "I want to know who they are, what they want, and why they dared to interfere with my plans. Leave no stone unturned." One of the hooded figures hesitated, a faint tremor in his voice. "My lord... it is possible the intruder is connected to Nexus. They have been actively monitoring the Emerald Vein and other sites of corruption." The leader''s eyes flared even brighter, his anger boiling over. "Nexus..." He spat the word, his voice dripping with disdain. "They''ve been a thorn in my side for far too long. Always meddling, always getting in my way." He leaned forward, a sinister smile creeping onto his shadowed face. "But let them come. Let them throw themselves into the fire." The hooded figures sat silently, nodding in unison. Their silence was not one of agreement but of fear. Fear of the supreme leader. "They''ll only pave the way for my ascension," the leader muttered darkly, his smile growing more with madness. The followers stood, moving quickly and deliberately toward the door. As the last of them left, the leader sat in the darkened hall, his glowing eyes fixed on the far wall. "Soon," he whispered, his voice barely audible, a promise of doom. "Soon, I will break free of this wretched place. And when I do..." His clawed fingers curled into a fist, his nails biting into his own flesh. "This world will kneel before me." Meanwhile, Somewhere along the Dragon County border, Logan, the leader of NEXUS and WATCHERS, stood on a quiet hilltop, his eyes closed in focus and concentration. His senses stretched outward, searching for somethinganything. Chapter 53 A new type of fire is found but Kent doesnt know. --- He was on the lookout for intruders. With every opening of a ruin or pocket dimension, numerous greedy individuals and foreign organizations swarmed to claim any treasure they could. While it wasn''t a problem to let them try their luck, there was always the risk of some going too farkilling weaker individuals to steal from them. That''s why the World Alliance had implemented strict rules: no one was allowed to enter a ruin or pocket dimension unless they were a member. This allowed the Alliance to hold people accountable for their actions. Those who caused harm would be dealt with swiftly. Rustle rustle The faint sound of movement reached Logan''s ears. He tensed. Another one. His eyes snapped open, honing in on the source of the disturbance. A surge of spiritual energy hit his sensesdefinitely a Level-B cultivator. "You are not allowed to enter," Logan''s voice rang out, firm and calm. "Turn back, or I will be forced to take action." The reply came swiftly, dripping with defiance. "The ruins of this world belong to all of mankind. Why should only World Alliance members be allowed entry? We refuse to join any organization. We value our freedom." Logan''s expression remained impassive. "The World Alliance does not restrict your freedom. It only requires you to be registered so that if you break the law, you can be held accountable. If you refuse to join, then you are a criminal. And there is no mercy for criminals." The unknown cultivator''s hands ignited with yellow fire, flames swirling around his fingers in preparation for an attack. "Then I will kill you and enter the ruins. You''re alone here. No one will know." Before the man could finish his sentence, Logan''s movements were a blur. With a flick of his wrist, his sword was drawn from its scabbard. Its gleaming blade caught the light, sharp enough to slice through the air as if it were nothing more than paper. Whoosh! A sword aura shot through the air, slicing towards the cultivator at lightning speed. The cultivator didn''t have time to react. The blade sliced clean through his neck, the impact too sudden to comprehend. What''s happening? The cultivator''s vision began to blur. Why am I He never finished the thought. The last thing he felt was the searing pain in his neck as his head plummeted to the ground. His body remained upright for a moment longer, the yellow flames in his hands expanding wildly before consuming him in a fiery explosion. SLAM! Logan, unbothered, kicked the decapitated head like a soccer ball into the growing flames. He watched with detached interest as the Level-B cultivator''s body was reduced to ash. When the fire finally died down, only a tiny, glowing yellow orb remainedabout the size of a tennis ball. It burned fiercely, unaffected by the destruction around it. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clank! Logan sheathed his sword and reached into thin air, pulling out a small spiritual box. He carefully collected the yellow fire, muttering to himself. "A treasure... This must have come from another ruin." He stored the orb within the box, then extended a thin spiritual line from his ring. The line wrapped around the box and pulled it into the ring, the spatial tool now holding the treasure. Spatial tools are artefacts with an inner space that can be used for storage. They are bound to the user''s soul and can only be transferred upon the user''s death or if someone stronger takes them. Back at the Graveyard Mountains, Jade Monroe stood on another hilltop, gritting his teeth in frustration. "That old man refused my offer. If he had agreed, we could have taken all the treasure together. What a waste." TSK! TSK! TSK! He clicked his tongue, annoyed, before pausing mid-thought. A sudden realization struck him. Wait a minute... I forgot something. What was it? His eyes widened. "Oh, right! My storage bag!" He cursed under his breath. "I need to grab it before I leave. Where else would I store all my loot?" With that, Jade turned around and hurried off to retrieve his forgotten bag. Meanwhile, on a bus full of students, Kent stared out the window, lost in thought. The rolling fields outside blurred as the bus rumbled along. Why hasn''t the system given me my level-up reward yet? Kent mused. If I get it before we reach the ruins, it could be helpful. Maybe it''ll help me inside... Suddenly, the familiar system sound rang in his mind, like the chime of a bell. Ding! The level-up reward is ready. Congratulations, host. Reward: SSS-Rank Architect of Creation. Details: The host can create and design objects, provided the materials are available. Kent''s eyes widened in disbelief. Another SSS-Rank skill?! The system really is overpowered! His heart raced with excitement, but quickly, his mind shifted to the next question. How do I use this new skill? System, how does this work? Tell me what I need to do. Ding! The host lacks the necessary materials, and the conditions for usage have not been met. The system will notify the host when the skill can be used. Kent sighed in mild frustration. So I can''t use it yet Fine, I''ll wait. But for now, let''s focus on the ruins. His eyes shifted to his right, where Ethan sat, half-asleep. The other students around them were either yawning or chatting idly, bored from the long ride. Mia Carter, as usual, was silent, lost in her own world. Kent nudged Ethan, a plan forming in his mind. "Ethan, wake up! I need to ask you something. Do you know what kind of treasures can be found inside a ruin? I''ve only seen vague references about them being full of treasure, but nothing specific." Ethan''s drowsy expression evaporated instantly as his eyes snapped open. "Ah, let me tell you!" he said, sitting up straighter, now fully alert. "There are many types of treasure you can find. Spiritual tools, powerful artefacts, spiritual resources like food and medicine, and even ancient cultivation techniques." Kent leaned in, eager to hear more. Ethan continued, "In the centre of the ruin, there''s always the corean artefact of unimaginable power. There''s usually a boss monster or guardian that protects the core. The area is filled with dangerous creatures, some ancient spiritual animals and others... well, inhuman." Kent listened intently, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "If you manage to take the core, the ruin will close forever," Ethan added. "But those cores are incredibly valuable. They''re the most powerful artefacts from ancient times. They hold unimaginable power, but because spiritual energy was absent for so long, they''ve weakened over time. As spiritual energy returns, however, these cores will regain their former strength." Kent''s eyes sparkled. I''ll take everything. Sell it all and get rich. Super rich. Ethan sighed, knowing exactly what was on Kent''s mind. "Be careful, Kent. There are people who kill others to take the treasure. Some even disguise themselves as World Alliance members just to get into the ruins. You have to watch your back." Kent nodded absently, still lost in his thoughts of treasure. Rich, rich, rich... Chapter 54 Kents Mischief Among Thousands --- Ethan says we are here. We are finally at the graveyard mountains. The bus driver pushed the break hard. Whoosh! Break! Kent says this is impressive. The area is covered with multiple army vehicles and hundreds of army officers guarding the entrance. The area is continuously observed by the army helicopter. WHIRL! PAAT! ???? Kent says to himself. Looks like I will make a fortune here. This place is covered with very thick spiritual energy. Ethan comes closer to Kent, saying. What are you waiting for? Hurry up, find a good place, and start cultivating now. Otherwise, you won''t find a good spot. Kent says. Don''t you want to enter the ruins? You guys go ahead. I will wander around a bit, and then I will join you guys. The graveyard mountains were alive with spiritual energy. Thousands of students from all corners of Dragon County had gathered, their conversations creating a symphony of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. They stood in groups, some chatting animatedly while others meditated, sitting cross-legged, mentally preparing for the cultivation. Kent stepped out of the bus, taking in the sight before him. It was a sea of people, all here for the same reason: the cultivation boost. But Kent''s mind worked differently. He can''t cultivate like others. "Thousands of students, all emotionally charged... If I play my cards right, I can rake in hundreds of thousands of SP in one go!" He smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Now, one spiritual fruit cost is One Million SP. Now, If I want to level up my cultivation. I need FIVE MILLIONS of SP points. I must take this opportunity to earn as much SP as possible. Kent''s first idea came to him as his stomach growled. He pulled out his famous stinky momos from system storage, wrapped neatly in a cloth. The moment he unwrapped them, the pungent smell wafted through the air. Phew! Sniff! Sniff! "What is that smell?!" a nearby student shouted, covering their nose. Someone pooped here. What the Fuck, who poop here? We are here for cultivation. The stench spread quickly, triggering a wave of reactions. "Ugh, what is that?!" "Who shit in an open area like this?" "My nose! My precious nose!" Kent casually popped a momo into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated delight. "Mmm, delicious," he shouted, earning glares from the students around him. Ding! +99 SP from Student A (Disgust). +88 SP from Student B (Annoyance). +77 SP from Student C (Confusion). The system notifications kept rolling in as more students caught a whiff of the infamous slinky momos. Kent grinned, muttering to himself, "This is too easy." Spotting a group of students meditating near a small stream, Kent''s mischievous mind sparked another idea. He casually walked to the stream and pretended to slip. Splash! Mud and water flew everywhere, drenching the meditating students. "Hey!" one of them yelled, glaring at Kent. "What''s your problem?!" Kent stood up, feigning innocence. "Oh no! I''m so sorry! I didn''t see the mud there because of the smell. I was distracted. Are you okay?" The students were too annoyed to believe his apology. Ding! +150 SP from Student D (Frustration). +120 SP from Student E (Anger). Kent bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. As Kent wandered through the crowd, he noticed a group of elite students boasting about their cultivation techniques. One of them loudly declared, "My family''s technique is the strongest in all of Dragon County!" Kent decided to test their patience. With a sly grin, he activated his fire aura and heated a small piece of dried chilli he had in his system storage. He brought some herbs to cook inside the ruins. Holding it near the ground, he released a burst of air that mimicked a loud farting sound. PFFFFFFT! The elite students froze. Their leader, the boastful one, turned red as everyone stared at him. "W-what was that?!" someone whispered. "Dude, did you just?" "It wasn''t me!" the leader shouted, his face burning with embarrassment. Ding! +199 SP from Elite Student (Humiliation). +89 SP from Bystander (Amusement). Kent casually walked away, trying not to burst into laughter. Kent''s next plan involved some sleight of hand. Spotting a group of students who had removed their shoes for meditation, he quietly snuck in and swapped their shoes with mismatched pairs. Minutes later, chaos erupted. "Where are my shoes?!" "These aren''t mine!" "Who switched them?!" Kent, pretending to help, handed out random shoes to confused students, earning annoyed glares and amused chuckles from the crowd. Ding! +120 SP from Student xxx (Irritation). +100 SP from Student xxx (Confusion). +150 SP from Student xxx (Amusement). Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he schemed, a familiar chime echoed in his mind. Ding! System Notification: "Host is in a densely populated area. Would you like assistance in creating a tool for widespread emotional reaction?" Kent''s eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued. "You''re suggesting I create something to mess up more with all these people?" System Response: "Correct. With the host''s SSS-Rank Architect of Creation, materials in this area can be utilized to design a functional item. Would you like to proceed?" Kent smirked. "Oh, you know me too well, system. Let''s do this. Guide me." Ding! "Analyzing surroundings... Materials identified: leftover stinky momos, spiritual herbs, moist soil, and an empty spiritual stone casing. Combining these can result in a Stinky Bomb." Kent pulled out his pouch and began gathering the suggested materials. Nearby students glanced at him suspiciously, but he waved them off with an innocent smile. "Alright, system," Kent muttered. "What''s the recipe?" System Notification: Base: Use the momo as the core. The leftover oils and smell will create the primary stink. Enhancer: Add shredded spiritual herbs to amplify the odour and trigger stronger emotional reactions. Binding Agent: Mix in moist soil to hold the ingredients together. Ignition Catalyst: Insert a fragment of an empty spiritual stone casing to create a small, controlled burst. Kent followed the instructions, his hands working quickly and efficiently. He wrapped the ingredients tightly, then he made a small flame in his finger, his hellfire heating the bomb slightly to seal it together. When he was done, he held up the small, lumpy object. It looked harmless enough, but the faint whiff of its smell was enough to make Kent wrinkle his nose. "Ugh," he said, holding it at arm''s length. "This thing is disgusting. Perfect." Before using it on a crowd, Kent decided to test the stinky bomb in a quieter area. He moved to a less crowded corner of the gathering and lobbed the bomb into a patch of bushes. BOOM! ???? The bomb exploded with a muffled pop, releasing a cloud of foul-smelling smoke that wafted through the air. Nearby students froze, their faces contorting in disgust. "Ugh, what is that?!" "Who let a skunk loose here?!" "I''m going to throw up!" Ding! +99 SP from Student xxx (Disgust). +88 SP from Student xxx (Annoyance). +77 SP from Student xxx (Confusion). Kent grinned as the system notifications rolled in. "This is a goldmine," he muttered. System Notification: "Host has successfully created the first Stinky Bomb. Would you like to improve its design for future use?" Kent tilted his head, intrigued. "What kind of improvements are we talking about?" System Response: "Possible enhancements include: Duration Boost: Increase the lingering effect of the smell. Range Expansion: Cover a wider area with the stench. Emotion Amplification: Trigger stronger emotional responses." "Emotion amplification, huh?" Kent says, his grin widening. "That sounds like my kind of upgrade. Let''s do it." The system guided him to add more spiritual herbs to the mix and refine the ignition catalyst. By the time he finished, he had three improved stinky bombs ready to go. Armed with his new creations, Kent wandered back into the crowd, looking for the perfect spot to unleash his chaos. He found a large group of students meditating near a quiet stream. "This''ll be fun," Kent whispered, tossing a bomb into the middle of the group. BOOM! ???? A cloud of putrid smoke erupted, sending the meditating students scrambling. "Ugh, what is that?!" "My nose!" "I think I''m going to die!" Ding! +150 SP from Group xxx, xxx, xxx (Collective Disgust). +120 SP from Student xxx (Frustration). +100 SP from Student xxx (Amusement). Chapter 56 The Ruins Open causing chaos. Kent casually walked away, biting back laughter. Next, Kent spotted one more group of elite students boasting loudly about their family techniques. He couldn''t resist. "These guys need to be humbled," Kent muttered, pulling out another bomb. He tossed it into their midst and waited. BOOM! ???? The elites froze as the smell hit them. "Who did that?!" one of them roared, his face red with anger. "This is an insult to my family''s honour!" Ding! +199 SP from Elite Student A (Humiliation). +150 SP from Elite Student B (Anger). As Kent continued his mischief, a Nexus and Watcher official approached the crowd, shouting for order. "Who is causing this chaos?!" the official demanded. Kent, the opportunist, pointed at a random student. "I saw him throw something earlier!" The accused student turned pale. "I-I didn''t do anything!" The crowd murmured, unsure of who to believe. Ding! +89 SP from Nexus Official (Irritation). +77 SP from Student F (Confusion). Kent grinned, enjoying every moment. But his SP farming didn''t last long. Some Tier-3 and Tier-4 Watchers, with all the teachers, were discussing something important. Jade Monroe was in the middle of the group. He gives an order by saying, We don''t have time. I will go to the ruins entrance. You should move the students quickly. We incorrectly calculated the opening time. If these young people get sucked in, many will die. Although we take permission from their parents, we can''t put them in danger like that. They will have their time soon. They need more training. Amidst the rising tension, a Tier-4 Nexus and Watcher official stepped onto a raised platform, his commanding presence instantly silencing the chaotic murmurs of the students. His spiritual energy amplified his voice, cutting through the crowd like a blade. "Attention, everyone!" his voice boomed, echoing across the field. "The situation has escalated. The ruins are becoming unstable and could open at any moment." Gasps rippled through the crowd, and panic began to bubble beneath the surface. "To ensure your safety, we are moving all students far away from the vicinity of the ruins," the official continued. "Form groups and board your buses immediately. Time is of the essence." He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd. "However, if the ruins open before we can evacuate, you must follow these rules: Stay with a group. Do not wander alone under any circumstances. Your teachers and Watcher officials will do everything in their power to guide and protect you. Do not act recklessly, or it will mean certain death." The crowd fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The official''s voice grew sterner. "Ruins are not a playground. They are ancient, unpredictable, and filled with dangers beyond your comprehension. Those who act without caution risk their lives and the lives of others." In the back, a hushed murmur spread among the students. Some were visibly shaken, some people pissed their pants, while others looked excited, their eyes gleaming with the promise of glory and treasure. "Stick with your class and teachers!" the official command. "Do not make this harder for us. Move to the buses immediately." Kent stood near the edge of the crowd, his mind racing. "If they''re evacuating us, how am I supposed to get into the ruins?" he thought, clutching his chest dramatically. "My treasures!" Kent whispered, his voice filled with exaggerated despair. "I can''t let all those ancient artifacts slip through my fingers." [This is karma for all the chaos I caused earlier, isn''t it? Said to himself.] +99 SP copied from Ethan (Annoyance). +77 SP copied from Mia (Amusement). Nearby, Ethan and Mia stood watching him, their expressions a mix of exasperation and curiosity. "Snap out of it, Kent," Ethan said, waving him over. "We have to find the rest of our classmates and head to the buses." Kent sighed, dragging his feet as he joined them. "Fine, I will help you." I won''t go with you guys. I have some work to do. [Kent thought, "I swear, if I miss the ruins opening because of this evacuation, I need to sneak inside the ruins somehow. I can do it with my spiritual clock technique."] Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You''re unbelievable. Do you even listen to yourself?" What work do you have here? This area has now turned into a danger zone. Let''s move. Mia, as usual, remained silent, her stoic expression betraying nothing. The trio weaved through the bustling crowd, searching for familiar faces. The air buzzed with nervous energy as students hurriedly formed groups, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of panic and determination. "Where''s Ryan?" Ethan asked, scanning the sea of students. Kent smirked. "Probably hiding somewhere, hoping the ruins don''t open." +99 SP copied from Ethan (Frustration). As they continued their search, Kent''s sharp eyes caught sight of Ryan huddled near the back of a bus, looking pale and jittery. "There he is," Kent said, pointing him out. "And he looks like he''s about to faint. Should I scare him for some quick SP?" Kent was lost in thought Ethan rolled his eyes. "Focus, Kent." What are you daydreaming about? Just as they regrouped with Ryan and a few other classmates, a deep rumble echoed through the ground. RUMBLE! The vibration was faint at first, like a distant thunderstorm, but it quickly grew stronger, shaking the very earth beneath their feet. "What''s happening?" a student cried out, their voice laced with fear. "The ruins!" someone shouted. "They''re opening!" Students became panicked. They started running left and right. The Nexus official''s voice boomed across the field once more. "Stay calm! Do not panic! Find your teachers and stay together!" The rumbling intensified, and cracks began to spread across the ground. A brilliant light erupted from the centre of the ruins, shooting into the sky like a beacon. "Shit," Kent muttered, his heart pounding. "It''s happening." Students scattered in every direction, some rushing toward the buses, others frozen in place. The Nexus officials and Watcher operatives scrambled to maintain order, their shouts barely audible over the deafening noise. "Everyone stay together!" Ethan shouted, his voice barely cutting through the chaos. Kent grabbed Mia''s arm, pulling her closer. "We need to move now!" Crack! With a deafening CRACK, the light from the ruins exploded outward, engulfing the entire area. The students screamed as the blinding brilliance consumed them, their forms vanishing one by one. "Stay close!" Kent yelled, reaching for Ethan and Mia, but the force of the light was too strong. "Ethan! Mia!" Kent shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the overwhelming noise. When the light finally faded, Kent found himself alone, standing in a desolate landscape. The air was thick with spiritual energy, making it hard to breathe. The ground beneath him was cracked and dry, and the sky above was an eerie shade of red and blue. "What the hell just happened?" Kent muttered, looking around. He reached for his system interface. Ding! System Notification: "You have entered an active ruin. Warning: You are in an isolated zone. Survival is the top priority." Kent clenched his fists, his mind racing. "Ethan, Mia where are you guys?" He took a deep breath, his determination hardening. "Guess I''ll have to find themand survive this place while I''m at it." sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 56 The First encounter with monsters. - But first, I will find and collect all the treasures. He says this, rubbing his hand with an evil smile. Kent looks around, and his surroundings are filled with foggy air. He can see tall mountains very far away. He murmurs, "I didn''t expect this place to be this big. It''s at least HUNDREDS of times larger than the Graveyard Mountains." Ding! System notifications: Name: Ancient battlefield graveyard ruin. Threat level: Medium-low Mission options: 1. survive until the ruin is clear. 2. Collect the core of the ruin. Reward: Based on which mission is completed. Suggest cultivation: Level C So I have two choices. I will get a reward based on my performance. I will try my best to clear the option number TWO. I need to look for any opportunity. !!!!! Kent felt someone''s spiritual energy and some movement. He moves his head up, and he sees something flying at him. Wait wait. I just got here. Who is attacking me? The object is coming at him with speed. A dagger? Kent steps back, dodging the dagger. The dagger landed near his foot. THWACK! He sees from the uphill that a skinny human-like figure jumps down. The human shape comes closer to him. At first, he couldn''t see clearly because of the fog. When it came close, he saw a monster just like a human. Jump! Closer! Its body is covered with light black energy. Something in between grey and black. Its face looks like an undead monster. Kent says to the system from now on to use Appraisal Skill on everything that costs below ten thousand SP. Please inform me as soon as I find someone good or someone close by. Ding! Many Ghoul monsters were detected. Cultivation: Level-F Description: low-level soldier of ancient times. After absorbing spiritual energy, soldiers'' dead bodies became Ghoul monsters. So this ugly-looking thing is a ghoul. The system said many Ghouls. But I can only see one. Where''s the rest of them? !? Crack! !? Suddenly, the ground started to form a circle, and small hill rocks were cracking. From beneath the ground, many Ghouls started to come up. The hill breaks, creating a zigzag hole; from there, many more Ghouls come in front of Kent. GHRL! GHRL! GHRL! GHRL! The Ghoul monsters surround Kent. They changed at him together. What the fuck! Kent picks the rusty dagger from the ground. He yelled gey the fuck away from me, you ugly Ghouls. I came here to find treasures. He swings the dagger 360 degrees, and He says I am much more potent than you all. You are not even a warm-up for me. You dare to attack me. I was having a good time thinking about finding many treasures and becoming rich. He cut down all of them without any effort. I didn''t even need to use any spiritual energy to defeat you guys. My physical strength is enough for you low-level mobs. Shake! Shake! From the ground, many more Ghouls pop out. Ohh! You stupid things want me to play whack-a-mole game with you. Fine, I will play with you all. Kent breaks a part of the small mountain with his hands. He puts the dagger on his back, tucked inside so it won''t fall down. Then, he shaped the rock into a hammer with his hands. The rock breaks like clay on his hand. After that, Kent says. You mob monsters are very mindless. I didn''t get any SP from you guys. So I don''t have to play with you to collect some sp. I will just kill you all and look for treasures. THWACK! THWACK! Kent starts popping the Ghoul''s head one after another. Those Ghouls are F- level. I saw many students who hadn''t even awakened yet. They came for an awakening. If those students face this monster, they will die. They can''t even respond quickly enough to these Ghouls'' attacks. If I find those unawakened students, I should help them if they give me money. Nothing is free in this world. These students are wealthy. They should all give me their money so that I can save them all. Ha! Ha! Ha! He laughs, kicking a Ghoul''s head. Then Kent grinned as he stood amidst the pile of defeated ghouls, holding his newly crafted rock hammer. The misty air was heavy with the smell of damp earth and the faintly rotting stench of the ghouls. He wiped his brow dramatically despite not even breaking a sweat. "Alright, system, no more of these low-level scrubs," he muttered, twirling the hammer in his hand. "Where''s the treasure? Where''s the challenge? Give me something worth my time!" Ding! System Notification: "Host has defeated 27 Ghoul Monsters. No SP was awarded. These Ghouls-type Monsters don''t have any intelligence." Kent sighed. "Yeah, I noticed. It''s like fighting angry, oversized rats. Come on, don''t tell me what I already know. Give me some new information." With a shrug, Kent kicked another ghoul''s body aside, watching it crumble into ash. He strolled through the ruins, his oversized hammer resting on his shoulder like a great weapon of legendwell, at least in his mind. The foggy landscape stretched endlessly before him, broken only by jagged rocks and crumbling remnants of ancient structures. It was eerie, yet oddly peaceful. "Alright, if I were treasure, where would I hide?" Kent mused, scanning his surroundings. As if in answer, the ground beneath his feet gave a subtle tremble. RUMBLE! CRACK! "What now?" Kent groaned, steadying himself as the ground split open a few feet away. From the fissure emerged a fresh batch of ghouls, their grotesque faces snarling in unison. GHRL! GHRL! Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent sighed, tightening his grip on his hammer. "Oh, come on! I just cleared this area! Are you guys on a respawn timer or something?" He swung the hammer in a wide arc, sending the first wave of ghouls flying like bowling pins. THWACK! SPLAT! "I told you guys already," Kent muttered, smashing another ghoul into the ground. "I''m here for treasure, not babysitting a graveyard!" He spun on his heel, delivering a powerful overhead strike to a particularly ugly ghoul. CRUNCH! "Oof, that one was uglier than Ryan''s angry face during an arm-wrestling match," Kent joked, chuckling to himself. After flattening yet another wave of ghouls, Kent leaned against his hammer, surveying the aftermath. The ground was littered with ash, and the monsters dropped the occasional rusty weapon. "Alright, system," he said, catching his breath. "If I''m gonna keep getting swarmed like this, you better make it worth my while. How about some loot?" Ding! System Notification: "Low-tier weapons detected. The host can collect it for architect skills." Kent picked up a jagged sword from the pile, its blade chipped and dull. "This? This is your idea of treasure? System, even a blindfolded monkey with a butter knife could make a better weapon than this!" Shaking his head, Kent tossed the sword into storage and continued exploring. He soon stumbled upon a dilapidated stone structure, its entrance partially collapsed. A faint glow emanated from within. "Finally, something interesting!" Kent said, his eyes lighting up. He pushed aside the rubble blocking the doorway and stepped inside. Chapter 57 Kents Mischief and a Ghoul Horde --- Inside, the air was more incredible, the fog replaced by a faint golden light that seemed to come from the walls themselves. The room was small and bare, save for a single pedestal in the centre. On the pedestal sat a small, glowing orb. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Now we''re talking!" He approached the pedestal cautiously, half-expecting more ghouls to burst out of the ground. When nothing happened, he grinned and reached for the orb. As his fingers closed around it, the system chimed. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Soul Fragment Orb. Description: Contains remnants of a mighty warrior''s soul. It can be used to enhance spiritual techniques or summon a temporary guardian. The host can also use it to level up Soulbinder Nima''s servants. Kent whistled, holding the orb up to the light. "A temporary guardian, huh? Sounds handy. Wonder if it''ll look like a big, buff dude or something cool like a dragon." He pocketed the orb, feeling quite pleased with himself. "Alright, let''s see what else this ruin offers!" As Kent continued his journey, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his hunger. "Man, all this ghoul smashing works up an appetite," he muttered. "Too bad there''s no ancient ruin cafeteria around here." Just then, he spotted a strange patch of plants growing near the base of a hill. The leaves were broad and dark green, with small fruits dangling from the stems. "Food!" Kent exclaimed, rushing over. He picked one of the fruits and sniffed it cautiously. The smell was unpleasant, to say the least. "Ugh, it smells like Ryan''s gym clothes," Kent said, holding it at arm''s length. "But food is food, right?" But why do I always find weird things? Taking a deep breath, he bit into the fruit. The taste was as bad as the smell, but the sudden surge of energy it gave him made it worth it. "Whoa, this stuff''s like an energy bar from hell," Kent said, grabbing a few more. "Might as well stock up!" He stuffed his backpack with the fruits, already plotting how to prank Ethan and others with them later. As the sunor whatever equivalent this strange ruin hadbegan to set, Kent found himself wandering through a maze of crumbling walls and narrow passages. The eerie silence was occasionally broken by distant growls or the rustle of unseen creatures. "Alright, this place is starting to feel like a horror movie," Kent muttered, gripping his hammer tightly. "Where''s the creepy music and jump scares?" Just as he said, a sudden noise made him freeze. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. RUSTLE! SNAP! Kent whirled around, his heart pounding. "Who''s there? Show yourself!" Out of the shadows stepped a rabbit. A very fluffy, very non-threatening rabbit. Kent stared at it for a moment before bursting into laughter. "A killer rabbit? Really? What''s next, a zombie squirrel?" As Kent continued his solo exploration, the ground began to tremble once more. A low, ominous hum filled the air, growing louder with each passing second. "Oh, great. What now?" Kent muttered, bracing himself. From the distance, a beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating the ruins in an otherworldly glow. "Looks like the main event is starting. It must be Nexus Jade fighting with something," Kent said, his grin returning. "Time to find those treasures before he finds the core." With his hammer in hand and his eyes on the horizon, Kent charged forward, ready for whatever the ruins had in store. Kent strolled through the ruins, his oversized rock hammer still slung over his shoulder. The eerie silence of the ancient battlefield graveyard was broken only by the occasional growl of a distant ghoul or the crunch of debris beneath his boots. "Alright, treasures, come to Papa," he said, rubbing his hands together and flashing his signature evil grin. "First, I find the loot. Then I" Suddenly, he stopped mid-step. The fog ahead swirled unnaturally, and faint shadows moved within it. "System, appraisal, quick!" Kent whispered. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Detected: Large group of Ghoul Soldiers. Threat Level: Level-E (Low). Kent''s eyes widened. "Large group? How large are we talking here?" They are stronger than the previous ones. CRACK! RUMBLE! The ground beneath him trembled as the first ghoul stepped out of the fog, followed by another, then another. Within moments, a massive horde of at least fifty ghouls emerged, their glowing eyes fixed on Kent. "...Okay, that''s a lot." ???? Kent tightened his grip on his hammer, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. "Alright, you ugly mob rejects, let''s dance!" he shouted, planting his feet firmly on the ground. The ghouls let out guttural growls as they charged at him. GHRL! GHRL! THUMP! THUMP! Kent swung his hammer in a wide arc, sending the first wave of ghouls flying like ragdolls. THWACK! SPLAT! "Ha! One hit KO!" Kent laughed, spinning the hammer in his hands. "Who''s next?" But the ghouls kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. "Alright, time to step it up!" Kent said that summoning his hellfire, he created a fire circle. Flames erupted around him, casting flickering shadows on the crumbling ruins. The next wave of ghouls charged straight into the flames, their rotting flesh sizzling on contact. FWOOSH! HISS! Kent grinned as he dashed through the horde using his Flashing Step, leaving a trail of flames behind him. "You guys really should''ve stayed dead!" he shouted, delivering a fiery uppercut to a particularly large ghoul. BAM! ???? After what felt like hours of non-stop fighting, the last ghoul fell, dissolving into ash. Kent leaned on his hammer, panting. "Phew That was a workout," he muttered. As the ash settled, Kent noticed something glimmering in the pile of ghoul remains. He bent down and picked up a small, round object. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Spirit Core Fragment Description: A shard of concentrated spiritual energy left behind by high-ranking ghouls. It can be used to enhance souls'' intelligence. "Oho! What do we have here?" Kent said, holding the fragment up to the light. "This might come in handy later." As Kent pocketed the fragment, his stomach growled loudly again. I was fighting these Ghouls for almost half a day. "Oh, great," he groaned. "Fighting all those ghouls made me hungry. Should I eat my packet foods or stinky momos?" Last time, I found some weird fruit that gave me strength. Maybe I should look for some other things too. Everything inside the ruins has been here for thousands of years. I might find something useful. He looked around and spotted a patch of peculiar mushrooms growing near a crumbled pillar. "System, appraisal!" Kent said, pointing dramatically at the mushrooms. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Stinky Spirit Mushrooms Description: Emits a foul odour when burned. It can cause nausea and emotional irritation to those nearby. Kent''s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Stinky mushrooms, huh? I bet these could make things interesting." ???? He plucked a handful of mushrooms and set up a small campfire. As the flames licked at the mushrooms, an overpowering stench filled the air. PHEW! BLECH! "Holy crap, that''s bad!" Kent said, covering his nose. "Even I wasn''t ready for this!" The stench spread quickly, carried by the wind. Within minutes, distant voices echoed through the ruins. "What is that smell?!" "Ugh, I think I''m gonna puke!" "Who''s burning something so gross?!?" +999, +888, +777 SP copied from multiple sources (Disgust). Kent chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "This is too easy!" As the chaos unfolded, Kent climbed onto a nearby ledge to get a better view of the ruins. The fog had started to thin, revealing more of the battlefield. He spotted groups of students and cultivators wandering aimlessly, clearly lost and overwhelmed. "Looks like I''m not the only one having fun," Kent said, grinning. Suddenly, the ground trembled again. RUMBLE! CRACK! "What now?" Kent muttered, his grin fading. Chapter 58 A Mysterious Journey From the distance, a massive stone gate slowly began to rise from the ground. Ancient runes etched into its surface glowed with a golden light. "The ruin core" Kent whispered, his eyes widening. "It''s opening!" The tremors grew more potent, and the air was filled with the sound of grinding stones. As the gate fully emerged, a blinding light burst forth, enveloping the entire battlefield. "Whoa!" Kent shouted, shielding his eyes. The light grew brighter, and Kent felt a strange pulling sensation as if the very air was trying to drag him forward. Kent was sent to a different location. WHOOSH! SWIRL! ???? Some horses came out from the gate. On top of the horse, there was something sitting. It was very far away. Kent couldn''t see clearly what those things were, so he was sent to a different location. WHOOSH! Kent felt like he was being thrown through a whirlpool of light and sound. His stomach churned, and his vision blurred as the world around him spun uncontrollably. "System!" Kent yelled, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "Where the hell am I now?!" Ding! System Notification: The host has entered a Ruin Subzone. Location: Outer Perimeter - Graveyard Fields. "Subzone? What does that even mean?!" Kent''s frustration grew, but before the system could respond Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. THUD! He landed flat on his back in a patch of soft grass. "Ow..." Kent groaned, rubbing his back as he sat up. The first thing he noticed was the eerie silence. No ghouls growling, no wind blowingjust an unnatural stillness that made his skin crawl. Kent stood up, brushing dirt off his clothes. The fog was thinner here, allowing him to see his surroundings more clearly. He was in an open field surrounded by jagged rocks and skeletal remains of what looked like ancient soldiers. Their rusted armour and broken weapons were scattered across the landscape, a haunting reminder of the battles that once raged here. "This place feels wrong," Kent muttered, shivering. Ding! System Notification: Warning: Spiritual Energy Levels are Highly Concentrated in this Area. Prolonged Exposure May Cause Fatigue or Hallucinations. "Well, that''s comforting," Kent said sarcastically. "Thanks, system." As he cautiously moved forward, something shiny caught his eye. A small pile of items was lying near a shattered statuea mix of broken artifacts, coins, and what looked like a lunchbox? "Jackpot!" Kent said, rushing over. Ding! Appraisal Activated: Rusty Coin: Ancient currency. No value for a cultivator. Cracked Relic Shard: Useless fragment of an artifact. Lunchbox (Sealed): Contains edible contents. Kent''s stomach growled. "Edible, huh? Don''t mind if I do." This must be from one of the students. How did it get here? Whatever He pried open the lunchbox, revealing a neatly packed sandwich. It smelled surprisingly fresh, but just as he was about to take a bite! ROAR! [Ding! Wild boar: Level-E] A giant, mutated boar burst through the nearby underbrush, its tusks glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Its red eyes locked onto Kent, and it pawed the ground, preparing to charge. "Oh, come on!" Kent groaned, tossing the sandwich aside. "Can''t a guy eat in peace?!" The boar charged, its massive body shaking the ground with each step. ???? "Alright, piggy, let''s see what you''ve got!" Kent shouted, summoning his fire aura. Flames erupted around his fists, and he dashed toward the boar using Flashing Step. WHOOSH! Kent appeared behind the boar instantly, leaving a trail of dust and embers in his wake. "Missed me!" he taunted, slamming his fist into the boar''s side. BOOM! The impact sent the boar skidding across the ground, but it quickly got back up, snarling in rage. +199 SP copied from wild boar. "Oh, you''re tougher than you look," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. "This might be fun." This wild boar has intelligence. The boar charged again, this time faster and more ferocious. Kent dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its tusks. He countered with a fire-infused uppercut, aiming for the boar''s jaw. CRACK! The Boar howled in pain, stumbling backwards. +599 SP copied from wild boar. "Had enough?" Kent smirked. But instead of retreating, the boar''s body began to glow. Its spiritual energy surged, and its muscles bulged unnaturally. "Oh, crap," Kent muttered. "It''s powering up!" The boar let out a deafening roar before charging again. Its speed and strength now doubled. Kent activated Flashing Step again, narrowly dodging the attack. WHOOSH! CRASH! The Boar slammed into a boulder, shattering it into pieces. "Okay, time to finish this," Kent said, summoning all his fire aura. Flames swirled around him, forming a fiery vortex. With a mighty leap, he launched himself toward the boar, delivering a devastating punch to its head. BOOM! The boar collapsed to the ground, its body smoking from the impact. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Boar (Defeat). Kent landed gracefully, wiping sweat from his brow. "That''s what you get for interrupting my meal." After catching his breath, Kent continued exploring the area. As he climbed over a hill, he froze at the sight before him. In the middle of the desolate ruins was a small, lush farm. Rows of vibrant vegetables grew in neatly organized patches, and a tiny wooden hut sat in the centre. "What the?" Kent whispered, rubbing his eyes. "Am I hallucinating?" He cautiously approached the farm, his eyes scanning for traps or hidden dangers. The air around the farm felt differentcalmer, almost peaceful. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the ruins. As he reached the edge of the farm, his stomach growled again. "Well, if this is a hallucination, at least it smells good," Kent said, sniffing the air. The vegetables looked ripe and freshcarrots, cabbages, tomatoes, and even some unfamiliar ones. ???? "Wait, is thata vegetable field?" Kent froze, blinking in disbelief. These aren''t my hallucinations. There is actually a farm inside the ruins. Amid the destruction, a lush patch of green thrived. Rows of tomatoes, peppers, and cabbages grew tall and proud as if they''d decided to rebel against the battlefield''s gloom. At the edge of the field stood a crooked hut, its walls sagging like an old man hunched over with age. Chapter 59 The Ruins Hidden Field Kent rubbed his eyes. " Is this what starvation does?" His stomach grumbled again, this time so loudly he winced. "Alright, no time to debate realitytime to eat!" Kent waded into the field like a kid in a candy store, grabbing armfuls of ripe vegetables. Conjuring a small flame in his palm, he roasted them on the spot. The smell of charred peppers filled the air, making his mouth water. "Who needs a cooking show? ''Fire Chef Kent'' is in the house!" He bit into a roasted tomato, juice squirting everywhere. "Mmm! A five-star meal right here." While enjoying his self-made feast, Kent noticed something shiny sticking out from a pile of old wooden farming tools near the hut. Curious, he dug it out, finding a small pouch. System Notification! [Rare Item Detected!] Name: Ancient Ginseng Seeds Rarity: Epic Effect: Produces ginseng with immense spiritual energy, capable of boosting vitality and healing. Its leaf can help restore Yin and Yang energy. Very helpful for couples. There are some other seeds inside the pouch. If I can make these seeds grow, I might get rich simply by selling vegetables. Ha Ha Ha! Kent held the pouch up like it was a trophy. "Ginseng seeds? Looks like I''m starting a farm after this crazy quest! Call me Farmer Kent." An image comes into Kent''s thoughts. He is wearing a farm hat and planting vegetables. Nima is watering the plants. Then he sells all the ginseng and vegetables. A guy gives him a bag full of money. Then he and Nima in rich clothes. Kent in a ???? Nima ????money is raining above them. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as Kent finished collecting the vegetables, the air shifted. A low growl echoed from the tall grass. "Great. Here comes trouble. Kent said to himself." A pack of Spiritfang Wolves slinked into view, their glowing fur making them look like oversized glow sticks with anger issues. Their sharp quills bristled, and their growls sounded like someone revving a broken motorcycle. "You guys really want to mess with a guy holding fire, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. System Notification! [Detected: Spirit Fang Wolves. Level: E Peak Threat: Low.] The wolves lunged. Kent rolled his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed controlled arcs of flame, singeing their fur and sending them yelping back into the ruins. "Run along, furballs! And don''t come back unless you''re bringing marshmallows!" System Notification! +999, +888,+777.. SP copied from Wolves. The field fell silent again. Kent wiped his hands, satisfied with his loot, when a strange noise pierced the air. "PHWAAAAH!" Kent turned slowly, unsure if he was about to be attacked or ambushed. Perched on the edge of a vegetable crate wasa bird. But not just any bird. This one looked like it had been assembled from spare parts. Its feathers were patchy, its beak was crooked, and its eyes had that glazed look of someone who hadn''t slept in weeks. "PHWEEEEEEEH!" the bird blared, sounding like a kazoo being stepped on. [Kazoo Birds are the birds of Dragon County that make weird sounds. It used to live in the forest. Almost extinct. Only a few are left in national care.] Kent stared at it for a long moment. "What is the actual? Are you broken?" The bird tilted its head and then let out another sound. "SKWAAAAAAH!" System Notification! [Rare Creature Detected!] Name: Emberling Sparrow Rarity: Rare Description: A distant relative of the Phoenix. Due to thousands of years of diluted bloodline, it has lost its fiery powers. It is mostly harmless but can poorly mimic sounds. Bloodline Purity: 0.01% Phoenix Cultivation: Level-F "0.01% Phoenix bloodline? That''sbarely enough to light a candle," Kent said, bursting into laughter. The bird hopped closer, making another bizarre sound: "PFFFTOOOW!" "Alright, alright, stop. You''re gonna make me choke from laughing." Kent crouched down, roasted a small piece of vegetable, and offered it to the bird. "Here, eat something before you embarrass yourself even more." The bird hesitated but eventually pecked at the food. +98 SP copied from Sparrow. (Happy) "You know, for a bird with a legendary bloodline, you sound like a broken flute." "PWAAAAK!" "See? That''s not even remotely bird-like!" Kent whistled a simple tune. Say Chirp! The bird stared at him, tilting its head dramatically with each note. Then it opened its beak and "PFFFAWWWW!" Kent fell over laughing. "Nope, nope, that''s worse. You''re killing me here!" The bird hopped closer, chirping awkwardly: "PWEEK-PWEEE!" "Okay, one more time," Kent said, whistling again. The bird tried its best, managing a faint resemblance to an actual chirp. Crip! Crip! Crip! "Not bad! You''re still weird, though." Satisfied, Kent stood and dusted himself off. "Alright, weird bird. You''ve had your fun. Go back to your vegetable paradise. I''ve got ruins to explore." He turned and started walking. After a few steps, he heard faint flapping. "PHWAAAK!" Kent groaned. "You''re following me, aren''t you?" The bird hopped after him, flapping its patchy wings. "Seriously? I don''t need a sidekick! And you''re the worst phoenix wannabe I''ve ever seen." "PWEEEH!" the bird replied indignantly. Kent sighed. "Fine. Do what you want. Just don''t expect me to carry you." I don''t even know if I can take out a living thing outside the ruin. You better not get attached to it. The bird chirpedstill awkward but slightly improvedand continued following him into the ruins. As they ventured deeper into the desolate ruins, Kent muttered to himself, "Of all the legendary companions I could''ve gotten, I get Kazoo Bird. My luck is amazing." "PHWAAAA!" the bird squawked as if in agreement. Despite himself, Kent chuckled. "Alright, Kazoo Bird, time to go. You stay here. You can''t come with me." I can''t help you. I am looking for treasures, and there are a lot of ghouls that keep coming at me for some reason. You might get killed by them. Whoosh! Kent uses his flashing steps to quickly leave the farm so that the bird can''t follow him. Chapter 60 A Ghoul Problem and saving some students. ---- After leaving the farm with his backpack full of spiritual vegetables, Kent wandered deeper into the eerie expanse of the ancient battlefield ruins. His steps were steady, but his mind wandered. The weight of the ruin''s foreboding atmosphere didn''t faze him as much as the occasional crunch of bones beneath his feet. "I can''t believe I wasted all that time on vegetables," Kent muttered, shaking his head. "Where are the treasures? The artifacts? Ancient weapons? This place is supposed to be filled with stuff like that!" He kicked a broken spearhead lying in the dirt. It flew forward with a clang, bouncing off a rock. "Useless," Kent grumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Suddenly, a distant scream pierced the air. "AAAAAAAHHHHH!" Kent froze, tilting his head like a curious bird. "What was that? A scream? Oh boy, someone''s in trouble." A wicked grin spread across his face. "Which means SP farming time!" Following the sound, Kent crept through the fog until he stumbled upon a clearing. The sight before him was straight out of a nightmare. A swarm of ghouls cornered a group of students. The creatures were grotesque, their decaying bodies radiating a faint spiritual energy. Their glowing eyes burned with a primal hunger as they lunged at the terrified students. "Help us!" one of the students screamed, swinging a rusty sword at a ghoul. His shaky hands barely kept the monster at bay. Another student tripped and fell, crawling backwards as a ghoul loomed over him. "No! Stay back!" Kent leaned against a tree, observing the chaos. "Man, this is bad. For them, I mean. For me? This is prime SP farming real estate." Just as a ghoul pounced toward a fallen student, Kent dashed into the fray, activating Flashing Step. WHOOSH! In an instant, he appeared between the ghoul and its victim. "Bad ghoul!" Kent said, smirking as he delivered a fiery uppercut. BOOM! The ghoul''s head exploded into ashes, its body crumbling to the ground. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). Ding! +250 SP Copied from Students (Amazement). The students stared at him wide-eyed. "Who are you?!" one of them asked. "Me?" Kent said, tossing his hair dramatically. "Just your friendly neighborhood cultivator. Now, get behind me before you become ghoul chow." Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). Ding! +250 SP Copied from Students (Amazement). The students scrambled to their feet, huddling behind Kent as more ghouls surrounded them. The ghouls snarled, their glowing eyes narrowing as they lunged at Kent. "Alright, ugly. Let''s dance," Kent said, summoning his hellfire. Black Flames erupted around his fists, crackling with intensity. He dodged one ghoul''s attack, countering with a fiery punch that sent it flying into a tree. THWACK! The tree cracked under the impact, and the ghoul disintegrated into ashes. Another ghoul charged at him from behind, but Kent spun around, delivering a blazing roundhouse kick. WHOOSH! BOOM! The kick not only destroyed the ghoul but left a trail of flames in its wake. "Two down, eight to go," Kent muttered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Students (Awe). One of the students, a short, chubby boy, was still swinging his sword wildly, even though there were no ghouls near him. "Dude," Kent called out, dodging a ghoul''s claw. "Who are you fighting? The air?" The boy froze, looking embarrassed. "I-I was just warming up!" Ding! +300 SP Copied from Student (Embarrassment). Kent chuckled, delivering a flaming punch to another ghoul. "Well, your warm-up needs work." As he fought, another student tripped over a rock and accidentally threw his weapon into the bushes. "Hey!" the student yelled. "My sword!" Kent burst out laughing, grabbing the fallen student by the collar and pulling him to his feet. "Forget the sword, buddy. Just stay alive!" Ding! +450 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). The remaining ghouls growled, their movements becoming more erratic as Kent systematically tore through their ranks. One particularly large ghoul, its body covered in cracked armour, roared and charged at Kent. "Oh, you''re a big boy," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s see what you''ve got." The armoured ghoul swung a massive claw at him, but Kent ducked, countering with a fiery uppercut that sent the ghoul staggering. Before it could recover, Kent activated Flashing Step, appearing behind it in an instant. WHOOSH! With a powerful kick to the back, he sent the ghoul crashing into a group of its smaller allies. BOOM! The impact created a fiery explosion, reducing the ghouls to ashes. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Students (Awe and Relief). As the last of the ghouls fell, the students erupted into cheers. "You saved us!" one of them said, tears streaming down his face. Kent brushed off his clothes, smirking. "All in a day''s work. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I''ve got treasures to find." "Wait!" another student called. "You''re leaving us?" "Yup," Kent said, walking away. "You''ll be fine. Just stick together and don''t do anything stupid." S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! +750 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). As Kent walked away, he realized something. "Wait a minute," he muttered, looking at his SP balance. "I earned more SP from these kids than from killing the ghouls." [SP Balance: 967,510 SP] He stopped, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should hang around them a bit longer. You know, to ''help'' them." A mischievous grin spread across his face. "SP farming never ends." With that, Kent continued his journey, leaving behind a group of students who would likely remember him as both their saviour and the strangest cultivator they''d ever met. +999 SP from number 788. (Anger) But one guy looked very angry. He planned to lure the students into Ghouls and kill them all. But Kent suddenly came and put his plan to waste. "Because of you, my mission failed. I won''t let it go so easily. First, I will deal with you." He started to follow Kent. He wants to kill Kent first. Then he will kill as many students as possible before his other team members collect the core. Chapter 61 Trouble Follows me to give some extra SP. - Kent strolled through the foggy battlefield ruins, his hands tucked behind his head, whistling an off-key tune. The adrenaline from the earlier battle had already worn off, leaving him in his usual carefree state. "Man, those ghouls were pathetic," Kent muttered. "But hey, they gave me a nice SP boost. And those kids'' reactions? Priceless." Ding! System Notification: +999 SP from 788 (Anger). "Huh?" Kent stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the desolate landscape around him. "System, who''s 788?" Ding! 788 Identified: A Dark Alliance Operative. Cultivation Level: C-Low. Motive: Unknown. Note: Dark Alliance members typically have numerical codes instead of names. They are known for their ruthless tactics. "A Dark Alliance member?" Kent murmured, his playful demeanour vanishing for a moment. "Didn''t Miss Elena say something about those guys? Something about them being trouble and having no names, only numbers." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So this guy''s been following me? I guess he''s mad about something. What should I do? Should I fight him or run from him?" Or I can report to a watcher or Nexus Jade Monroe about him. Nah! I can''t do that. If they ask me how I find out about him, what will I answer? I can''t say my system reveals his information. ???? A grin crept onto Kent''s face. "Perfect. He''s angry, which means SP farming opportunity! Let''s have some fun with this guy. Kent started walking again, his pace deliberately slow. He knew 788 was tailing him, so he made sure to leave a clear trail. Occasionally, he''d whistle loudly or kick a rock, ensuring his pursuer wouldn''t lose him. "Alright, System," Kent whispered. "Let me know whenever he gets close. And keep the SP counter running." Ding! sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. System Monitoring Activated. It wasn''t long before Kent felt the faint pressure of spiritual energy behind him. 788 was closing in, but Kent pretended not to notice. Instead, he hummed to himself, stopping every now and then to inspect random rocks or sticks. "This place is so boring," Kent shouted, stretching his arms. "No treasures, no cool artifacts, just a bunch of dead grass and fog." Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Irritation). Kent smirked. "Oh, he''s annoyed already? This is gonna be fun." After a few minutes of walking, Kent reached a narrow ravine. The walls were steep, and the ground was littered with loose stones. He paused, pretending to tie his shoelace. WHOOSH! A sharp burst of spiritual energy shot past him, slicing into the ground a few feet ahead. Kent straightened up, turning slowly to face his attacker. "Well, well, well. Suppose it isn''t Mr. 788. Took you long enough to catch up." How did you know my name? Who are you? Answer me! 788 said to Kent. Kent replied. I am also a member I saw your file. We both pretended to be students. My mission is to get close to the Nexus and Watcher. The hooded figure stepped forward, his face partially hidden in shadow. His voice was cold and emotionless. "You ruined my mission." "Oh, did I?" Kent said, feigning ignorance. "Sorry about that. I was just busy saving lives and being awesome. I didn''t mean to mess up your plans. I want to save those students and help them gain some recognition so that I can get close to NEXUS. As you know, they are very cautious. Your plan was very sloppy. If anyone from the watcher was present in the area, you plan you need to be more clever." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Frustration). 788''s fists clenched, his spiritual energy flaring around him. "You think this is funny?" Kent tilted his head, grinning. "A little, yeah. But hey, you look strong. How about we team up? Two fellow cultivators exploring the ruins togethersounds fun, right?" 788 hesitated, clearly caught off guard by Kent''s sudden proposal. "You want to team up?" "Of course!" Kent said, stepping closer. "Think about it. With your strength and my uh, charm, we could totally dominate this place." Ding! +500 SP from 788 (Confusion). Despite his suspicions, 788 agreed to team up with Kent, if only to keep an eye on him. "788 thinks he knows my name. Only Dark Alliance core members can have that information. But something is different about him. I have to be careful around him." The two walked through the ruins in tense silence, with Kent occasionally breaking the awkwardness by pointing out random rocks or pretending to hear ghouls nearby. "Did you hear that?" Kent whispered, stopping suddenly. 788 froze, his eyes darting around. "What?" "I thought I heard a ghoul growling," Kent said, squinting into the fog. "Maybe it''s hiding behind that rock over there." 788 cautiously approached the rock, his spiritual energy flaring in preparation for an attack. But when he kicked the rock aside, there was nothing there. "Oops," Kent said, scratching his head. "False alarm. My bad." Ding! +800 SP from 788 (Annoyance). As they continued walking, Kent pretended to pull out a small pouch from his backpack. "He pulled it out from system storage." "What''s that?" 788 asked, eyeing the pouch suspiciously. "Lunch," Kent said, grinning. He opened the pouch, revealing a batch of stinky momos he had saved from his earlier pranks. The pungent smell immediately filled the air. 788 gagged, covering his nose. "What the hell is that smell?!" "Stinky momos," Kent said proudly, taking a big bite. "Want some?" 788 took a step back, his face twisted in disgust. "Keep that thing away from me!" Ding! +1,500 SP from 788 (Disgust). Kent laughed, waving the momo in front of 788. "Come on, don''t be shy. They''re delicious!" As they walked through a particularly foggy area, Kent suddenly gasped, pointing at something in the distance. "Look! A treasure chest!" he shouted, dashing forward. 788 followed reluctantly, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the object Kent was running toward. When they got closer, it turned out to be an old, broken crate covered in moss. "Oh," Kent said, scratching his head. "Never mind. False alarm again." 788 glared at him. "Stop wasting my time." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Irritation). As the day went on, Kent continued to cause minor inconveniences for 788, all while pretending to be his comrade, a clueless teammate. Every time 788 grew frustrated or annoyed, Kent silently celebrated the SP notifications flooding his system. "Man, this guy''s a goldmine," Kent thought to himself. "At this rate, I''ll hit a million SP in no time from him." He already gave me over 300 thousand SP. My level-up is close, and I can feel that. "Thank you, 788." Their "teamwork" was interrupted when a group of ghouls emerged from the fog, snarling and baring their fangs. "Finally, some action!" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. But instead of attacking, he stepped back, motioning for 788 to take the lead. "You''ve got this, buddy. Show me what you''ve got!" 788 hesitated, glaring at Kent. "You''re not going to help?" "Of course I will," Kent said, grinning. "I''m moral support. Go get ''em, tiger!" Ding! +1,000 SP from 788 (Frustration). 788 had no choice but to fight the ghouls alone. He dispatched them quickly, his movements efficient and precise. Kent clapped enthusiastically. "Wow, that was amazing! You''re like a one-man army!" Clap! ???? ???? Clap! 788 ignored him, wiping the blood from his blade. As the two continued exploring, a sudden tremor shook the ground. "What was that?" Kent asked, looking around. Before 788 could answer, a deafening rumble echoed through the ruins. The fog grew thicker, and the air became heavy with spiritual energy. 788 said it was a fighting tremor. Someone is fighting with a powerful monster. From the force of this tremor, I can say this is definitely from a Level-B cultivator. It must be Nexus Jade Monroe. He is the only Level-B cultivator inside this ruin. Let me move forward. Chapter 62 A Dark Showdown 788 sudden attack. --- sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent adjusted his backpack, whistling cheerfully as he looked for any treasures the fallen Ghouls might have. "SIGH! These ghouls are poor; there is nothing good here!" He feels 788 is very silent for some reason. But the silence behind him didn''t sit right. "Why so quiet back there, 788? You''re mad about the momos?" Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Anger). Kent smirked, glancing over his shoulder. 788''s hooded figure moved silently, but the spiritual energy radiating from him was no longer calm. It flared with hostility. "Alright, alright," Kent said, waving his hand dismissively. "I get it. You''re mad because I let you fight alone. But look at the bright sideyou''ve got front-row seats to my cheering." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Frustration). Suddenly, 788 stopped walking. His spiritual energy surged, the ground beneath his feet cracking. "You think this is funny?" 788 hissed, his voice cold and venomous. I caught your lie. You are not a Dark Alliance member. Kent blinked, pretending to be surprised. "What? Did I say something wrong? Come on, buddy, we''re a team!" "You ruined my mission," 788 growled, stepping closer. His hand reached into his cloak, pulling out a jagged black blade that radiated dark energy. "And now, you''re acting like a Dark Alliance member." You talk too much. That is what gave you away. You said only one Level-B cultivator is present inside the ruins. If you are a dark alliance member, you should know that our group leader is also inside. As soon as the ruin opened, He contacted everyone who was inside the ruins. Show me our dark alliance communications stone. Otherwise, I will kill you right now. Kent panicked for a second. Then he said, Ohh! I lost my stone when I entered the ruins. That''s why I don''t know. It''s not a big deal. 788 Says. Ha Ha! Got you now. There is no communication stone. We contract each other with this. "788 pointed to his arm. A black bracelet was on his hands." I don''t know how you managed to get my information. I will give you a chance to tell me how you find out about me. Do we have a mole? Answer my question! I will provide you with a quick death. You won''t feel a thing. This will be your one and only option. Otherwise, I will torture you until you spill out the truth. The cheerful grin vanished from Kent''s face, replaced by a sly smirk. "Oh, so you wanna fight? Finally, something fun!" come on then. WHOOSH! 788 lunged forward with incredible speed, his blade aimed straight for Kent''s chest. "Oh crap!" Kent yelped, activating Flashing Step just in time. He dashed to the side, leaving a fiery trail behind him. CLANG! The dark blade struck the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the earth. "Whoa, easy there!" Kent said, brushing off his sleeve. "You could''ve ruined my jacket." It cost a lot. This is the first jacket I bought, which is over 500 dollars. Ding! +1,500 SP from 788 (Rage). 788 snarled, his spiritual energy spiking even higher. "You''re not walking out of here alive!" He charged again, his blade coated in spiritual energy this time. Kent ducked under the swing, rolling backwards. "Okay, okay, I get ityou''re really mad. But do we have to do this here? My SP meter is gonna explode!" +999 SP copied from 788. +999 SP copied from 788. +999 SP copied from 788. What the Fuck you are talking about? 788 asked. What is SP? Did you lose your mind? I feel that from the start, you have some problems. You must be a crackhead!! Kent knew he couldn''t keep dodging forever. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his Soul Slasher Dagger and Hellfire at the same time. The blade shimmered with a dark purple hue, its surface glowing faintly with hellfire as he infused it with his energy. "Let''s see how you like this!" Kent said, spinning the dagger in his hand. WHOOSH! He lunged at 788, slashing upward. CLANG! The two blades collided, sparks flying as their spiritual energies clashed. 788 pushed forward, his strength overwhelming. "You''re nothing but a cocky and a clown kid!" Kent grinned, his feet sliding back from the force. "And you''re just another bad guy in a hoodie. Let''s see who''s better!" 788 swung his blade in a wide arc, releasing a wave of dark energy. "Hellfire Barrier!" Kent shouted, summoning a wall of black flames to block the attack. BOOM! The two energies collided, creating an explosion that shook the ground. Dust and debris filled the air. "You''re stronger than you look," Kent admitted, coughing as the dust settled. 788 smirked. "And you''re weaker than you act." "Oh, really?" Kent said, his eyes narrowing. He activated Flashing Step, dashing behind 788 in an instant. WHOOSH! His dagger slashed toward 788''s back, but the dark operative spun around, blocking it with his blade. CLANG! Their weapons locked again, the air crackling with tension. "I have to admit," Kent said, grinning. "You''re the first guy to keep up with me in a fight this long. Too bad you won''t last much longer." 788 growled, his spiritual energy surging. He slammed his palm into the ground, creating a shockwave that forced Kent to leap back. "You''re all talk," 788 spat, raising his blade. "Let''s see if your skills match your mouth!" Kent chuckled, twirling his dagger. "Oh, you''ll see. But don''t blame me if it hurts!" He coated the dagger with more Hellfire, the black flames licking the blade hungrily. The temperature around him rose, the air shimmering with heat. "Ready or not, here I come!" Kent shouted, dashing forward with Flashing Step. WHOOSH! He appeared right in front of 788; AMBER SLASH Kent yelled, slashing downward. SLASH! The blade sliced through 788''s cloak, leaving a charred line across his chest. "ARRGH!" 788 staggered back, clutching his wound. Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Pain). +999 SP from 788 (Pain). +999 SP from 788 (Pain). 788''s breathing grew ragged, but his eyes burned with fury. "You you''ll regret that." He raised his blade, channelling all his remaining spiritual energy into a single attack. Kent sighed, shaking his head. "Bad guys always say that. Don''t you ever come up with new lines?" As 788 charged, Kent stood his ground, his dagger glowing brighter with hellfire. WHOOSH! The two clashed one final time. BOOM! The explosion of energy sent shockwaves through the ruins, scattering debris everywhere. When the dust settled, Kent stood over 788, his dagger pressed against the man''s throat. "Any last words?" Kent asked, smirking. 788 glared at him, his voice a low growl. "You won''t win" Kent shrugged. "Wrong answer." SLASH! The dagger glowed brightly as it cut through 788, disintegrating his body into ashes. Ding! +2,000 SP from defeating 788. Kent sheathed his dagger, letting out a long sigh. "Man, what a drama queen. At least he was good SP farming material." He stretched his arms, looking around. "Now, where was I? Oh, righttreasures!" let''s see what things you got 788. "Kent picks up a tree branch and pokes through 788 ashes. Nothing, only this black bracelet left. DAMN 788, you are poor or maybe my hellfire burned all the treasures." If my hellfire was able to burn the treasure, then those might be at a very low level. This bracelet is something powerful. It is still the same. Let''s keep it for now. Later, I will give it to Nexus Jade Monroe. That way, he would be grateful to me. I will ask him to give Nima a scholarship. I am such a genius. Let''s look for treasures now. With a cheerful whistle, Kent walked deeper into the ruins, leaving behind the ashes of his defeated foe. Chapter 63 A Treasure Hidden in the Dirt --- Kent stretched his arms after the intense battle with 788, his back cracking audibly as he tilted his head from side to side. The eerie quiet of the ruins returned as the ashes of 788 drifted into the fog. Whirl! "Well, that was fun," Kent muttered, dusting off his jacket. "I wonder how much SP I made off that guy." Ding! SP Balance: 1,531,760 SP. "Over a million SP now! Sweet!" he exclaimed, punching the air in celebration. "This system is practically printing money for me!" As his excitement waned, Kent took a deep breath and scanned his surroundings. The rocky terrain stretched into the distance, broken only by patches of jagged cliffs and the occasional withered tree. The air buzzed faintly with spiritual energy, a clear sign that this place still held secrets. "I''ve got time to kill and treasures to find," Kent said with a grin. "Let''s see what else this ruin is hiding." Wandering aimlessly, Kent kicked at rocks and dirt, hoping to stumble upon something valuable. After a while, his eyes caught a faint glimmer peeking out from beneath a pile of rubble. "Huh? What''s that?" he murmured, crouching down. He brushed away the dirt, revealing a small shard of a broken spiritual tool. It looked like the blade of a sword, its surface cracked but faintly glowing with spiritual energy. "Broken junk, huh?" Kent said, turning the shard over in his hand. "Not exactly what I was hoping for." Ding! System Notification: Detected proximity to a spiritual ore deposit. Host''s Architect Skill can be activated to repair broken tools using Hellfire. Kent blinked. "Wait, what? I can fix this junk with my new skill?" Ding! Architect Skill Activation Conditions Met: Material Detected: Spiritual Ore Fragments. Tool Detected: Broken Spiritual Tool. Energy Source: Hellfire. "Sweet! Finally, my Architect skill is useful other than creating stinky bombs!" Kent said, grinning. "Alright, let''s see what I can do." As Kent inspected the shard, he noticed a faint trail of glimmering ore fragments leading further into the ruins. Curiosity piqued, and he followed the trail until he reached a small cave hidden behind a crumbling wall of stone. "Bingo!" Kent whispered, peeking inside. The cave was dimly lit, but the walls sparkled with veins of spiritual ore. Scattered across the ground were broken toolsswords with shattered blades, shields missing chunks, and fragments of various spiritual tools. "This must''ve been some kind of workshop," Kent muttered, stepping inside. "And now it''s all mine!" He rubbed his hands together, his mind racing with ideas. "If I fix these tools, I can sell them to those students. They''ll pay a fortune for spiritual gear in this place!" Ding! New Quest Unlocked: Master of Repairs Objective: Use the Architect skill to repair at least 10 spiritual tools. Reward: +5,000 SP and a random spiritual blueprint. "Challenge accepted," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. Kent grabbed a broken sword hilt and a shard of its blade, placing them on the ground in front of him. "Alright, system, let''s do this," he said, summoning his hellfire in his hands. The black flames ignited in his palm, flickering ominously as he focused his energy. "Architect Skill, activate!" The hellfire spread over the broken pieces, wrapping around them like molten metal. Sparks flew as the shards fused together, their cracks disappearing. WHOOSH! The flames died down, revealing a fully restored spiritual sword. Its blade gleamed with a faint golden glow, and its hilt was polished to perfection. Kent picked it up, giving it a few experimental swings. "Not bad! It feels brand new." Ding! Repaired: Spiritual Sword (Grade E) SP Reward: +500 "Easy money," Kent said, grinning. "Let''s fix some more." I can earn a lot of money. ???? Kent spent hours rummaging through the cave, gathering every broken tool he could find. His backpack quickly filled with fragments, forcing him to use his system storage for extra space. Piece by piece, he repaired each tool, his hellfire fusing the materials with precision. WHOOSH! Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. CLANG! Another sword was restored. CRACKLE! SHING! A broken shield became whole again. Each successful repair brought a satisfying Ding! from the system, along with a steady stream of SP. Ding! +1,000 SP. Ding! +750 SP. Ding! +500 SP. By the time he was done, Kent had restored over a dozen spiritual tools, ranging from swords to daggers to small spiritual tools. "Man, I''m on fire today!" Kent said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Literally." As Kent admired his handiwork, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "These students are desperate for gear. If I sell this stuff, I''ll be swimming in money!" He held up a shield, inspecting its craftsmanship. "And if anyone asks where I got these, I''ll just say I found them. No one needs to know about my Architect skills." Kent stuffed the repaired tools into his bag and system storage, already imagining the piles of cash he''d make. But just as he was about to leave the cave, the system chimed again. Ding! System Notification: Detected rare spiritual ore deeper within the cave. Would you like to investigate? Kent''s eyes lit up. "Rare ore? Don''t mind if I do!" Venturing deeper into the cave, Kent followed the glowing veins of spiritual ore. The air grew thicker with energy, and the faint hum of power echoed through the chamber. Finally, he reached a hidden alcove where a cluster of rare, glowing blue ore protruded from the wall. "This this is the good stuff," Kent whispered, his eyes sparkling. "With this, I can make some top-tier gear!" He summoned his hellfire, carefully chiselling the ore from the wall without damaging it. CRACKLE! CLINK! Piece by piece, he collected the rare ore and stored it safely. Ding! Collected: Azure Vein Ore (Rare). As he stood back, admiring the now-empty alcove, Kent felt a surge of pride. "I''m really killing it out here." With his loot secured, Kent left the cave and stepped back into the foggy ruins. The eerie silence returned, but he couldn''t stop grinning. "Let''s see I''ve got rare ore, repaired tools, and a ton of SP. Not a bad day at all!" he said, patting his bag. He glanced at the repaired sword hanging from his belt. "Now I just need to find some customers or maybe some more evolved animals to farm SP. Either way, I''m ready." Kent wandered deeper into the ruins, his mind filled with visions of wealth and victory. Little did he know, the challenges ahead would test his newfound skills like never before. I need to create a ruin shop. I am already a pro salesman. I have been selling eggs for over three years now. ???? Ding! Master of Repairs mission complete. Reward: 5000 SP and a blank blueprint. Low-Level Blank Blueprint: The host can create a blueprint which the host wants. Tools Size can''t be more than 8 inches. Chapter 64 A Marketplace in the Making --- Kent ambled through the dense ruins, and his thoughts fixated on one thing: selling this weapon and spiritual tools. He had been wandering for what felt like hours after his cave venture, his bag now brimming with spiritual tools and rare ores. The heavy mist around him seemed to grow thicker, distorting the sounds and sights in the distance. I can''t find any students. Where did they go? There are supposed to be thousands of students. If I can''t find any people, then heavenly luck, please let me see some good treasure. After some time wandering around, Kent only finds more broken weapons and tools. He says I don''t have enough space for this thing. Kent starts complaining to himself. "Man, these ruins are huge," Kent grumbled, kicking a loose rock. "I keep finding broken stuff, but where''s the real jackpot? I need something shiny that screams, ''I''m worth millions!'' Or at least something good enough to sell to those desperate students." Rustle! ????? Rustle! Kent froze, his sharp ears catching faint sounds of a struggle. He crouched low, creeping toward the source of the noise. The distant clash of metal on metal echoed through the ruins, mixed with shouts and bursts of spiritual energy. "Looks like someone''s having a bad day," Kent muttered, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "Let''s see what''s going on. Maybe I can... ''help'' them and earn some SP." As Kent approached the scene, he spotted Ethan, Mia, and a group of teachers from other schools locked in combat with several different people. Kent quickly realised that they were fighting Dark Alliance members. Otherwise, why would they fight each other instead of fighting the monster? These rogue cultivators were clad in dark robes, their faces obscured by masks marked only with crude symbols of their organization. "Ethan and Mia? Figures they''d get mixed up in this," Kent murmured, hiding behind a boulder to watch. The Tier-3 Watcher, a burly man named Marcus, led the charge. His massive glaive whirled through the air, carving through the Dark Alliance members like a hot knife through butter. "Stay focused!" Marcus barked, his voice booming. "These Level-E and D cultivators are dangerous in groups. Don''t let them surround you!" Mia darted between the enemies with the grace of a shadow, her dagger slicing tendons and spiritual energy shields with precision. Ethan, meanwhile, was hurling explosive spiritual attacks, each one detonating with a loud BOOM! "I see you, Ethan!" Kent whispered, stifling a laugh. "Always trying to show off, huh?" The Dark Alliance members were relentless, their attacks coordinated and fierce. One of them, a Level-D cultivator wielding twin blades, lunged at Ethan with deadly speed. "Watch out, Ethan!" Mia shouted, intercepting the attack with her dagger. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the force of the blow pushing Mia back a step. Ethan retaliated with a counterattack aimed at the attacker''s chest, sending him sprawling into a nearby pillar. CRACK! The pillar shattered, and the Dark Alliance member slumped to the ground, unconscious. Kent couldn''t resist the urge to mess around. As the fight raged on, he casually plucked a spiritual fruit (regular fruit with spiritual energy) from a nearby tree. The fruit glowed faintly, its aura radiating pure energy. [Note: These fruits are just regular fruits. A single fruit can make people''s hunger disappear. No cultivation value.] Ethan sees Kent. He yelled, Kent, a little help would be great. Why are you standing there? "Don''t mind me, just here to... observe," Kent said to Ethan, biting into the fruit. The juicy, sweet flavour made his eyes light up. Ding! +100 SP Copied from Ethan (Frustration). "What''s he frustrated about now?" Kent muttered with a chuckle. As he leaned against the boulder, munching on the fruit, Kent noticed a cluster of spiritual fruits hanging from nearby trees. There were oranges, berries, and even some odd-looking blue bananas. "Jackpot!" Kent whispered, his grin widening. "These''ll sell like hotcakes to those students. They''ll eat up anything with a faint glow on it!" He activated Flashing Step, zipping between the trees and picking as many fruits as his pouch could hold. Back at the battlefield, Marcus delivered a devastating blow to the remaining Dark Alliance members, his glaive releasing a shockwave that knocked them off their feet. "This is your last warning!" Marcus roared. "Surrender or face annihilation!" The remaining rogues hesitated, their spiritual energy flickering weakly. One by one, they dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing around. "Is that all of them?" "Looks like it," Mia replied, her voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. As the Watchers and teachers began securing the prisoners, Ethan''s gaze wandered to Kent. Where is he? He spotted Kent casually leaning against a tree, juggling glowing fruits with one hand. "KENT?!" Ethan shouted, his voice echoing across the clearing. What''s wrong with you? You always act weird! Kent froze mid-juggle, a guilty smile plastered on his face. "Oh, hey there, Ethan! Fancy seeing you here." Ding! +200 SP Copied from Ethan (Annoyance). Ethan stormed over his spiritual energy flaring. "What are you doing here?! We were fighting for our lives, and you''re... you''re picking fruit?!" "Hey, hey, calm down," Kent said, holding up his hands defensively. "I was just... uh... ensuring we had enough provisions for the journey. You know, being proactive." Ding! +150 SP Copied from Ethan (Irritation). +250 SP Copied from Ethan(frustration). Mia walked up, her dagger still in hand. She raised an eyebrow at Kent''s stuffed pouch. "Provisions? Looks more like you''re stocking up for a fruit stand." "Exactly!" Kent said, snapping his fingers. "A fruit stand! Think about itspiritual fruits, freshly picked, reasonably priced. I''m practically a hero for providing this service." S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! +300 SP Copied from Mia (Exasperation). Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kent... I don''t even know what to say anymore." "Then don''t say anything," Kent replied, tossing him a glowing orange. "Here, have a fruit. On the house." As the group prepared to move on, Kent lagged behind, sorting through his loot. His system storage was nearly bursting with spiritual fruits and repaired tools. "This is perfect," Kent murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming. "Once we''re out of this area, I''ll set up shop. Those students will be lining up to buy my stuff. I''ll be rich in no time!" His mind raced with ideas. He envisioned a bustling marketplace, with students clamouring for his wares. He''d sell fruits, tools, and maybe even some of the seeds he''d found earlier. "But first," Kent said, adjusting his bag, "I need to find more treasures. The more I have, the more I can sell. And the more I sell, the more people I annoy, the more SP I can collect!" As the group moved deeper into the ruins, Kent''s thoughts were consumed by his grand plans. Little did he know, the ruins still had plenty of surprises in store. "Time to make some money," Kent said with a smirk, his eyes scanning the foggy landscape for his next big find. "And maybe cause a little chaos along the way." Chapter 65 Kents “Brilliant” Marketplace Plan --- Ethan and Mia, you guys go ahead. I have some work to do. I will catch up with you in the middle area of the ruin. See you later. Before any one of them could respond to Kent, he just vanished into the fog using his flashing steps. Whoosh! [A new area] The ancient battlefield ruins were as eerie as ever. The fog was thick, the air was heavy with spiritual energy, and the occasional screeches of ghouls echoed in the distance. But for Kent, it was the perfect backdrop for what he considered a "genius" idea.????! With his bag brimming with spiritual fruits, vegetables, and repaired tools, Kent decided it was time to turn his loot into profit. The students scattered across the ruins were desperate, hungry, and scaredprime customers in Kent''s eyes. "Alright, system," Kent muttered, rubbing his hands together like a scheming villain. "Time to turn this place into the first-ever Battlefield Bazaar. I''ll be the richest cultivator in no time!" Ding! System Notification: "Host''s idea is questionable but approved. SP farming potential: high." Kent grinned. "Questionable, huh? We''ll see about that." Kent found a small clearing surrounded by broken pillars and shattered statues, the perfect spot for his "shop." He grabbed a few flat stones and arranged them into a makeshift table. Next, he pulled out his treasures: glowing spiritual fruits, shiny (but mostly useless) spiritual tools, and even a few bags of spiritual vegetables from the farm. To add flair, Kent took a spiritual orange and balanced it on top of a dagger, like a beacon. "Perfect!" he said, stepping back to admire his work. "Now all I need are some customers." But the ruins weren''t precisely bustling with foot traffic. Kent scratched his head, thinking. "How do I get people to come here?" he muttered. Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across his face. Kent climbed onto one of the broken pillars, cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted: "Attention, cultivators! Tired of fighting ghouls? Hungry? Injured? BROKE?!" His voice echoed through the ruins, catching the attention of a few nearby students who were cautiously sneaking through the fog. "Well, worry no more!" Kent continued, pointing dramatically at his makeshift shop. "The Battlefield Bazaar is open for business! Come one, come all, and get the best fruits, tools, weapons and vegetables moneyor ''SP''can buy!" From the shadows, a small group of students cautiously approached, their faces mixed with curiosity and scepticism. "What... what is this?" one of them asked, eyeing the makeshift rock table. "This," Kent said, gesturing grandly, "is salvation. Look at these spiritual fruits! They''ll restore your energy, boost your cultivation, and maybe even make you smarter!" Ding! +99 SP Copied from Students (Curiosity). One of the students picked up a glowing blueberry. "How much for this?" Kent tapped his chin, pretending to calculate. "For you, my friend, just 500 dollars!" "500 dollars?!" the student exclaimed. "That''s outrageous!" "Outrageous?" Kent gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Do you know how rare that berry is? I risked my life-fighting ghouls and dodging traps to get it! Five hundred dollars is a steal!" Ding! +150 SP Copied from Student (Annoyance). Another student picked up a repaired dagger. "This looks decent. How much?" "For you," Kent said, leaning in with a sly grin, "only 10,000 dollars." "10,000 dollars?!" the student shouted. "It''s covered in cracks!" "Those aren''t cracks," Kent said confidently. "They''re... battle scars. This dagger has a history. It''s not just a weapon; it''s a story waiting to be told!" Ding! +200 SP Copied from Student (Frustration). How do I pay you? I don''t have that much cash on me. And the mobile phone doesn''t have a network here. I can''t bank transfer the money. Kent said don''t worry. I have a solution. Just give me your bank card. I have a spiritual tool that works inside the ruins. Kent had already created a spiritual card swipe machine using a small fragment of azure vain ore. (?) He carried his egg shop''s currently stinky momo''s shop card swipe machine with him. He knew that the students would give this excuse. He is already prepared for that. Using his architect skills and the blank blueprint, Kent came up with this design. (Many readers will ask why he didn''t create that or that. For Kent, now money is the most important thing. When it comes to money, he loses his mind.) Seriously!! The student rolled his eyes but reluctantly handed over the money. As more students arrived, Kent''s confidence grew. "Step right up!" he shouted. "Don''t let hunger or weak tools be the reason you fail in these ruins! Buy now and survive tomorrow!" One student pointed at a bag of vegetables. "What are these?" "Ah, excellent question!" Kent said, holding up the bag like a prized artifact. "These are spiritual vegetables. I Plant them, water them, and watch them grow into the most nutritious vegetables you''ve ever seen!" "Dude, stop lying?" We just came inside four days ago. How did you grow them so quickly, the student asked. "Here, spiritual energy is thick. It only took two days to grow these!" Kent lied smoothly. "In fact, they grow so fast, you''ll have a hard time just watering them!" Seriously. Then give me some seed. The student said. Kent replied, I only bought a mixed packet of vegetable seeds. Otherwise, I can sell you the seeds. Why don''t you buy the vegetables? I will give you a discount. Ding! +300 SP Copied from Student (Skepticism). The student hesitated but eventually handed over his bank card to Kent. Just as Kent was basking in his success, a loud growl interrupted the scene. From the shadows emerged a pack of ghouls, their glowing eyes fixed on the gathering of students. "Ghouls!" someone shouted, panic spreading through the crowd. The students scrambled, some drawing weapons while others hid behind Kent''s makeshift table. Kent sighed, rolling up his sleeves. "Looks like I''ve got to save my customers. Again." He grabbed a glowing fruit, infused it with his hellfire, and then hurled it at one of the ghouls. THWACK! The fruit exploded on impact, disintegrating the ghoul''s head. "See? Multi-purpose products!" Kent shouted. "Buy now and fight back!" Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). He activated Flashing Step, zipping between the ghouls and dispatching them quickly. His hellfire-coated punches and kicks left trails of black flames, turning the monsters into ash. Within minutes, the threat was neutralized. As the dust settled, the students stared at Kent with a mix of awe and gratitude. "You''re amazing!" one of them said. "Yeah," Kent replied, brushing ash off his shoulder. "I know." He gestured to his table. "Now, about those purchases..." Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). Just as Kent was about to close up shop, he noticed a familiar figure approaching through the fog. It was Mia, her expression unreadable as she took in the scene. "Kent," she said, crossing her arms. "What... is this?" "Oh, hey, Mia!" Kent said, grinning nervously. "This? Just a little side hustle to support my cultivation journey." Mia raised an eyebrow. "You''re selling fruits and tools to scared students in the middle of a ruin?" "Hey, they need it!" Kent defended. "I''m providing a service. Besides, I''m giving them a good deal!" Why are you alone here? Where are Ethan and the others? Mia sighed, "Only you, Kent. Only you can do something unpredictable." Ding! Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +500 SP Copied from Mia (Exasperation). Why am I alone? You asked. Some horse-riding monsters attacked us. They were very strong. We toss the dark alliance members at the beast, and then we run separate ways. Those horse-riding monsters target groups. So I advise you to be careful by the looks of your business. It won''t be long before they come after you. Thanks for your advice, Mia. I will be careful. Here, take this fruit you can pay me later. I am moving to a different location. Bye! As night fell over the ruins, Kent packed up his remaining wares, his bag, and system storage, which were significantly lighter, but his bank balance and SP were substantially higher. "That was a good day," he said, patting his pouch. "I should do this more often." With a grin, he set off into the fog, ready for whatever chaos the ruins would throw at him next. Unbeknownst to him, his antics had caught the attention of more than just the students and ghouls. Horse-riding monsters moved in the distance, watching and waiting. But for Kent, the only thing on his mind was his next big sale. Next day.. Kent wandered deeper into the ancient battlefield graveyard ruins, his eyes scanning the foggy terrain for more treasures or, as he liked to think of them, "SP farming opportunities." His storage was half empty, the rest of the spiritual fruits, vegetables, and broken tools waiting to be sold or repaired, but the glint of ancient weapons and armour in ruins tempted him to explore further. Chapter 66 Skeleton Knight Cavalry Showdown --- "Alright, system," Kent murmured, cracking his knuckles. "Where''s my next big adventure? Could you give me something exciting? And, of course, something with lots of SP opportunities." In response to Kent''s demand. System, give him a notification. Ding! System Notification: "Host, incoming enemies detected. Cultivation levels: Level-D (Elite Skeleton Knight Captain) Level-C (Skeleton Knight Leader)." Kent''s eyes widened, and he immediately grinned. "A Level-C Skeleton? Finally, someone who might actually make me break a sweat! Let''s see what they''ve got." Kent jumps right and left to relax his joints. The sound of hooves echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. ????? The wind howled through the ruins, carrying the faint rattling of bones. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. From the fog emerged a group of skeleton Knight cavalry, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie blue flames. Each skeleton Knight rider sat atop a skeletal horse, the creatures'' bones creaking with every movement. At the front of the group rode the Skeleton Knight Captain, its skeletal frame draped in ancient, rusted armour. A tattered black cape fluttered behind it, and in its bony hand, it wielded a menacing lance that glowed with a faint spiritual energy. Behind the captain was the Skeleton Knights Leader, towering over the rest of the group. Its armour was polished and adorned with dark rune carving, and it carried a massive two-handed sword that seemed too heavy for its skeletal frame. "Whoa," Kent muttered, taking a step back. "Now that''s what I call an entrance. You guys really know how to set the mood." The Skeleton Captain raised its lance, pointing it at Kent. The blue flames in its eyes flared brighter, and it let out a bone-chilling screech. SKREEEEE! "Oh, that''s cute," Kent said, smirking. "You''re trying to intimidate me. Newsflash, boney: I''ve fought ghouls, monsters, and even people. You''re just another SP pi?ata to me." Clip-clop. Clip-clop. The Skeleton Knight Captain charged first, its lance aimed straight at Kent''s chest. The skeletal horse''s hooves pounded against the ground, leaving cracks in the earth. "Let''s see what you''ve got!" Kent yelled, summoning his hellfire. Black flames erupted around his fists, crackling with power. The lance thrust forward, but Kent sidestepped at the last second, activating Flashing Step to appear behind the captain. WHOOSH! ???? "Surprise!" Kent shouted, delivering a fiery uppercut to the Skeleton Captain''s back. ???? BOOM! ???? The captain was sent flying off its horse, crashing into a pile of rubble. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Captain (Frustration). The other skeleton cavalry charged at Kent, their glowing eyes locking onto him as their horses reared back. "Alright, let''s make this fun," Kent said, grabbing a broken sword from his bag. He twirled it in his hand like a baton. "En garde, you walking bone racks!" One of the skeleton riders swung its sword at him, but Kent ducked, spinning around to slap the skeleton''s skull with the flat side of the broken sword. THWACK! The skull popped off and rolled on the ground, its glowing eyes blinking in confusion. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Skeleton Rider (Embarrassment). Kent laughed, kicking the skull back toward the rider. "Oops, dropped something!" While Kent was busy toying with the riders, the Skeleton Knight Leader dismounted its horse, its glowing blue eyes fixed on him. "Uh-oh," Kent said, noticing the leader''s massive sword. "Looks like the boss is joining the party." The leader swung its sword, sending a wave of spiritual energy slashing toward Kent. "Whoa!" Kent yelled, activating Flashing Step to dodge the attack. The energy wave struck a nearby pillar, splitting it in half. "Okay, that was close," Kent muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Time to get serious." He coated his Soul Slasher dagger in hellfire, the black flames making the blade glow ominously. "Alright, Mr. Big Bones," Kent said, pointing the dagger at the leader. "Let''s see how tough you really are." The leader charged at him, its movements surprisingly fast for its size. It swung its massive sword in a wide arc, but Kent ducked under the blade, slashing at the leader''s ribs with his dagger. CLANG! The dagger struck the leader''s armour, leaving a scorched mark but failing to penetrate. "Guess I''ll have to aim for the joints," Kent muttered, dodging another swing. As the fight continued, Kent noticed that every time he landed a hit or dodged an attack, he earned SP from the skeletons'' frustration or surprise. "Wait a minute," Kent said, grinning. "I can farm SP from these guys just by annoying them." He began taunting the Skeleton Leader, dodging its attacks with exaggerated movements. "Missed me!" Kent said, sticking out his tongue. The leader growled, its glowing eyes flaring brighter as it swung its sword again. Kent jumped over the blade, doing a mid-air somersault before landing behind the leader. "Too slow!" he shouted, smacking the leader''s helmet with the flat side of his dagger. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (Frustration). +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (anger). +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (Embracement). Many more SP copied notifications. Kent''s mind just flooded with the system window and Ding sound. After farming enough SP to satisfy himself, Kent decided to end the fight. He activated Flashing Step, appearing in front of the Skeleton Leader in an instant. With a roar, he plunged his hellfire-coated dagger into the leader''s chest, the black flames erupting and consuming the skeleton from the inside out. Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BOOM! The leader let out a final, bone-chilling screech before collapsing into a pile of ash. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Leader (Defeat/ Death). ?? The remaining riders, seeing their leader defeated, fled into the fog. "Yeah, you better run!" Kent shouted, shaking his fist. Kent walked over to the remains of the Skeleton Knight Leader, rummaging through the ash until he found a set of armour and the massive sword. "Jackpot," he said, holding up the items. "These are definitely going to sell for a fortune." He quickly packed the armour and sword into his system storage, a satisfied grin on his face. Just as Kent was about to leave, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. "KENT!" He turned to see Miss Elena and a group of students running toward him. "Well, well," Kent said, smirking. "Looks like the cavalry''s here. Too bad I already handled the hard part." Miss Elena crossed her arms, glaring at him. "What have you been up to?" "Oh, you know," Kent said casually. "Just saving lives, doing good deeds, and defeating skeleton bosses. The usual." Miss Elena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let''s regroup with the others before you cause more trouble." Kent grinned, falling in step with the group. "Trouble? Me? Never." As they walked away, Kent couldn''t help but think about selling some items to Miss Elena. With his new loot and a pocket full of SP, he was more than ready for whatever the ruins had in store next. Meanwhile, Miss Elena thinks about how Kent trounced the skeleton Knight leader. She isn''t sure enough if she could fight the entire team alone. I am a Level-C cultivator, yet I feel like I am not as strong as Kent. Kent did something impossible. I will report this to the Nexus and Watcher, and Kent will get many contribution points. For now, let''s regroup with others. Chapter 67 A Sparrows Journey to look for his benefactor. - [ Somewhere inside the graveyard ruins.] The ruins stretched endlessly before him, a labyrinth of broken stones and eerie silence. Shadows danced along the jagged walls as Emberling Sparrow perched atop a crumbling column, his red eyes scanning the horizon. He had been flying, hopping, and hiding for days now, his small body battered and weak from the journey. But at last, he saw himKent. The human was far off, crouched near a glowing structure, his figure bathed in a faint blue light. Emberling Sparrow''s heart thudded in his tiny chest. Relief, joy, and longing swirled together in a confusing storm. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He chirped softly, too afraid to call out. What if Kent didn''t want him? Emberling Sparrow flapped his wings once, hesitating. His black feathers glinted faintly under the night light, their stark contrast to the golden glow of the ruins a reminder of his past. Memories came flooding back, and the sparrow couldn''t help but recall everything that had led him to this moment. From the moment he had hatched, Emberling Sparrow knew he was different. His siblings were beautifuleach one adorned with soft, red feathers that shimmered under the sunlight. But Emberling Sparrow''s feathers were black as night, a stark anomaly among his family. His parents had stared at him with thinly veiled disappointment, their gazes cold and unyielding. "He''s defective," his father had muttered, turning away. "No phoenix bloodline could look like that." His mother had tried to feed him at first, but each time, his siblings pecked at him, shoving him aside to claim the food. The sparrow had cried out, but his tiny chirps were ignored. One day, his father made the decision. "Get out," he growled, his fiery eyes glaring down at the trembling chick. Emberling Sparrow had looked up at him, confused and terrified. "But why?" "You''re not one of us. You''re a stain on our nest," his father replied coldly. Other birds make fun of me, saying I am the father of an abomination like you. I had suffered enough, and I can''t pretend anymore. "GET OUT NOW." His siblings jeered as his father nudged him toward the edge of the nest. One particularly cruel brother gave him a sharp peck, sending him tumbling over the edge. Emberling Sparrow flapped his tiny wings frantically, barely managing to break his fall. As he lay on the cold ground, his heart shattered. He was too young to fend for himself, but he had no choice. The Sparrow wandered aimlessly for days, his weak body barely sustaining him. He learned to survive by scavenging scraps and hiding from predators. The world was harsh, and his black feathers made him a target. One day, he stumbled upon a small, abandoned farm. The place was quiet, with no monsters in sight. He crept into a rickety wooden shed, finding shelter among the hay bales. For years, the farm became his home. He scavenged seeds from the fields and drank water from a cracked trough. But the loneliness was unbearable. Each night, he would stare at the sky, watching flocks of birds fly together. "Why can''t I have that?" he thought, his chest aching. "Why am I always alone?" Everything changed the day Kent arrived. Emberling Sparrow had been perched on a fence post, watching the strange human as he rummaged through the farm. At first, he was wary, hiding in the shadows. But when a peculiar human found him out, Kent did something unexpected. He taught the sparrow how to whistle appropriately. The sound was soft and melodic, unlike anything Emberling Sparrow had ever heard. Intrigued, the sparrow stepped out of its comfort zone, hopping closer. Kent showed him kindness immediately. "Hey, little guy," he said, crouching down. Give him some food. Emberling Sparrow tilted his head, curious but cautious. Kent laughed. "You look like you''ve been through a lot." Over the next few hours, Kent became a constant presence. He brought scraps of food and even tried to teach Kazoo how to chirp properly. The sparrow struggled at first, his broken sounds making Kent burst into laughter. But he didn''t mind. For the first time, someone was paying attention to him, not mocking or hurting him. Emberling Sparrow began to see Kent as more than just a human. In his eyes, Kent was another strange birdone who understood what it meant to be different. "I want to stay with him," Emberling Sparrow had thought, his heart swelling with hope. But Kent was a wanderer who came looking for treasures. A few hours later, he left, leaving him a warning and disappearing into the ruins. Emberling Sparrow had been devastated, searching the farm for days, calling out with his awkward chirps. Now, perched high above the ruins, the sparrow knew he couldn''t let history repeat itself. He couldn''t lose the one connection he had found. But the journey had been brutal. He remembered narrowly escaping a pack of ghouls, their twisted forms chasing him through the crumbling halls. He had hidden in the shadows, trembling as they sniffed the air, searching for him. When they finally left, Emberling Sparrow had collapsed, too exhausted to move. "I''m not strong enough," he had thought bitterly, his red eyes filled with tears. "I''ll never be like the others." But the thought of Kent gave him strength. Emberling Sparrow had forced himself to continue, ignoring the pain in his wings and the gnawing hunger in his stomach. And now, after days of struggle, he had found Kent again. The human looked as confident and capable as ever, his movements precise as he examined the ruins. Sparrow''s chest tightened. "He''s so strong he defeats those skeleton monsters so easily," he thought, envy and admiration mixing in his heart. The sparrow flapped his wings, hovering for a moment before landing on a nearby ledge. He wanted to call out and let Kent know he was there. But doubt crept in. "What if he doesn''t want me?" Emberling Sparrow thought, his heart sinking. "What if I''m just a burden?" Tears welled up in his red eyes as he stared at the human, the one being who had shown him kindness. "Maybe it''s better this way," he thought, his tiny body trembling with emotion. I can''t stay with him. Emberling Sparrow watched as Kent finished his talk with Miss Elena, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the ruins. The sparrow stayed perched on the ledge, his heart aching with a mix of longing and sorrow. He wanted to follow, but something held him back. I can''t help him in any way. Why would he want me? The sparrow cried. No! "I''ll prove myself," Emberling Sparrow thought, his resolve hardening. "One day, I''ll be strong enough to stand by his side." With a final, soft chirp, the sparrow spread his wings and flew away, disappearing into the ruins. For now, he would wait. But in his heart, he knew he wouldn''t give up. For Emberling Sparrow, Kent was his flockand one day, he would find his place by his side. Ding! +99 sp copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Sad) Kent notices the system notifications. What the why am I getting notifications from that weird bird who doesn''t know how to chirp!! I only get SP from someone when they are close by and an emotion triggered by me. This fat bird actually came all this way. The farm distance is at least a couple of days'' journey. The road is full of danger. How did that Level-F bird manage to get here? Is it looking for me? That bird wanted to follow. That fat bird is definitely here for me. I need to find that sparrow. Kent says Miss Elena, can you wait a moment, please. I forgot something. Give me a few minutes, and I will get back to you soon. Chapter 68 Miss Elenas suspicions --- Before Miss Elena could ask Kent what he had forgotten or any other questions, Kent used his flashing steps, disappearing from her sight. Kent didn''t think before he used his flashing steps. Miss Elena, watching Kent''s footwork technique, instantly recognised it. It''s the same movement as that unknown Level-C cultivator who killed the robber and potentially became a dark alliance member. Miss Elena''s mind raises a ton of questions. Does it mean Kent is from the Dark Alliance? But he isn''t a Level-C cultivator. I can clearly feel his cultivation at Level-E peak. [Note: Kent used his system to hide his Level-D cultivation.] What if Kent has a spiritual sense-blocking artifact? If he is really that Level-C cultivator and dark alliance member, it could be terrible. I need to test him as soon as he comes back. Meanwhile, Kent gives the system a command to find out where Emberling Sparrow is. Hey! System, did you find out the location of that fat bird? Ding! System notifications Emberling Sparrow''s location is detected. Location: 60 meters away in the northeast. Kent, using his flashing steps, jumps in rocks and small hills and quickly finds the fat sparrow. The fat bird is flying in the fog. Its speed is very slow. Kent yelled, hey, tiny fella, what are you doing here? Come down. Hey, do you hear me? Emberling Sparrow''s heart just started to beat faster. " He is looking for me. He is calling me. What should I do? How did he find out I am here? Does he want me? Kent yelled again. Are you coming down or not? Hey! Come down. I am waiting for you. Without thinking anything, the Emberling Sparrow came down where Kent was standing. The bird is so happy. He couldn''t hold himself. He jumped into Kent''s hand. +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) The bird''s size was very small; it perfectly fits into Kent''s hand. Kent patted the bird on his head, saying. You, little guy, you are very brave to come this far alone. sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The bird just nods his head. Kent is thinking about "what I should do with you. SIGH! Let''s think about that later. Kent said out loud- come on, let''s go, little sparrow." +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) The Emberling sparrow flaps his wings in happiness. "This human wants me. I am not alone anymore. I am so happy." System, is there any way I can take this little bird out of ruin with me? Ding! The host can take out this Emberling sparrow if the host forms a contract with the bird. SIGH! Why didn''t you tell me earlier? If you said it earlier, I could have taken him with me from the start. [Ding! The host didn''t ask. The system can''t do anything if the host doesn''t give the command to do so.] Alright alright system. From now on, inform me about this type of thing and also give me solutions to all the problems which you know the answer to. [Ding! Command taken. Giving the host the answer to the current problem. To form a contract with an Emberling sparrow, the host needs to drop blood on the bird''s head. ] "Oh! I need to drop my blood. System, why can''t you give me a contract paper or something? Whatever, I will sign the contract later. I need to go. Miss Elena must be waiting for me." Ding! +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) .... There are many more notifications. What the Fuck is happening. Why am I getting so many SPs from Miss Elena? What is she suspicious of? What did I do? Suddenly, Kent released, oh no! Damn it .. Damn it .. I used flashing steps in front of her. "What should I do? Should I avoid her and go to a different place? Nah! After getting out of the ruin, I have to face her sooner or later." If she asks me anything, I have to think of something, some excuse to avoid her. Or I could tell her the truth. I will face her. There''s no need to think about it. Let''s see what she does. Then Kent makes his way back using flashing steps. He landed softly on a jagged rock near the foggy hill, Emberling Sparrow perched securely on his shoulder. The bird chirped contentedly, and Kent couldn''t help but smile at the small creature''s apparent joy. "Alright, little guy," Kent muttered, patting the sparrow''s head. "You''ve caused me enough trouble for one day. Let''s get out of here before" Suddenly, A voice echoed through the fog. "Kent," Miss Elena called, her tone sharp and measured, "are you finished with your... errand?" Kent froze. She was closer than he had expected. His mind raced. Did she see him use the flashing steps again? Was she already suspicious? He glanced at Emberling Sparrow, who tilted his head innocently, utterly unaware of the brewing tension. "Yeah, Miss Elena!" Kent shouted back, trying to sound casual. "Just found what I was looking for." Miss Elena stepped out from the fog, her sharp gaze locking onto Kent. Her presence was commanding, her spiritual aura subtle but suffocating. She looked at the sparrow in his hand, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That bird," she said, her voice calm but probing, "is it yours?" Kent shrugged, feigning indifference. "Not really. Just a little guy who followed me here. He''s harmless." Miss Elena''s eyes flickered with suspicion. She was still debating internally whether to confront Kent about his footwork technique or not. The boy''s cultivation level was undeniably Level-E peak, but his technique was far too advanced for someone at his rank. And now, this sparrowa seemingly insignificant creaturewas exuding faint traces of spiritual energy. "Let me see it," Miss Elena said, extending her hand. Kent hesitated, clutching the sparrow protectively. "Why? He''s just a bird." "Humor me," she replied, her voice firm. Kent glanced down at Emberling Sparrow, who chirped nervously. He could feel the bird trembling slightly in his hand. "It''s okay," Kent whispered to the sparrow before reluctantly stepping forward and placing him in Miss Elena''s outstretched palm. Miss Elena held the sparrow gently but carefully, her spiritual sense flaring subtly as she examined it. Emberling Sparrow chirped softly, his red eyes darting between her and Kent. "This bird," Miss Elena said after a moment, her tone unreadable, "looks like it has been through a lot. You said it followed you?" "Yeah," Kent said quickly, his mind racing for a believable explanation. "I found him a while back on a farm. He''s just been tagging along ever since." Miss Elena studied Kent''s expression, searching for any sign of deceit. Then she smileda disarming but calculated smile. "You seem to attract the strangest companions, Kent." Kent forced a laugh. "Yeah, I guess I do." But the moment was short-lived. Miss Elena''s smile faded, replaced by her usual stern demeanour. "We should head back," she said, handing Emberling Sparrow back to Kent. "The ruins aren''t safe at night, even for a Level-E cultivator." Kent nodded, grateful for the opportunity to leave. As they walked back, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Miss Elena''s suspicion hadn''t waned. Meanwhile, Miss Elena''s thoughts were a storm of doubt and unease. "That bird has spiritual energy, faint but distinct. Could it be tied to Kent''s unusual abilities?" She remembered the sparrow''s nervous chirps and how it had seemed unusually intelligent, even responsive to Kent''s commands. "And Kent... that footwork technique. It''s the same technique as the dark cultivator who killed the robber. Could he be connected to the Dark Alliance?" Miss Elena''s fingers twitched as she suppressed the urge to confront him outright. She needed more evidencesomething definitive. But one thing was sure: she couldn''t let her guard down around Kent. As they neared the exit of the foggy ground, Kent opened a private dialogue with his system. "System," he whispered under his breath, "can you analyze Miss Elena''s aura? Is she suspicious of me?" Ding! Analyzing... Result: Miss Elena is highly suspicious. Probability of confrontation: 78%. Kent grimaced. "Fantastic. Just what I needed." Ding! Advice: Minimize the use of footwork techniques in front of Miss Elena. Consider forming an ally or diversion to reduce suspicion. Kent glanced at Emberling Sparrow, who chirped contentedly in his shoulder. "Guess I''ll have to be extra careful, huh, little guy?" The sparrow tilted his head and chirped again, utterly oblivious to the growing tension around them. A few minutes later, they reached the place where Miss Elena had made a temporary resting place for the students. Kent sees there are hundreds plus students. Some are sacred, some murmur about something, and some look normal. There were a lot of presents for his class too. Some watchers, too. "Great, there are lots of students here. This is the perfect place to set up shop. Kent said with a smirk." Chapter 69 I Clear up a little bit of suspicion without knowing it. All this time, Kent kept his loot from the skeleton Knights tied to his back. Now, he puts everything down on the ground, including some fruit and vegetables from his bag. Then he arranged everything and started to. Treasure! Treasure! You will find treasure here. Come and grab it. Treasure from the ruins. Fruits and vegetables, too. No need to look for food in danger! You can buy from me. Come quickly. Stock is limited. Many students and some Watchers gather around Kent. Miss Elena asked what are you doing? You just came here and started to act like a salesperson. I heard from another group that someone is selling things inside the ruins. "It turns out to be you." Kent says, of course, I am selling. Who else will have this much loot if it isn''t me? I bleed for these loots, Miss Elena. Now, I can sell them to earn some hospital bills. Kent said with a funny expression. +999 SP copied from Elena. (Speechless) Hey Kent! She raised her voice in frustration. Then where''s your wound? I can''t see any injuries on you. What hospital bill? +999 SP copied from Elena. (Frustration) I meant my heart bleeds! Miss Elena. Are you buying or not? I don''t have much stock. Look at this sword from the skeleton. It''s almost three feet long. It''s so sharp. It''s an E-rank item for sure. Look!! Wishh! Whosh! Kent shows some sword moves. Dust is spreading all over the place. Students are looking at him in wonder. One student: Wow, cool moves. So cool! Another student: I want to learn those moves. Kent''s classmates are talking to each other. When did he learn how to use sword techniques? Wasn''t he an orphan? Who taught him? Did he join any organization? Meanwhile, with the dust cover, Kent switches the skeleton Knight sword with the low-level rusty swords, which he fixes using his SSS-Rank Architect of creation skill. "I need to sell this rusty one first." Miss Elena comes forward. Alright alright, you have done enough marketing. I will buy the sword. How much is it? FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!! +999 SP copied from Elena. (Anger) Are you kidding me? It''s an old, rusty sword. You hide the good ones behind that small rock I saw everything. Kent''s body gives a chill. "Fuck!" She saw me. Her senses are very sharp. Alright, I will provide you with one from the back. Could you give me the money? She hands Kent some banknotes. This is all the cash I have right now. 20 thousand dollars! Take it, or I will take one sword for freeyour choice. Kent jumps and quickly takes the money from her hands. Hand her one sword from the skeleton. "Thank you for ordering, Miss Elena" he turns back, counting money with a happy look. "I just joke about the price. I would have given her one for free to make a good relationship with her." She is suspicious of me. But I can''t say no to money. One by one, other students also came to buy. They fight with each other to grab the best one. Kent sold (his fix once) weapons and tools to the students. Kent used the same payment method as last time. Many try to cheat, saying they have no money or bank cards with them. Kent didn''t sell them anything. Watcher members buy all the fruits and vegetables for all the students. Kent gives them a discount of one per cent. He earns hundreds of thousands of dollars, and SP points from everyone. All this time, the Emberling sparrow was watching Kent with shiny eyes. However, the sparrow doesn''t know what money is. But he understands one thing: money is something useful, and Kent becomes happy receiving money. "The bird takes a vow that one day he will collect as much of this money thing as possible to earn Kent''s respect." Ding! System notifications: Enemy incoming. Skeleton Knights: Level- D Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Before Kent could read the system notifications, suddenly, a group of skeleton Knights arrived behind the group. All the students panicked and started to yell. RUN!... RUN!... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! They will kill everyone. AHHHRRGGG! Student one: Hey, run in different locations. Don''t run in my direction. Student two: We just bought weapons so that we can fight! Why are you guys running? Student three: Are you strong enough to fight with the skeleton monsters? We can fight with the Ghouls. These skeletons are much stronger than us. Kent quickly packs up his shop. These students are hopeless. Then said to the Emberling sparrow, look after my loots. I will go gather some more. Miss Elena and other watcher members are ready to fight. They take a defensive position. Miss Elena yelled don''t let any of them harm students. Protect the students with your life! Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. "I have to hurry; otherwise, they will collect all the lots. There is a rule inside the ruins: you keep what you kill. I can''t let them defeat all the skeleton Knights." These are all Level-D skeletons, and Miss Elena and Watcher can defeat them quickly. The only problem is their numbers are too high. Whoosh! Kent rushed at the skeleton Knights with his Soul Slasher in his hand. Please wait for me, my loot. Come to Papa!! Don''t go after the weak students. Watcher members are impressed by Kent''s bravery. What an upright guy. He rushed at the enemy without any hesitation. He is a role model. Let''s go! We can''t let him fight alone. He is a true hero. Let''s cover him up. We can''t be shadowed by a student. Kent yelled! Don''t come here! I got this. I don''t need your help. Hey, skeleton monsters, it''s time to go to hell or heaven, whatever you deserve. CLANK! CLANK! Kent swings his dagger. In the first move, he severed a skeleton Knight''s head. In the second move, he cuts a skeleton Knight''s body in half. THUD! THUD! Both skeleton Knights'' bodies fell to the ground. Some skeleton Knights recognize Kent. They are from the previous group, who fled from Kent when Kent killed their leader. SHOCKED! Ding! +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). Kent then charged at other skeleton Knights. Meanwhile, The ones who recognize him are falling back. They made some weird sounds and started to run from Kent. SKGR! SKGR! Miss Elena and some Watchers were protecting the students. Behind them, the students were watching everything. Their jaws drop on the ground, seeing Skelton knights running from Kent. What the Hell! How did he scare them off? Student one: Hey, can you pinch me? Student two: punch him in the face. Student one: holding his face. Hey, I said pinch. Why did you punch me? Student two: sorry! I didn''t hear properly. My mind isn''t working anymore. Miss Elena comes thinking. He rushes at the Skeleton Knights without any hesitation. He can''t be a Dark Alliance member. If he was a dark alliance member, he should just hide like other students and take advantage, and maybe kill some of us. But to be safe. I will test him once we are out of the ruin. There is an artifact called the mirror of the true self. It will reveal if he is a Dark Alliance member or not. Meanwhile, Kent killed two more Skeleton Knights. Watchers are also fighting with the skeleton Knights. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 70 Heading towards the ruin Center Ding! Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) A Tier-3 Watcher sword clashes with one skeleton Knight. A CLUNK sound spread across the battlefield. Another Watcher fighting with a Level-D skeleton. Both of them are equally matched with the monster. Before they could finish the fight, Kent stepped in. He throws a fireball at one of the skeleton Knights, and the monster''s body is caught in black flames. It burns like dry wood. Sizzle! Sizzle! Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Kent charges at the other skeleton Knights holding his Soul Slasher dagger. He first punches into the skeleton''s chest bones. Then he stabs his dagger into the monster''s head. It cracked first, and then its skeleton skull broke like glass into tiny pieces. CRACK! BREAK! Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Meanwhile, the three remaining skeleton Knights'' bodies started to glow with dark death spiritual energy. They are running in the student''s direction. Miss Elena was guarding the students. She throws a talisman paper towards the three ruining skeleton monsters. When the talisman paper comes into contact with one of Skelton a loud blast echoes in the battlefield. BOOM! BLAST! One skeleton Knights head fell from its body, rolling onto the ground. The other two bodies broke into pieces. But they are not dead yet. Still crawling like a caterpillar. Kent, taking the chance to his advantage, steps onto the fallen head. The other two Watchers rushed and killed the remaining two skeleton Knights. Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Meanwhile, the Rest of the skeleton Knights have already run away, seeing from Kent. There were around ten skeletons who ran. They all run toward the ruin centre where the ruin''s core and the core guardian are. Kent, without wasting any time, declared I killed seven of the skeleton monsters. You all killed only three. So, SEVENTY per cent of the loot is mine. With a happy face, Kent goes one after another to Skelton Knight''s body to collect his loot. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Miss Elena. (amazed) +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (amazed) Students were gossiping about Kent and how he was able to kill the monster so quickly, which he could never dream of fighting. His classes, on the other hand, were very jealous and envious of him. They couldn''t believe what they had witnessed just now. Ding! +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (Jealous) +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (Envy) Kent is busy collecting his loot. He didn''t care about what other students were thinking of him as long as he SPs from them. It''s okay for him. It doesn''t matter to him what they think about him. "Keep it coming. Keep it coming." I am getting SP and Loots. Both my bank balance and system balance are increasing. Ha Ha Ha. A trip to ruin is the way to achieve success in life. Maybe I should write a book or something. "Kent said jokingly." Miss Elena comes forward thinking. All right now, the battle is over, and no one has been harmed. We have done a good job. Kent rests for a few hours, and then we will go to the location of Ruins core. Alright, students listen to me. Stop gossiping. Rest as much as you can. We will move forward after an hour. Our leader and your principal, Nexus Jade Monroe, had already gone to the core location. We will join him soon. Our only job will be killing some low-level monster while he defeats the Ruin guardian. As many of you already know, dark alliance members are inside this ruin. Some are pretending to be students, others hiding in the shadows, looking for a chance to attack. We have to look after our backs. After collecting the loot, Kent goes to Emberling Sparrow. He was guarding Kent''s tools, weapons, fruit, and vegetables for him. Kent said you have done a good job. You didn''t run away; also, watch over my treasure. You didn''t let anyone steal anything. I am proud of you. The Emberling sparrow chirped with a happy face. He never heard kind words like that. I am proud of you, and you did a good job ringing into his head multiple times. He was constantly bullied by his siblings and father and ignored by his mother. The bird''s heart just melted. Its eyes are covered with water. Tears started falling. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Emberling sparrow. (Happy) +999 SP Copied from Emberling sparrow. (Gratitude) Kent, seeing the system notifications, realized the bird must have suffered a lot. His simple words make it cry. Kent picked up the bird into his hand and gently patted his head. Don''t cry, little fella, don''t cry. I don''t know what happened in the past, but from now on, you belong to me. You have to be tough like me. The bird stopped his crying. Then it chirps in a low voice, I will be like him. "I will look for treasures and collect that thing called money. Then I guess I will be happy like him." CHIRP! CHIRP! Good, you stop crying. From now on, never cry again. Remember now you belong to me. I will sign a contract with you, don''t worry. "I hope one day, with system help, I will be able to make this tiny fella big. Then I will fly riding on his back. Like how cultivators ride their beast in novels and manga." One or two hours later, the exact time is unknown. Miss Elena stood up. Alright, you had Enough rest. It''s time to move forward. Let''s go!! They all start their journey to the centre of the ruin. First, they cross one mountain ally, and then they walk on open land for some time. They face some Ghouls in the open lands. Who comes out of the ground? They easily defeat them. After some time, they finally reach their destination. A long Twenty or Twenty-five feet long gate was at the centre of the open land. Around the gate, many more groups gather there. Almost a thousand people were there. Kent! You are finally here. From the crowd, a voice comes. It was Ethan and Mia. They both come close to Kent. Ethan asked what took you so long? Wait, don''t answer. Let me guess: you were busy selling. He said jokingly. Kent replied you are really my friend. You know me very well. I was busy doing business. Don''t worry, I will give you a good discount. You are my friend. Kent pointed at his back where his treasurer, the swords, shield, and a couple of spares were tied. Ding! +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Shocked) +999 SP copied from Mia. (Speechless) When Kent pointed at his back, Ethan saw the Emberling sparrow. He asked what are you doing with a bird? Don''t tell me you are selling mea....! Before Ethan could finish, Kent stopped him. This is my pet beast. Could you not joke about him? He is very sensitive. One day, he will become stronger than you. Then he will beat the crap out of you. Don''t expect me to save you then. +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Frustration) +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Shock) Miss jumps into the conversation. Both of you stop throwing your lame jokes. This is a serious situation right now. But I must say. This bird looks so cute. Can I pet it? Emberling Sparrow turns his head to the other side. "I won''t let you pet me. Only Kent can pet me." He hides under the Kent shirt. Kent said. I guess he is tired. Let him rest for a while. You can pet him later. What serious situation were you talking about? Tell me about that. Chapter 71 A plan to find Dark Alliance members. Wait, we can''t talk here. We need to find a less populated place. Mia replied. A secure place where no one will be able to hear us. Before they could move to different locations, a Tier-4 Nexus and Watcher members came to the group. He asked, who among you is Kent? Kent steps in. I am Kent why are you looking for me? "He has a Level-C cultivator just like Miss Elena." Teacher Elena and other watchers told me about your contribution. My name is Tyler Stone, and I am a commander at Nexus and Watcher. I am in charge here now. You have great potential coke with me. We will discuss our next move. Your friend can also come. Teacher Elena told me about them too. Without any questions, three of them follow him. They arrived at a place full of government officials. Tyler Stone brings out an artifact from his pocket. An iron whistle with some rune patterns. He blows the whistle, and a transparent barrier surrounds them. Tyler says this is a soundproof barrier, and no one will be able to hear us. sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As many of you know, many Dark Alliance members are present in this area. We need to find them before we go inside the gate. Pointing at the tall stone gate, he says that inside this gate are the ruins'' core and the guardian. Suppose we enter and battle with the guardian at that time, and dark alliance members attack us. It won''t be good. We want everyone to find as many Dark Alliance members as possible before entering the gate. Mia said. I was about to say the same thing to you guys. See, I found this bracelet on a dark alliance member I defeated. Ethan also brings out one bracelet. I found one as well. Let''s catch everyone who has this bracelet. Kent said I also have one. I kept it because I wanted to give it the Nexus Jade. Tyler said yes, we all found out about this bracelet. We all know they use this bracelet. But we can''t catch everyone who has this type of bracelet. Like you, Ethan, many people collected the bracelet from Dark Alliance members'' corpses. We need a good plan. Kent, seeing the opportunity, jumps in with a solution. I have an idea. I have some treasures to sell. Ahem! I mean, I have collected some treasures, why don''t I set up a shop and ask for something valuable? We will tell them to show everything they have collected. We will trade with them for equal value. In this way, We can collect all the bracelets from people. People who are dark alliance members won''t give their bracelets. What do you think? Kent asked. Tyler Stone says that''s a good idea, but at least thousands of people here will trade with all these people. I can see you only have 10-15 weapons on your back. Don''t worry. I have some fruit and vegetables inside my bag, too. We need the enemy indefinitely. I don''t have to sell to everyone. Okay, I get it. Let''s proceed with your plan for now. We will spread around the area. You need to point to me who might be a Dark Alliance member. Then, one of my men will follow him all the time. Once we find any evidence, we will take action. A few minutes later..... Kent steps up his shop. Come come It''s the best weapon for sale. The best nutritional value is in fruit and vegetables for sale. No need for Hunger. Very cheap price. If you don''t have money, you can trade for items toolimited stock. One by one, Kent checks everyone. He can find out who the dark alliance members are, one by one, but it will take a long time. Kent''s main plan was to trigger an emotion and discover who the Dark Alliance members were. They will all have numbers instead of names. They only sold fruit and vegetables. He demanded 500 thousand dollars for each weapon. All weapons were from the Skeleton Knights, so they are all ranked E. He doesn''t want to sell them for a cheap price. This way, he can also earn a lot of SP. Kent finds out about fifty dark alliance members from thousands of people. The watchers follow them all. Ready to strike at any time. Kent, meanwhile, is thinking about his mission. "If somehow he can find out where the Ruin core is, he will get a big reward from the system. He plans to sneak in when everyone is busy fighting with the guardian. I am not strong enough to fight the guardian yet. So I can complete the system mission." Suddenly, with a loud noise, someone landed in front of him. "BRO I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU." WHOOSH! SLAM! THUD! Bro, I know from the start you are my bro. I heard you started a business inside the ruin. I envy you so much. You are a true legend. Let''s be best friends from now on. I am a high-ranking official. You know that, right? I will give you all the access to our country''s ruins. When I go outside the country on a mission, I will take you with me, too. Let''s become partners. What you will sell inside those ruins, I will take 90 per cent, and you take 10 per cent. Kent oh! Finally, someone who speaks my language (money language). "But he is so cheeky, he wants to give me only 10 per cent." Kent replied, sorry, no deal. I do business alone, and I don''t want a partner. Definitely not a partner who takes 90 per cent. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Meanwhile, everyone was looking at them with weird expressions. WATCHER: this is one of our leaders trying to make a deal with a student. I am feeling so cringe just looking at him. Jade Monroe says, How about 60-40? Kent says no. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Jade: Then how about 50-50? It''s a good deal. Kent: No. 20-80. You take 20 percent, I take 80. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Jade: Without me, you can''t enter any ruins. 60-40. I can''t go any lower. Kent: Deal. You have to give me two people''s access. +999 SP copied Jade. (Happy) They both exchanged their information. Both of them walked together, shoulder to shoulder like they were long-lost brothers or something. Happy! Happy! +999 SP copied Jade. (Happy) Sigh! Tyler Stone says, sir, you''ve been missing for quite some time now. When you come back, you don''t even talk to us. You quickly go for your weird thing. Come, I need to report everything to you. You can do business later. Jade Monroe, scratching his back with an embarrassed face, says. You sound like I am not a reliable person. Don''t embarrass me in front of my new bro. I have made a plan. Kill all the low-level dark alliance members. After that, we will camp here for one or two days. Then we will enter the gate. Butbut why? We made a different plan, sir. Why do we have to wait for two days? I don''t understand anything. Jade Monroe says. Once we kill or capture all the low-level members. The strongest ones will feel like they will get caught soon. We might have found out about them. They will sneak inside to collect the core. Once they enter the gate, we will follow them when they are about to kill the guardian or get killed by the guardian. We will step in, or we will defeat the remaining party and collect the core. Saving everyone. Kent says Bro, listen. I fought with one of the Dark Alliance members. He said there is a Level-B cultivator among them. You must be careful. Here, I have collected some bracelets from Dark Alliance. I will give you them as the next ruin advance payment. You can sell them to take the next ruined money in advance. It will be my loss if I don''t find any good treasure in the next ruin. But you are my bro, and I can take some loss for you. Jade''s eyes are full of tears for his new brother. You are so kind, bro. I don''t worry if you have any loss. We can Settle it with another ruin. There are a lot of them, you know. Jade is happy getting money in advance. Kent is happy fooling Jade with some bracelets. He will get permission to enter the next ruin. He can keep all the loot for himself. He can also take Nima with him. This is a win-win situation for him. Jade Monroe Says goodbye to Kent. Alright, bro, I have to go now. I have a lot of work to do. Tyler, tonight we will kill or catch them all when everyone sleeps. Chapter 72 Night of the Hunt – Eliminating the Dark Alliance. ---- As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield ruins, Kent stood with his arms crossed, looking at Jade Monroe. Bro, Kent said, nodding thoughtfully. "We''re about to do something big." Jade Monroe grinned, adjusting his gauntlets. Yeah, bro. Tonight, we will make history. Today, we will catch the highest number of Dark Alliance members in one go. Nearby, Tyler Stone rolled his eyes. "Can you two stop acting like lifelong friends? You are a student, Kent, and you are a principal, sir." Ding! +500 SP Copied from Tyler (Annoyance). Kent smirked. SP farming was already starting. Alright, focus, Tyler said. We''re taking out all the low-level Dark Alliance members first. The stronger ones will panic and rush inside the ruins, where we''ll deal with them later. No mistakes. Everyone nodded. The night air was thick with tension. Watchers and Nexus operatives spread out through the area, hidden in the shadows. The Dark Alliance members had no idea they were being hunted. Kent, of course, was utterly ready to cause problems. Step one: Trigger emotions to farm SP. He activated the Spiritual Clock, cloaking himself, then snuck near a group of Dark Alliance members. SNAP! Kent broke a branch behind them. One of the Dark Alliance members turned around. "What was that?" "I don''t know" another muttered. Kent grinned. It was time for the next phase. He picked up a handful of dirt, crept behind the nearest one, and!!! PLOP! Threw it directly into the guy''s face. ACK!!! The Dark Alliance member stumbled back, coughing. "Who the hell just threw dirt in my mouth?!" "I-It wasn''t me!" another member stammered. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Confusion & Rage). Kent snickered in the shadows. "Too easy." THWACK! Before the guy could recover, a Nexus operative slammed him with a staff, knocking him out. One down. Forty-nine to go. Kent repeated his ''dirt attack'' strategy a few more times, each time causing panic. Some Dark Alliance members started arguing. WHAT THE FUCK WHO KEEPS THROWING DIRT?! one of them shouted. "I SWEAR IT WASN''T ME!" "WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME?!" Ding! +999 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Members (Suspicion & Frustration). Meanwhile, the Watchers took advantage of the confusion, striking fast and knocking out enemies left and right. Kent leaned against a tree, enjoying the show. Man, who knew dirt was so effective? Just then, one Dark Alliance member spotted something moving in the darkness. "THERE! IT''S A WATCHER! ATTACK!!" Suddenly, all hell broke loose. Seeing that the fight had started, Kent decided it was time to join in and farm more SP. He activated Flashing Step and appeared in the middle of the battlefield. WHOOSH! Yo, boys! Kent said, grinning. "Guess who''s here to ruin your day? One of the Dark Alliance members growled, swinging a dagger at him. Kent caught the guy''s wrist mid-swing, twisted it, and slapped him across the face. SLAP! ???? NO VIOLENCE IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN! Kent scolded mockingly. The guy looked too shocked even to react. Ding! +888 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Humiliation). Kent then punched him straight into another Dark Alliance member, knocking them both out. While Kent was busy farming SP, Jade Monroe was on a completely different level. One Dark Alliance member charged at him with a sword!! CLANG! Jade caught the blade between his fingers. "Pathetic," Jade muttered. Then, with a flick of his wrist||| CRACK! The sword shattered. Ding! S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +999 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Terror). Jade casually kicked the guy in the chest, sending him flying backwards into a rock. Kent, watching from a distance, nodded approvingly. "Okay, Jade''s got style. Gotta admit." Kent noticed a group of Dark Alliance members huddling together, trying to regroup. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out A Regular SPIRITUAL FRUIT. ???? A very, very smelly one. "Hehehe time for the ''Fruit Grenade Special''." Kent chucked the fruit into the middle of the group. PLOP. A second later BOOOOOOOOM! ???????? A horrific, nose-burning stench filled the air. "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!" one of them screamed, gagging. "I CAN''T BREATHE!!!" another shouted. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Members (Disgust & Horror). Tyler Stone, who had just arrived, pinched his nose and glared at Kent. What. The. Hell. Did you throw? Rotten spiritual fruit, Kent said proudly. The smell alone can kill. "YOU JUST CREATED A GAS ATTACK?!" Kent shrugged. "Hey, whatever works." Within an hour, all fifty Dark Alliance members were either captured or knocked out. The camp fell silent. Jade wiped the dust off his shirt and nodded. Good job, everyone. Now we wait. Kent sat on a rock, counting his SP earnings. [SP Balance: 1,784,000 SP] "Oh yeah," Kent whispered. "I''m rich." Tyler Stone approached him, shaking his head. I don''t know whether to call you a genius or a menace. Ding! +600 SP Copied from Tyler (Conflicted Emotions). Kent smirked. "Both work." The next morning, the ruins were still sealed. Kent, Ethan, and Mia were bored out of their minds. Why are we just waiting? Kent groaned. Let''s break the gate open. Are you insane? Ethan snapped. That would kill us all. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Ethan (Fear). Kent laughed, easy SP. Relax, I was joking. Jade Monroe walked up to them. Be ready. We''ll move when the strong batch of Dark Alliance members enters. Late into the night A massive explosion rocked the area. BOOOOOM! ???????? Kent''s eyes shot open. "What the" Ten Level-C cultivators and one Level-B cultivator emerged from the shadows. They''re finally here, Jade muttered. The Dark Alliance members didn''t hesitate. They charged straight into the stone gate. Jade turned to Kent. You know the plan. We wait until they''re fighting the guardian, then we strike. Kent smirked. "Yeah about that." Jade raised an eyebrow. "What now?" Kent stretched his arms. "I''m going in now." Jade''s eyes widened. "You WHAT?!" "I''ll sneak in and pretend to be one of them," Kent said, grinning. "Gotta farm more SP." ...You''re insane. I can''t let you go alone. Jade said. Kent says, don''t worry, bro. I have a sneaking technique. I can handle it. If there are multiple paths, then I will leave a mark on the walls. That way, you all can come on the right path. Before Jade could say anything, he entered the stone gate and ran after the Dark Alliance members. Jade sighed. He gets inside without listening to me. I wanted to tell him that we both can go together. My men will follow later. Jade shrugged. My bro will make money. Jade nodded. Yeah, probably. But, sir, you can''t leave us. You are our leader. You have to act like it. Kent is your student. Stop calling him, bro. Jade Monroe says. When we get out of here, he will be given an official position in the watcher rank. When he gets the position, we will be bro. Nothing to worry about. It''s not embarrassing. I can''t appoint him as a Tier-3 member at any time based on his contribution to this ruin. SIGH!! Sir, he will be a student. He needs to graduate before he can join us full-time. He can work as a trainee before he enters college. Chapter 73 Kents Next Adventure – Spying on the Dark Alliance. --- Jade Monroe replied I can bend the rules for my bro. I have the power to do so. Now, Tyler, go and prepare everyone. We will enter the stone gate within one hour. The camp was quiet after the chaotic battle that had unfolded earlier. The Watchers and Nexus operatives sat around in small groups, some cleaning their weapons, others tending to minor wounds. The captured Dark Alliance members had been rounded up and bound in a heavily guarded area, their sinister communication bracelets removed. The atmosphere in the Watcher and Nexus camp was tense yet orderly. Everyone gathered around in front of Jade. Jade Monroe stood in the middle of the camp, his eyes scanning his subordinates'' weary yet determined faces. They were ready, but the challenge before them was not an easy one. Jade turned to Tyler Stone, one of the Tier-4 Watchers and his trusted second-in-command. My bro, Kent, went in alone, Jade muttered, rubbing his temples. "Of course, he did." Tyler sighed. Sir, he doesn''t listen to orders. He''s reckless. "He''s efficient," Jade corrected, crossing his arms. My bro is a wild card, but that''s exactly why I sent him in first. He''ll get us the perfect opportunity to strike. Tyler murmurs to himself. You didn''t let him go. He just informed you before going in. Tyler says out loud. Sir. "what if he gets caught?" He is just a student, after all. He didn''t receive any proper training. Jade chuckled. "Caught? My bro is a true business genius. He''ll slip through cracks no one even knows exist." I trust him. After that, he didn''t let anyone say anything. Enough with the chit-chat. Listen to me carefully. The Watchers listened carefully as Jade formulated a battle plan. "Kent promised to leave marks on the walls if there were multiple paths inside the ruins," Jade explained. "Once we enter, our first priority is to find those marks and take the most efficient route." Tyler nodded. "Understood. But what if the marks get erased or tampered with?" Jade smirked. "Then we adapt. We''ll send small scouting teams ahead to confirm the safest routes while the main force moves in carefully." A young Watcher raised his hand. "Sir, what if Kent gets too far ahead? He could get himself killed before we even reach him." Jade''s smirk widened. "Oh, don''t worry. Kent''s main priority is making money just like me. Ahem.. ahem He won''t get himself killed before he collects every piece of loot in that ruin." Tyler sighed again. "That''s actually a fair point." "Our biggest advantage?" Jade continued. "The Dark Alliance doesn''t know we''re onto them." He tapped the makeshift table. "They''re going straight for the core, which means they''ll have to fight the Guardian." Tyler''s eyes lit up with realization. "So instead of fighting them head-on" "We let them weaken each other first." Jade nodded. "The Guardian will be strong, and these Dark Alliance members aren''t invincible. If we time it right, we''ll attack when both sides are already exhausted." A murmur of approval spread through the ranks. "This means we wait." Jade declared. "No one rushes in blindly. We give them time to struggle, lose numbers, and wear themselves out. Then we strike." Jade turned to his elite team. "Once we''re inside, Tier-4 Watchers and I will position ourselves near the Guardian''s chamber. We will remain hidden until the perfect moment." Tyler spoke up. "And what about the rest of the team?" "They will secure the outer corridors and block any reinforcements. We can''t let the Dark Alliance escape once we engage. If we take out this group, their entire operation in this ruin collapses." A Watcher asked, "What about civilians? There are still students here." What about the prisoner? Jade''s expression darkened. "Anyone caught assisting the Dark Alliance will be treated as an enemy. No exceptions." Miss Elena will be in charge of the team. Her job is to look after the prisoners. Go inform her. I already told her to look after them. Tell her if anyone tries anything, kill them without hesitation. Give temporary guard roles to some of the excellent students. Tyler clenched his fist. "Understood, sir." With the plan in place, the Watchers and Nexus operatives began preparing for- 1. Weapons were checked and sharpened. 2. Energy was conserved for the battle ahead. 3. Scouting teams reviewed formations and contingency plans. Jade walked among them, observing their preparations. This was going to be one of the biggest fights they had faced in this ruin. After some time, Tyler approached Jade again. "Sir, there''s just one thing that concerns me." Jade looked at him curiously. "Go on." "It''s Kent." Jade smirked. "What about him?" Tyler exhaled. "You''re really trusting a single student to be the foundation of this operation?" Jade shrugged. "Kent is unpredictable, but that''s what makes him dangerousto both sides. The Dark Alliance won''t see him coming." Tyler groaned. "And if Kent just runs off to chase loot instead of following the plan?" Jade grinned. "Then we adjust. That''s what makes this fun." Tyler stared at him in disbelief. "Sir, this is a military operation, not a gambling match!" Jade laughed. "Oh, Tyler, everything in life is a gamble. You just have to know when to go all in." As the time to act drew near, the Watchers and Nexus members gathered at the entrance of the stone gate. Jade took one last deep breath, his expression turning serious. "Alright, everyone. This is it. Stick to the plan, and we win this without losing a single person. Understood?" A chorus of determined voices rang out. "Understood, sir!" Jade nodded. "Then let''s go." With that, the Watchers and Nexus forces stepped into the darknessfollowing the trail Kent had left behind. . . . . Back to the time when Dark Alliance members entered the stone gate. Kent activates the Spiritual Clock and snuck after the Dark Alliance group as they enter the gate. The gate creaked open, revealing a swirling vortex of energy. WHOOSH! ???? Kent slipped through the gate just before it closed, following the group from a safe distance. The Dark Alliance members moved in formation, their leadera tall man with a scar running down his cheekbarking orders. "Stay sharp!" the leader growled. "These core areas are filled with traps and monsters. No mistakes!" Kent watched from behind a crumbling pillar, grinning. "This is going to be fun." After observing them for a while, Kent decided it was time to make his move. He deactivated the Spiritual Clock and stepped out of the shadows, waving cheerfully. "Yo, guys!" The entire group froze, turning to look at him. "Who the hell are you?!" the leader demanded, drawing his sword. "Relax, relax," Kent said, holding up his hands. "I''m one of you! Code number uh 888." The leader narrowed his eyes. "888? I don''t remember you." "I was sent as backup," Kent lied smoothly. "You know how it isorders from above." My duty was to gather information about Nexus. They don''t know my identity, that''s why I wasn''t caught. When I saw you guys enter the gate I thought I can help you guys. Ding! +499 SP Copied from Leader (Suspicion). This kid is so young. Nexus won''t send a school kid. He might be one of us. The leader hesitated, then grunted. "Fine. But stay out of my way." you guard the back!! Kent grinned. "You got it, boss." Over the next hour, Kent expertly sabotaged the Dark Alliance group while pretending to help them. Trap #1: The Slippery Slope As they climbed a steep slope, Kent "accidentally" loosened some rocks, sending half the group sliding back down on dirt. "WHO DID THAT?!" one of them shouted, covered in dirt. "Oops," Kent said innocently. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx(Frustration). Trap #2: The Mysterious Noise While passing through a narrow corridor, Kent used his fire to create a faint crackling sound, making it seem like the walls were about to collapse. "RUN!" one of them screamed, bolting forward. The entire group panicked, trampling over each other in their haste to escape. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Panic). +1,500 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Panic). Trap #3: The Surprise Attack When a group of skeleton knights ambushed them, Kent conveniently "forgot" to warn the others until the last second. "Uh, guys? You might want to turn around" "WHAT?!" CLANG! ???? The Dark Alliance members barely managed to fend off the knights, glaring at Kent the entire time. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Leader (Annoyance). +999 SP Copied from Leader (Annoyance). By the time they reached the chamber, the leader glared daggers at Kent. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re acting suspicious," he growled. "Are you really one of us?" Kent grinned nervously. "Of course! Why would I lie?" Ding! +800 SP Copied from Leader (Distrust). The leader didn''t look convinced, but a loud roar echoed through the chamber before he could say anything. ROOOOOAAAARRRRR!!! Chapter 74 A Perfectly "Looks like we''ve got company," Kent said, drawing his dagger. Ding! System notifications: enemy incoming Name: A skeleton dragon of ancient times. Cultivation: in between Level-C and Level-B A massive skeleton dragon emerged from the shadows, its bony wings spreading wide as it roared again. The Dark Alliance members immediately went on the defensive, charging at the dragon with their weapons. Kent hung back, watching them struggle. "This should be good." One of the members turned to him. "What are you waiting for?! Join the fight!" "Alright, alright," Kent said, rolling his eyes. You want me to help you. He activated Flashing Step, instantly appearing on the dragon''s back. WHOOSH! "Surprise, big guy!" Kent said, stabbing his hellfire-coated dagger into the dragon''s spine. BOOOOM! The dragon roared in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off. Meanwhile, the Dark Alliance members were too busy fighting to notice Kent''s antics. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dragon (Anger). "Man, I love this kind of job," Kent said, laughing. The skeleton dragon roared, its bony wings beating against the air as it struggled against Kent''s hellfire-coated dagger. The Dark Alliance Level-C members were shouting and swinging their weapons, but none of their attacks seemed to work. Meanwhile, Kent? Oh, he was having the time of his life. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from Dark Alliance members xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx (Frustration). Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Dragon (Pain). "Hah! This thing gives SP, too?! I should ride more skeleton dragons!" Kent cackled, holding onto the dragon''s bony spine like it was a rodeo show. The Ember ling sparrow was sleeping inside his jacket. Kent was very careful not to harm the little bird. His movements were restricted for that reason. The leader of the Dark Alliance, still unaware of Kent''s true identity, gritted his teeth. "Enough of this! We need to bring it down before it wipes out my team!" "Good plan, boss!" Kent shouted from the dragon''s back. "I''ll help!" ThenHe let go. Whoosh! Kent let himself fall off the dragon''s back, twisting mid-air as he descended. He made sure to position himself right behind a few Dark Alliance members. "INCOMING!" Kent yelled, flailing his arms. CRASH! He landed directly on two Dark Alliance members, flattening them into the dirt. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain & anger). +1,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain & anger). "Ow! You idiot!" one of them groaned. Kent stood up and dusted himself off. "Oops. My bad, guys. That landing could have been better." The leader glared at him. "You''re making things worse!" "Oh? I thought I was helping!" Kent grinned. Ding! +800 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Leader (Suspicion). The dragon swung its tail, sending another group of Dark Alliance members flying like bowling pins. THWACK! Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). The remaining Dark Alliance fighters stumbled back, fear now creeping into their eyes. The leader clenched his fists. "This thing is too strong! We need to retreat and regroup!" Kent''s eyes widened. Oh, hell no. He didn''t sabotage these idiots so that they could escape. "Oh no, boss," Kent said dramatically, stepping in front of the retreating Dark Alliance members. "You said we needed to fight, so we should fight!" The leader scowled. "What are you doing, 888?! Move!" "Move?" Kent gasped, placing a fake offended hand on his chest. "After everything we''ve been through? I can''t let you leave! Here, let me help!" And then!! Kent grabbed one of their own weapons (a massive great sword) and swung it wildlyaccidentally knocking three of them back toward the dragon. BOOM! "NOOO!" The dragon stomped on them instantly. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). Kent winced. "Damn. That looked like it hurt." The leader''s face turned red with fury. "YOU''RE SABOTAGING US, AREN''T YOU?!" Kent grinned. "Oh, you finally figured it out?" FWOOSH! ???? Kent activated Hellfire, his flames bursting to life around him. His casual smirk turned into something much more sinister. "You guys were fun to mess with," he admitted, "but playtime''s over." The remaining Dark Alliance members suddenly realized they were in serious trouble. "You you''re not one of us?" one of them stammered. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent cracked his knuckles. "Nope. But thanks for the SP donations." The Dark Alliance Leader growled, spiritual energy flaring around him. His aura turned jet black, an oppressive force filling the air. "You''ve ruined my mission, brat." "Hey, in my defense, it was ruined from the start," Kent said. The leader lunged forward, his fists covered in shadow energy. Kent activated the Flashing Step WHOOSH! ???? The leader swungbut Kent was already gone. Kent appeared behind him, dagger in hand. "Surprise." SLASH! The Soul Slasher dagger, coated in Hellfire, cut through the leader''s spiritual defenses like butter. The dark alliance leader froze. Ding! Frozen skill is active. The effect lasts for 1.5 seconds. The leader stumbled, clutching his side, eyes wide. "W-What kind of fire is that?" he gasped. Kent spun his dagger, the flames flickering menacingly. "The kind that sends you straight to the afterlife." The leader roared in fury, frozen effects disappeared, charging forward againbut he was too slow. Kent sidestepped, then delivered one final flaming stab! BOOM! The leader was thrown back near the Skeleton dragon. Skeleton dragon attacks the dark alliance leader. Kent says have fun. I have to go. My treasures are waiting for me. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Leader (anger). The skeleton dragon and Dark Alliance leader start to fight each other, the dark alliance leader commands the rest of his team members to fight with him they need to defeat the skeleton dragon first. After that, they will deal with Kent. Kent got out of the chamber and searched the area, looking for anything valuable. His eyes landed on something shimmering in the dim ruins light. "Wait a second" Kent approached a small crack in the wall. He bent down, running his fingers across the glowing blue stones embedded inside. Ding! System Notification: Spiritual Ore Mine Discovered! Kent grinned. "Now this this is good loot." He quickly activated Appraisal on the broken tools scattered nearby. Ding! Many Broken Spiritual Tools Detected. The host can use Architect Skill + Hellfire to Repair Them. Kent grinned even wider. "Jackpot." With his newfound Ore mine and the ability to repair weapons, Kent''s next plan was clear. Step 1: Collect as many broken weapons and tools as possible. Step 2: Use his SSS-Rank Architect of creation Skill to fix them. Step 3: Sell them when he goes outside the ruin. "This is better than robbing rich cultivators!" Kent laughed. I am also getting SP from Dark Alliance members, they are fighting the skeleton dragon. Ha Ha Ha!!! He stuffed his bag with as many broken weapons as he could carry, then made a mental note to return for the ore later. "Once I sell these," he murmured, rubbing his hands together, "I''ll be the richest student in this whole damn ruin." As he walked away, a bag full of broken tools and mind full of business ideas, he had no idea that things were about to get way more chaotic on the other side. Meanwhile, The Dark Alliance members stood in a tight formation, their bloodied weapons clutched tightly as they watched the massive Skeleton Dragon before them. The rage undead beast was at least twenty meters long, its hollow eye sockets burning with eerie blue flames. Its bony wings spread wide, and its jaw unhinged, letting out a deep, echoing roar that made the air itself tremble. ROOOOOAAAARRRR! The Dark Alliance Leader narrowed his eyes. "Prepare for battle." The remaining seven Level-C members instantly surrounded the dragon, their spiritual energy flaring as they prepared to engage. The dragon, seeing them as intruders, didn''t hesitate. It swung its tail like a wrecking ball, aiming to crush it in one move. WHOOSH! "DODGE!" the leader bellowed. The fighters scattered, just in time to avoid the massive tail that slammed into the ground. The shockwave sent rocks and debris flying, causing the weaker members to stumble. But one wasn''t fast enough. A Level-C fighter was too slowthe dragon''s tail clipped him before he could escape. CRACK! The unfortunate cultivator''s ribs shattered, and he was sent flying across the battlefield before slamming into a boulder. BOOM! "ARGH!!" He screamed in pain. Blood dripped from his mouth as he clutched his chest. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain). The leader didn''t even look at him. Forget him, he barked. "The weak are just stepping stones for the strong." Knowing the Dark Alliance''s brutal philosophy, the others didn''t protest. They tightened their grips on their weapons, steeling themselves for what came next. Chapter 75 Dark alliance fights and Nexus watches from the shadows. "Split into two teams!" the leader commanded. "One distracts it; the other aims for weak points!" The Dark Alliance members moved with precision, years of ruthless training kicking in. The first team rushed forward, launching a flurry of attacks at the dragon''s legs to limit its mobility. "FLAME STRIKE!" one of them yelled, slashing his fire-infused sword across the dragon''s shinbone. WHOOSH! But!! The flames barely left a mark on the dragon''s enchanted bones. The beast snarled, stomping the ground in retaliation. BOOOOOM! The shockwave sent three of them flying. One landed on his face. SPLAT! Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain). The second team saw an opening. One of the strongest Level-C members leapt onto the dragon''s spine, activating his shadow-infused spear technique. "DIE, BEAST!" His spearhead glowed black, vibrating with condensed spiritual energy. With a battle cry, he plunged the weapon into the dragon''s spine! STAB! For a momentthere was silence. Then BOOOOOOOOOOM! The dragon erupted with dark energy, its spinal bones twisting unnaturally. The fighter on its back let out a bloodcurdling scream as his own attack was reflected back at him. CRACK! His body turned into ashes before it even hit the ground. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). "ENOUGH!" the Dark Alliance Leader roared, stepping forward. His spiritual aura exploded, revealing his true power as a Level-B cultivator. His shadow energy expanded, forming dark claws around his hands. He vanished from sight, only reappearing on top of the dragon''s skull. With one powerful motion, he slammed both of his fists down. BOOM! The impact cracked the dragon''s skull, forcing it to stumble. The other Level-C fighters seized the chance and attacked in unison, their weapons piercing through the dragon''s joints. The combined force was too much. The Skeleton Dragon let out one final, echoing roar before its body collapsed into a heap of bones. As the dust settled, the survivors of the Dark Alliance stood in silence, panting heavily. Out of the ten who started, only five remained standing. The leader wiped the sweat from his forehead, gazing at the defeated beast. He smirked. "The strongest always win." Still catching his breath, one of his men asked, "What now, boss?" The leader stepped forwardhis eyes locked onto something floating in the air. It was a massive, glowing ballthis must be the Ruin core. His smirk widened. "Now we take what''s ours." The air was still thick with battle energy. The once-mighty Skeleton Dragon now lay in ruins, its massive bones scattered across the battlefield. The Dark Alliance had won the fightbut not without casualties. Their forces were weakened, and their leader, the powerful Level-B cultivator, was visibly exhausted. The prolonged battle had drained him, and his subordinates weren''t faring any better. The Dark Alliance''s remaining fighters, all Level-C cultivators, stood near their fallen comrades, catching their breath. Their weapons were covered in bone dust; some had deep wounds from the Skeleton Dragon''s final attacks. The leader wiped blood from his mouth, his red eyes burning with determination. "This was just an obstacle," he muttered. "The real prize is ahead." He turned to his surviving men. "We move now. The Ruin Core is close." His voice was cold, decisive. They had no time to waste. They had to reach the glowing ball (they think it''s the Ruin core) before Nexus and the Watchers arrived. But what the leader didn''t know Jade Monroe was already three steps ahead. Not far behind, hidden in the shadows, Jade Monroe and his elite Watchers observed the Dark Alliance''s movements. Jade crouched near a half-broken pillar, his sharp eyes following their leader''s every move. Tyler Stone stood beside him, whispering, "They''re moving toward the Ruin Core. Do we attack now?" Jade smirked. "Not yet." His golden eyes gleamed with strategy. "The Dark Alliance just fought the Skeleton Dragon. They''re weak. They''re running on fumes. And they''re still heading into another battle inside the Core Chamber." He tapped his sword hilt. "Why should we fight them now when we can let them fight someone else first?" Tyler raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Ruin Guardian?" Jade nodded. "Exactly. Every ruin has a final Guardian protecting its Core. It''s their last line of defense." Tyler''s eyes widened with realization. "So we let the Dark Alliance waste their strength fighting the Guardian then we move in and finish off whoever survives?" Jade grinned. "Now you''re thinking like me." Nexus Jade turned to his squad of Watchers. "Everyone, listen up. We''re following them, but we don''t engage until I give the signal." He raised a communication artifact, a small crystal that allowed him to send silent spiritual messages to his entire team. "Move in formation. Stay hidden. If anyone is spotted, retreat immediately. No fights until I say so." The Watchers nodded in unison, their expressions serious. One of them, a young scout who didn''t listen to what Jade was saying, whispered, "Sir, what if they notice us?" Jade smirked. "Then we''ll give them a reason to run faster." I just said what to do. Are you nervous? The silent hunt had begun. The Dark Alliance leader moved quickly, leading his men through the narrow corridors of the ruin. The passage was dimly lit, torches flickering against ancient stone walls lined with carvings of forgotten battles. Despite their injuries, they pushed forward. They knew, sooner or later, that Nexus and the Watchers would come. They had to reach the Ruin Core first. One of the Level-C members panted. "Sir, should we set up traps behind us? Slow them down?" sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The leader shook his head. "No. That wastes time. We keep moving." They didn''t know how close Jade and his men were. As they neared the massive stone statue of the Ruin Core Chamber, the Dark Alliance leader raised his hand and signalled his men to stop. "We''re here." Before them stood two gigantic stone figures covered in ancient runes. These pulsed with faint, ominous energy unlike anything they had ever seen. The leader turned to his men. "This is it. The Core Chamber." Jade Monroe smirked from the shadows. "Walk right in, idiots." As soon as the Dark Alliance crossed the stone statues, a wave of thick spiritual energy flooded the air. The chamber started to shake, with towering pillars and a raised altar at the center, where the Ruin Core pulsed with a deep red glow. Something big started to materialize in front of them. ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRR!!! A monstrous growl echoed through the chamber as a shadowy figure moved in the darkness. The Dark Alliance members froze. The leader narrowed his eyes. "So this is the final test" From the shadows, two massive glowing eyes flickered to life. A colossal beast, shrouded in black mist, stepped forward, its claws scraping against the stone. Its body shifted between physical and ethereal as if it existed in multiple planes of existence at once. "The Ruin Guardian had awakened." Outside the chamber, Jade smiled in satisfaction. Tyler whispered, "Now what?" Jade''s fingers tapped against the hilt of his sword. "We wait." The Dark Alliance was about to fight for their lives And when they are at their weakest we will strike. Meanwhile, Kent rubbed his hands together as he stood before a pile of broken spiritual tools, weapons, and rusted armor pieces. His storage and bag were already overflowing with loot, but there was no way he was leaving behind valuable materials. Ding! System Notification: Architect Skill Activated! Hellfire can now be used to refine and restore spiritual tools. Kent''s eyes widened. "Hell yeah!" Kent grinned, cracking his knuckles. First he grabs an Ore. Then. FWOOSH! He summoned his Hellfire, the black flames crackling ominously around his hands. He grabbed a broken spiritual sword, its once sharp blade now chipped and covered in rust. "Time for some crafting magic!" Holding the weapon firmly, Kent channeled his flames into it. SIZZLE! The rust melted away instantly, revealing a polished silver blade beneath. Cracks and dents vanished as if time had reversed. The sword glowed faintly, the inscription on its hilt reappearing. Ding! +1 Restored Spiritual Sword (Rank-E) Added to Inventory. Kent whistled. "Now that''s what I''m talking about! These things will sell for a fortune!" With renewed excitement, he continued fixing dozens of weapons at lightning speed. CLANG! CRACKLE! WHOOSH! Ding! Restored Spiritual Tools (Rank-E) Added to Inventory. Spiritual Armors (Rank-D) Added to Inventory. Kent chuckled, stuffing the items into his storage. "Alright, time to head back and make some serious money!" The energy radiating from the guardian was dense and suffocating as if the very essence of the battlefield''s past wars had been compressed into this one place. But the Core wasn''t unguarded. ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!! A bone-chilling roar echoed through the chamber, making the ground tremble beneath their feet. Then the shadows moved. It was unlike anything the Dark Alliance had faced before. It stood on four jagged legs, its claws sharp enough to carve through stone. Chapter 76 A Three-way Battle happened, while Kent Gets the Benefits. --- The guardian eyesfour of them, burning like molten emberslocked onto the intruders. Most terrifying of all was the aura it radiated. A corrupting force, twisting and warping the very air around it. The Dark Alliance leader''s eyes narrowed. "So this is the final challenge." The Ruin Guardian lunged forward, moving faster than something its size should be capable of. BOOM! Its claws slammed down, cracking the stone beneath it as the Dark Alliance barely dodged in time. "SPREAD OUT!" the leader barked, already forming hand seals. The Level-C cultivators leaped away, drawing their weapons as they circled the beast. One of them778rushed in first. "I''ll slow it down!" His hands ignited with dark energy, and he thrust them forward. "Shadow Chains!" Dark chains shot from his hands, wrapping around the Guardian''s front leg! For a moment, it looked like it worked. Then CRACK! The Guardian ripped through the chains as if they were paper, the backlash sending 778 flying into a pillar. BOOOOOM! The leader clicked his tongue. "It''s resistant to spirit-based attacks. Use direct force!" Another Level-C dark alliance fighter charged forward, swinging a massive war axe at the Guardian''s leg. CLANG! The blade struck, sparks flying! But instead of cutting through, the axe shattered on impact. "WHAT?!" The fighter''s eyes widened in horror. The Guardian swung its hands. WHOOOOSH! It slammed into the fighter, sending him flying on the ground. CRASH! He hit the ground, slumping forward. Unconscious. The leader growled. "This thing is stronger than the Skeleton Dragon" He gritted his teeth, then shouted: "We need to cut off its energy source!" The leader turned his attention to the stone statues. I think it is the source of the Guardian''s power, he barked. If we could damage it, the beast might weaken or even stop functioning. He pointed to two of his men. "You! Attack the statues!" The two Level-C cultivators nodded and dashed toward the pulsating statues. Just as they raised their weapons ROOOOAAARRRR! The Guardian reacted instantly. A massive shadow tendril shot from its body, slamming into the first cultivator. BOOM! The second barely dodged, rolling to the side. "DAMN IT!" he cursed, trying to regroup. The leader''s expression darkened. "We can''t get close to the Core until this thing is dead." He took a deep breath. Then, his aura exploded. Dark spiritual energy engulfed his body, his cultivation surging as he activated his full power. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "ALL UNITS, ATTACK!" His entire force charged forward, surrounding the Guardian. Dark spiritual energy rained down upon it. The Guardian howled in fury, its form shifting and distorting! It began to lash out wildly, claws and tendrils tearing through the battlefield. The Dark Alliance fought with everything they had. But for every attack, they landed The Guardian barely flinched. Outside the chamber, Jade Monroe watched the battle unfold. His fingers tapped against the hilt of his sword, his mind calculating. "They''re struggling." Tyler Stone, standing next to him, smirked. "You called it perfectly, sir." Jade''s lips curled into a smile. "They''re too busy fighting the Guardian. Now''s our chance." He turned to his Watchers. "Everyone, get ready. We enter the moment they show weakness." His golden eyes burned with anticipation. "This ruin is ours. We will get to the core." After collecting loots and repairing them. Kent comes to the core chamber. Kent peeked from behind a crumbling wall, watching as the dark alliance fighters engaged the Shadow Beast. Nexus and Watchers waiting to attack them. "Alright, boys, you keep each other busy while I go treasure hunting," he whispered. Ding! System Notification: Ruin Core Located. 100 meters north, beneath the ancient altar. "Sweet! System, you really know how to make my life easy!" Kent activated Flashing Step, dashing toward the altar. He arrived at the site within seconds, finding a large stone platform covered in ancient carvings. Is it this huge ball? How am I supposed to get it? Ding! System notifications: This isn''t the Ruin core. It''s a void fragment. A vast space of nothing. "What then where''s the core?" He scanned the altar, looking for anything unusual. His eyes locked onto a small crack in the stone, a faint golden glow seeping out. It''s a hidden chamber. Bingo!!! Kent grinned, so the core was under the altar, inside this hidden chamber, rubbing his hands together. "Time to get rich!" Just as he enters the hidden chamber beneath the altar! RUMBLE! The altar shook violently, cracks spreading across its surface. On the battlefield. A few seconds earlier. Jade Monroe''s golden eyes gleamed as he signaled to his Watchers. The Dark Alliance was fully occupied with the Ruin Guardian, their attacks barely making a dent against its monstrous form. This was the moment. With a single motion of his hand, the Watchers moved. WHOOSH! Dozens of figures emerged from hiding, their weapons coated in spiritual energy as they descended upon the battlefield. The Dark Alliance barely had time to react. "WATCHERS?! HERE?!" a Level-C Dark Alliance member shouted, his face twisted in shock. SHING! A Watcher''s blade tore through his back before he could even raise his weapon. Blood sprayed into the air as he collapsed. Tyler Stone charged in first, his greatsword gleaming with raw power. "NO MERCY!" he roared, swinging his weapon at the nearest enemy. SWING! His blade crashed down, slicing through a Level-C enemy''s spiritual shield like paper and sending the man slamming into a stone pillar. "GAAAAHHH!" The rest of the Watchers followed, engaging the Dark Alliance forces in brutal combat. While his men fought, Jade Monroe had one target in mind. His eyes locked onto the Dark Alliance Leader, the Level-B cultivator still battling the Ruin Guardian. The leader''s back was turned. Jade smirked. You back open, it''s like you''re begging me to end your suffering. Don''t worry, I am a generous person. I will help you. WHOOSH! He vanished, reappearing directly behind the Dark Alliance Leader "Surprise." SLASH! Jade''s sword, coated in golden flames, sliced toward his enemy''s neck. But!! The leader spun around, barely blocking in time with his dagger. CLANG! Sparks exploded as their weapons clashed, shaking the ground beneath them. Kent felt that shaking under the altar. The leader''s red eyes burned with fury. "Monroe YOU!" Jade grinned. "Missed me?" While Jade engaged the leader, Tyler led the charge against the remaining Dark Alliance forces. Two Level-C Dark Alliance members lunged at him, their weapons glowing with dark energy. "DIE, WATCHER!" one screamed, slashing at his side. Tyler sidestepped, his greatsword already moving SHIIING! He decapitated the first enemy in a single swing. The second hesitated Too slow. Tyler grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. CRACK! He snapped his neck and tossed the corpse aside. "KEEP PRESSING!" Tyler roared, his men surging forward with renewed fury. The Dark Alliance, already weakened by the Ruin Guardian''s attacks, began to fall apart. ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!! The Ruin Guardian, still fighting, sensed the battle shifting. Its form twisted, growing larger, the shadows around it surging like a raging storm. Its power spiked. With a mighty leap, it crashed into the battlefield, sending both Watchers and Dark Alliance members flying. BOOOOOOOM! Jade and the Dark Alliance Leader barely dodged as the beast''s massive claws slammed into the ground between them. The leader growled, eyes narrowing. "This thing is getting stronger." Let''s not fight. First, we kill this guardian then we fight. What do say, Monroe? No. Jade adjusted his grip on his sword. " Whoever is stronger wins. I don''t want to be an ally of you sick Bastard." The Guardian lunged at them, its four glowing eyes burning with ancient fury. Jade charged forward, sword flaring with a golden dragon formed by spiritual energy. The Dark Alliance Leader did the same, his black energy swirling around his dagger. At the last second They both vanished. WHOOSH! Reappearing above the Guardian''s head, their weapons aimed at its core. "DIE!" they roared in unison. SLASH! Their combined strike pierced through the beast''s skull, cutting straight into its core. The Guardian let out a final, ear-piercing shriek Then It collapsed. BOOOOOOM! The entire chamber shook, the beast''s body dissolving into dust. Kent also felt that shaking. The battlefield fell silent. The Dark Alliance members that remained looked around in horror. The Guardian was gone. Their leader was injured. The Watchers were still standing. And Jade Monroe was grinning. "Well, that was fun." The Dark Alliance Leader staggered backward, clutching his wounded shoulder. His eyes darted to the Ruin altarthen back at the Watchers. Jade saw it. "Trying to run?" Not Happening! The leader gritted his teeth. Then WHOOSH! Jade launches an attack on the Dark Alliance group leader. The Ruin chamber trembled, dust falling from the cracked ceiling as the Shadow Beast''s remains faded into nothingness. The Dark Alliance Leaderthe last threat standingstaggered, blood trickling down his arm from the wound Jade had inflicted. His once-powerful aura was now unstable, flickering like a dying flame. Chapter 77The Final Battle & A Contract with Fire ---- His red eyes darted between the Watchers and the Ruin Altar, calculating his next move. He knew he couldn''t win against all of them. But Jade Monroe wasn''t about to let him escape. "You can''t run. Death is your only option." The leader gritted his teeth. Then WHOOSH! He vanished into the shadows. CLANK! Jade vanished too, his sword slicing through the air where the leader had stood. Thendark energy erupted behind him. "DIE, MONROE!" Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The leader reappeared, a dagger aimed at Jade''s spine. But SLASH! Jade had already countered. With blinding speed, he twisted mid-air, his golden sword slashing across the leader''s chest. "GRAAAHHH!" The Dark Alliance Leader was sent flying, crashing through a ruined pillar. BOOM! Jade landed lightly, flicking blood off his blade. "Tch. You''re too slow." The Dark Alliance group Leader staggered to his feet, his hand clutching his bleeding chest. His breaths came in ragged gasps. He was losing. But he refused to die here. With a roar, his spiritual energy erupted, his body covered in a swirling black aura. "IF I DIE, I''M TAKING YOU ALL WITH ME!" The air around him darkened, shadows gathering at his fingertips. Jade''s eyes narrowed. "Tch. He''s going to self-destruct." The Watchers took a step back, preparing to counter or flee. But Jade Monroe was already moving. WHOOSH! In a blur, he appeared in front of the leader. The Dark Alliance Leader''s eyes widened. "WHAT?!" Jade''s hand shot forward, gripping the leader''s face. "Die quietly." Then THUD! Jade slammed the leader''s head into the ground, his golden energy erupting through the man''s skull. The force of the impact cracked the stone floor, sending shockwaves rippling through the chamber. A second later The Dark Alliance Leader stopped moving. His body twitched oncethen went still. The one remaining Dark Alliance members froze, watching their leader''s lifeless body. Thenpanic. "H-He''s dead!" "I NEED TO ESCAPE!" The last Dark Alliance member fell to his knees, dropping his weapons in surrender. Don''t kill me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Jade Monroe exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Finally." Tyler Stone walked up, kicking the dead leader''s body. "Damn, that was brutal." Jade wiped the sweat from his brow. "He was annoying." Then, his eyes shifted to the Ruin Altar, still pulsing with ancient energy. "Now where the hell is my bro?" I don''t see him anywhere Kent was nowhere near the battlefield. While everyone was fighting for their lives, Kent had sneaked away, following the system''s guidance to the Ruin''s true treasure. Meanwhile, When the dark alliance leader and Jade Monroe were fighting. Kent was busy collecting the most valuable treasure of this ruin. Ding! System Notification: The host has reached the Ruin Core Chamber. Primary Treasure Detected: Void Fragment. The system advises the host to take the void fragment. Most valuable treasure here. Kent''s eyes lit up. "Void Fragment? That sounds expensive." System, how do I take it? Tell me quickly. I don''t have much time. I can feel the battle is about to end soon. Ding! The host needs to refine the void fragment. After refining the host will have a void as a storage. It will merge with the host soul and system. He approached the ancient pedestal in the center of the chamber. A shiny, floating ball hovered above it, radiating immense power. The moment he stepped closer FWOOSH! A surge of pure void energy erupted, pushing Kent back. "Whoa, chill!" Ding! System Notification: Warning: The Void Fragment is too powerful for the host. Refining it will require a significant amount of system energy to refine it. A temporary system shutdown will occur after refining is done. Kent froze. "Wait. You''re telling me if I take this thing, the system will shut down?!" Ding! Correct. Kent frowned. No system meant no abilities, no Appraisal, no SP tracking But it also meant A massive power boost. His grip tightened. "Screw it. I''m taking it." He reached forward, placing his hand on the Void Fragment. SHINY! An explosion of VOID energy engulfed the room. Kent''s body trembled as the void energy merged with his soul. Ding! System Notification: The Refinement Process started. 1% 10% . 50%..... 80%.... 100% Congratulations host. Refining is complete. System entering sleep mode Warning: Because the host took the void fragment. This ruin became unstable. The ruin was inside the void fragment. Now the ruin will disappear within a few minutes. All living things will be sent to the real world. Including animals who lived here. Good luck, Host. Thensilence. Kent blinked. The system is gone. System you are telling me everything will go outside. Although, these animals aren''t that strong. It will be hard for Nexus and Watcher to handle everything. As the chaos settled, a soft chirping sound came from Kent''s jacket. He looked down. His Emberling Sparrow, the tiny firebird that had followed him, was staring at Kent curiously. It tilted its head. Kent says. Ohh! I forgot to make a contract with you. Then Kent bites his finger, blood comes out and he drops blood on Emberling''s sparrow head. Then, suddenly FWOOSH! The bird''s body ignited, flames flickering around its feathers. Kent''s eyes widened. Ding! System Offline. Emergency Contract Ritual Activated. A strange, glowing rune circle appeared beneath Kent and the bird. A voice echoed in his mindthe system''s final automated function before shutting down. Contract Formation: Emberling Sparrow. A firebird has chosen you as its master. Do you accept it? Kent smirked. "Hell yeah, I accept!" The moment he spoke BOOOOOOOM! A fiery explosion erupted around them. The Emberling Sparrow let out a joyful cry, its body glowing brighter as the contract was completed. Kent sees the memory of the Emberling Sparrow''s full life in a flash. He sees how he was bullied by his siblings, how his parents didn''t care about him, how his mother ignored him, and how his father threw him out of the family for his unusual color. How the little bird survived alone on the farm. How It finds Kent with a big risk. When the flames died down Kent felt a new connection in his soul. The bird head where Kent dropped his blood, a golden star mark appeared. It shines for a few seconds. Then the star becomes part of the bird''s body. As if the mark was always there in his head. The sparrow hopped onto his shoulder, looking proud of itself. Kent grinned. "Welcome to the team, little guy." Don''t worry, you are not alone anymore. From now on, you will be my Family. You have parents but you live the life of an orphan just like me. You know I have a little sister, I think she will be happy when she sees you. Suddenly RUMBLE RUMBLE The entire ruin shook violently. A massive crack formed across the ceiling, and stone debris began falling. Kent''s smile dropped. "Shit." He grabbed the Ruin core, shoved it into his pocket, and ran toward the exit. The entire ruin was collapsing or rather it was disappearing. Back at the battlefield, Jade Monroe had just finished his battle with the Dark Alliance group leader. Tyler stretched. "Finally, it''s over." Then RUMBLE RUMBLE The entire ruin started shaking. Jade''s eyes widened. "WAIT what happened? Where is the Ruin core?" ( Here he meant the ball above the altar. The void fragment. They thought the void fragment was the Ruin core.) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) Then BOOOOOM! The main chamber doors EXPLODED. And Kent came running out of nowhere at full speed, a panicked look on his face. Jade stared at him. Where were you, bro? I was looking for you. Kent stopped running. Then he says, I was just looking around, trying to find some treasures. But my luck is very bad. See, pointing at his back, I only got some low-level broken spiritual tools. Jade said, don''t worry bro, when the next ruin opens we will look for treasures together. Tyler Stone angrily says, Why are you two talking so calmly in a situation like this? We all need to run. Sir, You two can talk when you get outside. It looks like everyone is going to break. Kent said. He is right. We should get out of this chamber. Let''s go. Jade said, wait bro I need to find the core. Give me a minute. It suddenly disappeared. I think we missed a Dark Alliance member. He might have taken the core. I need to find him. Suddenly, a Twister-like spiritual energy sucked everything out: living and dead bodies of people who died inside like they were turning into ashes. Including the animals of the ruin. Outside the stone gate, in the center area, Ethan says, what is happening? Everyone panicked at the camp. Miss Elena said to look after the prisoners we are getting out. I guess Nexus Jade must have secured the core. Once we get out don''t let any of the Dark Alliance members run. Chapter 78 Returning to the real world after One week. Outside the ruin, there are thousands of people gathering around the graveyard mountains. Many people were there waiting for their children, brothers, nephews, etc. Some parents have been waiting on the graveyard mountains since the ruin opened. The Military and Watchers are guarding the graveyard mountain ruin. Many parents want to go inside to save their children. But the military is holding them back. They created a safe zone. No one is allowed to cross this safe zone. Otherwise, they will be charged as a criminal. People are very angry. It''s getting hard to control the crowd. One of the parents started to yell at a military officer. When will you let me go? I want to go inside the ruin. I need to save my kid. It''s been over a week since you are holding us here. I can''t wait anymore. Another father says, Let me in, I will go and save my boy. My boy is very dull, he will be taken advantage of, and maybe other people will leave him in danger. I need to go, please I beg you to let me in. The Military officer can''t hold the crowd. A Tier-3 Watcher comes. Please calm down. There are more than hundreds of our members inside the ruin, also a Nexus is there. They will save your children. Keep a little more patient. I am sure they will be back soon. Suddenly, From the crowd someone says, look look at the mountains it''s glowing. Something is happening there. As soon as the lights fade, thousands of people land on the ground. Some land on their feet, some fall on their butt, some on their faces. Shine! Faded! Many lifeless and bloody bodies were around the area. Parents started to panic seeing hundreds of dead bodies. They wanted to run to the mountains to look for their children. Everyone is busy controlling them. Please stop. We will call for you. You can''t rush there. No one listens. Suddenly LOGAN, the leader of NEXUS and WATCHER uses spiritual pressure. Everyone please listen to me, we will first give medical treatment to everyone. After that, we will call you guys. If you rush in now many more people might die. Because of interference,e we won''t be able to give medical care properly. We can''t let you guys go in. Meanwhile, when everyone is busy with students and parents. All the animals who lived inside the ruins came out. Nobody has time to pay attention to them. All evolved animals go in different ways. Beside the mountain was a forest. Then a broader country. A forest hundreds of thousands of kilometers long. Most of the animals go into the forest. Kent and others come out. The Emberling sparrow sitting on Kent''s shoulder. The sparrow is very shocked to see all kinds of strange things. (Lights, cars, tanks, long watch towers, camps, etc) Kent says, don''t be scared, it''s all normal things in this world. I will teach you everything about the real world soon. Ethan and Mia come close to Kent. You are okay Kent, Ethan says. Mia just nods silently, I am glad you didn''t get hurt. Other students started to cry. I can''t believe this, I am back. I am alive. Can someone pinch me, please? I don''t know if I am dreaming or not. Oh, you want to get pinched. I will fulfill your request. Kent goes near the students then he pulls his checks. The student''s face became red in pain. He yelled please let go. +999 SP copied from xxx. +999 sp from Jade. (Frustration) +999 sp from Jade. (Angry) +999 sp from Jade. (Sad) The system has gone offline, but I can collect SP from others. That''s great. I am getting so much SP from Jade. It''s not my fault, bro. Kent says to himself. My system made me do this. Jade standing like a fool on the graveyard mountain peak. I plan so hard. But the core went missing. Who took the core? I will be embarrassed by others'' Nexus. Miss Elena comes and says. People who are wounded and injured will receive treatment. Everyone listen, everything you gathered in the ruins needs to be recorded. So go this way. After everything he completed, we will calm your parents and relatives, people who live in other cities we will take you home if your parents aren''t present. Miss Elena says, Kent please come with me. I need you for something important. Kent follows Miss Elena into a tent. Kent could feel there is immense spiritual energy coming from the tent. He says to himself, where the hell is she taking me? Why do I feel like I am a sheep entering a Tiger''s cave? Kent goes inside the tent with Miss Elena. Kent sees Jade Monroe was there and Logan and another guy Liam. All of them are Nexus. Before coming here Kent gave his weapon bag to Ethan. Most of the good ones are in Kent system storage. He came here with empty hands. Miss Elena says I have noticed your footwork technique inside the ruin. I saw the same footwork technique used by a person who defeated the robber. I guess you know about that. We have suspicions that that guy is a Dark Alliance member. I am not accusing you of something. I just want to know if you are that person or not. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent is very silent, he doesn''t know what to say now. Kent is thinking of some kind of excuse. Kent says. I bleed for my country inside the ruins. I help students with weapons and food. This is how I get repaid. +999 SP copied from Elena (guilt) +999 SP copied from Elena (regret) Miss Elena says, please stop. I am sorry, but this is a serious issue. You just need to stand in front of a mirror. Afterward, you can go and register your loot. Jace steps in, bro don''t get angry it''s really a serious issue, it will take only a few seconds. I know you''re not a Dark Alliance member. Logan and Liam only observe everything. Kent says fine. Where''s the mirror? I don''t have much time. I have been away from home for a long time. I need to go home. Chapter 79 Going Home after one week. Miss Elena points at a mirror inside the camp. It has silver carvings of some kind of ancient patterns. The glass looks as white as milk. It doesn''t show any reflection when Kent stands in front of the mirror. Miss Elena says this mirror is an ancient artifact. It is called a true self-mirror. You just need to touch it with your spiritual energy. It will show your true self hidden inside your heart. Please do it. Without wasting any Kent gathered some spiritual energy in his hands. Then he gently touches the mirror. Kent also wants to know what his true self looks like. He thinks it will be something cool. At Kent''s touch, the mirror gives a shiny glow blinding everyone. Once the lights fade Kent sees money on the mirror. What the hell? Miss Elena and all three Nexus get shocked. Jade says you are truly by bro. Kent stares at the mirror like a stone. Miss Elena says alright you can go now Kent. I am sorry about everything. Jade said alright bro come with me. I have something to tell you. Let''s go. They both go outside. In the mirror, suddenly the image changed, from money, it became a sharp sword. Logan and Liam noticed it. Logan, I thought there was something wrong. How could someone''s true self show as money? It was a glitch. So his true self is a sword. He must be practicing a sword technique. Elena, you are wrong about him. He isn''t a Dark Alliance member. Miss Elena says. I am very glad that he isn''t. But my instinct tells me he is the same person who killed the robber. Liam says, if he is the same person, then he must have some reason to hide it from us. One thing is sure. He isn''t a member of the Dark Alliance. Logan says, Jade told me he wants to make this kid an official. What do you think of Elena? Miss Elena says He is very strong. He might be one the best of his generation. He contributed a lot to clear this ruin. He only has one problem: he acts weird from time to time. Otherwise, he is the best student I have. Outside the tent, Jade says to Kent. You weren''t in danger, right? What happened can''t tell me, bro. Did you see the core? Who took it? Kent says, I was following them but suddenly a dragon attacked, I hid there, I was too afraid to do anything. That''s why I couldn''t find anything. I only find some low-level spiritual tools. I came out when I felt the chamber was about to break down. Here I will give you half of the loot as promised. Ethan was outside waiting for Kent. He gives Kent his loot back. From there Kent gives jade half. After that Kent says. Bro you know I have a little sister. She is home alone. I never leave her alone for a day. But this time it''s over one week. I have to go home. She might be very angry. Okay, you go home. I will find you later in school. Jade replied. Two hours later, Kent goes home. Kent was sneaking from the window to see Nima''s mood. What Kent found made him dumbfounded. Nima was watching an anime called Tokyo Ghouls on the new TV. The anime''s opening song was playing. Nima was doing something Kent never imagined. On TV- Song: Oh, can you tell me? Can you tell me? The way that this should work? Nima singing back: My brother should cook for me. This is how things should work. But he is missing. Song: Just who''s inside of my heart? Nima singing back: an ugly bear and a robber. Nima singing and dancing turns around. Her eyes look at the window. She sees Kent is looking at her like a pig, his face stuck to the window glass. ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! Nima yelled in embarrassment. She froze for a second. Then she makes a serious face. What are you, big brother? You finally remember you have a cute little sister who is waiting for you at home. Why are you sneaking into your own house like a robber? Come inside!!!!! She says with an angry face. +999 so copied from Nima. (Relief) +999 so copied from Nima. (Happy) +999 so copied from Nima. (Love) Meanwhile in the camp of graveyard mountains. Three Nexus are talking to each other. Logan says to Jade Monroe, you lost the Ruin core. What happened, can you tell me? How did you mess up? Jade replied, believe me, Logan Core was in front of me when I killed the Dark Alliance team captain. I just turned my eyes for a few seconds and suddenly it disappeared. I didn''t find any other presents there. I think there must have been another Level-B cultivator from the Dark Alliance. He had some kind of artifact to hide his presence. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Liam tapping on a tea cup says, I knew you would mess up in some way. But this is beyond my imagination. A Ruin core is a precious artifact. We don''t even know what type of artifact it is. If it''s something dangerous then the dark alliance can cause a huge problem. They continue their talk, embarrassing Jade. On the other side of the camp. The true self mirror is shining bright in a dark tent. Nobody is around. The mirror shows a white burning flame, then it starts to get cover crack marks. CRACKING! Note: The white flame in Kent''s heart fire. It is far more superior to the mirror. That''s why it took so long to reveal it. The flame was so powerful the true self-mirror lost its power. It goes black. Logan, Liam, and Jade felt a disturbance but they couldn''t pinpoint the location. One of the Watcher members came running. Sir, we have a problem. The True self mirror is broken. It became dark and there were many cracks in it. Three of them go to the tent. They observed the mirror for a long time. Liam is an expert in spiritual tools and ancient knowledge. He says the mirror lost its spiritual powers. We find this mirror inside a ruin as a core. It was there for who knows how many thousands of years without any spiritual energy. This must be the reason it lost spiritual power. We can recharge it with spiritual stones. But we need hundreds of thousands of stones for that. Or we can let it recover naturally, the process will be slow but cost-effective. Logan says, right now we don''t need this mirror so much. We can''t use that many spiritual stones. We will fix it when we need it. Now the main priority is to cultivate young people. Location change, Back to Kent''s house... Chapter 80 Naming the pets and giving gifts. Back at Kent Home- Kent thinks she is pretending to be angry. But I can see with the system''s help that she isn''t that angry with me. Kent walked towards the door. Suddenly, Xian Yu and Aunty Zhou came running, they heard Nima''s screaming. Xian Yu says, Nima , are you okay? What''s wrong? Why are you screaming? Aunty Zhou says don''t be afraid, Nima. We are here. Xian Yu sees Kent in the front yard. He says, kid, you are back from the ruins. What happened, are you injured? Why is Nima screaming? What is going on here? Kent replied Grandpa Xian Yu, don''t worry. Nothing happened. I was just peeking through the windows to see Nima''s mood. She got scared by me. That''s why she screamed. Xian Yu nods. Aunty Zhou says we were very worried about hearing her screaming. We told Nima to sleep with us. But she refused. She says she will stay in her own house. She doesn''t want you to come to an empty house. She wants to receive you when you come back. That child is very stubborn. Kent thought I wanted to help Grandpa Xian Yu for a long time with his broken physique. I heard from Nima that Grandpa Xian Yu can''t cultivate anyone because of his broken physique. Before, I couldn''t give him the physique enhancement fruit. It would raise many questions. Where did I get this fruit? Bla Bla But now that I came from the ruins I can just say I found it inside the ruin. Let''s give him some physique enhancement fruits. Kent tries to look for the fruit inside his system storage. He found out he only had two fruits there. He wanted to give him at least 5 fruits. Kent tries to buy some from the system shop. But he finds out he can''t use the system shop because of the system going offline. What the Hell! I can''t use the system lottery and system shop. I can only use storage and collect SP. Damn it, I don''t know how long it will take the system to recover. I guess I have given Grandpa Xian Yu the two physique enhancement fruits that I have right now. Kent says out loud, Grandpa I found something useful inside the graveyard mountain''s ruin. Take this. He handed him two fruits. Kent says these fruits are very useful. I found three of them. I ate one, it boosted my physique. Eat these, it will help you fix your physique. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Listening to Kent''s description of the fruits, Xian Yu is very shocked. He thought he would never be able to fix his physique. Before he dies he wants to pass his legacy to Kent. But Kent gave him a second chance. He couldn''t believe that he was holding something so valuable. Xian Yu says, Kent these fruits are very valuable, I can''t take them. You and Nima should eat them. It will help you young people more. I lived my life. I am old. I don''t need them. Kent stops Xian Yu from saying anything more. He says, take it as my tuition fee for learning from you. Nima and I don''t need them. I already ate one. Nima''s physique is already good enough. I am not giving you these fruits for free. Once you recover your physique, give me a good treasure from one of the ruins. Hurry up and eat it already. Its spiritual power is disappearing. Xian Yu doesn''t know what to do. His wife says don''t think too much. Take it. If you get better you can look after them for more time. I know you become very attached to them just like me. As Kent said you have to find him some good treasure. Don''t turn down his care for you. Xian Yu makes up his mind. He eats the physique enhancement fruits. His body started to glow bright. Inside his body, all his meridians and veins are recovering. His physique is rebuilding. He can now cultivate again. Now, he doesn''t have to use his life force each time he uses spiritual energy. His body and face change. His looks became younger than before. Aunty Zhou seeing her husband couldn''t believe he became so young. She blushes and then says Honey you look very handsome, you look back to the time when we got married. Kent hearing them flirting chough, Ahem I will go inside. Nima is waiting for me. I will talk with you two later, bye. Kent goes inside his home. Xian Yu and Zhou go back to their house. Inside Kent''s house, Nima is waiting at the dining table with some fried rice. Nima says, come eat first. I cooked it today. Kent without any delay started to eat. Meanwhile, Nima is looking around Kent from right and left. Kent asks what are you looking for? Nims says I am checking to see if you have any injuries or not, then she says, Kent what have you brought for me? You came home after eight days with empty hands. I thought you would bring some gifts for me. Just like in TV dramas. Big brothers always bring gifts for their little sister. Kent says I bought many things. First Kent pulls out his bag and shows Nima some weapons. Nima doesn''t care about those. Then Kent pulled out fruits and vegetables from the ruin. Nima''s eyes just lit up. Three look so delicious. Give me. I want to eat them. Kent hands her everything. Then Kent shows Nima all the seeds. He says to Nima we will plant these seeds and grow vegetables and ginseng then we will sell them. These spiritual vegetables and ginseng will make us rich. Ha Ha Ha! Money is raining down on him in his thoughts. Suddenly, The Emberling sparrow comes out of Kent''s jacket. Nima, seeing the little fat bird, jumps out of excitement. She couldn''t hold her excitement. She grabs the little fat bird. Then she says did you bring this chicken to eat? Let''s cook it. The Emberling Sparrow is shocked after hearing that Nima wants to eat him. He tries to break free from Nima''s hand. But Nima Level-E cultivator, little bird Level-F is no match for her. It chirps louder. Let me go. I don''t want to die. (Bird language.) Kent says. It''s not chicken, it''s our new family member. He is a sparrow. From now on he will live with us. He is our pet. You have to take care of him when I go to school and work. Nima says really, we have a pet now. I was joking Kent. It''s very cute. Then Nima brings a bottle of mango juice from the fridge. Then she says little bird drink. You will like it. If you follow my command I will give you delicious food. With a smirk, Nima says, You will be my third underling. Then smelling the sweet aroma, the bird drinks some juice. Its eyes are glowing. It likes the juice very much. Nima asks Kent what his name is. Kent says I haven''t named him yet. But I thought of a name. Listen Emberling sparrow, from now on your name will be AURI. The bird chirped in acknowledgment. It''s like his name. Then Kent says to Nima I still have something very useful for you. With its help, you can make one of your servants very powerful. It''s a soul fragment of an ancient cultivator who died thousands of years ago. Kent pulls out the soul fragment from system storage. He says summon your servants. It will give your servant some intelligence and help him to become stronger. Nima summons the soul bear and Raka the robber. Then she says, let''s use it on the ugly bear. Its Level is lower than the Raka. Kent says no, use it in Raka it might make Raka Level-C. Nima says no, I want to use it on the soul bear. I can feel that the soul fragment wouldn''t help Raka to level up. But it will help the soul bear. Nima takes the soul fragment from Kent''s hands. Before Kent could say anything more she fed the fragment to Soul Bear. The bear, Started to glow. Its huge and massive body is changing. Nima says I can control the bear size, Kent. I can feel the bear is changing. It''s becoming alive again. Suddenly the black form of the bear changes into white and its soul form changes into a physical form. It became a cute white bear. Its body is covered with a flower-like pattern. Nima says finally, the ugly look changes. It became so cute. I could feel that something good would happen if I fed the fragment to the bear. The bear makes a soft roar. Nima commands the bear saying change your form. The bear changes its small look and turns into a huge 8-foot-tall body. Its body patterns are glowing. Kent without saying anything just observes everything. Then he says how did you make it change its form? How did you know it would transform? Nima says I could feel it when you showed me the fragment. I can tell which servant needs it. Then Nima says the bear now become a spiritual pet. It has its own consciousness and spiritual body. It levels up too. Now it''s the same as Raka. The bear again makes a soft sound, looking at Nima. It changes form to small again. Nima says the bear is asking for a name. Hmmm. Oh, I know. You look so white and glow when you are big. I will call you LUMO. It means light. Chapter 81 The Ruin Cores Secret The night outside was calm, but Kent''s mind was anything but. Nima you play with Auri and Lumo. I needed some rest and I wanted to take a bath. Inside Kent''s room, He leaned against the wooden wall, staring at the Ruin Core he had obtained from Graveyard Mountain''s ruins. It pulsed with a faint golden glow, a mystical presence radiating from within. But the real problem? The system was offline. Kent had tried everythingcalling up the shop, attempting to use the lottery, even checking his status panelbut nothing worked. The only functions that were still available were his storage space and SP collectionno crafting reward. No upgrades. No new abilities. He hadn''t received anything yet for completing the mission of collecting the Ruin core. He exhaled sharply. "Just great." For now, he had to figure out what this Ruin Core was. What types of artifacts is it and how it could help him? Kent sat cross-legged on his bed, holding the core in his hands. He focused his spiritual energy on it, hoping to activate somethinganything. At first, nothing happened. Then FWOOSH! A wave of ancient energy surged out of the core, engulfing Kent''s entire body. His vision went black. Suddenly, he was no longer in his house. Instead, he stood in a vast, empty space, surrounded by golden floating symbols. Ding! A voice echoed in his mind. [Ruin Core Detected. Beginning Synchronization] Kent''s heart pounded. "Waitwho''s talking?" [System Connection Unavailable. Entering Manual Override.] [Analyzing Host''s Spiritual Energy] Kent felt a rush of warmth course through him. A new screen appeared in his mind. [Ruin Core Analysis]Item: Ruin Core (Ancient Relic) State: Active Primary Function: Unknown Secondary Function: Energy Stabilization Synchronization Progress: 5% ,10%, 20%...50% Kent clenched his fists. So this thing wasn''t just a treasureit was an ancient relic with a deeper purpose. And more importantly It is somehow connecting to him. The golden symbols began to shift, merging into a figurean old man in a flowing robe, his body shimmering like mist. "You are the first to awaken me in over a thousand years," the figure spoke. Kent narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?" The man chuckled. "I am merely a fragment of consciousness within this Ruin Core. A record of history, if you will." I will vanish soon. Kent''s mind raced. "Then tell mewhat is this thing? Why did it react to me?" The figure lifted his hand, and images flashed before Kent''s eyes. Massive ruins. Towers stretching into the heavens. Ancient cultivators wielding forbidden powers. Then, a scene of wara battle so devastating that the land itself was shattered, leaving behind nothing but remnants of a forgotten era. "The Ruin Core was once the heart of an empire. It holds the knowledge of lost civilizations and the key to unlocking powers." I will give you all the knowledge I have, get ready for that young man. The old man says, after giving you all the knowledge I will disappear. I hope one day you will be able to uncover the truth of that ancient battle. Kent''s full body started to glow, he could now see the full battle. Thousands of people are fighting each other in a fight to the death. Suddenly a mysterious immortal waves his hands and the space cracks. From that broken space a piece of void fell into earth. The old man who came out of the Ruin core and all the ancient cultivators get sucked into the void fragment space including an area of the earth itself. Inside the void fragment, a battle lasts for months. When the earth''s cultivation is winning, the mysterious immortal gets angry. His servants were losing. We again make a move killing everyone including his servant. I DON''T NEED USELESS SERVANT. YOU ALL SHOULD DIE HERE FOR YOUR FAILURE. The mystery immortal locked the entire galaxy, and no spiritual energy will be able to enter here, saying from now on this galaxy will be known as wasteland. No one can cultivate here. How dare you defeat my servant. After that, the vision ended. Kent is back in his room. The old man disappeared into spiritual energy in front of Kent''s eyes. What was that fight? What am I supposed to do with this memory? What is the truth of that battle? What the Hell!! The old man disappeared without saying anything. A few seconds later, Does it mean the void fragment I refined with system help is the same as the vision? Let me check the core again. He focused his mind, channelling his energy into the Ruin Core. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. FWOOSH! A sudden shockwave erupted, engulfing him in darkness. Kent found himself floating in a vast empty space, pitch black, endless, and silent. Ding! A faint notification flickered in his mind, like an echo from the system''s fading voice. ...60%... 70%.... 90%..... 100% [Congratulations! The Ruin Core has merged with the host''s soul and the Void fragment. A VOID Domain has been created.] Kent''s breath hitched. "Void Domain?" He looked down and saw nothing. No ground. No sky. Just darkness stretching infinitely. His spiritual sense extended outward, mapping the space. It was massive, yet completely lifeless. Kent clenched his fists. "So, I have a personal space, but it''s just an empty wasteland?" This space is as big as the graveyard mountains Ruin. So inside the core was this entire place. That''s why the ruin disappears when I touch the core. Now it has become my Void Domain. Suddenly FWOOM! The Ruin Core pulsed, and a flat, barren land materialized beneath his feet. The darkness receded slightly, revealing a dull, grey terrain. Kent stomped the ground. Solid. But lifeless. No water. No sunlight. No trees. Just an empty land floating in the void. His heart sank. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" This looks like Asgard floating in space without any life. Then, an idea struck him. I can try too create a farm here with my new Skill. Maybe one day I can even put animals and people and other living things. Kent activated SSS-Rank Architect of Creation and reached into his storage, pulling out a handful of regular soil he had collected from the ruins. He sprinkled it over the ground. Nothing happened. "Damn it." He pulled out spiritual seeds from his loot, planting them in the soil. Still nothing. Kent frowned. "I need light. And water." without light and water into just a floating rock. But how the hell was he supposed to make light inside a void? Kent crossed his arms, thinking. "If this is my personal dimension maybe I can make a sun?" He gathered spiritual energy in his hands and tried compressing hellfire energy into a sphere. A small flame appeared, flickering weakly. Kent pushed more energy into it, forcing it to grow. It expandedthen shrank and died. Kent sighed. "Of course it doesn''t work." I need the system''s help. When will my system come back? Let''s try creating a water puddle. Next, he pulled out a water flask and poured some onto the ground. The moment it touched the dirt FSSSSHHH! It evaporated instantly, vanishing into the void. "Great," Kent muttered. "No water either. Guess I have to make that too." Kent stood in the middle of his brand-new Void Domain, hands on his hips, surveying the vast, lifeless wasteland. "This is absolute garbage." The so-called personal dimension he just got was nothing but a dark, barren desert. No trees, no water, no skyjust an endless stretch of useless dirt and rocks floating in a void. Kent bent down, grabbed a handful of the dry, lifeless soil, and let it crumble between his fingers. "...Yeah, this is definitely worse than my backyard." Since planting seeds and making a utopia was out of the question, Kent decided on a much simpler use for his new space. Storage. He began tossing everything he could find into the Void Domain. Weapons? Into the void. Spiritual herbs? Into the void. A chair from his room? Into the void. Nima''s emergency snack box? Wait, no. That would be suicidal. After ten minutes, his house was significantly emptier, and the Void Domain was significantly messier. Kent clapped his hands together, proud of his work. "Perfect. Now I have a massive storage space for all my loot." There was just one problem. The Void Domain had no organization. Everything was just floating around in a chaotic mess. His swords were bumping into each other. His seeds were spinning in midair. And somehow, his clothes were drifting away like ghosts in a horror movie. "Yeah, okay. I need to fix this later." Maybe I can try creating a house here. For now, he closed the Void Domain and headed outside. Kent found Nima sitting on the porch, happily munching on a plate of fried dumplings with Auri and Lumo. She glared at him suspiciously as he approached. "What do you want?" I don''t have enough food. Auri and Lumo eat a lot. I only have two dumplings left. I can only give you a bite. Chapter 82 A Farming plan and a meeting in the school. Kent smiled, putting on his best big-brother charm. "Nimaaa~" She immediately held her plate closer to her chest. "No. You''re not getting my food." Kent shook his head. "I don''t want your food this time. I have a business idea." Nima raised an eyebrow. "A business?" Kent sat down beside her and pulled out a handful of spiritual seeds he had obtained from the ruins. "We have all these rare vegetable and herb seeds, as I told you I want to sell them when they grow. So, why don''t we just buy the land behind our house and start growing them here?" You help me with that right? Nima blinked. "...You want me to be a farmer?" Kent sighed. "Not you. We''ll have your soul servants take care of the farm. Later, we can open a shop and make a ton of money selling spiritual vegetables and medicine." Nima narrowed her eyes. "That sounds like a lot of work." Kent grinned. "Not for us. The servants will do everything. You''ll just have to sit back and enjoy the profits." Once you level up you can get more soul servants. You only need a tiny bit of spiritual energy to control them. Nima was still unconvinced. "I don''t know farming sounds boring." I want to be a CEO, and a big boss, not a farmer. Kent expected this. So, he pulled out his ultimate weapon. He leaned in and whispered, "If you agree I''ll buy you unlimited snacks for a month." Nima''s chopsticks froze mid-air. Kent saw her resolve crumbling. "A-A month?" she stammered. "That''s right," Kent said, smiling evilly. "Meat buns, dumplings, spicy noodles mango juice." Whatever you want, as much as you can eat for an entire month. Nima gripped her plate tightly. "Two months," she countered. Kent pretended to hesitate, It''s a bad deal for me. But you are my one and only little sister. I can take some loss for you. "Hmm alright you got a Deal." Nima fist-pumped the air. "YES!" Hook, line, and sinker. With the great snack deal sealed, Nima was now completely on board with the plan. They would buy the land behind their house. Nima''s servants (including her previously ugly now cute bear Lumo) would manage the farm. In the future, they''d open a shop and sell their spiritual crops. Nima would be paid exclusively in snacks. "One last thing," Nima said, finishing the last dumpling. "If I''m the boss of the farm, I get to name it." Kent shrugged. "Fine. What do you want to name it?" She grinned mischievously. "Snack Land." Kent facepalmed. "...We''ll work on that." For now, you have to teach Auri how everything works here. He is like an old fossil who emerged in this world after thousands of years. Also, you can teach Lumo too. You know the soul language, so you will be able to understand everything. Nima says you don''t have to worry about that. I already have plans to teach my underlings. I will start by showing them TV. I learn most of the things from TV. So I know how to teach them. You go and prepare my snack money and buy the snack land. Alright alright. Now go to bed. It''s almost midnight. I have to attend a school meeting tomorrow. I will leave early in the morning. The next morning, Kent woke up early, stretching and yawning. He had no interest in school meetings, but today was different. It''s a really important meeting for his future. Kent gets ready for school. One hour later, Walking through the academy halls, he could feel the stares. Other students who entered Graveyard Mountain Ruin were called too. All special class students must attend today''s meeting. Miss Elena said on the group chat that this meeting would forge their future. Many students were talking about Kent when he entered the school grounds. Student one: "Is that Kent?" Student two: "I heard he killed many monsters." Student three: "Didn''t he enter the Ruin core area with Nexus and Watcher? Student four: That can''t be real." +999, +999, +999, +999, +999 SP copied from xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, ( jealous, Envy, admiration, .. .. ) Kent ignored them, but he was happy for the SP, Kent was heading straight for the classroom Inside, Nexus Jade Monroe sat behind a desk, and other students also entered. Miss Elena ordered everything to "Sit." Then she says we decided to give some of the students a trainee position in WATCHER. You can refuse your position or choose to take it. Kent slumped into the chair. "So, this is the topic of today''s meeting?" She folded her arms. "Normally, students have to prove themselves. But everyone''s contribution inside the Ruin we can''t ignore it." You all will be given a trainee rank based on your contribution. You guys also receive a salary, there''s a condition. You must take a mission assigned by the government. One by one everyone was called and given a trainee rank as a watcher. Finally, Kent''s turn is here. Jade Monroe says you have done a great job. Kent asks what my rank is. How much is the salary? Jade Monroe tapped the badge. "Tier-3 trainee Watcher." Right now everyone is a student so we will give a salary in spiritual stones. You will get three spiritual stones every month for your rank. This is your ID and batch. Kent picks up the batch and ID. " When will I get my salary? Kent smirked. Another source of income. I am getting rich. Jade Monroe says to everyone, that tier-1 trainee students will get one spiritual stone, tier-2 trainee two, and tier-3 trainee will get three spiritual stones as salary. Everyone''s salary will be given to them each month with the special class resources. In this class, there are a total of three tier-3 students. Kent, Ethan, and Mia. Kent doesn''t listen to anything, he is busy thinking about how much he will get after selling all the spiritual stones. Ethan says to Kent, "What are you thinking about? "Do you even understand the weight of a Tier-3 Watcher rank? You''re expected to take on real missions now." You might be sent overseas for a mission. Kent shrugged. "Great. More opportunities for SP." I can travel for free. This is great. Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You''re either fearless or an idiot." Overseas missions are very dangerous. "Both," Kent replied. Then Miss Elena gives everyone a registry document. "Sign this. It makes your promotion official." You can discuss it with your parents. Kent signed without reading. "Cool. Can I go now?" I have a lot of things to do today. "Dismissed." Miss Elena says. As Kent walked out, she muttered under her breath. That kid is going to be a problem. After school, Kent walked straight to meet an Old lady, the landowner behind his house. She was also the owner of their house. Garvey was a grumpy middle-aged woman with a reputation for being tough in negotiations. "I want to buy all the land behind my house," Kent said. Garvey raised an eyebrow. " Are you sure kid? That will cost a lot. That land is over fifty acres. Kent shrugged. "I have money." Don''t worry. How much is it? Garvey stroked her chin. "Alright. 500,000 dollars." I will give you a discount because you are an orphan. Kent smiled. "200,000." Garvey chuckled. "Kid, that''s not how haggling works." 450 thousand dollars. That''s my final price. Kent tilted his head. "100,000." Garvey choked. "Waitwhat?" 400 thousand is the last price. You can pay me in instalments. Keny says, I have money, I will pay in full. I am a cultivator now. If you have any problems, come to me. I will give a discount too. He transferred the money, and just like that, the land was his. The old lady, if I had known earlier, would have sold the land so cheaply. I am glad that your life changed. I hope you and your little sister live a happy life. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent replied, Of course we will. I am planning to farm on the land. I will give you some vegetables for free. That evening, Kent and Nima stood in front of their newly bought land. Right now, it was just full of grass and old trees. But soon, it would be a farm filled with spiritual crops. Nima crossed her arms. "This is boring. It''s just dirt and grass." Kent grinned. "For now." Kent activated the Architect of Creation skill, his hand, and the land started to glow and change. He modified the soil, infusing it with spiritual energy. The ground shimmered faintly as his skill worked its magic, enriching the land instantly. Nima''s eyes widened. "Whoa." She tossed the first seed into the ground, ordering Raka to do the rest. Auri and Lumo standing beside her. Kent followed. The farming had begun. After a moment, Nima came holding a name board in her hands. Kent says, "What are you holding? Is it the farm name? She grinned mischievously. " Yes, the Snack Land board." Kent facepalmed. "Why can''t you come up with something else? There are other names besides food. Nima ignored Kent; she ordered Raka, to go place the board. Then she says, Snack Land is officially open for business. Ha Ha Ha!!! Tomorrow Kent will go back to his sword training with old man Xian Yu. He needs to find out how he can level up his sword intent. ---- Gift: The code can be redeemed by 10 different users with 10 FPs/user. The code number is and you can find the redeem center at Profile-Redeem. ---- Chapter 83 Leveling up my sword intent. That night Kent sat cross-legged on his bed. He is thinking about how to level up his sword intent. His current level is level one. Suddenly, Kent got an idea. His two SSS-RANK skills can help him level up. His first SSS-RANK copy spiritual energy sub-skills can let him copy others'' skills if he has an affinity for that. He only needs to find some cultivators who have sword intent, and then copy their intent. Although it sounds so easy, how will he find a sword-intent cultivator? Sword cultivators are easy to find but sword intent It''s like looking for a needle in a haystack. His second skill is SSS-RANK architect of creation. He can create anything as long as he has the blueprint, materials, or mental imagination or blueprint. He can fix anything or create anything. Kent murmurs to himself, I fixed many old swords in the ruins. Grandpa Xian Yu said, that if someone uses a sword for many years, that sword absorbs a tiny amount of sword intent from the user. It doesn''t matter if the user has sword intent or not. The intent gets created by repeated uses. Let me try if I can pull out that sword intent or not. Kent opened his void domain where he put everything. He pulls out all the swords. Then closed his eyes holding one sword in his hands. Kent focuses his spiritual sense on the sword, then he tries to feel the Sword''s intent. A few seconds later he found something with blue and white lines inside the sword, it was thin as if a hair was cut into thousands of slices. Kent widens his spiritual scene hands, he tries to pull that out. At first, nothing happened, but then those tiny thin lines started to gather around his hands. When Kent opens his eyes he sees some sword intent gather around his real hand. Kent without any delay makes a fist crushing the sword intent. The sword intent inter his body and veins making his sword intent grow a little. But Kent didn''t feel any chances. One by one Kent gathered all the sword''s sword intent. After that, a system default notification comes. Ding! Sword intent: Level- One Progress: 51% Note: Create(by training) or absorb 49% more sword intent to level up. After seeing the notification Kent gets angry. Damn it. After doing that much work my progress is only Fifty-one percent. I don''t have any sword left. I have to go back to training Xian Grandpa Xian Yu for level up. . . . Next day- . . . The morning sun had barely risen when Kent arrived at the backyard, yawning and stretching. Today was the day. Ever since he pulled out the sword intent from the old weapons, he could sleep the entire night. Progress: 51%. That number had been taunting him like an unfulfilled promise. But not for long. Standing in the yard was Xian Yu, the grumpy old sword master, already drinking tea like he had no mortal worries. His previously long grey beard now black and medium size swayed slightly in the morning breeze, and his sharp eyes glanced at Kent lazily. "You''re late," Xian Yu muttered. Kent yawned. "The sun''s barely up." "A true swordsman starts before the sun rises." Kent sighed. "Yeah? A true swordsman also needs sleep." Xian Yu flicked his wrist, and a single leaf floated from a tree nearby. Before Kent could react, the leaf shot toward him at insane speed, slicing the tip of his hair. Kent gulped. "Alright. Maybe less arguing, more training." The old man is different now. After his broken physique was fixed, he started to act more arrogantly. Kent picked up his wooden training sword, assuming a stance. His mind focused, his breathing steady. Sword intent wasn''t just about swinging hardit was about will. Xian Yu, watched as Kent closed his eyes, focusing deeply. The air around Kent shifted. A faint pressure formed, as if the world itself was responding to him. And thenboom. Kent''s wooden sword glowed faintly, surrounded by a sharp aura. The ground beneath him cracked slightly as a surge of energy pulsed outward. Xian Yu''s teacup slipped from his fingers and shattered. "What is the" Kent didn''t notice. His focus was entirely on the sensationhis sword intent was leveling up. Because last night he absorbed all that sword intent. His body gets the sensation to it, now creating sword intent at the speed of light (Temporary). The scattered fragments of sword intent he had absorbed resurfaced, merging into something stronger. Ding! Sword Intent: Level-2 Achieved! Next level-up progress: 1% Kent''s eyes snapped open. His training sword hummed with energy, vibrating like it had a will of its own. "Holy crap," Kent muttered, looking at his sword. He turned to Xian Yu, excited to show off. But the old man was gone. He could find the old man in the yard. Inside the house, Xian Yu stood in front of a mirror, gripping his beard and crying like a baby in frustration. "Unbelievable. UNBELIEVABLE." He had trained in the way of the sword for decades. As a child, he practised until his hands bled, swinging his blade thousands of times a day. Yet, he never awakened sword intent. And then this bratthis nonsense-spewing, money-hoarding, naughty bratcomes along and awakens sword intent in two months. Two Months Xian Yu yanked his hair in frustration. "What is the meaning of this?!" Outside, Kent was still training, clueless. But thenDing! +250, +550, +777, +888, +999, +999, +999.. SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Kent paused, blinking. "Wait, what?" Why was Xian Yu frustrated? Moments later, Xian Yu returned, looking perfectly calm. Kent narrowed his eyes. Suspicious. "Old man," Kent started, "Did something" "Nothing happened," Xian Yu cut in. "...You sure?" "Of course," Xian Yu said, face twitching slightly. He quickly changed the subject. "Anyway. I have something to teach you." Kent shrugged. "Alright." Xian Yu plucked two leaves from the nearby tree. He flicked his wrist, and the leaves floated effortlessly in the air. Kent watched, unimpressed. "Leaf bending? That''s your lesson?" Are you AVATAR? Xian Yu sighed. "Idiot. Watch closely." With a subtle movement of his fingers, the two leaves shot forward, cutting through a rock like hot knives through butter. Kent''s mouth fell open. "What the" Xian Yu smirked. "This is a principle of sword control. A master swordsman doesn''t need a weapon in his handshis will is the blade." He tossed a leaf to Kent. "Try it." Kent immediately sat cross-legged. Something clicked in his mind. Kent closed his eyes, replaying Xian Yu''s demonstration in his mind. He could feel the leaf in his hand. The way the old man manipulated it wasn''t just techniqueit was control over sword energy and aura itself. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A spark ignited. The world seemed to slow. Kent inhaled, focusing every ounce of his newly levelled-up sword intent into the leaf. He flicked his fingersand the leaf floated. Kent''s heart raced. He could feel it. The leaf hovered in the air, following his will. This is it. This is the next step. And thenwhoosh! The leaf shot forward, cutting a deep line into a tree trunk. Ding! Sword Dao Technique step two learn: "Sword Control" level up from beginning To advance. Kent''s eyes snapped open. His entire being buzzed with excitement. He immediately grabbed his actual sword and lifted it slightly in the air. It worked. Kent sought. Then He moved his fingers slightlythe sword hovered. "No way" He pointed forward. The sword shot ahead, slicing clean through a wooden dummy. He waved his handthe sword curved in midair, circling back like a guided missile. Kent laughed. "HAHAHA! This is awesome!" He played around for the next ten minutes, making his sword: -Spin in circles. -Do figure eights. -Hover behind him like a bodyguard. Then, he excitedly ran back to Xian Yu to show off. Kent burst into the house. "Old man! Look at this!" He demonstrated his new technique, making his sword hover. Xian Yu''s smile twitched. On the outside, he nodded. "Impressive." On the inside: IT TOOK ME 5 YEARS TO MASTER Sword Control! FIFTEEN Years of training yet no sword intent! AND THIS KID DID IT IN TWO MONTHS?! Xian Yu forced a smile. "Well done. Keep practising." Kent grinned. "Are you jealous?" Xian Yu drank his tea aggressively. "No." "Are you sure?" Sipppp!!!! Kent smirked and left to practice more. Xian Yu sat completely still, staring at the wall. "I''m going bald," From pulling my hair out. Just as Kent was preparing to try another trick with his flying sword, the door to the house slammed open. Nima stormed out, hair messy, eyes blazing with the fury of a sleep-deprived demon. "I CAN''T SLEEP!" she yelled. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Kent turned, then replied. "Training." Nima pointed an accusing finger. "You''re making the ground shake! And what''s with all the whooshing sounds? Are you summoning a storm?!" Xian Yu coughed into his fist. "Ahem. He levelled up his sword technique." Nima''s eyes narrowed at Kent. "Is that why you''re giggling like an idiot?" Nima stepped back. "Nope. I don''t like this. I''m going back to sleep. If you wake me up again, I''m feeding your sword to Lumo." Kent gasped. "You wouldn''t." Nima smirked. "Try me." And with that, she stomped back inside. Kent looked at Xian Yu. "She''s scary." Xian Yu nodded. "Terrifying." Kent grinned and made his sword spin again. "I''m still practising." Xian Yu sighed, already feeling another headache coming. Kent had done in two months what had taken him a lifetime. Life is so unfair to him. But Kent is his disciple and that gave him relief. Chapter 84 A Fancy Breakfast… or a Trap? Meanwhile, Auri is learning many things from TV about humans. However, Nima treated him like an underlinga fact he deeply resented but was powerless to change. Running away was always an option, but no... he had a dream. A grand dream. ^~_~^ He would conquer Nima ^~_~^ In his mind''s eye, he saw it: Auri sat atop a golden throne, wings spread wide, basking in his newfound supremacy. Nimayes, the mighty Nimawas serving him juice, bowing before his greatness. Lumo fanned him like a loyal attendant. Surrounding him were mountains of that precious "money thing." And there was Kent, eyes filled with admiration. "You did the impossible, Auri," Kent praised, shaking his head in disbelief. "I could never conquer Nima, but youYOU tamed her. A feat even I could not achieve." SLAM! His beautiful fantasy shattered as Nima stormed into the room, scowling. "A little girl can''t even sleep nowadays! The world really has changed." Her eyes landed on Auri, perched comfortably and fixated on the TV. "Hey, Auri, what are you watching?" "Chirp! Chirp!" (I''m learning how to get that money thing for Kent!) Nima rolled her eyes. "Don''t get obsessed with money like Kent. If you''re weak, you won''t even be able to protect it. You need strength first!" She smirked. "In fact, I''ll personally train you, Lumo, and Raka. You''re all my underlings now, and I need to make sure you''re strong enough." She grabbed the remote and played an episode of Narutothe infamous bell training session. Auri watched in horror as Kakashi-sensei tormented his student Naruto, delivering a devastating thousand years of pain technique. His feathers fluffed up in terror. What what is this human world?! His tiny bird brain spiralled. If you don''t listen to your master, you get poked in the butt?! The terrifying realization dawned upon himKakashi had done it to Naruto. What if what if Nima ordered that underwear-wearing man to do it to him?! Auri''s whole body trembled. I''m just a little bird! I haven''t even held a ladybird''s wing yet! SOB! SOB! SOB! I have to obey her. If I don''t, she might make that man poke my butt! And he''s stronger than me! I''m the weakest in this house! Will I be bullied again, just like in my old home? But waitKent. Kent was kind. Kent wouldn''t let anyone bully him, right? At that moment, Kent returned from training. Before he could even step inside, Auri launched himself onto Kent''s shoulder, gripping tightly. Kent blinked, sensing the distress in the little bird. "What''s wrong with you, Auri?" His sharp gaze turned to Nima. "What did you do?" Nima crossed her arms. "I didn''t do anything! I just showed him Naruto and told him he needed to train. He started acting weird all of a sudden. Hold on, let me ask him." She stands up from the sofa. "Auri, what''s wrong? I can understand your language, you know." Before Auri could respond, Kent sighed. "No need to ask. I can feel his emotions. He thinks he''s too weak." Kent gently patted the trembling bird. "Don''t worry, little guy. I''ll make you strong soon." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. " He murmurs to himself, as soon as my system comes online." One hour later... The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Kent leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Nima with a smirk. She was sprawled out on the couch, wrapped in a blanket like a lazy caterpillar refusing to evolve into a butterfly. "Nima," Kent called out. No response. "Nimaaaa," he stretched her name, trying to sound as annoying as possible. Still nothing. Kent sighed. "Alright, fine. I was going to take you to a fancy restaurant, but if you don''t want" Nima was off the couch in an instant. "You should have said that earlier!" she huffed, rubbing her eyes. "Why are you wasting my time? Let me go get dressed!" Kent chuckled as she vanished into her room at lightning speed. I am such a genius;- Hook, line, and sinker. Ha! Ha! Ha! Fifteen minutes later, Nima reappeared, dressed in a new outfit, her hair neatly brushed. She even wore a small pendant around her neck, something she only did when she wanted to look "respectable." Kent raised an eyebrow. Wow! You actually dressed up. You are looking very good. "I guess my guest will like that. Kent said to himself with an evil smile." "Of course! A fancy restaurant means good food," Nima said, adjusting her sleeves. "Where are we going?" Kent grabbed his jacket. "You''ll see." The two made their way through the bustling streets of Metro City, passing by merchants shouting about their wares and children running through the alleys. After ten minutes, they reached their destination. A high-end restaurant with golden lanterns, elegantly dressed waiters, and the faint scent of expensive spices lingering in the air. Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Okay, I approve." Kent smiled and led her inside. They were immediately guided to a private table. As they sat down, a third person was already waiting for them. Jade Monroe. Nima blinked. "Wait why is he(fatso) here?" Jade casually picked up a menu. "Oh? Didn''t Kent tell you? He invited me." Nima''s smile twitched. "For what reason?" Kent cleared his throat. "We are here to discuss your school admission." Silence. The temperature at the table dropped. Nima slowly turned her head toward Kent, her expression neutral. "You lied to me." Kent tried to look innocent. "I didn''t lie! I said we were going to a fancy restaurant, and here we are!" "You made it sound like we were coming to eat," Nima growled. Kent coughed. "Well we are eating." Nima clenched her chopsticks with enough force to break them in half. Before Nima could explode, the food arrived. And before Nima could grab anything Jade Monroe stole the first plate. Then the second. And the third. Mostly all the meats. With the speed of a seasoned warrior, Jade expertly snatched dish after dish, stacking them on her side of the table while maintaining a completely straight face. Taking to Kent and eating without a worry. Nima stared in horror. Even Kent was stunned. "Uh Jade? That''s a lot of food." Jade, already eating, nodded. "Yeah." Kent blinked. "You uh, you going to share?" Jade casually lifted a dumpling with his chopsticks. "No." Nima''s hands shook. She wanted to flip the entire table, but Jade was an important person and she didn''t want to embarrass Kent. So she swallowed her rage. Her eye twitched violently as she watched Jade munch through an entire roasted duck like it was a snack. Kent, seeing the signs of imminent disaster, cleared his throat. "So, about Nima''s admission" I can only pay this much money. Showing a hand sign. Jade wiped his mouth with a napkin and waved a hand. "No need to pay, bro." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" "You were going to donate to help with her admission, right? No need. Just do two things for me." Kent leaned back. "I''m listening." Jade put down his chopsticks and held up two fingers. First request: "When we were in the ruins, I got a report about a mysterious black guy wearing only underwear." Kent almost choked on his drink. Jade continued, unbothered. "Apparently, he''s been spotted multiple times, buying snacks like chips, juice, and chocolate." Kent slowly put his cup down. "Let me get this straight. You''re asking me to help find a half-naked snack buyer?" Jade nodded. "You live in the market district, right? He''s mostly seen there. It should be easy." Kent rubbed his temples. "This is a hard job." Jade smirked. "But not difficult for you, Bro." Nima, who had been silently fuming over her lack of food, suddenly perked up. She wanted to embarrass Jade for eating all that food. "Wait. If he''s only wearing underwear how does he carry the snacks?" Jade paused. Kent and Nima stared at her. Kent signals her to keep silent. Jade narrowed her eyes. "I don''t know. That''s why you need to find him." Second request: "A princess from the Northern County is coming to study in our Dragon Country. Logan told me to take care of her, but her family is very powerful in the north, so I don''t want to mess it up." I have some personal work to do. I''m really busy right now. She will be your classmate, so.. Kent already had a bad feeling. "Let me guess. You want me to babysit her?" Jade nodded. "Show her around town. Make sure she doesn''t get lost or cause trouble." Kent groaned. "Do I look like a tour guide?" sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jade ignored him. "Help me with these two tasks, and I''ll personally take care of Nima''s college admission." Kent leaned back, crossing his arms. "So, let me get this straight. You want me to hunt down Underwear Man and babysit a noble princess. In exchange, you''ll handle everything for Nima''s college admission?" Chapter 85 Perverts, Problem, and a Master Plan ---- Jade nodded. Yes. She is still too young for a college admission. Kent sighed. "Sounds annoying." I guess I have no choice. Jade shrugged. "Sounds easier than paying a giant donation." You know when the cultivation college opens. All rich and big families, clans and other organizations will send their kids with huge donations. The government will choose the benefits option first. Kent tapped the table. "Damn, he''s got a point." He glanced at Nima. Nima, who had been quietly boiling in rage, suddenly spoke up. "I. Don''t. Want. To. Go. To. College." Kent sighed. "Too bad. It''s happening." "You tricked me into coming here!" Kent nodded. "And I''ll trick you again if I have to." Nima opened her mouth to argue Jade stole another plate of dumplings. Nima snapped. She slammed her hands on the table. "Fine! I''ll go to a stupid college! But only because I refuse to let this fatso eat all the food while I suffer!" Jade: Why is she so angry with me? Women!!! It''s hard to understand them. I can''t even understand a little girl. How will I manage when I get married? Bro, can you tell me why she is so angry? Kent chuckled. "Bro, she is just a rebel child. Don''t focus on her. Eat eat eat some more." Jade wiped his mouth and stood up. "Good talk. I''ll be expecting results soon." Then he patted Kent''s shoulder before leaving. He thinks while walking, I made a good deal. I don''t have time for this princess work, I will take over the black market of the metro city. I will be rich!! My bro Kent, once I take over the black market I will let you open a shop there for free. Kent sighed and leaned back in his chair. Nima glared at him. "I hate you." Kent grinned. "You''ll thank me later." Nima crossed her arms. "Doubt it." A waiter arrived with more food. Nima snatched a plate before Kent could blink. Kent frowned. "Now you''re stealing food too?" "Shut up. I deserve this." Kent laughed and shook his head. With the deal set, he now had two ridiculous missions ahead of him. The first mission He had to find the Underwear Man. Kent knows who caused this problem. Kent slapped on the table, "Nima!" he yelled. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima is busy with eating, She lazily turns her head towards Kent. "What?" Kent stomped over and pointed a finger at her. "You caused the underwear pervert problem, didn''t you?!" Nima blinked. Almost choked. "Huh?" "Don''t ''huh'' me! Who did you send to buy snacks while I was in the ruins?!" You even argue with Jade saying how an underwear man can carry snacks. Nima froze mid-bite. Kent crossed his arms. Nima slowly turned to look at her surroundings, then back at Kent. "...It was Raka," she muttered. Kent slapped his forehead. "I KNEW IT!" Raka was one of Nima''s soul servants. A giant, muscular warrior with more brawn than brains. And, unfortunately, since Nima controlled his soul Raka wore whatever Nima thought him to wear. Kent dragged a hand down his face. "Nima. Why? Was. He. Only. Wearing. Underwear?" I told you to make him wear clothes. See, now you cause a big problem. Nima fidgeted. "Uh I thought it was funny?" I want a WWE servant. Why can''t I do whatever I want? This world is so cruel to a little girl like me. SOB SOB SOB (Acting) Kent stared at her. Stop that, you can''t fool me. I know you very well. You need to give Raka some clothes. Nima looked away, whistling. "Let me get this straight," Kent said slowly. "You sent a huge, half-naked warrior to buy snacks, and now everyone thinks he''s a pervert." Nima nodded. SIGH!! Kent rubbed his temples thinking. "Why are you like this? Why can''t my little sister be a cute child?" "I am sorry!" Nima pouted. Kent sighed again. "Nima, you don''t understand. Once you have power you have to use your power to help others not cause trouble for them. Nima snorted. "Okay, I got it." Let me eat now, I am hungry. That fat guy ''Jade'' ate all the food, I couldn''t eat anything. Kent groaned. "This is a disaster." You are still thinking about eating. "I can fix it!" Nima waved her hand. "I''ll just tell Raka to wear clothes now." Kent shook his head. "No. That''s not enough. We need to make sure no one thinks he''ll come back." Nima frowned. "How?" Kent took a deep breath. And then, the dumbest, most genius plan popped into his head. A slow, evil grin spread across his face. Nima stepped back. "Oh no. I don''t like that look." Kent cracked his knuckles. "We''re going to out-perform the pervert." Nima blinked. "Excuse mewhat?!" Kent''s grin widened. "It''s time," he said dramatically, "for me to become the ultimate pervert catcher." Nima stared at him in horror. What are you planning, big brother? Kent sighed. "Alright, enough talking. We need to fix this before the watcher starts a hunt for him." Nima tilted her head. "What''s the plan, General?" Kent leaned forward. "Simple plan:- Raka''s too dumb to realize he''s causing a problem, so we need to make him leave on his own. We do that by giving him a fight he''ll never forget. When he loses, his warrior pride won''t let him stay." This will be the plan and story I will tell Jade. Nima perked up. "Ooooh, that sounds fun. So you''re going to challenge him in public?" Kent smirked. "No, you are." Nima''s smile froze. "Wait, what?" Kent stood up. " It will make you look good, it will help you with your college admissions file. You will become a hero of the market." Think about it, Nima, just like in anime, you will be a hero who saves people from a pervert. Nima crossed her arms. This this sounds good. Some wild thoughts later, I agree. Ha Ha Ha. Nima giggled. "I like it. Alright, give me a second" I will summon Raka and send him to a market shop. She closed her eyes, focusing on her connection with Raka. A few moments later, she opened them with a mischievous glint. "He''s in the right place." Kent stretched his arms. "Perfect. Let''s go knock some sense into him." A Few minutes later, Kent has done some publicity in the market, a battle will happen with the pervert snack buyer. The Market was unusually crowded. Word had spread that a great battle was about to take place, and eager spectators filled every available space, standing on crates, leaning over stalls, and even climbing rooftops for a better view. Vendors had momentarily abandoned their businesses (all the uncle and aunty who sell beside Kent), while the usual chatter of bargaining and haggling had been replaced by excited murmurs. At the centre of attention stood Nima, hands on her hips, chin raised with exaggerated confidence. Her long ponytail swayed as she took a deep breath and pointed dramatically at her opponent. "Pervert snack buyer!" she called out, her voice carrying across the market. "Your days of terrorizing innocent shoppers are over! I, Nima the Magnificent, challenge you to battle!" A collective gasp ran through the crowd. Some people whispered among themselves, while others clapped in anticipation. On the other side, standing in front of a stall filled with roasted peanuts and dried fruit, was Raka aka the pervert. The massive warrior spirit, clad only in his undergarments, blinked in confusion before looking down at himself. Raka: "But I have done nothing wrong," he said, tilting his head. "I merely came to buy snacks." "Silence!" Nima declared, cutting him off with a dramatic wave of her hand. "You have dishonored this marketplace with your shamelessness! If you are truly a warrior, you will accept my challenge. If not, then leave this place and never return!" The crowd erupted in murmurs. "She''s right," someone muttered. "It''s about time someone stood up to him!" "I can''t even bring my kids here without them asking why a half-naked man is buying candy!" "Finally, justice!" Kent stood at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. The whole thing was an act, but the way people were reacting made it even funnier. Meanwhile, Raka furrowed his brows and sighed deeply, as if contemplating some great moral dilemma. After a long pause, he finally looked up at Nima, clenching his fists. "Very well," he said solemnly. "If it is a battle you seek, then battle you shall have!" (Nima was controlling Raka''s dialogues. He doesn''t have intelligence now.) Another wave of gasps filled the air. Nima smirked. "Prepare yourself, warrior, for I will not hold back!" The two stood still for a moment, as if sizing each other up. The tension in the air grew thick. A stray gust of wind blew through the market, carrying dust and fallen leaves, making it feel like the opening scene of an epic duel. Then, Raka suddenly let out a deep war cry and began charging forward. ARHHHHHHH! Chapter 86 The Battle and A Tale of AURI. --- Each of his footsteps made an exaggerated thud! as if the ground itself trembled beneath his strength. His arms were pumping, his muscles flexing, his face twisted in an overly dramatic expression of determination. "Prepare yourself, young cultivator!" he bellowed, voice shaking the very stalls around him. Nima stood completely still, watching him approach. She waited until he was closeso close that people were holding their breath, expecting an earth-shattering clash. Then, just as Raka raised his fist, ready to unleash a mighty blow!!! Nima lifted her hand and gently tapped him on the forehead with her finger. TAP!!! Raka''s eyes widened in exaggerated shock. His entire body seemed to freeze for a split second. Then, in the most over-the-top display of defeat imaginable, he flailed his arms and stumbled backwards. "Noooo! She''s too powerful!" he shouted as he spun through the air, as if he had been hit by a divine force. The acting was so convincing that everyone believed it. He crashed straight into a pile of cabbage carts. The sound of vegetables scattering in all directions filled the air, followed by the horrified scream of a vendor. "My cabbages!" Silence fell over the market. Every single person stared at the aftermath. The dust settled around the fallen warrior, who lay dramatically sprawled over the ruined cabbages. Then, suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers. "She did it!" "The perverted warrior has fallen!" "Nima is a true hero!" People clapped and shouted, some even lifting their arms in triumph. The energy was contagious, and soon the entire market was celebrating. Kent ran a hand over his face, barely able to contain himself. He hadn''t expected the act to go this far, but now that it had, he wasn''t about to ruin the moment. But his heart was bleeding because he needed to pay for cabbages. Meanwhile, Nima adjusted her sleeves, looking completely unbothered. "Hmph. All too easy." She walked over to Raka, who groaned dramatically as he shifted among the cabbages. "As promised," she said, standing over him, "you must now honour your word." Raka let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes. "If if that is what the people demand then I shall comply." A hush fell over the market. Then, in a sudden burst of magical energy, a pair of pants materialized onto Raka''s legs. After that Raka jumps on a rooftop. Then he says, I will leave this city. I can''t take this humiliation. A proud warrior like me was defeated by a kid!! For a single moment, time seemed to stand still. And then, The crowd exploded into celebration. "Justice has been served!" "The market is safe once more!" "All hail Nima!" People cheered and clapped, some even wiping tears from their eyes as if they had just witnessed the birth of a true legend. A stall owner says, Kent your little sister is a true hero. She is so strong. I hope my kids can learn something from her. Nima, basking in the attention, placed her hands on her hips. "I expect free snacks for life," she muttered to Kent. Kent shook his head. "Let''s just go home, Nima." You have your hero moment. Auri is alone at home. Later that night, Auri was talking to himself. He was saying what happened to him this afternoon. He describes his achievements like a tale in his thoughts. Once upon a time, in a quiet backyard, lived a small, Emberling sparrow named Auri. He had survived flying shoes from a mean girl named Nima, the dreaded Vacuum of Devastation, and Kent''s weird training sessions. But despite his struggles, Auri had no respect in the bird world. Other birds bullied him because of his colour, his family had shoved him aside, and even the squirrels of Ruin looked down on him. But one day, everything changed. It all started with Nima, the human girl Auri has to obey. Auri looks up to her as family. But she had eaten a creamy and chocolatey piece of bread. An entire packet of chips and juice bottle alone instead of sharing it with him. The betrayal cut deep. He asked her to share some with him. But she replied, you need to lose weight. You are becoming more and more fat. If you eat more you won''t be able to fly. From now on I will only feed you vegetables. Auri chirped in outrage, this is wrong. I want to eat yummy food, give me a bite. But the heartless Nima didn''t care about AURI''s feelings. She ate everything alone. Auri in anger flapped his wings, and flew away, vowing to find a place where he could earn that money thing and buy his own food. After flying for what felt like forever (but was actually five minutes, fat body problem), Auri found himself in Kent''s backyard field, where a gang of crows gathered. They were big, loud, and obviously important. Their leader, a massive crow named Brutus, strutted forward. Brutus squinted at Auri. "Oi. You''re small. What are you?" Auri puffed up his chest. "I''m Auri. The strongest bird in this land." I am also the owner of this field. This field belongs to my family. The crows cackled. "You!! Strong!! Owner!!! You''re just a tiny feather ball." Auri smirked. "I have seen things. I have survived things. I have fought battles you wouldn''t believe." Brutus flapped his wings. "Oh yeah? Prove it." He picked up a shiny coin. "If you can move this without touching it, we''ll acknowledge your strength." Auri looked at the coin. He is an evolved bird but his level is very low. He doesn''t have enough power to move the coin without touching it. He can break the coin or throw it hundreds of meters away. But moving it without touching it is impossible for him right now. If there was one thing Auri had mastered watching TV, it was acting tough. He dramatically walked over to the coin, pretended to use spiritual energy to move it, flexed his little wings, and screamed. "SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" The crows jumped in shock. ThenAuri kicked the coin when no one was looking, making it roll away. He immediately chased after it, flapping like a maniac. "LOOK! I AM MOVING IT WITH MY POWER!!" The crows lost their minds. "HE''S SO STRONG!" "NO WAY, HE MOVED IT WITH JUST HIS AURA!" Brutus, utterly convinced, nodded. "You are indeed powerful." Just as Auri was about to claim his victory, a massive evolved seagull landed nearby. Seagulls were the true gangsters of the skyloud, fearless, and willing to steal from anyone. The seagull flapped its wings. "This farm field is mine now. Get lost." I can feel the spiritual energy from olants. The crows panicked. "BOSS! WHAT DO WE DO?!" Auri''s survival instincts screamed RUN, YOU IDIOT!!! I will go and call Kent. He will beat the shit out of him. But then, he saw a baby crow trip, trying to escape. The seagull''s eyes locked onto the little one. And Auri felt something snap inside him. No, I can''t rely on Kent. I have become stronger. I came out of the house with one purpose, that is to become an independent bird. I have to solve my own problems. I am also an evolved bird. I survived living with many powerful monsters inside the Ruin. Auri flapped onto the fence and yelled in his most intimidating chirp: "HEY, FEATHER FACE! YOU THINK YOU''RE TOUGH? TRY ME!" The seagull paused mid-air. Did a tiny fat crow just challenge me?! The crows gasped. What is he doing? That seagull is ten times bigger than him. He will get beaten very badly. What should we do? The seagull snarled and dove at Auri, talons ready. Auri''s heart pounded. His brain screamed WHAT THE HELL AM I WAITING FOR?! I have to attack. I can beat this white feather with one punch. But his feet slipped, and he accidentally launched himself straight at the seagull butthole. To everyone watching, looking at Auri like they were seeing the fight of a legend, how Auri fearlessly charged the enemy head-on. The seagull panicked but it was too late. Auri''s punch landed on the seagull butthole. It screams in pain. Then the seagull runs away crying, his butthole swollen. The crows erupted in cheers. "WOW! YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!!" Why don''t you become our new leader? "THE BLACK-WINGED BOSS!!" Brutus, bowed before Auri. "I see now. You are not just strong you are terrifying." I am willing to give you the leader position. Please become our leader. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From that day forward, Auri became the leader of crows in the area around Kent''s House. First time in his life Auri felt this much respect from other bird''s. He didn''t feel so useless anymore. A sensation of happiness jolt''s all over his body. Now he has his own underling''s. A few moments later, Auri returned home as a king. Nima was surprised to see him so happy, but Auri ignored her and simply perched on his favourite spot near the kitchen, acting as if he had never left. But things had changed. Outside, in Kent''s backyard, his army of crows stood guard. Auri ordered every crows under him to inform him immediately if anything happens or some other bird or animal comes looking for a beating. The crows were building their nests near Kent house, in the farm''s backyard, and other nearby places watching over their leader''s kingdom. Auri was no longer a nobody. He is now Auri, the Black-Winged Boss. And his legend was just beginning. Suddenly Auri''s thoughts were interrupted by Kent''s voice. He snapped out of it. He sees Kent is calling him for dinner. Auri, what are you doing on the tree? Come home. Dinner time!! Hurry up!! I have to sleep early today. "Kent murmurs to himself," Tomorrow, I have to meet a princess. I want to look fresh. Who knows if I could make a deal with her and sell her my spiritual vegetables at a high price. --- Note: This bird group is important in the future story. I didn''t want to publish this chapter. But, In some arc''s they will be Kent biggest helpers. That''s why I add the story. Chapter 87 The Princess, The Cheap Tour, and Unexpected Feelings --- After having dinner with Nima and Auri, Kent goes to bed early. Auri is no longer angry with Nima. At the dinner table, Nima gave him a piece of meat, which calmed Auri''s anger. Auri even slept with Nima that night. The next morning, The bustling streets of Metro l City were livelier than usual as Kent walked toward the designated meeting spot. Jade had texted him the location where he needed to meet with the princess. Kent needs to revive the princess from Metro City Airport. This is the first time in Kent''s life going to the airport. Kent was thinking, He had solved the underwear pervert problem, scolded Nima, and was looking forward to some peace after the princess task was complete. But Jade Monroe had thrown another work at him. Now he has to complete two tasks. Task one: "A princess from the Northern County is coming to study here. Show her around town, make sure she doesn''t get lost." Task two: ...??? It''s a hard task for Kent. Kent needs to find a suitable way to finish this task. But for his focus on task one. Showing around the city to a foreign exchange student sounded simple. Too simple. But Kent had a bad feeling about this. And as soon as he arrived at the meeting place, the airport, he realized He was completely unprepared. He was too busy thinking about how he could earn money from the princess by selling his spiritual vegetables. He totally forgot to plan what place and things he should show the princess. He didn''t even ask the princess''s name or what she liked. Where should Kent take her? Kent didn''t even know how she looked. He has no way of finding her. Suddenly, an idea comes to Kent''s mind. He started to write something on a paper. Then he holds the paper in his hand and waits at the airport gate. I AM LOOKING FOR NORTHERN PRINCESS WHO IS A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT. A few minutes later a girl came in front of him. Standing in front of him was a tall, breathtakingly beautiful girl with long silver hair, deep sapphire-blue eyes, and an aura of nobility so strong it could probably pay taxes on its own. Her dress was eleganttoo elegant for a place like Metro City. She looked like she had walked out of a painting. Kent blinked. Jade Monroe, standing beside her, smirked. "Kent, meet Louis Vernsdale. She''s the princess of the Northern County of Vernsdale and will be studying here." Then Jade says, Bro why are holding this in your hands? Didn''t I tell you to come to the airport gate? I will meet you there. Kent snapped in anger, " This stupid fasto. He didn''t tell me you will meet me at the airport. Now I look like a fool in front of my future customer." He murmurs to himself. Keeping his sanity, Kent says, bro, you didn''t mention we will meet here in your text. Jade Monroe laughed like an idiot rubbing his hair. Bro, I guess I forgot to type about that. I am busy doing something when I text you. Before Kent could say anything, Louis tilted her head slightly, examining Kent with curiosity. "So," she said in a soft but confident voice, "you''re my guide?" She felt something seeing Kent. Her heart started to beat a little faster. Kent snapped out of his daze and replied. "Yeah. Name''s Kent." She nodded. "I see." Inside her mind, what is this feeling? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why do I feel like my body is getting warmer? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Silence! She started at Kent for a few seconds. Kent coughed feeling awkward. "Uh welcome to Dragon Country." Louis smiled. "Thank you. I look forward to" "Alright, alright," Jade interrupted, clapping Kent on the back. "Kent will take great care of you. You two have fun. I have work to do." And before Kent could ask him about the second task, he was gone saying, Bye Bro. Kent exhaled. Great. Now he was alone with a literal princess who was staring at him like he was some kind of art piece or something. He glanced at Louis. She was studying him with an unreadable expression. "Well," Kent said, forcing a smile, "since we have all day, let''s start the tour." Louis nodded. "I leave myself in your care." Kent internally winced. Kent: "Why does she sound so formal? This is going to be a long day." Kent had exactly zero experience of taking a princess to fancy places. He doesn''t want to say, which could ruin his business opportunity. Alright, your highness let''s move. Louis says call by my name. We are going to be classmates. No need to act so formally. Okay! Louis. Kent replied. After that, Kent started the city tour. Let''s eat first, I guess you might be Hungry. His first stop Old Man Chang''s Noodle Stall. Kent led Louis through the streets to a small, slightly rundown noodle stall. The scent of broth and spices filled the air as customers sat on wooden benches, slurping noodles loudly. Louis blinked. "This is where we''re eating?" "Yep," Kent said, grabbing a seat. "Best noodles in town." Louis hesitated before gracefully sitting beside him. She looked extremely out of place. The noodle stall owner, Old Man Chang, waddled over. "Oi, Kent! Haven''t seen you in a while." "Been busy," Kent said. "Two bowls of your best noodle uncle." Chang nodded and eyed Louis. "And who''s this young lady?" "Princess Louis Vernsdale," Kent said casually. Old Man Chang blinked. Then he laughed. "Good one, kid. Who is she really?" Kent grinned. "I just told you, old man." Give me the food. Hurry up! I am very hungry. Louis, instead of getting offended, simply smiled. "It is an honour to meet you Mr." Chang squinted. "Huh. You sound like you have noble manners, that''s for sure." You don''t need to join with Kent pranks young lady. This boy is already very naughty. Don''t encourage him. A few minutes later, steaming bowls of hot, fragrant noodles arrived. Louis stared at hers. Kent dug in immediately, slurping loudly. Louis slowly picked up the chopsticks and hesitated. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What''s wrong?" Louis looked at him. "I''ve never used chopsticks before." Kent almost choked. "You''re telling me," he said, wiping his mouth, "you''ve never had noodles with chopsticks?" Louis shook her head. "We use forks in Vernsdale and we call it Pasta." Kent gasped in fake horror. "No forks allowed here. Time to learn." Let me teach you. Louis looked uncertain. "Is it difficult?" "Depends," Kent smirked. "How good is your swordsmanship?" Louis narrowed her eyes. "Flawless." "Then you can handle this." Try holding it like this with your fingers. Then grab the noodles. Louis sighed and picked up the chopsticks. She clumsily attempted to grab the noodles but failed. "Kent grinned. This was hilarious." He almost burst out of laughter. But he controlled himself from laughing. Louis pouted slightly. She notices Kent is holding his laugh. She also felt shy. "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?" she muttered. Kent shrugged. "A little." Louis huffed and kept trying. Eventually, she managed to eat a few noodles and looked extremely proud of herself. Kent chuckled. "See? Not so hard." Louis smiled. And for the first time since they met, her noble presence seemed to soften. She is getting more and more attracted to Kent. After eating, Kent took her through Metro City''s market district. Louis was fascinated by everything. She stopped at a small stand selling handmade trinkets and carefully examined a wooden bracelet. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What, you''ve never seen cheap stuff before?" Louis shook her head. "Where I come from, jewelry is always made from gold or silver. This has charm." Kent smirked. "You''re seriously impressed by a five dollar bracelet?" Louis nodded. "It feels more personal than something made by a jeweler." Kent chuckled. "You''re easier to please than I thought, Princess." Louis brushed her silver hair behind her ear. I told you earlier, "You can just call me Louis." Kent paused. I forgot about that. "He thinks most nobles insisted on titles. But she doesn''t behave like a Novel supposed to behave with the common people." He looked at her again, really looked at her. Her elegant features, the way her sapphire eyes lit up when she discovered new things. For a moment, Kent also felt something strange. Then he shoved it away. Nope. Not happening. She''s a princess. Keep it moving. "Alright, Louis," Kent said casually. "Let''s keep going." At some point, they reached an old, broken water fountain in the center of the city. Louis tilted her head. "Is it supposed to be like that?" Kent sighed. "Nah. Some kids broke it. No one''s fixed it yet." Louis frowned. "That''s sad." Kent shrugged. "That''s life in the small city." Louis walked forward and knelt down. Kent watched in confusion as she gently touched the broken stone. Then, she closed her eyes. --- Author''s Note: Dear readers, I need your support. I am just a tiny fish swimming among the whales. If you are enjoying the story, I request everyone to gift a castle. It will help me a lot. I will upload 5 extra chapters. Chapter 88 The Princess, Street Food, and an Unwanted Duel A faint, golden energy pulsed from her fingertips. The cracks in the stone slowly began mending. Kent''s eyes widened. She just repaired it with pure willpower? This must be her awakened superpower. A few seconds later, the fountain was fully restored. Water flowed once more. People nearby gasped in surprise. Kent crossed his arms. "Show-off." Louis smiled softly. "If I have the power to fix things (earth-type awakeners), I should use it." Kent stared at her for a moment. Maybe she wasn''t just another spoiled noble. Maybe she is actually the type of person I. And that thought scared him. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s keep moving," Kent muttered. Louis nodded as Kent walked ahead, but she was watching him from behind and she seemed truly interested in Kent. Anyone can see she was looking at Kent like no other person matters to her anymore. The streets of Metro City bustled with energy as Kent led Louis Vernsdale through the marketplace. She had seen a candy seller on the side of the road. She goes to buy candy. ''She had already experienced her first cheap mealstruggling with chopsticks at Old Man Chang''s noodle stall. Now, she is fully immersed in the world of common folk.'' And she loved it. Kent, on the other hand, was still recovering from the shock. A noble princess, raised in wealth and luxury, was smiling like a kid in a candy shop over the most ordinary things. And for some reason, that made him uneasy. "Why is she acting like this is the best day of her life?" Kent sighed. "You''re too excited. It''s suspicious." You are a princess. You shouldn''t be this amazed by common things. What''s going on here? Louis tilted her head. "Am I not allowed to enjoy myself?" Kent rubbed his temples. "No, it''s justforget it. Let''s go." And so, the cheap tour continued. Their next stop was a small street vendor selling skewers of grilled meat and vegetables. Kent wanted to see how she reacted to vegetables. The smell alone was heavenly. Kent grabbed two skewers and handed one to Louis. She examined it. "There''s no silverware?" Kent groaned. "No, Princess. You just eat it." Louis hesitated, then took a careful bite. Her eyes widened. "This is" She took another bite, chewing slowly. "This is delicious!" Kent smirked. "Told you." Louis nodded, finishing her skewer surprisingly fast. Kent raised an eyebrow. "You sure you''re a noble?" Louis wiped her lips with a napkin. "Why?" "You''re enjoying this a little too much." Louis smiled. "Perhaps I just have good taste." Kent scoffed. "Or maybe you''ve been missing out your whole life." I have some spiritual vegetables, if you want I can give you some. Louis didn''t deny it. Okay! I will receive your gift. Then, she glanced around the busy market, watching merchants and customers haggle over prices. "Back home," she murmured, "everything is planned. Ordered. Structured." Kent finished his skewer. "Sounds boring." Louis chuckled. "It is." She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "That''s why today is special." She says, with a beautiful smile. Kent felt something weird in his chest seeing her heavenly smile. He immediately ignored it just like before. "Yeah, yeah. Let''s keep moving," he muttered. Louis just smiled, following him. Kent was about to take Louis to the city''s arcade when trouble found him first. A foreigner man in flashy golden robes suddenly stepped in front of them, arms crossed, chin raised high. Behind him, a group of similarly dressed men stood like wannabe bodyguards. Kent immediately hated him. The man looked at Louis and smiled. "Ah, Princess Louis! What a coincidence!" Louis frowned. "Do I know you?" The man laughed dramatically. "Of course! I am Victor Farrow, third son of Duke Farrow! A noble from Vernsdale, like yourself!" We met at your coming-of-age ceremony last year. Louis blinked. "Oh. I see." I am sorry, I didn''t recognize you. ''She thinks that party was my first public appearance, father never let me out of the castle.'' Victor clearly expected a bigger reaction. He coughed awkwardly before turning to Kent. "And you are?" Kent smiled. "Just a guide trying to get through his day without problems." Victor sneered. "A peasant guide, then." Kent''s smile twitched. "Buddy, do you want to get punched?" Louis sighed. "Sir Victor, what do you want?" Victor dramatically flipped his golden cape. "I simply must askwhy are you walking around with this commoner? A princess should have better company!" Louis crossed her arms. "I''m here because I want to be." Victor looked physically pained. "Surely you jest." Kent snorted. "She doesn''t." Victor narrowed his eyes. "You. Peasant. You dare think yourself worthy of accompanying a noblewoman?" Kent tilted his head. "What century are you from?" Don''t you know about equality? Victor''s vein popped. "A noble should not mix with commoners!" Kent nodded. "Cool. Then leave." Why are you wasting my time? Victor turned red. "You are insolent!" He pointed at Kent. "Throwing his gloves on the ground he says, I challenge you to a duel!" Kent blinked. "A what?" Victor''s lackeys cheered. "Yes! A duel! Teach him a lesson, young master!" Kent sighed. "Do I get a say in this?" Victor scoffed. "Are you afraid?" Kent sighed again, rubbing his face. "Louis," he muttered, "is every noble kid from my country this dramatic?" Louis looked at Victor, then back at Kent. "I am sorry for my countryman''s behaviour Kent." You don''t need to fight him. I will talk to my father about this matter. Kent replied, don''t worry Princess Louis, I don''t care about the idiots'' words. Meanwhile, Victor''s goons quickly cleared a space in the street. Spectators gathered around. Victor pulled out a fancy-looking rapier from his spatial treasure and did three unnecessary flourishes before pointing it at Kent. "Draw your weapon, peasant!" Kent yawned. "I really don''t want to do this." Victor smirked. "I see! You surrender!" Kent snorted. "You wish." Victor lunged forward. Kent sidestepped effortlessly. Victor''s attack hit nothing but air. Kent stretched lazily. "I thought nobles trained in swordsmanship?" Victor growled. "You!" He attacked again. Kent dodged effortlessly. Victor attacked five more times. Kent dodged all five times. The crowd laughed. Victor panted, sweating. "Fight back, coward!" Kent smiled. "Okay." He flicked his finger. A tiny wave of sword intent blasted Victor''s rapier out of his hands. It clattered onto the ground. The crowd cheered. Victor''s face turned pale. Kent picked up the rapier and handed it back. "Here. You dropped this." Victor''s hands shook. "YouYou!" I won''t forget this. Then, he ran away. His goons scrambled after him. The crowd erupted into laughter. After the commotion, Kent and Louis walked away. Louis watched him curiously. "You could''ve beaten him easily," she said. Kent shrugged. "Yeah, but why bother? He embarrassed himself just fine." Louis smiled. "You''re different from the men I know," she murmured. (Here she means her cousins.) Kent raised an eyebrow. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Louis glanced at the street around herthe people, the small shops, the normal life. "I was born into a world of luxury," she said softly. "Everything was given to me. Structured. Expected." Kent listened quietly. Louis met his eyes. "I''ve never had a day like this before. No schedules. No formalities. Just fun." Kent shrugged. "Glad you''re enjoying the cheap life." Louis laughed. "Maybe this is what I''ve been missing." Kent scratched his cheek. "You''re a weird princess." Louis smiled. "And you''re an odd guide." For a moment, they just looked at each other. Then, Kent coughed and looked away. "Alright, we''re done here. I still need to take you to the arcade in town." Louis laughed again. "Lead the way." And so, the cheap tour continued. But now, something was different. Something had changed. For Louis, the day was more than just a simple tour. It was the day she realized she had fallen in love. A few hours later outside the arcade, Kent says, the tour is over. Now time to take you to your residence. The sun is about to set. Louis says, don''t worry about that, I can go by myself. She signals something waving her hands in the air. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two grey robe-wearing men land in front of them. Kent is shocked by that. He was with her the entire day but he didn''t notice these two men. They were following Louis the entire day from the shadows. Kent gets frustrated, damn it. If they were my enemy I could have died multiple times. I didn''t feel their spiritual energy. These guys must be practising some kind of assassination technique. If I had the system online my system could inform me about them. When will the system come back online? Kent realized something, wait a minute. Today I didn''t receive any SP notifications. What''s going on? Before Kent could go deep in thought. Louis says time to say goodbye. I will look forward to meeting you in the cultivation college. A luxury car comes, and she leaves with her two bodyguards. Chapter 89 The Vacation Battle and the Suitcase Disaster Kent started to head back home. Thinking, today he didn''t receive any SP. There is definitely something wrong. He tries to use the system multiple times but nothing happens. As if the system didn''t exist. Kent gets scared by that, did I lose my cultivator power? Then quickly check if he could use spiritual energy or not. He focuses on creating a fireball in his hands. The results are positive. He can use spiritual energy. The problem is his SSS-RANK skill copy spiritual energy isn''t working with the system. Kent doesn''t know what''s happening. What should be his next step? How can he get his skills and system back? Then Kent had an idea. Let me check my void domain, my void domain is linked to my soul and system. If I can''t use my void domain then no all my treasures, my money. Kent closed his eyes and sent his spiritual consciousness into the void domain. He can use his void domain. He sighed in relief. The system is still there. I need to wait for the system to come back online to find the answers. "Let''s go home. I can''t do anything but wait." Kent stretched his arms and yawned as he walked through the front door of his house. Yesterday, After spending the whole day showing Louis around the city, all he wanted was to collapse on his bed and sleep for a week. But as soon as he stepped inside BAM! A pillow smacked him straight in the face. Kent stumbled back. "What the?!" Standing in the living room, arms crossed, was Nima. Her eyes were burning with determination. "We need to talk," she said. Kent sighed. "Can it wait? I just got back from" "No. I want a vacation." Kent blinked. "A what?" "A vacation!" Nima stomped her foot. "Soon it will be summer break time, and I want to go somewhere fun!" We never go on vacation like other kids. I saw it on TV. Vacation is the most fun thing. Children need it, otherwise they will get mad from all the homework. Grandpa Xian Yu made me do a ton of homework. I will go mad if you don''t take me on a summer vacation. Kent sighed and started walking past her. "Not happening." "Kent." She called in frustration. Kent kept walking. "Kent." She called again. "Still no." "Ken" WHAP! Another pillow to the face. Kent groaned. "Nima, stop throwing pillows" "I WANT A VACATION!" Kent rubbed his temples. "Do I look like a travel agent?" Nima puffed up her cheeks and stared at him with her best ''angry little sister'' face. "You always have time for your dumb training, your dumb farm, and for some reason, you always make people angry!" she shouted. "But you never have time for your amazing, lovable, and beautiful little sister!" YOU YOU HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE SISTER ELSEWHERE. SOB! SOB! SOB! Kent stared blankly. "First of all, stop your dramatic crying. I know it''s all acting. Second, tone down the self-praise." Let me think about it. Give me a few minutes. Kent remembers task two, He didn''t get a chance to ask Nexus Jade Monroe about this. His task was a mission, The first mission as an official member of Watcher. Now that he has become a tier-3 trainee, he needs to complete this mission. Kent checks on his phone, where he received the mission details. New Watcher Mission Received! Task: Investigate reports of strange energy readings near the coastal town of Azure Bay. Reward: 10,000 dollars + bonus for extra findings Kent''s eyes lit up. He got an idea. The government will pay for all expenses of the mission. The location is near the beach too. Kent can take Nima with him. I can complete my first mission and give Nima a vacation with the government Money. "I am such a genius." Kent turned to Nima, who was grinning smugly. "So?" she asked sweetly. Kent sighed. "Fine. But I have some work. As an official trainer Watcher, I received a mission. I will take you with me. It''s in the Bay Area. We will have a vacation and do my mission at the same time." Nima fist-pumped the air. "YES!" "On one condition," Kent added. "You''re in charge of packing." Nima beamed. "Leave it to me!" By the way Nima, where is Auri? I can''t see him anywhere. Is he in the other room or the kitchen? Nima sighed! Your fat bird is outside. When I was doing homework in the afternoon I saw him hang around with some crows. He is a sparrow. Why is he hanging with the crows? Kent asked that question to Nima. I heard them talking, they were calling Auri, Boss. His feathers are black. I guess those stupid crows took him as a crow and made him their boss for some reason. Kent says, Alright, let him do what he likes. Help me with cooking dinner. I am very tired today. The next day early morning, Kent was working on the farm, making sure everything worked properly before the trip. Nima comes to the field and tells Kent, we don''t have a suitcase to pack our clothes. We need to buy a suitcase. Kent, you are a big girl now. You can go to the market mall and buy a suitcase there. I have to finish all the work on the farm. Kent gives her one thousand dollars for a suitcase and an extra one thousand dollars to buy anything else they might need. Nima, I have sent you some money in your mobile wallet. Don''t buy snacks, only buy what we need for the trip. Text me if you''re short on money. Nima went on a shopping spree. Kent had given her money for travel essentials. Instead, she returned with the single dumbest thing he had ever seen. A massive, bright pink Barbie suitcase. Kent stared at it in horror. "Nima," he said slowly, "what the hell is that?" She grinned proudly and patted the suitcase. "This? This is our new travel buddy!" Kent pointed at it. "It''s pink. It has Barbie''s face on it. It has sparkles." Nima nodded. "It''s perfect." Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "We''re going on a serious Watcher mission. I have to carry the suitcase, can''t you pick something normal? I refuse to be seen carrying that thing." Nima blinked innocently. "Oh? If you love your little sister, then you have to carry it." What will other people think if you let me carry this big suitcase? You will be charged with a child abuse case. I will be alone in this world while you are put in jail. Kent froze. Stop that. Let''s go change this suitcase into a normal one. Nima smirked. Then she says, I don''t remember the shop. I lost the receipt. Why can''t a girl like girly things? I like this one. It''s final, no more discussion. Kent gritted his teeth. The world has changed, they are both cultivators now. Kent wanted to give her a normal life as long as possible. "You planned this." "Of course!" Nima giggled. "Now, say it." Kent groaned. "Say what?" Nima held up the Barbie suitcase and shook it teasingly. Kent closed his eyes. This was the worst day of his life. He took a deep breath and muttered, "I will carry the Barbie suitcase." "Louder." Kent growled. "I will carry the Barbie suitcase." "Louder!" "FINE! I''LL CARRY THE DAMN BARBIE SUITCASE!" Nima laughed like a villain. And Kent knewthis was only the beginning of his suffering. Later that day Kent had talked with Jade Monroe about the mission. Jade sends him a government bank card which will be used in the mission. Jade says, bro, the budget for trainee members is limited. So you need to take the train. Don''t forget to inform me. If you find a business opportunity. "Nima, Kent called for her after finishing his talking with Jade." We will take the train. This will be our first time travelling in and our first time riding a train aren''t you excited? Nima says, but I thought we would ride the newly created airship boat for cultivators. You are going on a mission. Why do we have to use trains? All big-shot cultivators use the airship. I have never ridden an airship before. Airship: A boat or ship that can fly like an aeroplane. Many organizations found that old techniques. They use spiritual energy and spiritual stones to create the airboat for cultivators. It''s much faster than a plane. I will take you to the airship one day. You have never ridden a train before either. The same goes for me. Did you pack everything? We will leave this evening, we will take the night train to Azure City. I talked with Grandpa Xian Yu and Aunty Zhou. He will check on the farm from time to time. They will also come to see us off at the train station. I packed almost everything, I need to pack some snacks. After that, I am ready to leave anytime. Nima replied. But Auri didn''t come back home. He left this morning after breakfast. I guess he is playing with the crows again. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent says I will go look for him. You finished your work. Kent starts to look for Auri in the neighbourhood. Kent thinks if only my system was online I could find out Auri''s location instantly. Suddenly a familiar sound rings in Kent''s mind. Ding! System notifications: The system is back online. There are important things the host needs to know about the system. Chapter 90 The Missing Fragment & A Sun for the Void Ding! System Notification: The system is back online. Kent stopped mid-step, his breath hitching. That voiceafter all this time, the system had finally returned? His heart pounded as another notification appeared before his eyes. System Notification: Critical Information Detected. Host, there is something important you must know. A holographic screen expanded in front of Kent eyes, glowing with lines of unfamiliar code. He furrowed his brows, stepping away from the main street into a quieter alley. He exhaled slowly. "Alright, tell me." System Message: "One part of the system is missing. The host currently possesses only three fragments out of four." "The missing fragment holds the system''s main memorythe reason for its creation." Kent''s eyes widened, his mind racing. "The system was created for something? Then why did it attach to me?" Why was I chosen as the system host? What is the real purpose of creating a system? Who is so powerful enough to create a system like this? System Message: "The lost fragment is not in this universe. Its exact location is unknown." "Host must grow stronger to locate and retrieve the missing piece." "Due to the missing fragment, the system was in recovery mode, which is why your skills were previously inaccessible." System needed more power to come back online. "Now that enough energy has been gathered, the system has restored most of its functions." Kent clenched his fists. So that''s why my abilities weren''t working beforethe system was trying to come back online. Because a fragment is missing, it stops my skill functioning. A surge of frustration and curiosity filled him. What was this system? Why him? And what would happen if he found that missing fragment? Ding! System Update: Congratulations, Host! -You have successfully refined the Ruin Core without system help. And created A Barren Land within the Void Domain. - The System Store has been updated. Because of the void domain. - The Void Domain tools are now accessible in the system store. Kent stared at the notifications, his mind still catching up. "Void Domain tools? Store update? Wait, waitone thing at a time!" Ding! New Feature Unlocked: The Host can now purchase many items for the Void Domain. Kent took a deep breath. "A missing fragment a secret purpose and now a Void Domain tools? This system is a lot more complicated than I thought." But one thing was clearhe needed to get stronger. Fast. Kent shook off his thoughts. First, he had a more immediate task. There''s not much time left. He needs to find Auri. "I''ll go look for him. I have to finish my work," Kent said, waving off the floating notifications. He turned down a side street, scanning for any sign of Auri. Ding! System Notification: Host tracking functions are now available. Kent smirked. "Now that''s more like it." He closed his eyes, activating the system''s scan. A glowing holographic map appeared before him, marking a blinking icon just a few streets away. Without wasting a second, he sprinted toward the location. As Kent turned a corner, he slowed down. A strange noise filled the air. Caw! Caw! A flock of crows circled above a narrow alleyway, their black feathers casting eerie shadows on the ground. Kent frowned. "Why are so many birds in one place?" He moved closer, peeking into the alleyand there, in the middle, stood Auri. The bird was on the ground, wings stretched toward the sky, laughing as the crows swooped around him. But these birds weren''t just flying randomly. They were listening to him. Every time Auri moved his hands, the crows mirrored his motion, gliding in perfect sync. It was almost like a dance. Kent''s instincts screamed at him. "This isn''t normal." He stepped forward, calling out, "Auri!" Auri turned, his bright eyes filled with excitement. "CHIRP! Kent! Look! The crows like me! I am the new boss of this area" One of the crows perched near Auri''s right side, tilting its head. Another landed on the left side, completely unafraid. Kent approached cautiously. "How are you doing that?" Auri shrugged. "I dunno. They just came to me!" I help them, the next thing I know is that they make me their leader. Kent narrowed his eyes. "That''s not how birds work." Auri wasn''t the same species of the crows. More importantlythe crows weren''t bothered by that. It was as if they were drawn to his presence. Kent sighed, pating Auri''s head. "Come on, let''s get you home before you start summoning an entire army of birds." Auri chipped, flying ahead happily. Kent followed, his mind deep in thought. As they walked, Kent''s system chimed again. Ding! System Notification: Host has cleared the Ruin. Calculating Rewards Kent halted mid-step. Finally you remember about the mission. Now give me something good. Something useful. System Reward: "Congratulations, Host! You have received a Blueprint: Lesser Sun Creation." Kent''s eyes widened. "A sun?!" This is this really something what I am thinking? He quickly opened the blueprint details. Blueprint: Lesser Sun Creation -Effect: Allows the Host to create a small sun using spiritual fire. -Requires Two Types of Fire. -The sun will provide heat and light to the Void Domain. -Once completed, the Void Domain can sustain life and evolve into a livable world. Kent ran a hand through his hair. My guess is right. The system gave me a way to create a sun with my SSS rank Architect Skill. But, "I do have two types of fire I only have Hellfire. I need a second type." His Hellfire was not normal. It burned without fuel, devoured energy from the enemy in an instant, and consumed souls. It was eternal and destructive. But for creation? Hellfire alone wasn''t enough. Ding! System Message: "Host, once the Lesser Sun is created, the Void Domain will transform into a sustainable world. You will gain the ability to store and nurture living beings inside it." You need a water source too. "Currently, the Void Domain is barren. Without the sun, and water, no life can exist there." Kent let out a slow breath. "A world of my own A place where life can grow. A place under my control." But before thathe needed that second fire. He clenched his fists. "Where do I even start?" The system didn''t answer his question. But Kent knew one thing. He wasn''t going to stop until he found it. Kent looked up at the sky. Auri was still playing and flying ahead, laughing as the crows followed him. A small smile tugged at Kent''s lips. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "First, I''ll figure out what''s wrong with Azure bay then, I''ll find my second fire." His journey was far from over. And for the first timehe was excited for what came next. When he returns home with Auri. They find out Nima is ready for the vacation. Everything is packed. She was waiting for them sitting on the sofa watching TV. Ohh! You guys are back. I am ready. When do we leave, big brother? Auri I packed some juice for you. You should be grateful. Stop playing with the crows all the time. You need to train and become stronger. Auri flies on Nima''s shoulder. Chirping happily. Kent says, I will go take a shower. After that we will leave. Nima, you can inform grandpa Xian Yu and aunty Zhou. They will drop us off at the rail station in their car. Nima leaves the house, after taking a bath Kent is ready. Wearing all black clothes and jackets. He looked very stylish. Kent Krause himself in the mirror. Then, he goes to pick up the luggage. All his looks and man pride shattered. He has to carry the Barbie suitcase. His face almost became red in anger and shyness. Kent stepped out of the house carrying the Barbie suitcase. First he locks everything properly. Then He sees Nima and others waiting for him at the main gate. Kent slowly approaches them, hiding the suitcase behind him. But the old man Xian Yu noticed the suitcase. He started at Kent for a few seconds. Then he says, Kent I didn''t know you like this type of thing. As your master I don''t care about what you like. Tell me the truth, are you LGB Kent''s face became red like a cherry or tomato. Before the old man could make more fun of him. He yelled, hey old man don''t joke with me. You know I am a man. I like girls. Nima bought it. She blackmails me to carry it. The old man Xian Yu holds his laughter, he says rubbing his beard. I was serious. I need to know about my disciple''s preference. If you want I will find a good husband for you. After saying that, Xian Yu couldn''t hold his laugh anymore. She burst out with loud laughter. Kid you made my day. I can''t describe how ridiculous you look with black clothes carrying a pink Barbie suitcase. Aunty Zhou steps in. Honey, stop that. They will miss their train. Let''s go. They need to buy the tickets too. Meanwhile, Nima knows something like this will happen. She is already inside the car with Auri eating a packet of chips. Laughing on Kent. Chapter 91 The Train Ride, and Nimas Wrath. The old man, Xian Yu, sighed and crossed his arms. "Alright, kid, time to go. If anything unacceptable happens, you inform me immediately. Your number one priorityboth you and Nimais to stay safe. If danger comes your way, you run. I''ll take care of everything else." Kent let out a short laugh. "Grandpa Yu, we''re going on a vacation, not marching into battle. This is the first time Nima and I have ever taken a proper trip. And it''s our first time leaving Metro City. We''ll be carefulI''m not an idiot." Xian Yu narrowed his eyes. "Kid, I know about your trainee mission. Strange things have been happening, and even if there''s no immediate danger, you never know when something might go wrong. Call this number if you need help. Someone will come right away." Kent took the slip of paper and nodded. "Got it, Grandpa. Bye, Aunt Zhou!" With that, he turned and cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached the train station ticket counter. Today, he had one mission: get the lowest price possible. A new rule had recently been put in placeanyone bringing a pet had to pay full price for an extra ticket. And according to Jade, the government budget only covered two people for this mission. No exceptions. The problem? There were three of them. Auri, of course, didn''t count as just a pet, but the railway officials wouldn''t care about that. Which meant Kent had to buy one ticket out of his own pocket. Nima and Auri stood behind him, watching in silent horror as he mentally prepared for battle. The ticket seller, an old woman with a kind face, smiled. "Hello, sir. How many tickets?" Kent leaned on the counter. "Three tickets. But let''s talk about that price, huh?" The old woman blinked. "The price is fixed, young man." +99 SP copied from counter lady. Kent grinned. "No price is truly fixed. Life is a negotiation." I am a government officer. Give me a discount. Look at this, this tiny bird. He will fit in my hands. Why do I have to pay full price for him? Nima groaned. "Oh no." Auri chipped. "It''s happening again." Kent is arguing with this old lady for that money thing. He looks so cool. I want to be like him. Kent rolled up his sleeves. "Let''s break it down, ma''am. The train is not full, which means empty seats. Empty seats mean lost revenue. Now, I am generously offering to fill those seats, ensuring a 100% train efficiency rate. Shouldn''t that come with a discount?" My bird won''t need a seat. He will just sit on my shoulder or lap. The old woman stared at him. "It does not." +999 SP copied from counter lady. +999 SP copied from counter lady. Kent wasn''t giving up. He says,"Let''s talk about bulk purchasing! I''m not buying one ticketI''m buying three. A smart business would reward loyal customers, don''t you think?" "That''s not how tickets work." Is this your first time travelling? Trains tickets are fixed priced. You can take a cabin if you want. That way you won''t have to pay Extra. A cabin is for four people. Kent placed a hand on his chest, looking deeply wounded. "So what you''re saying is, there is no loyalty in this world?" Nima facepalmed. Auri''s eyes glowing in awe. He wants to like Kent. Saving money and earning a lot of money. The old woman sighed. "Fine. I''ll give you a ten percent discount if you stop talking." It''s an employee discount. Please stop talking now. Kent grinned. "Pleasure doing business!" Give the cabin. "He thinks, Government will pay for it. I can say this was my first time. I made a mistake. I am such a genius at saving money." Nima grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away. "Stop embarrassing us!" Why are you so stingy about money? You earned enough money inside the Ruin. "Ticket counter aunty, give us three tickets please." Nima buys the tickets. She pays with Kent''s mobile wallet. Kent says to Nima, that is for our future. Your wedding and your children''s education and many others important things. Nima''s face turned red, a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You stupid brother!" she yelled. I''m not going anywhere. I will always live with you. You are my only family. She bites Kent hands like a she is some kind of wild beast. OWWW! ITS HURTS, NIMA LET GO. Meanwhile, From a short distance away, Louis Vernsdale watched everything. She had been waiting for her own train when she witnessed the entire spectacle. She has never ridden a train before. She came for the experience. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound understanding of her crush. "So Kent loves money." She clenched her fist in determination. "I''ve finally found his weakness! If I appeal to his love for gold, I will win his heart!" I have a lot of money. I am sure I will win his heart. She smiled to herself. "Just wait, Kent. I''ll make you mine!" I need to change my train. I will ride with Kent. Unaware of the upcoming storm he had just created, Kent boarded the train with Nima and Auri. Kent settled into his seat, stretching out comfortably. Nima sat beside him, munching on a snack. Auri sat on the opposite side, half-asleep. A tiny bird taking an entire seat. Kent exhaled. "Finally. Peace and quiet." Then, he felt a presence. His heart skipped a beat. What the Why is my heart acting so weird? Slowly, he turned his head'' And there she was. Louis. Kent''s heart skipped a beathis instincts flaring, sensing a strong presence before even seeing her Sitting just a few seats away, smiling directly at him. Kent froze seeing her smile. Nima tells Kent to have some snacks. But Kent didn''t respond. She immediately noticed something was wrong. Why is he acting so weird? She followed Kent''s gaze, saw Louis, then slowly turned back to Kent. "Who is she?" Nima asked, shaking Kent''s entire body with her full power. Why are you acting like this? Kent gulped. "A princess." Don''t you remember jade told us about her on the restaurant. Nima squinted. "And why do you look like you just saw your ex-wife?" What''s going on? "I don''t!" Auri narrowed his eyes pointing his wings at Kent. Chirp!! "Kent, why are you acting weird?" Kent forced a laugh. "No reason! Just surprised, that''s all!" Louis stood up gracefully and walked toward them. Nima watched like a hawk. Louis smiled at Kent. "We meet again." Kent cleared his throat. "Yeah. Funny coincidence, huh?" Louis tilted her head. "Almost like fate." Nima''s eyes twitched. Auri started between Kent and Louis. Kent quickly looked away. "So, uh, what brings you here?" Louis smiled. "I''m traveling to experience the train ride. And you?" Kent hesitated. "Uh just doing some work. Nothing more." Nima narrowed her eyes. Auri whispered, "Suspicious." Kent felt sweat forming on his forehead. Nima finally spoke. "Kent. Look me in the eyes. There''s nothing going on, right?" Like in the TV a beautiful girl comes to steal-little sister''s big brother. Kent snorted. "What?! No! She''s a princess! I''m just a normal guy!" Louis raised an eyebrow. "And what''s wrong with that?" Kent gulped. Nima crossed her arms. "I don''t like this thing called sister in law." They are the most evil creatures in the TV dramas. Louis smiled sweetly. "Oh? Why?" These are just fantasy stories. It''s not real. Nima glared. "I know people like you. You''re up to something." "You will steal my big brother. I can feel it. It''s my little sister''s instinct." Kent mentally screamed. "I just wanted to have a vacation Why is this happening to me?!" To Kent''s horror, Louis took Auri''s seat. Sit in front of Kent and Nima. She leaned in slightly, smiling. "It''s nice to travel together, don''t you think?" Kent felt his soul leave his body. Nima clenched her jaw. Auri watched everything like it was his favorite drama. Then he realized, wait.. that''s my seat. Then, the worst thing happened. Louis pulled out a glass bottle of mango juice and a bag of premium chocolates. She held them out to Nima and Auri. "Here. A gift." Auri started. "For me?" I like juice. Louis says to everyone. "Friends should share." Auri hesitated then took the snacks. CHAIP!! "Thanks, lady!" Nima gasped. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "AURI. NO." Auri froze mid-air. "Huh?" Nima stood up dramatically. "HOW DARE YOU ACCEPT GIFTS FROM HER?!" Chip! Auri blinked. "But free snacks." Nima turned red with rage. "YOU TRAITOR!" Auri whimpered. Louis giggled. "Oh dear, did I cause a problem?" Nima snarled. "YES, YOU DID!" Kent buried his face in his hands. He says to himself, "This is a nightmare." Nima snatched Auri''s juice away. "HEY!" Auri protested. Nima held it high. "NO. YOU''RE ON MY TEAM. STOP ACCEPTING HER SNACKS!" Auri pouted. "But it looks good and tasty" Nima glared at Louis. "You''re trying to win us over with food, aren''t you?!" Louis smiled innocently. "Who, me?" Nima growled. Kent finally snapped. "BOTH OF YOU, STOP." Silence. Kent exhaled. "Can we please just have a normal trip?" Louis smirked. "Of course." Nima crossed her arms. "Fine. But I''m watching you, Princess." Don''t try any funny moves. She murmurs to herself, "You can''t become my sister in law. Not until I approve it." Louis just smiled. "I''d expect nothing less." Kent slumped in his seat. This was going to be the longest train ride of his life. Chapter 92 The Longest Train Ride of My Life Kent slumped in his seat, rubbing his temples. What was supposed to be a peaceful journey was quickly turning into a chaotic battlefield between Louis vs Nima. On one side, Nima was glaring daggers at Louis, arms crossed like a bodyguard protecting a national treasureexcept the treasure was him. On the other, Louis sat with a knowing smirk, completely unfazed by Nima''s hostility. She was acting like Kent is her property. Auri, the little traitor bird, was sipping on the mango juice he had accepted from Louis, blissfully unaware of the brewing war. Kent sighed. "It hasn''t even been five minutes. How am I already exhausted?" ''Right now, What should I do? Should I move to a different seat?'' After a while, the train conductor came by to check tickets. Kent handed them over with a practiced, professional smile, hoping to keep the peace for at least a few minutes. The conductor raised an eyebrow as he looked at their group. "Sir, you booked a cabin for four people. But I see only three." Nima immediately snapped her head toward Kent. "What? You booked a whole cabin? I thought we were saving money!" Kent coughed into his fist. "I didn''t book anything." You are the one who paid for the tickets. I was with you the entire time. Did you forget it? Nima narrowed her eyes. " Then How?" Why is this ticket checker uncle saying you book a cabin? Explain it to me. Louis leaned forward, it was me who booked a cabin. I booked it for Kent and all of us. I thought we could have some rest inside the cabin. Kent sighed, realizing there was no escape. "Louis had done something unexpected. Nima will be very angry." Auri chirped. Not understanding anything. "Kent, this human saying you bought an entire cabin?" Do you want to make babies? Kent groaned. "Hey Auri!! Watch your mouth. Who taught you this? You are becoming" Before Kent could complete his sentence. Nima buried her face in her hands. What babies? What are you talking about Auri? I will slap you in your butt if you say those nonsense things again. Do you want Thousands years of pain? (Kakashi''s technique from Naruto.) Chip! ''No, I don''t. I am sorry.'' The conductor cleared his throat. "Since a cabin is booked on your name , I have to ask you all to move to the cabin." Kent immediately shook his head. "Nope. We''re fine." Before the conductor could say anything else, Louis smiled. "Actually, I''d love to do that. We shouldn''t waste money, it''s only fair." Nima''s head snapped toward Louis. "EXCUSE ME?!" Kent nearly choked. "Wait, wait, waithold on, who said you could" The conductor nodded. "That actually works out well. Let me just take you to your cabin sir." And just like that, the damage was done. The conductor takes them to a VIP cabin. Kent says, Nima, let''s enjoy life. It''s not a big deal. It will be our first time inside a VIP cabin. Nima clenched her fists. "This. Is. A. NIGHTMARE." Auri took another sip of his juice, looking between them all. "This is the best drama I''ve ever watched." The moment the conductor left the VIP cabin, Nima slammed her hands on the table between the seats. "Listen here, Princess" Louis sipped her tea gracefully. "Yes, little sister?" Nima twitched. "I am not your little sister!" Kent facepalmed. "Can we please not start another fight?" Please, let''s just enjoy this journey by train. Louis smiled sweetly. "Oh, I wouldn''t dream of it." Kent slumped back in his seat. He just wanted a peaceful trip, but it was clear that was impossible. About an hour into the trip, a food cart arrived. The smell of freshly cooked meals filled the air. Kent''s stomach growled. "Finally. Let''s eat." He reached for his wallet, but before he could say anything, Louis stood up. "No need to pay." The VIP cabin provides free meals. It came with the cabin. Nima shot up. "Oh no, you won''t! I''ll pay for my brother''s meal!" I will give you the money. Give your bank account number. I will also give you the money for this VIP cabin. Once I sell my spiritual vegetables and ginseng from Snack lands, I will pay your money. Louis raised an eyebrow. "But I have enough money. I don''t need it." Nima gritted her teeth. "It''s not about money! It''s about principle!" Kent groaned. "Can''t we just eat without a competition?!" Kent murmurs in Nima''s ear. Nima, listen to me. This is very expensive. We don''t need to pay her. We will give her some spiritual vegetables. That will be the same as paying her. Auri looked between them. "If you two fight, can I have both of your meals?" The war had officially escalated. Nima didn''t agree with Kent''s offer but she didn''t protest either. As night fell, another problem arose. Kent lay on the bed in the cabin, stretching. "Finally. Some rest." But then he noticed something. Louis sat at the edge of the bed. His bed. Kent''s eye twitched. "Uh What are you doing?" Nima will kill me if she sees this. Louis tilted her head. "We have a cabin with two beds, but there''s three of us. I assumed we''d share." Kent nearly had a heart attack. "ARE YOU INSANE?!" Meanwhile, Nima was coming out of the toilet. She heard what Louis said. Nima''s voice boomed from across the room. "OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Auri, from his small nest in the corner, chirped. "I feel like I shouldn''t be here for this." Kent immediately sat up. "I''ll sleep on the floor." Louis pouted. "How ungentlemanly." Nima smirked. "Good job Kent." Then she says, "Know your place, Princess." Kent makes a bed on the floor for him. A few minutes later. Just as Kent thought things were finally calming down, he sensed something off. A strange energy. He sat up, eyes narrowing. "Something''s not right." Nima, half-asleep, grumbled. "Go back to bed." But Kent stood up and quietly opened the cabin door. In the dimly lit hallway, he spotted something. A shadow-like figurecloaked, moving suspiciously toward the cargo hold. Kent''s instincts screamed at him. This isn''t normal. Louis suddenly appeared behind him, whispering, "Trouble?" Kent nearly jumped. "WHY ARE YOU AWAKE?!" Louis smirked. "I was curious." Nima appeared next, rubbing her eyes. "What''s going on?" Auri sleepily chirped. "Is it time for snacks?" Kent sighed. "Stay here. I''ll check it out." "Of course, that meant everyone immediately followed him." As they were approaching the cargo hold, Kent''s heart pounded. This was supposed to be a simple trip. So why did it feel like something big was about to happen? Kent moved silently through the dimly lit train corridor, his footsteps barely making a sound against the wooden floor. Behind him, Nima, Louis, and Auri followed, their expressions ranging from curiosity to excitement. "This better not be another one of your dumb hunches," Nima whispered, rubbing her sleepy eyes. You disturbed my precious sleep. Kent shook his head. "I know what I felt. There''s something off." Louis smirked. "Ooo, are we solving a mystery? How thrilling." This is my first time solving a mystery. Train rides are so much fun. Auri flapped his wings, perching on Kent''s shoulder. "If it''s a ghost, I''m leaving." Nima is the ghost expert. They reached the door leading to the cargo hold. A small window allowed them to peek inside. The storage area was packed with crates, bags, and travel trunks. But theretoward the backwas a figure, draped in a tattered cloak, rummaging through the cargo. Kent narrowed his eyes. "Found you." The figure suddenly stopped. Slowly, the hooded head turned toward the window. Kent''s breath hitched. He knows we''re here. And then The hooded figure vanished. Not run. Not walking. Vanished. It just vanished like it wasn''t there. They all just imagine it. "Okay, yeah, that''s creepy," Auri muttered. It''s definitely a ghost. Nima, go beat that ghost. You are the Ghostbuster among us. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima grabbed Kent''s hands. "We''re not going in there, right?" Kent smirked. "Of course, we are." Before she could argue, he slid the full door open and stepped inside. The moment Kent entered, the temperature seemed to drop. A strange energy lingered in the air. Louis hummed. "Spooky. I like it." It''s so exciting. I can''t wait to find out the truth. Nima says. "I don''t." Let''s leave. Kent motioned for them to stay quiet as he moved forward. He focused his senses, searching for any sign of movement. Thena shadow flickered. "Left!" Kent shouted, dashing forward. Nima and Louis followed as Auri soared overhead. The cloaked figure reappeared near the farthest crate, reaching into a box. Kent barely caught a glimpse of something metallic before it bolted toward the exit. "Oh no, you don''t!" Kent launched forward, his speed boosted by his flashing steps. He closed the gap, reaching out'' But the figure phased through the door. Kent skidded to a stop. "...What?" Nima blinked. "Did it just" Louis smirked. "Oh, now I''m really interested." Auri huffed. "We''re dealing with a ghost, I AM ????% SURE." Kent clenched his fists. "No. MAYBE Something else." Without hesitating, he pushed the door open and stepped into the next train cart. Chapter 93 Ghost Train Pursuit The next cart was dark, the only light coming from the occasional flash of passing street lamps outside. Kent took a cautious step forward. "I know you''re here." Silence!! No response at first. Then, a whisper"You''re different." Kent turned sharply. Behind him. The figure stood in the corner, partially obscured by shadows. This time, they didn''t run. Kent exhaled. "You''re the one who''s different. What are you?" A pause. Then, the hooded figure removed their cloak. A girl. Pale, silver hair, glowing violet eyes. Her skin had a strange luminescent quality, almost like moonlight. Nima gasped. "She''s not human." The girl smiled faintly. "Neither is he." Her gaze locked onto Kent. Kent''s eyes widened. What are you talking about? Louis chuckled. "Oh, this just got interesting." Chip! Auri tilted his head. "Okay, but can we talk about the phasing thing?" I don''t like ghosts. Kent focused back on the girl. He demanded, "Who are you?" She hesitated. Then, in a quiet voice"Eira." Nima crossed her arms. "Alright, Eira. Why are you sneaking around?" You feel like a phantom soul. [Phantom souls: They are not like normal souls. They are just memories and resentment of the person left behind, when they die.] Eira glanced at Kent. "I was looking for something." Kent frowned. "Something in the cargo?" Eira nodded, but her eyes flickered with caution. "Something taken from my people." Kent felt a strange pull in his chest. This girl There''s something about her. Before he could ask anything elseThe train jolted. The lights flickered. A strange, high-pitched sound echoed from the front of the train. Louis leaned toward Kent. "I don''t suppose this is normal?" Kent''s eyes darkened. "No. And I don''t think Eira is the only problem on this train." Outside, the sound of metal scraping against metal sent chills down his spine. Auri''s feathers puffed up. "Uhhh Kent I am scared of ghosts." Through the window, Kent saw it. Another train. Running alongside them. ExceptThere was no track beneath it. The unnatural train gilded beside them, hovering just above the darkened landscape, wheels spinning against nothing. Its metal frame looked oldrusted in some places, unnaturally polished in others. Pale blue flames flickered around its edges, casting eerie shadows through the night. Inside Kent''s train cart, silence hung thick. Nima broke it first. "Okay. I officially hate this." Auri fluttered to Kent''s shoulder, feathers puffed. "I''m with her. Trains are supposed to run on actual tracks." I saw and learnt it from TV. Louis, on the other hand, looked thrilled. "A floating train? This is fantastic." Kent didn''t share her enthusiasm. He locked eyes with Eira. "Is this connected to you?" Eira''s glowing violet eyes darkened. "Yes." Kent sighed. "Of course it is." ThenThe ghost train shifted. The front car split open, and figures began emerging, leaping across the gap between the two moving trains. Clang! Clang! Clang! Metal boots landed on the roof above them. Kent grabbed the nearest door handle and swung it open. "We need to get outside. Now." Nima groaned. "Do we have to?" But the decision was made for them when the ceiling buckled inward. A blade pierced through, narrowly missing Kent''s head. He was able to dodge it in time. "They''re already inside." Kent moved first. No hesitation. He grabbed Nima''s wrist and leapt out onto the side of the train, using his spiritual energy to balance himself against the wind. Louis followed, laughing like this was the most fun she''d had in years. Eira hesitated before stepping out, as if debating something, but then followed suit. Auri flew overhead, scouting. Above them, shadowy figures in tattered armor began dropping down onto the moving train. Kent narrowed his eyes. He says they don''t look like ghosts. Too solid for a ghost. One of them landed directly in front of him. A knight, clad in dark, worn armor with glowing blue symbols etched into the metal. His helmet obscured his face, but his eyes burned an unnatural shade of white. The knight slowly raised his sword. Kent cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let''s see what you got." ''The knight lunged.'' Kent twisted, barely dodging the impossibly fast strike. He countered with a punch to the chestonly to feel an icy resistance beneath the armor. The impact sent the knight skidding back but didn''t knock him down. Nima cursed. "They don''t go down easy, huh?" Louis smirked. "Then we just hit harder." She stepped forward, summoning a pair of golden daggers from her space tool and disappearing in a blur. She reappeared behind another knight and slashed The knight vanished into mist. Louis stumbled, eyes wide. "What the?" Before she could react, the knight reappeared behind her. Kent was already moving. He grabbed Louis on her hips like a prince charming holding her lover. Louis became very shy. Her cheeks look like a tomato. They were having a moment. Then suddenly Kent yanked her away before the knight''s sword could strike. "They''re teleporting," Eira called out. "It''s a technique from the old world." Kent scowled. "Yeah, that''s annoying." Another knight appeared near Eira. This time, before it could attack, she lifted a single hand. The knight froze. The runes on its armor flickered wildly before shattering into dust. The knight collapsed instantly. Nima stares. "Okay. That was cool." Eira exhaled. "I was one of them, once." Kent blinked. "Wait, what?" But before she could explainA loud horn blast shook the air. The ghost train was accelerating. Kent glanced ahead and saw the front cart opening. From inside, a tall figure stepped out. Unlike the knights, this one was different. His armor wasn''t broken or worn. It was pristine. "A general." The air around him crackled with energy. The blue flames surrounding the train burned brighter. And thenHe jumped. Right toward Kent. WHOOSH!! SLAM!! Kent barely had time to react before the general landed in front of him, shaking the entire train cart. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sheer pressure radiating off him was suffocating. Kent clenched his fists. "And you are?" The general slowly raised his great sword. When he spoke, his voice was layeredtwo voices speaking at once. "You are unworthy of knowing my name." Then he swung his sword at Kent. Kent blocked with both arms. The impact nearly sent him flying off the train. His arms burned from the force, his feet sliding across the metal roof. Louis grinned. "Ohh, now this is fun." She lunged, but before she could even get closeThe general twisted and swung his sword at her. Louis barely managed to dodge, but even the shockwave of the attack sent her spinning backward. Kent gritted his teeth. Fast. Strong. Dangerous. But alsonot invincible. Kent cracked his neck. "Alright. My turn." He surged forward, unleashing a spiritual energy-hellfire infused punch. The general caught it. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Boom! The entire train shook as a shockwave exploded from the impact. The ghost train beside them wavered, its form flickering. The general staggered back. Kent smirked. Gotcha. You are scared of my hellfire. But then, something changed. The general straightened. His armor began to glow. And suddenly, the sky itself darkened. Eira''s eyes widened. "He''s summoning something." Kent tensed. "Summoning what?" The ghost train roared with a loud whistle. And from within, a massive black claw reached out. The air trembled. Kent''s instincts screamed. Whatever was coming was something beyond anything he''d faced before. The black claw emerging from the ghost train twisted, curling against the wind. It wasn''t just massiveit was otherworldly, its surface flickering between solid and smoke, between the real and the unreal. The sheer presence of it sent waves of pressure crashing into the train, making the metal beneath Kent''s feet groan. Then, it roared. The sound wasn''t normal. It wasn''t even just loud. It was a collision of voices, layered screams and whispers, centuries of pain condensed into a single unholy cry. Kent clenched his fists. "Okay. Yeah. That''s not normal." He thinks my system didn''t give me any information about this. So that means Appraisal cost over ten thousand SP. I told the system that, don''t use Appraisal on anything over ten thousand SP unless I say ask for it. Eira''s glowing violet eyes dimmed. "It''s a Warden." Louis''s usual grin faded. "A what?" Eira didn''t take her eyes off the claw. "A Warden of the Forgotten Realm. A being left behind when worlds collapse, fused with the remnants of time itself." She exhaled. "It shouldn''t be here." Kent raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here it is." I don''t have time to use Appraisal now. I need to defeat this warden or whatever. The general standing before them showed no emotion, no hesitation. He simply raised his greatsword. "Consume." The Warden''s full form ripped out of the ghost train. A titanic, half-formed beast, its body a patchwork of shattered armor, spectral flesh, and shifting void. Its head was a floating mask, cracked and leaking dark mist. Kent cursed. "Of course it has a creepy mask." Chip! Auri fluttered above, eyes sharp. "Kent, this thing''s bad news." Kent rolled his shoulders. "Good. So am I." And then the Warden attacked. Chapter 94 Forgotten Warden and an Unaccepted Reward. The Warden roared first then moved in a way something that big shouldn''t. Its claw shot forward, ripping through the air toward Kentfast, like a whip. Kent barely dodged. He felt the heat of the attack pass inches from his face, and the train cargo cart behind him split in half. Nima shouted, "IT JUST CUT A TRAIN CART IN HALF?!" Thank God nobody was on that cart. If he attacked a passenger cartthen every passenger on that cart might get killed by him. Louis vanished in a flash of light, reappearing above the Warden''s arm. She slashed downward, her daggers glowing with spiritual energy. "The Warden shifted." Instead of dodging, it simply let the attack pass through. Its body turned momentarily to mist. Her attack landed on the train''s roof. A loud Clunk sound echoed on the impact. At that moment the warden body solidified again right before slamming a second claw toward Louis. WHOSH! Louis barely phased back in time. "Okay. That''s cheating." Kent grinned. "Then we just cheat harder." His body surged with spiritual energy. He pushed off the train and charged. The general stepped in his way. Meanwhile, Nima was standing out of the attack range. Raka and Lumo were standing in front of her. They were shielding Nima. She summons them in case Kent needs some help. She says to herself, "I want to contribute to the fight. But my cultivation level isn''t high enough to directly fight with the enemy. I need to look for an openingan opportunity to send Raka and Lumo to help Kent." Kent wasn''t surprised by the general. He swung a heavy firey punch, and the general blocked with his sword, sparks flying. Then the general did something Kent didn''t expect"He smiled." Kent barely had time to react before the general twisted, grabbing Kent''s wrist mid-attack. And thenHe threw Kent. Right into the Warden''s grasp. Kent tries to hit the Warden''s claw with full forcebut he passes right through it. What? One moment, he was in the battle. The nextDarkness. He was falling. No ground, no skyjust an endless void, swirling with memories that weren''t his. Faint whispers surrounded him. "the last one failed" "no escapeonly return" "consumeconsumeconsume" Kent''s heart pounded. He reached for his spiritual energybut it felt distant. He couldn''t feel his spiritual energy. Then, ahead of him, a mask appeared. Larger than his body. Massive. Floating in the void, its cracks glowing with blue fire. Kent gritted his teeth. Not good. A voice-ancient, cold, layered in echoes-spoke directly into his mind. "You are unbound by fate. You have hell fire." Kent narrowed his eyes. "Yeah? And?" "That makes you a perfect offering." I will swallow you. Your hell fire will make me stronger. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The mask split open. Kent dove forward. No way in hell was he getting eaten. Outside, Louis, Nima, and Eira watched in horror as Kent was swallowed by the Warden''s form. Nima grabbed Eira. "Do something!" Tell me how I can save my big brother? Hurry up!! Eira''s fingers trembled. "It''s it''s consuming him into the Forgotten Realm." Nima gets panicked and tries to attack the warden but she is stopped by the general. Nima first sends Raka to attack the general. Then she ordered Lumo to change into his battle form. Lumo turns into a eight feet giant bear. He joined Raka in the fight with the general. Both of them are not strong enough to defeat the general. But they were keeping him busy. Louis cracked her knuckles. "No.. not happening. As long as I am alive. I will never let any harm come close to Kent." She vanished in a blur, reappearing above the Warden''s body. This time, she didn''t aim for its flesh. She attacked the chains binding it to the ghost train. The moment her daggers severed the first chain, the Warden screamed. Its body flickered, like a glitching image. Inside the void, Kent felt it. A sudden lurch. His spiritual energy rushed back. The mask in front of him wavered. Kent grinned. "Bad move." He clenched his fistand punched straight through the mask with his hellfire. From the outside, it looked like an explosion of light. The mask inside the void shattered as Kent burst free from its body, landing back on the train. Nima was crying and punching the warden with all her might. Give me my big brother. Give him back to me. Kent comes out at exactly that moment. He says "Nima I am alright. Don''t cry. Move back I will beat the shit out of this warden." Nima, wiping her tears, says "Kent , are you hurt? I I was so scared. I thought I lost you." I am okay. You move back a little bit. I will deal with this warden. First he pulls out one energy recovery pill he got from the system lottery spin and swallows it. His energy fully recovered. Then he eats one physique enhancement fruit. + 50% Physical power boost. His body started to glow. Then he focuses all his spiritual energy on his hands. Kent summons the biggest size hellfire he ever created. A massive black flame shape of a ball floating above his head. It looks exactly like a spirit bomb, the only difference is it''s black. He murdered, "This should be enough to burn this Bastard ass. I will turn this warden into ashes." He throws the hellfire at the warden. Louis jumps back seeing Kent attack. Her instinct told her if she doesn''t move back she will be burned to death in an instant. The massive black hellfire ball covers the warden body. He was getting sucked inside the hellfire. The warden roared in pain. It''s body turning into nothingness. ARHGGHHHHHH! YOU WANTED TO EAT ME FOR MY HELLFIRE. I AM GIVING YOU MY HELLFIRE. NOW EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. Within a few seconds the warden was fully burned. Its body disappeared. It left a small BLUE flame behind. The ghost trainwithout the Wardenbegan losing form. [Ding! 2000 SP copied from warden. (Death)] [Ding! A new type of fire is detected.] The general stopped fighting and it started. Raka and Lumo fall back. Nima called them back by her side. Kent exhaled. "That was way too close." The general slowly lowered his sword. The blue flames around his armor dimmed. And then, without a word, he turnedand walked back into the ghost train. The train vanished. Just like that, the battle was over. Louis dusted herself off. "Well. That was dramatic." Nima sat down hard. "Can we have a NORMAL train ride now?!" Kent just laughed. "No promises." The last traces of the ghost train faded into nothing, leaving behind an eerie stillness. The train station, once filled with phantoms and echoes of the past, now looked abandonedsilent, save for the crackling of a broken light flickering above them. Kent exhaled, shaking off the last bit of void energy clinging to his skin. "Well. That was a thing." Louis stretched her arms. "You almost got erased from existence, and that''s all you have to say?" Nima threw up her hands. "I swear, every time I think things can''t get weirder, they do." Kent gave a half-smile. "You''ll get used to it." Auri was still in the air, and landed on Kent''s shoulder. "No, she won''t. None of us will." His feathers ruffled. "That thing was a Wardennot just a ghost, but a remnant of a collapsed world." Kent rubbed his chin. "And yet it didn''t kill me. Instead it got killed by me." The memory of the general''s smile still lingered in Kent''s mind. He murdered himself, why do I feel like I will meet him again." Nima crossed her arms. "Kent, you owe me an apology. I was very scared. I thought you would also leave like our parents." Kent says with a serious face, "Nima, I will never leave you alone in this world. Even if I die I will stay with you. I am sorry for scaring you." They both hug each other. They hold that position for a few seconds. Auri also joins them. Louis in the background says, how cute. Kent- Can I join? Nima quickly replied in anger, you you are not welcome in our family. Kent, tell her she is not welcome. "Cough! Cough! I need to check something. You girls talk to each other." Eira, however, was still staring at the spot where the train disappeared, her violet eyes deep in thought. She blinked, snapping out of it. "It left too easily." Louis raised an eyebrow. "I thought we forced it out?" Eira shook her head. "No that Warden wasn''t at full strength. Something was restraining it. I am glad you guys managed to beat him. But that general he didn''t fight seriously." That stopped everyone cold. Nima scowled. "You''re saying we weren''t even dealing with their full power?" Eira say''s I am sorry. "I can''t answer any more questions. My time is over. I hope we will meet again." "After saying that she disappears into the air." Meanwhile, Kent was busy with his newly found fire. He was observing the fire. [Ding! A new type of fire is detected.] Chapter 95 Two Fires, One Heart – The Double Blaze Escapadeb Hey system, what type of fire is this? Can I absorb it directly? Ding! Frostfire - Pale Blue (a cold, magical flame that burns with icy energy). [The host can refine and absorb the fire directly.] Ohh! Frost fire! It sounds so cool. Can I freeze my enemies into ice or something? System didn''t say anything about."I guess, I need to find it out by myself." Kent focused his gaze on the flickering flames before him. The fire wasn''t ordinary; it pulsed with an old, untamed energy, almost as if it had a life of its own. Taking a deep breath, he picks up the blue flames into his hands. Then he reached out with his spiritual senses, allowing the fire''s energy to flow into his body. As the fire entered his body, a burning sensation spread through his veins. It was agonizing at first, but Kent gritted his teeth, channeling his willpower to refine the energy. He guided it through his meridians, forcing it to merge seamlessly with his essence. Slowly, the flames converged toward his heart. A fiery glow enveloped his chest as the energy condensed, forming a molten core within him. His heartbeat grew stronger, steady like a war drum, each thud resonating with newfound power. Then, the fire fully integrated. A searing pain shot through his body, but within moments, it was replaced by an overwhelming sense of strength. His entire being felt lighter, stronger, more attuned to the primal energy of fire. Kent exhaled sharply, his breath carrying faint embers. He clenched his fist, feeling the heat thrumming just beneath his skin. He had succeededthe fire was now a part of him, residing in his heart, waiting to be unleashed at his command. [Ding! Congratulations host. You have successfully collected two types of fire.] Ultimate mission progress: 2/7 (collect seven types of fire.) He could feel it: his familiar, fierce hellfire still burning hot, now perfectly merged with that Frost fire-cool-blue flame he''d absorbed from the Warden''s final remnant. It was as if two very different types of fire were hosting a bizarre party inside his heart. "Great," Kent muttered to himself, wincing as he shifted his weight. "Now I''m a walking bonfire with a disco ball in my chest." Louis, ever the first to break the silence, sidled up with a raised eyebrow. "You look like you''re burning from the inside out. Need a hand?" Kent grinned, though a curious warmth radiated beneath his skin. "Nah, Louis I am fine. He thinks, "My heart''s now got a dual-fuel systemone part Hellfire, one part Frost fire.'' Kind of like having a spicy burrito with a side of cool salsa. It burns differently but it still packs a punch."" Nima, already recovered from her earlier tears and frantic punches, eyed him warily. "Are you sure you''re alright, Kent?" "I am fine, don''t worry Nima." A soft chime echoed from the edge of Kent''s consciousnessanother system notification. [Ding! Dual Heartfire Mode: Activated.] Please wait. A reward will be given to the host. The display vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Kent to muse. "Damn it system, explain everything properly." Nima says, Kent, let''s go inside back to our cabin. I am feeling hungry. Okay, Let''s go inside. "I will check the details later." In the dim light before dawn, the train''s metal roof gleamed under a scattering of stars. Atop the silent carriage, Kent, Louis, and Nima prepared to make their entrance. Raka and Lumo return to Nima''s black hole. Auri sitting on Nima''s shoulder. They moved with quiet purpose along the train''s narrow roof. The air was cool, the hum of distant wheels on rails a soft lullaby to the brave. Kent led the way saying, "Keep close," his voice low and determined. "We must enter without drawing attention." One by one, they climbed down the ladder that ran alongside the train. The climb was steep but steady, each step measured and quiet, so as not to disturb the slumbering routine of the other passengers. They moved silently along the passage, careful not to startle a sleeping child or disturb a weary merchant. Despite the bustle, there was an odd stillnessa calm that belied the mysterious events occurring only in whispers on the train''s surface. As they settled into their cabin. "It''s strange," he observed softly. "None of these passengers noticed the ghostly battle above, as if the train itself chose to keep that secret for us alone." Maybe there was some kind of barrier created by the ghost train. That''s why no one heard anything. Across from him, Nima rolled her eyes with a half-smile. "People live in their little worlds. They''d rather talk about the weather than notice a ghost train." A moment of comfortable silence passed before Kent''s tone turned inquisitive. "Louis, tell me trulywhat of your two bodyguards? They were always by your side the other day. Yet now, as you journey to another city they are absent." Louis''s smile faltered just slightly, then brightened with quiet mischief. "I left them behind. I needed to see this world unguarded, to explore with my own eyes and feel its heartbeat directly. I longed for the freedom to choose my path without the constant weight of protection." Nima''s expression grew stern. "You risk so much, venturing alone. How can you be sure you will be safe?" "I have to learn to rely on my own strength," Louis replied simply, her voice steady. "Sometimes, the greatest lessons are found when we are alone with the unknown." Their quiet conversation soon gave way to the familiar banter that marked their journey. Nima and Louis soon fell into their routine of playful, often heated exchanges over the smallest mattershow to fold the empty food package correctly, the best seat by the window, and even the proper way to enjoy a simple travel snack. Amid the mild disputes, Kent''s only wish was for the journey to end, to leave behind the endless back-and-forth as soon as possible. Time passed slowly as the train trundled steadily toward Azure Bay City. The ordinary chatter of the passengers filled the compartment, none the wiser to the secret they all unknowingly shared with the silent heroes among them. To them, the day would begin with mundane worrieslost belongings, the price of a warm meal, the promise of familiar comfortswhile the extraordinary still simmered quietly in the hearts of a few. sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At last, the train began to slow as it neared its final destination. Azure Bay City loomed ahead like a vibrant promise against the breaking dawn. Its skyline was punctuated by tall spires and broad avenues, all bathed in the soft light of early morning. Yet as the train rolled into the bustling station, a new mystery greeted them. Amid the lively hustle of arriving passengers and vendors setting up their stalls, murmurs of dismay spread through the crowd. A portly man in a crisp uniform was agitated, his voice rising above the murmurs. "It''s gone! One of our carts has vanished into thin air!" A woman clutched her hands, my suitcase, her face etched with disbelief. "My belongings! All my precious luggagegone without a trace!" Her cry echoed among the gathered throng. Kent exchanged a weary glance with Nima and Louis. The chaos of missing carts and lost luggage was the result of ethereal battles that had just been waged above. Yet, as usual, fate had a way of mixing the supernatural with the mundane. As the other passengers began to gather their scattered items and return to the station''s flow of routine life, the triounited by fate prepared to step into the unfolding day. With one final look at the flurry of activity around them, Kent murmured, "Come, let us collect our belongings and move forward. Azure Bay City awaits, and with it, new adventures, hidden dangers, and perhaps the next spark of destiny." Thus, as the early light bathed the station in soft gold and the crowd began to disperse into the city''s embrace, the police came to solve the mystery of the vanished cart. Kent adjusted the accursed pink Barbie suitcase on his hands and exhaled. "Alright. First things firstwe need to check into a hotel." Nima, bouncing with excitement, grabbed his sleeve. "No way! Let''s go explore first! Look at all the food stalls! And the glowing jellyfish in the sky!" Kent followed her gaze. High above, spiritual creatures drifted through the airazure-blue jellyfish, their tendrils flickering like ghostly flames. "Spirit Drifters," Kent muttered. "They''re drawn to high-energy places." "They''re so pretty" Nima''s eyes sparkled. Kent, however, kept his focus sharp. He had a mission here. Investigate strange energy readings near the coast. Find out why this jellyfish evolved. That meant the fun could wait. Just as he was about to drag Nima toward their lodging, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "You there! With the ah, unique suitcase!" Kent turned, already bracing himself for trouble. A young woman in a crisp navy-blue uniform approached, her piercing green eyes scanning him with suspicion. The insignia on her sleeve marked her as a City Enforcerthe local law enforcement for cultivators. She is also a member of Nexus and Watcher. Chapter 96 The City Trembles, The Sea Calls "Name?" she asked, her tone all business. Kent raised an eyebrow. "My name is Kent." "Kent what?" She asked again "Just Kent." The Enforcer scowled. "Traveler or resident?" "Traveler." Her gaze flicked to Nima, then to the suitcase, and then back to him. "Purpose of visit?" Nima says, "vacation." Kent says, "work." She gets suspicious of them. Both of you are saying different reasons. I need you to come with me. Your bird.. is it an evolved beast? Do you have a permit or licence to own a beast? Kent sighed. "Vacation and work Both. I have a Watcher business then we will have a vacation." He flashed his trainee badge. The Enforcer studied it for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. "Hmph." Looks legit. I am also a Watcher member. Do you know what happened on the train? How did a train cart disappear? Meanwhile, some black coat wearing guy and two strong cultivators were talking with Louis. She was a little upset. They exchanged her as soon as she came out of the train. "Princess you can''t just travel as you wish. There is a security protocol you must OBEY. It''s a decision made by your father." sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another person joined the conversation, you told us you were going to the bathroom. We waited for you outside the public bathroom for hours. Later with Nexus help we checked the entire city''s CCTV and found out you took a train. I just wanted to have some freedom. You guys always follow me. I don''t like that. Did you inform my father about anything? Yes princess, he is very upset. He told us to take you home. He will send a female bodyguard to be with you 24/7. He also said he will visit you soon. She is very upset. She will be scolded by her father, that''s a guarantee. She thinks "I need to go back with them. If I don''t go, my father will know about Kent. I don''t know how he will react. I better be safe than sorry." Alright I will go with go. Just give me a minute. I need to say goodbye to someone. You all must stay here. Kent, she yelled. I need to go back to the metro city. Inform me, Once you are done with your vacation and come back to metro city. Nima didn''t let Kent reply to her. She says my brother is a busy man. Don''t disturb him. Once we go back he needs to do a lot of work. "He doesn''t have time to play with you. We are not rich like you. We have to work and earn money." Alright. You don''t need to inform me, Louis says. I will find out by myself. Bye Kent. I will see you soon. After she left. The law enforcement woman says. You haven''t answered my question. Do you know what happened on the train? Kent says, it''s a long story. I will tell you I''m short. This is what happened.. She says, We receive reports about a strange train many times. It appears all over the country. Whenever the ghost train comes, some people always go missing. We are still figuring out the mystery. I need to report the train incident to my higher ups. I will report about your hard work too. You have done a great job. You kept everyone safe from the ghost train. By the way, There was an incident at the coastal docks earlier today. Some strange energy fluctuations. I just saw your trainee mission is to investigate a nearby area, I suggest you stay alert." The Enforcer gave them one last look before striding off into the crowd. Kent''s expression sharpened. An incident? Already? Nima tugged on Kent''s sleeve. "That was intense. Do you think it''s related to your mission?" I don''t know, Kent replied, "Let''s have breakfast first then find a good hotel." That''s a great idea. I am very hungry. I want something with meat. Where do we eat? Kent was about to answer when a deep boom echoed through the city. The ground trembled beneath their feet. The sky flickered with unnatural light. And somewhere, in the direction of the sea, something massive roared. Azure City fell silent for just a moment. The deep boom that echoed across the coastline wasn''t just soundit was something more. A wave of spiritual pressure rolled through the streets, pressing down on every living being like the weight of the ocean itself. Kent immediately took a defensive stance, dropping Nima''s cursed pink suitcase without a second thought. His senses sharpened. *That wasn''t just a sound. It was a warning.* The air crackled with residual energy, an eerie blue light dancing across the sky like lightning trapped within invisible waves. From the direction of the sea, another distant roar rang out, distorted, almost otherworldly. The people of Azure City reacted in different ways. Experienced cultivators stopped in their tracks, eyes narrowing in caution, while ordinary civilians gasped and hurried for shelter. Some merchants frantically packed their stalls, as if they knew something dangerous had arrived. "Kent," Nima whispered, eyes wide, "what the hell was that?" Kent''s mind raced through possibilities. A sea beast? A failed summoning ritual? A spatial rift? Hundreds of things come into his mind. What could be the reason for this loud roar? The Watcher''s mission report had only mentioned "evolution cause," but this was far beyond a simple disturbance. Before he could answer, a squad of armored cultivators rushed down the main street. They wore the same navy-blue uniforms as the Enforcer from earlier, their insignias marked with golden waves. Azure Guard. "Everyone, clear the streets!" one of them barked. "Return to your homes immediately! This is an emergency!" More murmurs broke out among the crowd. People shuffled backward, torn between curiosity and fear. Kent grabbed Nima''s wrist. "Come on, we need to move." "But the breakfast" "Later!" Kent says in a strong voice. He pulled her into the nearest alley just as another explosion rocked the city. This time, the sound came from the harbor. Flames lit up the evening sky, a column of smoke rising where the docks should have been. The force of the blast sent a ripple through the ground. Windows shattered. The cries of panicked civilians filled the air. Kent''s heart pounded. Whatever was happening, it was escalating very fast. Kent didn''t stop moving until they reached a rooftop overlooking the harbor. From here, he had a full view of the chaos below. The docks were in ruins. Several ships had been torn apart as if something massive had risen from beneath the waves. The water churned unnaturally, glowing faintly with the same eerie blue light that had flickered through the sky earlier. And then Kent saw it. A form loomed beneath the surface, too large to be anything natural. Its outline rippled, shifting like a mirage. Dozens of eyes glowed beneath the waves, unblinking, inhuman. A beast. Nonot just a beast. A being. Kent clenched his fists. He could feel the remnants of his spiritual energy responding to whatever this thing was. Then, as if sensing his gaze, the creature moved. A single appendagea thick, dark tendrilrose from the water, slick with an unnatural sheen. It lashed out, crashing down onto the harbor with devastating force. Stone shattered like glass. Buildings crumbled into dust. "That''s not normal," Nima muttered. Kent exhaled slowly. "No kidding." They needed more information. This thing wasn''t attacking randomlyit was searching for something. But what? A voice interrupted his thoughts. "You''re a Watcher trainee, What are you doing standing here?" Kent turned sharply. The female Enforcer from earlier had landed on the rooftop beside him, her uniform slightly singed, her eyes blazing with urgency. "You''re here on assignment, right? To become an official member of Watcher. Our first first code is to protect the people. Stop standing like a civilian. Help us contain that thing before it levels the entire city!" Kent didn''t hesitate. He cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders. Finally, A Chance to test my new flame. Nima, you and Auri should stay here. Summon Raka and Lumo if something unexpected happens. Look after our luggage. No matter what happens, you must trust me. I will be back in a minute or two. Ohh! I almost forgot, Kent gives her his smartphone. Here take it Nima. "I don''t want to break my mobile in the action. My mobile isn''t even waterproof." "Promise me you won''t put yourself in danger like last time." Alright Kent, I will listen to you for now. Don''t make me wait for a long time. Make sure you come back as soon as possible. I am very hungry. I will take you to a good restaurant for breakfast. He smirked, then asked the police lady. "What''s the plan?" The enforcement lady says, first we will move the civilians as far as possible. Help me with that. Later we will do what the situation demands. Tell your sister to move to a different place. It''s very dangerous here. Don''t worry, my sister knows what to do. She may look young but she is very intelligent. Let''s go down first. Chapter 97 The World Between Worlds The moment Kent leapt down from the rooftop, ready to save the civilians and face the monstrous entity in the harbour, everything shifted. "Nima also came down with him. She wanted to go to a different location." The air twisted. A deep, unnatural pull seized him and Nima, yanking them backwards as if the universe itself had hooked them with an invisible thread. For a fraction of a second, Kent saw the world dissolve into nothing. The roaring sea, the crumbling harbour, the chaosall of it vanished, replaced by a cold, suffocating darkness. "And then, they fell." Kent crashed onto a hard, cracked surface, his body rolling with the impact. His instincts flaredthis wasn''t normal teleportation. The energy in the air was wrong. A choked gasp beside him made him turn. Nima had landed a few feet away, sprawled out but already pushing herself up. Her pink Barbie suitcase lay nearby, somehow still intact. Kent groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "That felt worse than getting drop-kicked by the skeleton dragon from the graveyard Ruin." "Where are we?" Nima''s voice faltered as she looked around. Kent followed her gaze. They were no longer in Azure Bay City. They stood in a ruined placean eerie, endless landscape of blackened stone and ghostly mist. Towering stone structures, half-collapsed and crumbling, stretched toward a sky filled with swirling grey fog. The ground beneath them was cracked, pulsing faintly with blue light, and the air itself felt thick, heavy, and wrong. Most unsettling of all, figures floated in the distance. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of shadows. Some were barely visible, mere wisps of darkness drifting like forgotten memories. Others had more defined formswarriors in rusted armour, scholars in tattered robes, and even creatures that had long since turned to bone and dust. Ghosts! Or Lost Souls! Kent murmurs. And all of them turned, their empty eyes locking onto Kent and Nima. "Ah," Kent exhaled. "I don''t suppose this is some friendly ghost town, is it?" Nima shot him a glare. "They''re hostile. All of them." I can feel it. Kent we need to move. As if confirmation of her words, the nearest spirits began to move. Slow at first, their movements unnatural, jerky. Then faster. Within seconds, the air filled with eerie, echoing wails as the ghostly horde surged forward. Kent grinned. "Well, at least it''s not boring." He cracked his knuckles. He still didn''t know where they were or why they had been pulled here, but if the local welcoming party wanted a fight.` They were getting one. Nima, wasting no time. With a sharp motion, she reached her black hole/ summon space inside her heart. "She called out to Raka and Lumo,". The moment she spoke, some black energy covered the area, and from the shadows, two figures emerged. Raka and Lumothe soul servant bound to Nimarose from the mist, his Aetherial frame covered in dark clothes and a furry spirit bear, their crimson eyes gleaming with spiritual power. The moment he materialized, the spirits reacted. The wailing intensified. The ghosts hated him. They surged forward with increased fury, clawed hands reaching for him. "You serve a human. What a shame." But Raka didn''t flinch. He just watched them like a mindless fool. Lumo Says, "A fine battlefield," his voice deep and rasping directly into Nima''s mind. "My lady, shall I harvest them?" Nima nodded. "Make it efficient." After that, she says, "Kent, did you see how cool I looked when I summed them? Take some photos for me. I will post it in Cultibook." Kent rolled his eyes, ''photos!''. "Yeah, yeah Nima you looked cool. Go kill some ghosts. I''ll handle the rest. Once we are done you can take your photos." Kent moved. The first spirit lunged, its skeletal hands clawing toward his throat. Kent sees these skeletons have some kind of core in the middle of the chest area. It glows like a black dim light. He ducked the attack, twisted it, and drove his fist into its core. A shockwave erupted from the impact, dispersing the ghost in a burst of blue light. Ding! System notifications. Ghost core detected. Description: The ghost core is created by thousands of ghosts. This core can control the skeleton. Note: This ghost core is very helpful for Soulbinder Nima. The system recommends collecting the core. Kent didn''t get time to think about the pros and cons of the system notifications. Two more came at him. Kent sidestepped, grabbed one by the arm, and threw it into the other, sending them both tumbling back. His movements were sharp and efficient, and his body knew how to fight. Raka and Lumo, meanwhile, were a blur of destruction. They cut through the spirits with ruthless precision, Lumos claws slicing through ethereal flesh. Nima quickly took advantage of the situation. She absorbs their fragmented souls into her soul refinement Orb. Each time they struck down an enemy, dark energy coiled around them, strengthening the soul refinement orb. Nima stood behind them, hands weaving in the air, forming intricate symbols of power. Each defeated spirit sent a ripple through her body, her cultivation surging faster than ever. Kent sensed it immediately. She was levelling up very fast. Her aura shifted, spiritual energy growing more refined, more potent. The stagnant energy that she previously had was cracked apart like a dam finally breaking. "From Kent''s point of view, it feels like a cocoon breaks its slumber and becomes a butterfly." ThenA pulse. "A shockwave of power erupted from Nima as her cultivation jumped." Ding! Congratulations host. The host sister levels up. Name: Nima Cultivation: Level D. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Skill: Soulbinder SSS Servant: 2/3 Her eyes snapped open, glowing with dark energy. And for the first time, the ghosts hesitated. Low-level ghosts were very scared of Nima. The battle slowed. The ghosts that had once attacked relentlessly now hovered, uncertain. Even the swirling fog in the sky seemed to dim. ThenA deep, guttural laugh. Kent stiffened. The laughter wasn''t coming from the ghosts. It wasn''t coming from Nima. It wasn''t even coming from this dimension. It came from everywhere. A cold wind swept through the ruins. The fog overhead flickered. And thenWHOSH! A door appeared. A massive, iron-wrought gate materialized in the distance, its surface covered in ancient symbols that pulsed with ominous energy. Beyond it, Kent could feel something waiting. Watching Amused "Well," Kent muttered, exhaling slowly. "That''s not ominous at all." Nima didn''t answer. She was staring at the door, her expression unreadable. Kent could tell. Whatever was behind that gateIt wasn''t done with them yet. A heavy silence settled over the battlefield. The ghosts that had once lunged at them with mindless fury now hung back, their hollow eyes locked onto the door. It loomed in the distance, massive and ancient, its iron surface carved with pulsating runes. The energy it radiated was wrongnot just eerie, but something deeper. Something hungry. Kent wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. "So, do we, uh, knock? Or just pretend we don''t see the horrifying death gate and walk away?" Nima didn''t answer immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the symbols, her breathing slow and measured. She was feeling some kind of connection with the strange gate. "Seeing Nima''s face Kent could tellshe was processing something." Kent says to the System, Use appraisal! And tell me, Where are we? I am willing to use 100k SP. Ding! Deducted 100,000 SP for the appraisal fee. Location: A pocket dimension. Description: Thousands of years old Sect of the demonic cult. Kent says out loud. Nima, we are inside a pocket dimension. This belongs to an old demonic Sect. Stay by my side. Hearing that, Nima exhaled sharply. "This place isn''t just a pocket dimension." Kent arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Did you figure that out just now? The sky being foggy wasn''t enough of a hint?" Nima ignored him. "This is a prison." I can hear many souls begging for forgiveness. They are saying they will never do any evil. Let them be reincarnated. Kent frowned. "What a prison?" Instead of answering, Nima took a step forward. And the door moved. With a groaning creak, the iron gate began to open. Inside Kent''s mind, Why didn''t my system give me that information? What the hell system!!! What''s wrong with you? Ding! The host said he is willing to spend 100k SP. The system can only give basic information. To know the details, the host needs 1 million SP. Do you want to use Appraisal again? Yes/No One million SP!!! Seriously. Right now, How much SP do I have? Ding! SP balance: 3.3 million. I need FIVE million SP to level up my cultivation. I can''t use one million SP. With three million I can now leave up my cultivation to level-D middle. Nima is already ''Level D.'' She has two servants Raka and Lumo both of them also Level D. I can''t fall behind. "It''s hard for me to earn SP. When I get back home I need to find a sustainable way to farm SP." Nima can tell me about the details. She can communicate with all souls. So, I don''t need to waste my SP. I will catch a small fry ghost and make him reveal everything about this place. I MIGHT NEED TO LEVEL UP MY CULTIVATION SOON. THIS PLACE IS VERY DANGEROUS. Chapter 98 The Forsaken Path --- The iron gate opens, A gust of frigid air burst from the widening entrance, swirling past them like icy fingers. Kent instinctively stepped in front of Nima, his body tensing. The mist inside the gate thickened, then parted. And some ghost stepped out. Spectral figures wrapped in faded cloaks, their bodies barely solid. But there was something different about these ones. They weren''t mindless like skeleton ghosts. Their eyes glowed. A deep, pulsing blue light shines within their skulls, and the moment they saw Kent and Nima, a low, raspy whisper echoed through the air. "New blood finally." Kent clenched his fists. "You know, I really hate it when creepy things talk in unison." The figures didn''t attack, at least not yet. They watched. Their eyes flicked from Kent to Nima, lingering on her for a moment longer before one of them stepped forward. Unlike the others, this one wore armor. Rusted, cracked, and ancient, but still intact. It was holding a sword in his hands. System, use appraisal. [Ding! Demonic soul: ''Fifty'' level D Demonic sect disciple.] [Ding! Demonic soul: One Elite disciple Cultivation Level C] [Description: Trapped for Thousands of years. Most of the Cultivation lost. Trying to regain their cultivation with human sacrifice/blood. Status: weak and recovering.] "So, the sword holding one is an elite disciple. They want human sacrifice. They think we are easy targets. Bunch of fools." It spoke to Nima ''elite disciple''. "You do not belong here." Its voice was deep, weighted with centuries. "Yet you stand before the Gate of the Forsaken." (soul language.) "Why can''t I understand what this sword holder disciple is saying? Hey system, translate everything for me. I want to know what this skeleton is talking about." [Ding! Translating the soul language. Good news host. It will be a low cost ''SP'' translation. Because the host has a bloodline connection with the Soulbinder Nima.] Nima straightened, her own dark aura pulsing around her. She replies to the elite disciple "We didn''t come here willingly. We were forcefully pulled here. Show us the way. We will leave." "Few do," the elite disciple said. "And fewer leave. Give you blood for our freedom." Kent exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, figured that part out. So, what''s the deal? You guys just hang around, waiting for unlucky travelers to drop in? Or did you forcefully pull us?" The elite disciple tilted its head. This place is a threshold. A broken space between life and death in a prison. We were trapped here for a long time. "Few months ago we started to feel spiritual energy again. It took a toll on us to open this prison. We need blood sacrifice to break this prison. Give us your life." Nima frowned. "what? You Want to Kill people? First tell me, who prisoned you here?" The elite disciple turned its glowing eyes toward her." We are prisoned By the one who built the gate." A deep, inhuman voice spoke. "Stop your chit-chat. Finish them. Don''t waste my time you foolish disciples." A ripple passed through the other demonic souls. The very air seemed to tighten, like the world itself was reacting to the words. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And then"You have come far" The pocket dimension shook. Kent''s breath caught as something massive moved beyond the gate. A presenceone that felt too large, too ancient that belonged here. The demonic souls immediately dropped to one knee and the elite disciple followed too. Nima''s fingers curled at her sides. "Kent." "Yeah?" "My black hole is reacting to the voice. I can feel this one''s soul is very strong." Before Kent could answer. The mist parted further. And something stepped through. At first, it was just shadows. A towering silhouette, shifting like liquid darkness, its form never quite solidifying. Theneyes..Four of them like spider eyes. Glowing, spiraling, blinking in and out of existence across its shifting body. A massive, clawed hand emerged next. Kent swallowed. Okay, This is bad. It looks like we are in a tough situation. This guy has very strong spiritual fluctuations. System use appraisal. [Ding! Cost 500 thousand SP.] [Yes/No] Damn it, I can''t waste SP. This must be a Level-B. After losing the cultivation If he is now this strong. How strong he was in his peak form. System, open the shop. Kent quickly buys three Cultivation fruits and puts them inside his mouth. GLUP! The creature spoken, its voice a mix of echoes and whispers. "You are not meant for this place yet here you stand." Nima gritted her teeth. " Didn''t I already answer that question? We didn''t ask to be here. Are a stupid Boss? Didn''t you hear what I said?" The thing laughed. A low, bone-rattling sound that sent shivers through the air. Girl, You are fearless. I heard everything. "That does not matter. Only one thing matters" Nima says, tell us how can we leave? I will give a chance to be my third servant. You are strong. I will help you to change your ugly look. You know I had a ugly servant but now it looks very decent and cute. It raised a massive claw saying "you want me, the demonic Sect ''sect leader'' to be a servant of a little kid?" " Do you know who you are talking to? Prove your worth if you want to be my master or die." Kent sighed. "Yeah, I really should''ve seen this coming. Nima can''t you just keep quiet. Why are you acting like you are some big shot cultivator?" One Day, this girl will be the reason for my death. [Ding! Congratulations host for leveling up. Cultivation: Level-D (middle)] [Soul Slasher dagger power increasing. Please wait. The dagger is unavailable for now.] My weapon went out of commission when I needed it most... system you screw me over. Why am I always getting into this kind of situation? The moment the demonic leader moved, the entire realm reacted. The swirling sky turned black. The ruins trembled. The demonic souls watching from the sidelines vanished, retreating into the mist as the ground beneath Kent''s feet cracked. ThenA shockwave. Rocks crumble on the grounds. Old structures were shaking like they were put on a vibrating machine. The leader swung its massive arm. The very air around them split from the force, sending a wave of destruction straight at them. Kent''s instincts kicked in. He grabbed Nima and jumped. Please, Next time keep your mouth shut. The blast tore through the ground where they''d been standing, reducing it to dust. Kent landed hard, skidding back. His pulse pounded. This thing is fast. Nima was already moving, weaving spiritual energy in the air. Dark energy gathered around her. "I''ll slow it down," she said. "You hit it big brother." My soul binder powers are the perfect nemesis of him. Then she says, you ugly ghost, My big brother will show you who''s the boss. Once I capture you, I will make you clean the ''poop'' toilet. Kent grinned. "Damn it Nima, you are taking big again. I am not sure if I can beat him or not." I can feel this guy''s cultivation is at least Level-B right now. Nima, be careful. Don''t do anything dangerous. Nima released her soul chains. A wave of black chains erupted from the ground, lashing toward the creature. They wrapped around its arms, its torso, its legstightening, holding. For a second, it stilled. Kent didn''t hesitate. He lunged forward, clocking his fist with with Flames. Right hand with Hellfire and left hand with Frost flame. He wanted to see which fire is best to deal more damage. Kent punched the demonic leader with Frost fire first. The impact cracked the air itself. The leader reeled, stumbling backward as Kent''s fist connected with its solid body. Kent could see some ice around the leader''s chest. For a brief moment, the swirling shadows around it wavered, revealing something solid beneath frozen in ice. But thenThe chains shattered. And it countered with the massive clawed hand slammed into Kent, sending him flying. He crashed into the ruins'' stone walls, stone shattering around him. Pain exploded through his body. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. This doesn''t feel like a Level-B cultivator full power. What''s going on? This thing wasn''t that strong. It it''s"Incomplete." The word echoed through his mind. Kent''s eyes narrowed. It wasn''t fully formed. Its power seemed to distribute among the other demonic ghosts. Which meantI had a chance to defeat it. But I have to do it quickly. He wiped the blood from his lip and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, big guy. Let''s see who breaks first. It''s time for you to taste my hellfire." The leader charged. And the battle truly began. Kent barely had time to react as the demonic leader charging at him, its massive claw cutting through the air like a guillotine. He twisted his body, barely dodging as the force of the strike shattered the ground beneath him. Damn, this thing is fast. Chapter 99 Lord of the Forsaken Nima didn''t hesitate. She raises her hands and focuses all her spiritual powers to summon as many soul chains as possible. "Kent, hang in there for ten seconds! I have a plan." Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire "Ten?! I will try. But you must match all that big talking with your next attack. Don''t embarrass me." Before he could say further, the demonic leader''s shadows writhed and surged toward him. Kent gritted his teeth, pushing off the crumbling floor to dodge. He had no time to think, no time to strategizeonly time to move. His fists glowing with fire, shattering tendrils of darkness as he lashed toward him. Each punch he delivered sent a ripple through the leader''s form, but it was like punching smokethe damage barely stuck. The leader''s glowing eyes fixed on him. Its mount opened, revealing a spiralling abyss within. "ENOUGH. The demonic leader Barked." A shockwave exploded from its core. Kent was launched backwards, his body smashing into a broken pillar. His vision blurred. His muscles screamed. But he saw it through the haze of painNima was ready to do something. A ring of black chains beneath her body, spirals of dark energy twisting into the shape of a massive sigil. She raised her hand. CONSUME. "She gave a command to her soul chains." The ground collapsed. Over ten chains exploded upward, engulfing the leader in a vortex of shadows. The demonic leader roared, its form twisting violently as the chains sank into its semi-transparent body. Its shadows wavered, flickering between solid and ethereal. Kent didn''t waste a second. Make it soul-solid again, Nima. I got this. [Ding! Congratulations host. Upgrade complete. SOUL Slasher Power: 20%] He pushed off the rubble. "Finally, my weapon is back." Then he pulls out his soul Slasher dagger blazing with both hellfire and Frost fire. "Alright, big guy. Time for round two." And he charged. Kent managed to land a slash to its Soul. ARGH! The demonic leader growls in pain. Its body gets frozen for a few seconds. Kent lands multiple cuts on the demonic leader''s body. Then Kent yelled ''EMBER SLASH'', Charging at the heart of the demonic leader. A sword aura comes out of his dagger, aiming at the leader''s chest. It''s already passed three/four seconds, and the frozen effects have worn off. Kent didn''t get a chance to see the duration of the soul-slash effect. "Shit! This guy is able to move." The demonic leader managed to move his body. The Ember Slash cuts one of the arms of the enemy along with the Nima''s soul chains. The demonic leader got free from the binding of soul chains. "YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS." Saying that, the demonic leader raises his other hand. Sucking all the demonic souls who were watching from the sidelines. Its body started to glow. Its hand started to regenerate. In the blink of an eye, it sucked almost all the disciples who were hiding and watching from the sidelines. The Demonic Sect leader says, "Come back to me. Return my powers to me, you useless disciples. I have given you my powers to open the prison gate and find me some sacrifice. But all of you are useless." A powerful force gets created by the sucking. Kent falls back. Nima yelled at Kent. What have you done? I had him. Kent you you stupid brother. Can''t you aim properly? "What did Grandpa Xian Yu teach you all this time? It looks like all those early morning training sessions are for nothing. I need to give him a piece of my mind when we return back ''home''." Kent replied, Nima, please stop your nagging. Focus on the battle. Do it again. Don''t let it heal. It''ll be hard for us if we let it heal. We might get killed here if he is able to heal himself. Ding! +999 SP copied from Nima. Big brother, why are you yelling at me? You are the one who cut him loose. SIGH! I can only summon four chains now. This time, don''t miss it. I can''t hold it much longer. Go, soul chains bind my enemies. CLANK! CLANK! Four soul chains bind the demonic Sect leader again. The battle raged. Kent kept up the pressure, repeatedly striking the leader as Nima''s spell weakened it. The chains of darkness wrapped tighter around its limbs, slowing its movements. But it wasn''t enough. The demonic leader refused to fall. Even as its form flickered, it still fought back with one hand, lashing out with massive, sweeping strikes. Kent barely avoided one as the claw carved through the air inches from his face. And thenNima screamed, "You toilet cleaner." Her body shuddered. Her aura erupted, sending waves of dark energy spiralling outward. The ground cracked beneath her as her power surged. And Kent felt it. Something was changing. The darkness around Nima shifted, warping into something stronger. Her presence expanded, the very air humming with raw energy. Her cultivation was rapidly rising. Kent''s eyes widened. "Nima" She lifted her gaze. And at that moment, the demonic Sect leader stopped moving. For the first time since the battle beganIt hesitated. It looked scared of Nima. Face full of tension. It scared the shit out of the demonic leader. The glowing eyes across its almost transparent body blinked, flickering uncertainty. Kent saw his chance. He poured every ounce of strength into his next attack. His spiritual energy ignited the fire, spiralling around his dagger like a Twister. And he Slash straight through the demonic Sect leader''s heart. ''EMBER SLASH!'' The impact shattered the air. The leader''s body convulsed, its shadows breaking apart as the force of the blow ripped through it. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a momentjust a momenteverything was still. And thenThe demonic leader collapsed. Its form shattered, dissolving into spiralling wisps of dark mist. The entire pocket dimension trembled, the prison realm reacting to its guardian''s defeat. And just like thatIt was over. The soul chains of Nima pulled the remaining of the demonic leader''s soul. Kent stood panting over the remains of the demonic leader. His Soul Slasher dagger disappeared from his hand and went back to system storage, and his hands clenched into fists. He could barely feel his arms. Every muscle burned. He turned his gaze at Nima. She was glowing. Dark energy rippled around her, shifting and settling as her body adjusted to the surge of power. The oppressive force of D-Rank cultivation radiated from her, raw and untamed. Kent exhaled. "Well congrats on the level-up and getting your new soul servant." Nima blinked, then grinned. "That was amazing." Kent gave her a flat look. "You almost died. Next time, don''t talk recklessly. Even if you are much stronger than the enemy or you have an advantage. You must act with caution." "Yes, I understand, but I have a new servant. When we go back, I will definitely make him clear our toilet." "Unbelievable, you are still holding onto your trash talk." Before Kent could argue more, the elite disciple spectre from earlier stepped forward. "You have proven your worth," it said solemnly. "The Gate of the Forsaken and the pocket dimension is yours to command." Kent blinked. "Waitwhat? I have to take care of the gate." The spectre knelt. The other ghosts who survived followed. And in unison, they spoke: "We serve you now, Master." Kent felt his brain short-circuit. What the F?k!! I can''t control ghosts. Right now, what should I do? He stared at the kneeling ghosts, their spectral forms flickering with eerie blue light. Hundreds of new ghosts came out of the gate. Some looked like ancient warriors, others like common folk who had perished long ago. All were kneeling in front of him and Nima. "We serve you now, Master." Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys do realize I just punched a giant shadow monster into oblivion, right? I''m not your leader." The elite disciple level-c, clearly the highest-ranking among them, bowed its head lower. " The demonic Sect leader was our eternal jailor. Because of him, we were imprisoned here. He made us do all kinds of evil things. You have broken our chains. By the laws of this realm, you now wield the authority of the Forsaken Gate." Nima tilted her head. "So, we own this place now?" The spectre nodded. Kent exhaled. "Great. That''s exactly what I wanted. A haunted house filled with dead people." Nima smirked. "Sounds like a real estate goldmine. If you don''t want them, then it''s alright. I will take them all as my underlings." Kent turned to her. "You''re enjoying this way too much. You can''t control these many ghosts." "I did just level up, Kent. This whole pocket dimension nonsense turned out to be a blessing." She lifted her hand, and a ripple of power surged through her aura. It was darker and heavier than beforelike a storm cloud before it unleashed a downpour. The energy radiating from her was undeniable. She had fully stepped into Level-D (mid) cultivation. Chapter 100 The Throne of the Forsaken Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent raised a brow, and you levelled up again. She is progressing very fast. Now, she is at the same level as me. At this rate, I will be left behind. I need to find a way to earn more SP. He says out loud, "Nima, How do you feel?" Nima flexed her fingers, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Stronger. Like I could take on a whole army of ghosts." I can even break a mountain in half with one punch. A ghost warrior nearby flinched. He was scared that Nima would test her powers on them. If she starts a killing spree, no one will be able to stop her. They just got freedom from the demonic Sect leader after thousands of years. Now, they all might die here. Kent sighed. "Please don''t test that theory. No need to take out the entire army of ghosts." Nima waved him off. I know; I am just saying I can do it if I want to. There''s no need to be so serious about it. She turned to the kneeling elite disciple. "Alright, tell me, if we own this place now what can it do for us?" The elite disciple ghost''s form flickered as it answered. "The Forsaken Gate is a realm between life and death. A prison, a battlefield, and a sanctuary for lost souls. You may command us to guard, to fight, or to search for knowledge within the remnants of those who perished here." We will follow your commands. Kent rubbed his chin. "So, basically, we''ve inherited a haunted fortress." "Yes," the elite disciple said solemnly. Nima''s eyes gleamed. "And that means" Kent saw it coming a mile away. She is trying to do something crazy. She turned to him with a wicked smile. "I can use this place to level up my servant. Show me the fragments of mindless ghosts needing a beating." This way, master, there aren''t many left. It will be best to finish them. Let them return to the circle of reincarnation. Kent groaned. "Why am I not surprised?" Nima wasted zero time. The moment she realized the mindless ghosts could be used for training, she went full drill sergeant mode. She summoned her servants, Raka the robber and Lumo the spirit petan eerie, robed figure with sunken eyes and a sinister presence came out (Raka), and a furry small bear''s solid form roared when it materialized. The mindless ghosts immediately recoiled as if sensing a death aura. "Good," Nima mused. "That means you guys will be perfect training dummies. I will let my servant practice with you. Listen, my new underling''s ghosts, go and join the fight with Raka and Lumo." Kent watched, arms crossed, as she commanded her servants to engage the mindless ghost warriors. The other ghosts who submitted to Kent and Nima were hesitant at first, but after the elite disciple gave the order, they obeyed. He is the only Level C ghost at this moment. The strongest among all the Souls. Although they lost their true cultivation due to thousands of years of imprisonment, their battle experience is still very useful. The air filled with flashes of spectral energy as the servants Raka and Lumo clashed against the mindless ghosts. Nima''s power thrived on absorbing dark spiritual energy and refining souls with the soul refinement Orb, and she had just been given an entire pocket dimension of souls. This is gonna get out of hand real fast, Kent thought. He turned to the elite disciple ghost. Their eyes meet each other. The elite disciple asked, " Master, How long do you think she''ll be at this?" Kent paused for a second before answering. "Until she is satisfied." Then, he groaned and said to himself. "What I am afraid of is... She is absorbing too much dark spiritual energy. I hope nothing bad happens." System, can you tell me if there are any problems with absorbing too much dark spiritual energy? [Ding! System notifications: The host doesn''t need to worry about that. The host''s little sister has an affinity with dark energy. The excessive dark spiritual energy will grow her black hole power. She will be able to gain more control over her servant.] That''s a relief. But why do I feel like something bad will happen in the future because of her dark Abilities? SIGH! Let''s look around a bit. While Nima gleefully trained her servant, Kent explored. The Forsaken Gate was massive. The realm stretched beyond the battlefield where they had fought the Demonic sect leadertowering, ruined structures jutted from the mist, remnants of an ancient civilization long forgotten by the modern world. [Ding! System notifications: Ghost core detected.] Ohh! I almost forgot about that. The system did notify me about a ghost core. Where is it? He looks around right and left for the ghost core. Kent found a very tiny black marvel at the place where the demonic Sect leader was defeated. Kent picks up the ghost core. This must have been inside the demonic leader. This was the thing I saw inside the demonic Sect leader''s heart when I used my Frost fire. I need to make sure there''s no problem with the ghost core. He commands, "system use appraisal on the ghost core. What is the use of this thing? And are there any side effects?" [Ding! System notifications: Ten Thousand SP deducted.] [Item: Ghost core. Use: Direct consumption like food. There are no side effects for a Soul Cultivator. If normal cultivators use it, they will lose their minds and become ferocious ghosts.] [Description: An item/tool created by thousands of souls or ghosts. It can upgrade a soul''s level and give a spiritual sense to a mindless soul. This tool helps cultivate a soul cultivator.] Read latest chapters on My Virtual Library Empire Note: The system advises to use it on the soul Raka. It will give soul servant Raka spiritual intelligence. It might help from a spirit body like the soul bear. The sole owner, Nima, will also get a boost in her Cultivation Level. After collecting the ghost core, Kent murmurs, "I will give this to Nima later. She just levels up her cultivation. She needs to stabilize her Cultivation first." Then Kent ran a hand over one of the cold stone walls nearby. Strange, unreadable symbols were carved into the surface. Kent narrowed his eyes. His natural instincts buzzed. "Something about this place felt important." He activated his spiritual sight. Immediately, faint threads of energy glowed in the air, crisscrossing through the ruins like an intricate web. They all seemed to converge toward a central point deeper within the realm. Kent cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let''s see where this leads." He followed the energy threads through the ruins of old buildings, moving deeper into the heart of the pocket dimension. And thenHe saw it. A massive stone throne stood at the centre of an ancient courtyard, surrounded by swirling phantoms and eerie, flickering torches. The throne itself was cracked and worn, but its presence was undeniable. Kent stepped forward. A voice echoed. "Who dares approach the Throne of the Forsaken?" The air shook. Shadows coiled around the seat, and a figure rosea tall, regal ghost, its body wreathed in chains. Kent narrowed his eyes. "I''m guessing you''re important." The elite disciple studied him. The Throne ghost says, "You are the one who defeated the demonic Sect leader. The new lord of this domain." "Still not used to that title. Kent replied, scratching his head." The ghost''s voice lowered. "Then let me ask, mortalwill you wield this throne''s power, or will you abandon it?" Kent hesitated. He wasn''t interested in ruling some ghost dimension. He just wanted to get out of here, finish his mission, and maybe take a nap before Nima demanded to explore the Azure Bay city. But something tugged at his instincts. The Forsaken Gate was connected to something bigger. The energy running through these ruins the lingering traces of dark power This place was important and dangerous. And if he left it alone, someone else might seize control. They might use this dark power to harm innocent people. He can''t let that happen. Now, he is a government official in training. He will get a salary from the government. He can''t just take money for free. His consciousness won''t allow him. Kent exhaled. "I don''t do the whole ''dark overlord'' thing. But if this place has power I''ll take it." He thinks, "This will be very useful for Nima." The ghost grinned. "Then sit upon the throne, Lord of the Forsaken. Refine the Forsaken Thorne." I am the guard of this throne. A phantom ghost who is here to guide the lord. Kent stepped forward. Alright, "I will take the throne and then make Nima the owner of this Forsaken gate. She always wanted to be some big boss. As a big brother, I will fulfil her dreams. I will make her the big boss of these souls." He placed a hand on the cold stone. Ready to sit on the throne to refine it. And the realm itself trembled. Chapter 101 : The Thrones Burden [Ding! System Notification: Good news for the host! This pocket dimension can be fused with your Void Domain, increasing the land within it. Do you want to refine this pocket dimension?] [Yes/No] System Note: The system advises that the host should grant control of the Forsaken Gate to his little sister. So, the system also wants me to give this ghost army to Nima. Alright, system, I want to refine this pocket dimension. But how can I transfer control of the gate to Nima? [Ding! The host simply needs to sit on the Stone Throne and focus his spiritual power on the throne. The system will handle the rest.] [For now, the Forsaken gate will be placed in the Void Domain along with the pocket dimension. However, the host''s little sister, Nima, cannot control the gate yet. She must reach at least Level-B cultivation. That said, she can still command all the ghosts who have already pledged their loyalty.] Alright, I understand. I''ll refine the pocket dimension now and grant her control of the Forsaken Gate once she reaches Level-B cultivation. Kent sat on the cold stone throne, the weight of ancient power pressing against him. He focused all his spiritual powers on the throne. At first, it felt like nothing. He was simply sitting in a chairalbeit a chair that looked like it belonged in a nightmare. But then, slowly, the energy around him shifted. The phantom ghostly figure who had guided him here remained standing in the shadows, watching silently. The air seemed to hum, the very ground vibrating with the ancient force which was now awakening. Kent''s eyes glowed faintly as he reached out with his senses, trying to grasp the power now flowing into him. It was as if the entire dimension was alive, breathing, and it was all focusing on him. "What''s happening?" he muttered to himself. The elite disciple stepped forward. "The Throne of the Forsaken binds its power to the one who claims it. You are now its Warden, its ruler, its master." Kent''s pulse quickened as the energy surged through him. It wasn''t like anything he had ever felt beforeit was neither spiritual energy nor divine. It was something older, darker, a force that seemed to transcend the realms of life and death. He clenched his fists. The sensation was overwhelming. But then, something clicked. His vision flashed with images of the throne''s ancient historythe rise and fall of empires, the suffering of countless souls trapped within this forsaken realm, and the power of the Warden passed down through the ages. Each ruler used the throne to extend their will across the pocket dimension and bend it to their desires. "And nowIt was his turn." Kent stood abruptly, shaking off the eerie weight pressing on his shoulders. He couldn''t let this power consume him, not like it had with the past rulers. But he knew one thing: this place could be a weapon. "I don''t want to be a ruler," Kent said, his voice resolute. "I''m here for a mission. I''m not going to be some overlord of the dead. It will be my little sister." The phantom spectre didn''t move but spoke with a deep, rumbling voice. "The Throne of the Forsaken does not accept refusal. You are bound to it, and it to you." Kent exhaled sharply, his thoughts racing. "Great. It''s just what I need. A cursed chair that won''t let go." As if in response, the ground beneath him rumbled, and a deep voice echoed from the throne, "You have claimed the power of the Forsaken. Use it wisely, or face its wrath." Kent clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. "I''m not looking for power, but I will use it to get what I need. My system can transfer this power to Nima. I don''t need to worry about this warning." Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire The phantom ghost stepped forward, its ethereal face twisting into something resembling a grin. "Then use it, Lord Kent. Command us. We shall obey." [Ding! System Notification: The pocket Dimension refinement was successfully completed. Merging with Void Domain] A deep hum resonated through the air as the throne beneath Kent pulsed with energy. The surrounding darkness seemed to ripple, stretching outward as if the dimension itself was unravelling. He felt itthe shift, the pull, the sheer weight of space itself being rewritten. Then, all at once, the sensation stopped. [Ding! Pocket Dimension successfully merged with Void Domain. The land within the Void Domain has expanded significantly. New structures and functions have been unlocked.] Kent exhaled as the throne''s oppressive presence faded slightly. He reached out with his senses and could feel ithis Void Domain had changed. It wasn''t just an empty expanse anymore; it had grown, taking on the characteristics of the forsaken realm, reshaping itself to accommodate the power he had just absorbed. Images flashed through his minda ruined citadel now standing at the heart of his domain, dark mountains rising along the horizon, a swirling abyss where the Forsaken Gate resided. It was no longer just a void. It was becoming something more. The only thing missing is light. He needs to create a sun and a water source to accommodate living things. [Ding! New functions unlocked: Warden''s Citadel: A fortress serving as the Void Domain''s command centre. Forsaken Gate Control: The host can transfer partial command once a suitable wielder reaches the required level. Phantom Army Summoning: The host can now call upon spectral warriors within the Void Domain. Their strength depends on the host''s power. ''System advice not to use this function.'' Dimensional Stability: The Void Domain can now maintain its form more efficiently.] Kent''s brows furrowed. This was more than he expected. He wasn''t just expanding his domainhe was building a stronghold, an actual realm of his own. "So the system really wasn''t joking about me becoming a ruler," he muttered. Will I become a god if I put living things here?.... For now, let''s not think about that. I need to take one step at a time. The phantom spectre bowed deeply. "It is as it should be, Warden. The Forsaken never die; they merely wait. And now, they wait for your command." Kent crossed his arms, exhaling. "I told you, I''m not here to rule over the dead." [Ding! Reminder: The Forsaken Gate remains in the Void Domain. Host''s little sister cannot take full control yet but can command the ghosts who have already sworn loyalty.] Kent rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So basically, I need to babysit the ghosts who are present here." The system, of course, remained silent. "Well, whatever," he said, shaking off the unease creeping up his spine. "If I have to control this power for now, I might as well use it properly." His gaze turned toward the Forsaken Gate, now towering ominously within his Void Domain. It was no longer just a relic of the past. It was his to command, his to wield. And soon, it would belong to Nima. But until then Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, a swirling vortex of light appeared before him, and the phantom spectre bowed deeply. "The souls of the Forsaken are at your command, Master." Kent stood tall, his confidence building. He wasn''t going to let the throne control him. He would use it to gain what he neededfreedom. He reached out, and the ghosts began to move as one, their forms flickering and shifting. They were his and Nima''s army now. He could feel their energy flowing through him, a vast network of lost souls willing to do his bidding. "Alright," Kent muttered. "Let''s see how far we can take this. I have great ideas for earning SP with this ghost squad." Meanwhile, Nima had been busy training her servants, commanding them to battle the mindless ghost warriors who continued to appear. Her servants grew more powerful with every battle, absorbing the souls of the fallen enemies. But Nima had an idea. "If I can level up my servant, maybe we can leave this place sooner," she murmured to herself. She was determined. She didn''t know that they could leave anytime. Kent just needs to think about it. Raka and Lumo were growing stronger with each battle, and she could feel the momentum building within her. Her cultivation had reached Rank-D (mid), and it was a massive leap forward. With the spirits'' help, she could refine herself further. But the question was: could she surpass even the strongest in this forsaken gate dimension? Nima''s servants launched a powerful attack, slashing through several of the ghosts. The energy pulsed with each strike, the spirits slowly merging with her servant''s aura. But then, a peculiar energy caught her attention. It was faint at firsta whisper of power. It was coming from the direction of the throne. Her eyes narrowed. Something was happening there. "Kent is he in danger?" I need to check on him. I need to go and save my big brother. Kent wait... I am comming to save you." Chapter 102 Return to Azure Bay City "Back to Kent-" The moment he stood and commanded the souls, "come here" the energy that surged through him altered his very being. It wasn''t just his physical form that had been enhancedit was his spiritual essence. The powers of the Forsaken Gate were now his to wield, but the question was: what exactly could he do with them other than using them to earn some SP? The phantom ghost says, its voice low and haunting. "Lord Kent, you have unlocked the first tier of the Throne''s power. Now, you may draw upon the souls of the Forsaken to enhance your abilities." Kent raised a brow. "You mean I can use them like spiritual energy?" "Yes," the ghost replied. "The souls are bound to the Forsaken gate, and as you control the gate, you may absorb their power. They are yours to command." Kent clenched his fists, testing the power. It felt strange. It was as if he could feel the weight of every soul trapped here. It wasn''t an easy energy to controlit was raw, dark, violent, unpredictable. But he knew he could use it to his advantage. "I don''t need to absorb the soul," Kent muttered. "I will just control them to get what I want." [Ding! The system advises you not to use the Souls as energy. You don''t have the right skills. It will be harmful to you. You might lose your mind.] Kent sighed! Alright, I won''t use it. I already know about that. Now tell me how we can leave. What will happen to the ghosts once we (Nima and Kent) leave? [Ding! The ghosts will remain here until they get summoned by the host. Once they get out, they can''t enter the Forsaken gate. The host should summon them with caution.] Before Kent can ask anything about why the ghost can''t return, Nima comes yelling. "Kent big brother Are you okay? I felt a strange disturbance just now. What''s going on? Did any ghost bully you?" Nima''s voice rang out, trembling with both concern and a fierce determination to protect her elder brother. Kent slowly turned toward her, the residual echoes of spectral energy still humming in his ears. His eyes, still faintly aglow from the power of the Forsaken gate, met Nima''s worried gaze. For a long, weighted moment, he simply exhaled as if expelling not just breath but the tumultuous energies of the Void Domain itself. "I''m fine, Nima," he answered at length, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "It was just a ripplea minor disturbance in the ghost energy. I took control over this gate." He paused, his mind racing with recollections of that overwhelming surge from the Forsaken. "I sensed a shifta faint echo that reminded me of the inherent chaos of this power. But there''s no harm done. The system''s warnings are clear: I must exercise caution, and I will." Nima''s eyes softened slightly, relief mingling with her natural impatience. "Kent, let''s go and beat all the ghosts. We need to find a way out. Auri must be looking for us." ... Wait, I forgot about Auri. He was with us when we jumped from the building and landed on the ground. But when we were forcefully sucked inside this pocket dimension. Auri didn''t come with us. He is outsidein the real world. Nima replied, "That''s why I want to hurry. I bet Auri is scared. He is my underling, I need to take care of him. Now, let''s go. Once we defeat all the ghosts, I think we can go outside." Kent managed a slight smile, though his gaze remained distant as he continued. "Don''t worry, we can go outside anytime we want. You don''t need to beat everyone. These ghosts will be your servants in future." I have full control now. Give me a second, and I will create the exit. Before Nima could press further, a familiar chime resonated through the expanse of the pocket dimension, echoing off the dark, newly-formed walls of the merged realm. [Ding! System Notification: Initiating Return Sequence. The portal to Azure Bay City is now available. Destination coordinates: Azure Bay City.] A ripple of relief passed over both siblings as they prepared to leave the dark clutches of the pocket dimension. Kent closed his eyes, gathering his spiritual energy one final time. With a measured motion, he raised his hand and conjured a swirling portala shimmering gateway of iridescent blues and purples, edged with flickering ghostly light. The portal pulsed steadily, beckoning them back to the world they knew. "Time to go," Kent said firmly, turning to Nima. "We''ve controlled the chaos here; now, let''s return. Auri''s waiting." Hand in hand, they stepped toward the portal. The last vestiges of the forsaken realm receded behind them, swallowed by the vortex as they crossed the threshold. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced by the familiar sights and sounds of the real world. Emerging from the portal, Kent and Nima found themselves on a rooftop overlooking Azure Bay Citya city that, despite its scars, still pulsed with life and determination. The distant rumble of the sea, the clamour of street vendors, and the subtle hum of everyday resilience greeted them like an old friend. The air was thick with salt and the lingering scent of impending chaos. Yet, even as the city''s comforting tumult embraced them, a new disturbance made itself known. From the direction of the harbour, a deep, resonant bellow cut through the aira sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the hardiest citizens. Kent''s eyes narrowed as he recognized the familiar threat: the sea monster they had encountered before. Down at the harbour, the beast was still there. Massive, sinewy tentacles emerged from the churning waters, and its eyes glowed with an unearthly light. The creature''s presence was a dire omena reminder that while one chaos had been tamed, another lurked in the depths. On the front lines of this unexpected aquatic assault were two defenders led by a scrappy tier-4 officerCaptain "Crusty", and the ever-determined Enforcement Lady, Sergeant Sparkle. Captain Crusty, who looked as if he''d been forged from discarded beach chairs, bellowed, "Alright, maggots, let''s show this blob that our city isn''t for squishy-eating!" Sergeant Sparkle, whose uniform shone with the kind of pristine brilliance that would make a freshly polished trophy weep, added, "Remember, team: if you get slimed, wipe it off and keep fighting! This isn''t a mud-wrestling contest!" The roar of the sea and the crash of splintered docks still echoed through Azure Bay City''s battered harbour. Despite the earlier assault, the monstrous sea creature had not yet been vanquishedit still thrashed its massive, sinewy tentacles in the churning waters like a beast determined to wreak havoc. Amid this chaotic scene, Kent''s voice cut through the tumult: "Alright, Nimathe sea blob''s still out there. But first, let''s find Auri. I can''t go help the watchers until our feathered friend is safe!" With that, Kent broke away from the fray. He weaved his way along the narrow, salt-sprayed lanes near the port, dodging overturned crates and splashes of seawater. His mind raced not only with battle tactics but also with worry for the little bird who''d been missing since the sudden, tumultuous jump from the building. After a few tense minutes of scouring the debris-strewn docks, Kent finally heard ita tiny, unmistakable chirp amid the clamour of crashing waves and distant shouts. He followed the sound until he reached a quiet corner near an abandoned warehouse. There, perched on a rusted railing and looking both indignant and heroic, was Auri. "Chip chip!" the little bird squawked, his tone a mixture of relief and reproach. "I thought you guys left me! Where were you? I was looking for you for hours! You know I don''t have that money thingygetting stuck in a city I''ve never been before is downright terrifying!" Kent knelt beside the railing and gently extended his hand. "Hey, Auri, I''m sorry, little buddy. We got so caught up in a situation and fighting that we lost track of you." His voice softened as he carefully petted the tiny bird''s head. Auri tilted his head, then let out another small chirp to say, "I''m glad you''re here now." Not far behind, Nima hurried over, her eyes wide with both concern and relief. "Auri, you rascal! I was worried sick. Come here, let me give you a proper cuddle." She scooped the little bird into her arms and ruffled his feathers, murmuring soothingly. "It''s alright nowyou''re safe with us." Auri, still a bit indignant but comforted by Nima''s warmth, snuggled against her. For a brief moment, the chaos of the harbour faded into the background as the trio shared a tender reunion. Brushing a stray hair from his forehead, Kent surveyed the distant battle. "Listen, Nima," he said, his tone firm yet gentle as he looked down at his sister cradling Auri. "I''ve got to go help the watcher forces out there. The sea creature isn''t done yet, and they need every bit of help we can muster." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire Nima gave him a playful nudge. "So I get babysitting duty for Auri while you go off and play with a giant sea blob? Fine, you go. Holding her, she says, I need some snack money. I am very hungry. Kent chuckled, shaking his head. "Deal. Just promise me you both won''t cause any trouble, alright?" With one last affectionate pat on Nima and Auri''s heads, Kent took a deep breath and dashed back toward the harbour, where the battle raged on. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 1 - 1: Awakening on a Cold New Years Night {Note: Read the auxiliary.} --- [In a fantasy multiverse--a place similar to Earth yet different in many ways.] Ding! The host has activated the system. A translucent blue panel appeared in front of Kent, glowing faintly in the dim light of his bathroom. Kent''s heart nearly stopped at the sight. He blinked once, twicewas he hallucinating? The panel displayed words he had never seen before: ~System Panel~ Spiritual points: 699 sp Shop | Lottery | Income History [Note: Spiritual Points short = SP.] His finger hovered over the buttons as if afraid of touching them would make the whole thing disappear. "What the hell is this?" Kent murmured to himself, his voice a mix of awe and confusion. "Did I awaken? Is it like those stories on the news?" Unable to stop himself, Kent pressed the Shop button. Another menu unfolded before his eyes, revealing the first item for sale, a Spiritual Fruit priced at 10,000 spiritual points. At the bottom of the screen, his balance ticked upward steadily +1 +1 +99. Many notifications were seen. "Thank you, God! Thank you!" Kent cried out of joy, tears welling in his eyes. His hands trembled as he clutched his chest. "I finally got a chance to become rich. I awakened a money-generating power. This money-generating power will change everything. I can earn money, buy food, pay Nima''s school tuition and even find a girl" His thoughts were flooded with images of his sister, Nima, smiling brightly as she finally ate to her heart''s content. For so long, life had been a cruel cycle of poverty, dry carrots and some vegetable soup, and cold nights. Overwhelmed, Kent sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "This is it my chance." As he cried tears of joy, his eyes shimmered with the reflection of glowing money signs, his mind spinning with dreams of a better future. "But before diving into the details of what is happening right now, let''s see what happened a few hours earlier." Earlier That Night A young man was sitting on a roadside bench, thinking about how to earn more money. He has a little sister, now he needs to send her to a school but he doesn''t earn enough money to admit his sister to a school. "Let''s go home first." He says to himself. The road was cloaked in shadows, lit by only flickering street lamps. Their neon yellow glow attracted swarms of insects mosquitoes and flies buzzing relentlessly. Bzzzz ''Tap-tap.'' A lone moth smacked into the glowing neon light, its wings fluttering weakly against the glass. A few blocks away, laughter echoed through the narrow alley of a small house. An eleven-year-old girl named Nima skipped inside, holding something tightly in her small hands. Her voice was bright and sweet as she sang an off-tune melody: "La la la la la~!" ???????? The house had modest old wooden furniture, cracked walls, and a flickering 1990s TV in the corner broadcasting the nightly news. "This is just in reports of individuals awakening strange powers that continue to rise. Authorities urge caution, as some of these ''Awakened'' have used their abilities to harm civilians. Just yesterday" The news anchor''s calm voice contrasted with the grim footage of a young woman attacked by an Earth-type ability user. But Nima wasn''t paying attention. She twirled through the small living room, blissfully unaware. A voice boomed from the doorway. Seventeen-year-old Kent, scrawny and wearing patched-up clothes, entered the house looking exasperated. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his face carried the weariness of someone far older than his years. "Nima! Put that dried meat down." Nima froze mid-spin, clutching the fish like it was a prized treasure. "Just one bite! Please?" Kent''s brow furrowed. "It belongs to the Aunty next door! It''s not ours." She used our yard to dry her meat. Our yard has more sunlight. "Ugh!" Nima groaned dramatically, stomping her foot. "But I''m so hungry! Just a teeny bite, and I promise I''ll" "No," Kent said with his big brother''s authority. Nima puffed out her cheeks in frustration and turned away, grumbling. "Hmph! Mean brother. You always say no." Kent sighed deeply, his heart softening at the sight of her small, dejected figure. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of carrot. "Here. If you''re hungry, eat this. It''s good for you." "Carrot? Again?!" Nima turned to him, her face full of exaggerated horror. "We''ve had carrots for dinner every day this week! I''m turning into a carrot!" Kent couldn''t help but chuckle at her outburst. He pressed his hand to his chest dramatically. "Oh My little sister is all grown up now! She argues with me like an adult." "Stop teasing me!" Nima whined, tugging on his sleeve. Then, her tone shifted. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she clasped his arm tightly. "Brother, can we have cup noodles tonight? Please? It''s New Year''s Eve ''31st December''! We''ve got to celebrate!" Kent hesitated, his smile faltering. Cup noodles something so simple, yet out of reach for them. His fists tightened slightly at his sides. Seeing his hesitation, Nima hugged his arm tighter, her voice pleading. "Please, please, please! I dreamed about it last night, too. It was beef flavoured" She trailed off, drool practically dripping from her mouth. ???? Okay, you can have it in your dreams then. Kent said jokingly. Keep some for me too. She gets angry And sought. Find, then I will live without cup noodles. But I will never eat carrots for dinner. She bites her brother''s hand in anger. You you have another little sister outside. I know!! She is very angry and about to cry. ???? Kent is in shock. They are very poor. They grow carrots and some other vegetables in their front yard to save money and they eat those every day. "She is very stubborn. She won''t eat anything until I give her cup noodles." Okay, Okay! Stop now. I''ll get you cup noodles," Kent said, rolling his eyes. "YES!" Nima leaped with joy, spinning in a circle. "You''re the best, Kent! I want the beef flavour!" "Alright, alright, you little monster. Stay here and wait. I''ll be right back." The cold air hit Kent like a slap to the face as he stepped outside. His breath came out in misty puffs, and the streets were eerily quiet almost too quiet. It was New Year''s Eve, but the distant crackle of fireworks felt a world away. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He walked quickly, his thoughts fixed on Nima and her innocent excitement. "She really wanted cup noodles that badly" Kent murmured with a small smile. "That girl she''s too stubborn for her own good." Meanwhile, at home, Kent''s neighbour Aunty Zhou brings some beef to give them as a New Year''s gift. Nima received the gift. She is very happy. She prepared two plates. Saying when Kent comes back I will add the noodles into the beef. Then she puts one extra piece of meat on her brother''s plate. Then she became happy. Signing meat.... meat. I gave my brother one piece of extra meat. He should be happy when he comes back. Meat.. meat... I gonna eat meat. ???? She is watching outside the window. Fireworks are in the sky. She thinks about why it is taking so long. Ting! Kent sent her a video of a big firework on Nima''s phone. She replied in massage hurry up Kent I am hungry. Are you watching fireworks with another little sister? Sigh! This girl. Let me hurry. As he crossed an empty intersection, his phone buzzed again. A video message from Nima popped up. She had recorded herself eating imaginary noodles and saying dramatically, "Kent, hurry up, or I''ll starve to death!" Kent chuckled softly, shaking his head. "This girl" Kent was coming back after buying the noodles. Suddenly ???? WOOOOOP! WOOOOOP! The blaring horn of a truck shattered the silence. Kent''s head snapped up. A massive truck barreled toward him at full speed, its headlights blinding. SCREEEEECH! "NO!" Kent shouted, his voice swallowed by the truck''s deafening roar. BAM! The impact sent Kent flying through the air like a rag doll. His body hit the pavement with a sickening thud, sliding several feet before coming to a stop. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the cracked asphalt. But he was still holding the cup noodles on his hands. For a long moment, everything was still. The truck skidded to a halt. The driver stumbled out, his face pale as he stared at Kent''s motionless body. "I I didn''t see him What have I done?" Panicking, the driver tossed a wad of crumpled cash near Kent''s body before fleeing into the darkness. High above, the night sky split open. A faint crack appeared in space, glowing faintly against the darkness. Something small and otherworldly, a glowing energy ball fell silently from the heavens, like a shooting star. It descended toward Kent''s lifeless body. SHOOOOM! The energy ball falls exactly in the chest of Kent. A pulse of energy radiated outward, causing the air to vibrate around him. Kent''s body glowed brilliantly, the blood on his skin evaporating in an instant. His broken bones cracked back into place, and the gashes on his flesh sealed themselves. He gasped, his lungs suddenly filling with air. His eyes shot open. "Wha?!" Kent sat up sharply, his hands gripping the cold ground beneath him. His mind reeled. "I I''m alive? How is this possible?" He glanced down at himself. His clothes were soaked in blood, but his body it was fine. No pain, no injuries. "What the hell happened to me?" Ding! The sound rang clearly in his mind, startling him. "The host has activated the system." A glowing panel appeared before him. Kent didn''t notice anything. His mind was just blank for some time. But somehow he managed pick up the cup noodles. The rest of Kent''s journey home was a blur. People screamed as he passed, mistaking him for a ghost. He ignored their shouts, his only thought on reaching Nima. When he finally opened the door to their small house, Nima''s face lit up. "Kent! You''re" Her voice caught in her throat as she saw his blood-stained clothes. Tears welled in her wide, innocent eyes. "What happened?! Are you okay?" Kent forced a smile, ruffling her hair. "I''m fine. Don''t cry." "But but the blood" "It''s not mine," Kent said quickly. "I helped someone who got hit by a car. Took him to the hospital. That''s all." Nima sniffled, wiping her eyes. "You''re always helping others Go shower, you almost give me a heart attack." In the bathroom, Kent stripped off his clothes and froze. His reflection in the cracked mirror was unrecognizable. His frail, skinny body was gone. In its place was a lean, muscular frame like that of a trained athlete. "What what happened to me?" he whispered. Ding! The system panel appeared again. Awaken- SSS-Rank Skill: Copy Spiritual Energy. "Author''s thoughts: I am a tiny fish among Whales. Give me some support. Any support is appreciated." ~''Thank you.''~ Chapter 2 - 2: Spiritual Energy and the Mysterious Lottery --- Inside the small, dimly lit bathroom, Kent stood under the cold stream of water. The droplets cascaded down his body, it was very cold. He was pouring cold water into his body, but he wasn''t shivering at all. "What happened to me?" Kent murmured, wiping dust off the mirror with his hand. His voice was filled with disbelief. He flexed his arm slightly. This isn''t normal. Before he could wrap his head around it, a sudden notification rang in his ears. Ding! System Panel SSS-Rank Skill: Copy Spiritual Energy Description: The host can copy spiritual energy from others by triggering their emotions (joy, anger, sadness, love, frustration, etc.). Area of effect: 100 miles. Make it into spiritual points (SP) for use. The system finds an error in the host body. The Host cannot absorb spiritual energy directly from the environment. Spiritual energy is stored as ''Spiritual points'', a balance that can be spent in the system shop, lottery, and others. Kent stared blankly at the glowing text hovering before him, only half-listening as the water continued to patter against his shoulders. "What''s this?" he whispered. "Spiritual energy points? Not money?" but it says Balance. Kent shut the water off abruptly, grabbed the old towel, and sat on a wooden stool. Droplets fell to the creaky wooden floor as he sat. Income RecordC +1, +1, +98 spiritual energy copied from the xxxx. +1, +7, +99 spiritual energy copied from the truck driver. +1, +9, +99 spiritual energy copied from the xxx, xxx, xxx. Kent''s eyes twitched as he scrolled. "Are you kidding me? I thought I''d hit the jackpot real money!" He groaned, leaning back. "So this system is basically, some weird scam." Before he could complain further, a familiar voice echoed from the other room. "Kent! Are you done yet?" Nima shouted impatiently. "I''m hungry!" Kent rubbed his temple and called back, "Nima! Just cook the cup noodles yourself. And make some for me, too!" Ding! Suddenly, the system chimed in his mind. +66 spiritual energy copied from Nima. +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent froze, his eyes widening. "Wait what happened just now." He stared at the glowing screen. "So this is how it works? All types of emotions, any reactionwill let me copy their spiritual energy?" His voice filled with realization. He smirked slightly as he leaned back, the puzzle pieces slowly coming together. "Joy, anger, sadness whatever emotions they feel because of me. I can copy it and turn it into my spiritual points." Kent tilted his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I can''t absorb energy from the environment like those so-called awakened cultivators on TV but if I can trigger reactions from others, I can still collect it." He squinted at his balance. Balance: 1110 points Kent suddenly perked up. "This this looks like a balance. Maybe I can withdraw it into cash?" The thought sent a wave of excitement through him. He clapped his hands together and shouted, "System! Withdraw balance into money!" Nothing happened. "Money!" he repeated. "Cash! Dollars! Withdraw!" Still nothing. "Damn it, you useless system!" Kent grumbled. "You show me points like I''m rich, but I can''t even touch the money?" Kent''s frustration only lasted a moment before curiosity got the better of him. Another glowing option caught his attention. Lottery. "Huh? A lottery?" Kent muttered, scrolling to the new tab. "Let''s see what this is about." The panel transformed into a large wheel divided into 15 slots. Kent frowned when he saw the design. Empty Empty Empty Only 3 slots had faint, shadowy outlines, their contents hidden. The rest were labelled as "empty." "What''s the point of this?" Kent muttered, leaning closer. "How rigged can you get?" At the bottom of the panel, a small message flashed: Cost: 100 Spiritual Points per spin. Kent scratched his head. "A hundred points for this useless-looking wheel? Forget it" Then, his gaze fell back on his balance. 1110 points. "Screw it," he said with a sigh. "Let''s just try once. What''s the worst that can happen?" The moment he pressed the spin button, the system came alive with sounds inside his mind. Woop Woop Woop Woop Woop The wheel began spinning furiously, the pointer moving so fast it became a blur. Kent stared at it, leaning forward in anticipation. His palms grew clammy. "Stop on something good. Stop on something good!" The wheel slowed down, and Kent held his breath. Clink. Clink. Clink The pointer approached one of the shadowy slots. "Come on, come on!" Kent whispered. Ding! The wheel stopped. A blinding blue light burst out of the screen as a notification appeared. [Congratulations! You have won a Physique Enhancement Fruit.] Kent blinked, stunned. "A fruit?" Is it like the Devil fruits from one piece? The system panel flickered, and a new section labelled Item Storage appeared. Inside, a glowing blue fruit the size of a large grape sat calmly. Description: Physique Enhancement Fruit Boosts the host''s physical strength / improves physique for cultivation. Kent swallowed nervously as he stared at the description. "Wait a minuteimproves physique for cultivation, boost strength, a fruit that? Isn''t this similar, like the powers of Devil Fruits?" Only if I can awaken some kind of ability like Gum Gum or Flame Flame. The blue fruit glowed faintly inside the storage panel. "Can I take it out?" Kent wondered aloud. "System, bring the fruit out!" Poof! Suddenly, the fruit materialized in front of him, floating for a brief moment before landing softly in his hand. It was smooth, glowing faintly, and emitted a soft humming sound. "Whoa" Kent whispered, holding it closer to his face. "This looks legit." But then his brows furrowed. "What if it''s poisonous? What if this is some weird prank from the system?" His stomach growled loudly in response. Grrrrr! Kent sighed, glancing at the fruit again. "It doesn''t look dangerous. And honestly, I''ve got nothing to lose. I survived getting hit by a truck, didn''t I?" He held the fruit up, took a deep breath, and popped it into his mouth. Glup! The moment Kent swallowed the fruit, a wave of energy exploded inside his body. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "AAAAHHH!" Kent screamed, clutching his stomach as his whole body heated up like molten lava coursed through his veins. His muscles tensed. His bones cracked audibly. CRACK! CRACK! Every fibre of his being burned with a strange, overwhelming power. The entire room began to glow faintly as blue light pulsed from Kent''s body. BOOM! The old wooden walls vibrated from the shockwave of energy. Minutes passed. The room fell silent again. Kent collapsed back onto the floor, breathing heavily. His skin glistened with sweat, and his chest rose and fell in sharp gasps. He glanced down at his hands. They looked stronger. His blood veins pulsed faintly with blue light before disappearing. "Holy crap." He sat up slowly, examining his body. His muscles were firmer. His energy levels felt like they''d skyrocketed. "I feel stronger," Kent whispered in disbelief. The system chimed again. Ding! "Physique Enhanced. +.... +.. Kent sat there, stunned. A slow grin crept across his face. "This system it might not be so bad after all." Chapter 3 - 3: The Path of a Cultivator Begins --- Kent leaned back, staring at his hands, still buzzing with energy from the Physique Enhancement Fruit. "Does this mean the fruit enhances the physique of weaklings like me and gives a temporary boost to stronger people?" He mumbled. His thought shifted to something he''d read in a Cultivator Book. A mysterious organisation published a cultivation book for the public 5 years ago. 18 years ago, everything changed. Before that, only a handful of talented individuals, major clans, and exclusive organizations had talent for cultivation or magical powers. It was raresomething out of myths and legends. Then, around 18 years ago, traces of spiritual energy began spreading across the globe. At first, only a few elites could harness it. But in time, it grew... And five years ago, the world took a giant leap. Everyone, no matter how ordinary, began to feel spiritual energy. Humanity''s potential exploded. Everyone can cultivate now. People can awaken unique powers randomly. There''s no limit to it. Anything people can imagine or hear/ watch/ read in anime, novels and manga, all those powers becoming a reality. They just need some kind of trigger to awaken their superpower. It could be anything. Like from running, getting angry, kicking rock, etc. Any random things can make someone awaken a unique superpower. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But it''s not that common to get a unique power. A survey shows that 01 in 10,000 people can awaken a unique superpower. The chances are increasing with the spiritual energy recovery. Everyone can cultivate but Leveling up as a cultivator is totally different thing. People need proper discipline and techniques to level up. Without a proper technique people can''t progress much further. Old cultivation books and marital art''s books come handy here. People can follow those techniques to level up alone. Cultivator organizations released books on cultivation techniques, guiding people on how to level up their cultivation. But all techniques they released were for low level. Once someone crosses Level D they have to join some organisations to progress further. It came at a cost. To cultivate spiritual energy requires moneylots of it. You need to buy many spiritual foods, pills, tools and treasures. Not everyone could afford to pursue this path, and fewer could master their awakened unique superpower. The world now followed a global ranking system: F-Rank: The weakest. E-Rank: D-Rank: C-Rank: B-Rank: The current peak of humanity. Strong, powerful individuals. A-Rank: A mythical goal. Officially, No one had reached it yet. (There are rumours online that few people are Level-A cultivators or even stronger, but no proof.) [Note: There are more ranks but no ancient records published yet. Normal people don''t know anything about that.] Kent rubbed his chin thoughtfully, excitement dancing in his eyes. "So my spiritual energy copying skill is actually god-tier!" he muttered. "This fruit alone proves it! I can draw cultivation treasures like this from the lottery and system shop. I just need more spiritual points... which is basically money!" He clenched his fist, a huge grin spreading across his face. "YAY! I''m gonna be a big-shot cultivator!" I will become rich Heh Heh Heh. Kent jumped up, punching the air. The excitement was too much. ???? "KENT! Are you gonna stay in there all day?" His sister Nima''s voice snapped him out of his daydream. Her irritation carried through the thin walls. "Noodles are getting cold!" she added with a huff. Ding! +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent smirked. Thanks for the bonus SP, sis. He quickly towelled off, put on his clothes, and rushed out of the bathroom. Annoying his sister too much could result in disaster. The kitchen smelled heavenly. A small old broken table in the middle of the room held two bowls of steaming noodles topped with some extra slices of meatmeat that Kent recognized immediately. "Wait a minute... is this from Aunty Zhou next door?" Kent asked, raising an eyebrow. Nima pouted slightly, avoiding his gaze. "She gave it willingly! I just borrowed some." Kent chuckled, sitting down. "Borrowed? Nima ignored him, focusing on her noodles. Kent picked up his chopsticks and took a big bite. His eyes widened as the flavours burst into his mouth. "Whoa, not bad, Nima!" he said. "This is better than usual!" Nima looked away, trying to hide her smile. "It''s nothing," she said with fake modesty. "Besides, you''re the one who''s supposed to be the noodle expert, not me." Kent grinned, sensing an opportunity. "Oh? Since you''re so much better at cooking now, how about you take over from here on out?" Nima glared at him. "Child labour is a crime. I saw it on TV. " Ding! +99 spiritual energy copied from Nima. Kent''s grin widened. Easy points! "Don''t push your luck, Kent!" Nima snapped, pointing her chopsticks at him. Inside, Kent couldn''t help but celebrate. "Ha! My sister might just become my spiritual point ATM," he thought. Then, guilt crept in. "But I can''t always rely on making her angry... I need another plan to earn points." After dinner, Nima tugged on Kent''s sleeve. "Let''s go build a scare crow for our yard," she said. The crows in this area are getting very naughty. They poop everywhere and eat anything they find. "Nima picks up some carrots."???? Kent frowned. "You''re using up our carrots? Those are for eating, not decoration!" Nima puffed up her cheeks. "Fine! But you have to buy me some sugar apple candy later, okay?" "Deal," Kent said with a sigh. Outside, snow fell lightly over the small yard. The siblings began putting two dry tree sticks in front of their vegetable garden. "Doesn''t these scarecrows look like us?" Nima said, standing back to admire their handiwork. Kent examined the lumpy scarecrow of Nima with a smirk. "Nima, let''s talk seriously for a second. What do you want to be when you grow up?" I am planning to send you to a school. Nima blinked, surprised. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" I don''t want to go to school. But I have a dream. She grinned proudly. "I''ll be like youa seller! But I won''t sell eggs, I will be the big boss seller. I''ll sell sugar apples! That way I can eat them all the time, too." Many people will work under me. They will all call me boss Nima. Kent burst out laughing. "Ha! I knew you only wanted the job which has snacks!" "Hey!" Nima pouted. "What about you? Why are you asking me questions like some old man?" Do you have money to send me to a school? +99 sp copied from Nima. Before Kent could react, Nima scooped up a snowball and hurled it at him. WHACK! It hit him square in the face. "You little!" Kent shouted, laughing as he grabbed his own snowball. The two chased each other around the yard, their laughter ringing out in the quiet night. Snowballs flew through the air, landing with soft PLOPS. While the siblings played, far across the city, a different scene unfolded. Somewhere in a busy district A government official stood locked in combat with a towering man whose fists glowed with rocky energy. The news had reported an "earth-awakened" individual attacking citizens earlier that day. "Stand down!" the official roared, spiritual energy crackling around him. The earth-awakened man growled, slamming his fists into the pavement. BOOM! The ground cracked violently, sending shockwaves rippling outward. People screamed as they fled the area. The fight continues... Back at home, completely unaware of the chaos elsewhere, Kent and Nima finally returned inside. Both were covered in snow, laughing and panting from exhaustion. Kent flopped onto the couch and pulled out his phone. Nima peeked over his shoulder. "Who are you texting?" Kent smirked. "A group chat with my classmates. Unlike some people, I have friends, Because I go to school." Nima pouted. "Are you picking up girls? Don''t, Ignore your pretty, lovely sister?" You can''t have a girlfriend until I approve of her. Ding! +77 spiritual energy copied from Nima. "Don''t be jealous," Kent teased, typing rapidly. He cracked a few jokes in the group chat, he was testing if he could earn SP from group chat. He was surprised to find out that it''s working. Thee jokes earning waves of laughter reactions from his classmates. Ding! +33, +55, +66 spiritual energy copied from classmates. Kent smirked to himself. "Not bad. Jokes = free spiritual points. This system is starting to feel like cheating." Nima squinted at him suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like that? Are you sick? You never act like this!" Today for some reason you are acting like you wanted to irritate people. Kent cleared his throat. "I''m just being charming, as usual." Nima rolled her eyes. "Weirdo." After earning a decent batch of spiritual points, Kent opened the system lottery again. "Time to try my luck," he whispered. The wheel appeared in front of him, its empty slots mocking him. Cost: 100 spiritual points per spin. Kent rubbed his hands together. "Alright, let''s do this." He pressed the button. Woop woop woop woop woop The wheel spun furiously. Clink. Clink. Clink Empty. "Damn it!" Kent grumbled. He spun again. Empty. "Ugh, come on!" Spin three. Empty. Kent''s eye twitched. "Is this thing rigged?!" By the sixth spin, he was about to lose hope whenDing! The wheel stopped, and a golden and white light burst from the panel. "Congratulations! You have won a.." Kent sat up straight. "Finally! Another item!" He grinned, staring at the glowing thing in the System. "Looks like my luck''s turning around after all." --- Chapter 4 - 4: The Page of Fire. ---- WOOSH! A sudden flash of light exploded from the system screen, filling Kent''s room with a blinding glow. He flinched, covering his face with his arms as the light pulsated like a living entity. "What the?!" Kent shouted, stumbling backwards onto his creaky bed. Before he could process what was happening, the glowing light condensed into a page, shimmering like a molten piece of paper. It floated gently in the air, its edges pulsing with a mix of white and golden-like flames. Whoosh! Crackle! The strange page hovered in front of Kent''s wide eyes, completely still as if it was waiting for something. Kent squinted. "System what is this? Explain!" He waited. Nothing happened. "Hey! Don''t just throw weird glowing stuff at me and stay quiet!" He yelled, waving his hand in frustration. Still, there was no response. "Ugh, fine. Be mysterious then," Kent grumbled, glaring at the system. Suddenly, the page ignited. FOOOOM! ''WHITE''- Flames erupted from its centre, swirling in the air like a fiery Dragon. The glowing energy spiralled toward Kent, its heat intense but not burning. "W-Wait! Wait! I didn''t agree to this" Before Kent could escape, the spiritual flames rushed into his chest with a loud ''WHAM!'' "AAAAAH!" Kent clutched his heart as a burning sensation erupted deep inside him. The fire wasn''t painful, but it felt like something powerful was being etched into his very soul. The air crackled with energy. A strange light pierced through the ceiling, descending from the sky above Kent''s house. It looked as if the heavens themselves had split open, pouring light into his tiny room. Sizzle! Whoosh! The glow faded, and Kent slumped onto the floor, panting heavily. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he clutched his chest. "What the hell was that?" he muttered, feeling an unfamiliar warmth lodged deep inside him, like a flame resting in his heart. His hand pressed against his chest as if trying to feel it. Nothing seemed differentno glowing aura, no fire powers bursting from his fingertips. "Did something just form inside me?" he whispered. Kent scrambled to his feet and glanced around the room. Then, an idea struck him. "Maybe I need to do a pose or chant a spell to make it work?" He spread his legs apart dramatically, raised his arms to the ceiling, and shouted, "Flame Fist! .... Fireball Attack!"... Nothing happened. "Too much anime," he muttered. " I thought I awaken Flame Flame powers. What a bummer. Let me try again, this time jumping into a martial arts stance he had once seen in a movie. "FIRE BURST KICK!" .....???? Silence. The only sound was the faint creaking of the floor beneath him. After a few more ridiculous attempts, Kent dropped to his knees, defeated. "What a scam! This system gave me heartburn, not a fire superpower!" It''s already morning, Kent dragged himself out of his room, his head hanging low in disappointment. Nima was sitting on the couch, munching on a leftover carrot. ''She turned to him with a frown.'' "Hey, Kent! What''s with all that noise in your room? Are you practising kung-fu or did you lose your mind?" Kent ignored her comment and asked, "Did you see any strange lights coming from the sky just now?" Nima''s eyebrows shot up. "What? Are you sick or something? Let me check." She marched toward him, standing on her tiptoes as she placed her small hand on his forehead. "You don''t feel hot. Did you hit your head?" Nima teased. "If something came out of the sky, our old and broken house would''ve been destroyed, idiot." Kent sighed. "Stop joking. I''m fine." Nima smirked. "No, you''re not. Let''s go! I''ll take you to the doctor to check your brain!" "Quit messing with me," Kent said, rolling his eyes. Then, in a sudden attempt to distract her, he added, "You know what? Today is the first day of the New Year. I''ll treat you to a sugar apple candy." Nima''s face lit up instantly. She jumped to her feet, her voice filled with joy. "WHAT?! Kent, you''re finally becoming a good big brother! Let''s go!" "First, brush your teeth," Kent deadpanned. Ding! +10 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy). Kent''s mouth twitched into a smirk. Easy points. A few minutes later, The streets were bustling with people. It seemed like the entire town had come alive to celebrate the New Year. Music played from street performers, bright decorations hung across buildings, and laughter echoed from every corner. "Look, Kent!" Nima squealed, pointing to a group of performers. They were juggling flaming torches, the fire illuminating their faces as they twisted and flipped in the air. The crowd around them cheered, clapping enthusiastically. Kent paused, his heart suddenly skipping a beat. "What''s this feeling?" he muttered to himself. A strange warmth flared in his chestthe same spot where the fiery energy had entered earlier. Kent stared at the fire performer, his instincts buzzing. Is he awakened? S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent''s eyes narrowed. He couldn''t explain it, but he felt connected to the flames. It was like the fire called out to him, whispering promises of power. "Am I feeling this because of that page?" he wondered aloud. "It''s like I can control it if I try. But something''s missing" "Kent!" Nima''s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She was already halfway across the street, waving frantically. "I found the sugar apple candy seller! Hurry up, or someone else will buy them all!" Kent sighed and jogged over. The sugar apple stand was surrounded by children and their parents, but Nima skillfully pushed her way through the crowd. "Two sugar apples, please!" she said cheerfully, glancing back at Kent. Kent handed over the money and smiled as Nima grabbed the apples. She bit into hers immediately, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Ahhh, this is heaven!" she said dramatically. Kent chuckled, taking a bite of his own apple. "Glad you''re happy. You''re so easy to bribe." Nima puffed her cheeks. "Only because it''s a sugar apple candy! Don''t get cocky." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy). "Nice," Kent whispered under his breath, grinning as he checked his system. On the other side of the festival, a man stood nervously near the fire performers, glancing around. He wore simple clothes, but his hands still crackled faintly with flames. Suddenly, three figures dressed in black coats approached him. Their faces were stern, their steps purposeful. "Sir," one of them said coldly. "You are under arrest for using your powers in public without permission." The man blinked. "Arrest? What are you talking about? I was just performing! I didn''t hurt anyone!" One of the black-coated men stepped forward, flashing a badge. "We are government officials. We belong to a special organization that deals with awakened individuals like you." The man''s expression darkened. "I don''t know about any stupid rules!" "You should have registered," the official replied. "Now, come quietly." you will be free after you register as an awakened. But the man didn''t listen. He was a criminal from another town. He can''t get identified by these people. He clenched his fists, flames bursting from his palms. WHOOSH! "I''m not going anywhere!" he shouted, launching a fireball at the officials before dashing away into the crowd. "Stop him!" one of the officials shouted. The chase was on. The fire user followed Kent and Nima. Thinking these kids are easy targets, I will take them hostage. ''Back Home'' Kent and Nima finally returned home after some wandering around the festival, the sugar apples candy were half eaten and their bellies were full. Kent fumbled for the key, unlocking the door as Nima skipped ahead. Just as Kent was about to step inside, a shadow appeared behind him. "Excuse me," a deep voice said. Kent turned to see a tall man wearing a long black coat and sunglasses. His expression was unreadable, and his presence felt unsettling. "Have you seen someone running this way?" the man asked. Kent blinked. "Uh no. I just got back. Why?" The man adjusted his coat, his sharp gaze lingering on Kent for a moment longer than necessary. "Never mind," the man muttered before walking off into the alley. Kent watched him disappear into the shadows, unease prickling at the back of his neck. "Who was that guy?" Kent muttered. Nima poked her head out of the house. "Kent! What are you doing? Come inside already!" Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I''m coming" As he stepped into the house, he couldn''t shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated. --- Chapter 5 - 5: A Spiritual Purchase ---- Kent leaned back against the worn-out couch, exhausted from the day. He pulled out his phone and swiped lazily through a few notifications. The New Year''s celebration has ended for him and Nima, but his classmates were still posting photos and videos of their fun on social media called Cultibook. "Oh great," Kent muttered sarcastically, narrowing his eyes at a video titled: "New Year Fireworks at the Golden Plaza!" The screen flashed with images of his classmates laughing, cheering, and stuffing themselves with expensive food at a fancy restaurant. Bright lights and fireworks reflected off their smiling faces. He scrolled down further and noticed a trending post in a web forum called World Alliance. "The Rise of the Awakened: Powers and Their Unknown Potential" The post was pinned at the top of the forum and had thousands of likes and shares. Curiosity got the better of him, and Kent clicked on it. World Alliance Post- "Since the appearance of awakened individuals five years ago, humanity has entered a new era. People are awakening powers beyond imagination. Some control fire, others manipulate earth, water, air, healing, alchemy or some other type of superpowers. Many awakenings are identical, and no one truly knows the full potential of an awakened ability. The powers depend on one''s talent, willpower, and understanding of spiritual energy. But one thing is clearawakened individuals will shape the future of this world." Kent sat up, his eyes glued to the screen. "So it''s not just random abilities? These guys might not even know how strong they can get." His thoughts drifted to the fire performer earlier in the carnivalthe strange connection he felt to the flames. Could that be related to his system? Was there something inside him waiting to be awakened? BZZT! His phone buzzed loudly, interrupting his thoughts. A group SMS popped up from his classmates. "Class 10c- A New Year Dinner! ?????????" Kent''s lips twitched into a humourless smile as he opened the message. Photos of lavish dishes and glittering fireworks filled the chat. His classmates sent texts like: "This restaurant is awesome! The steak melts in your mouth!" "Cheers to a new year, bros!" "Why didn''t we see Kent anywhere? Lol!" Kent scrolled through the messages, feeling his chest tighten. He wasn''t surprisedhe was used to being excluded. After all, what was a poor egg seller like him doing in a group of rich kids? "Hah as if I''d get invited anyway," Kent muttered, forcing a laugh. Suddenly, a shadow appeared over him. "What are you looking at?" Nima asked, her voice full of curiosity. She was holding the half-eaten sugar apple candy, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Kent quickly tilted his phone away. "It''s nothing." Nima narrowed her eyes and snatched the phone from his hands before he could stop her. "Hey! Give that back!" Kent protested. Nima''s eyes darted over the screen. "Ooooh! Your friends didn''t invite you to their fancy dinner?" Kent stiffened. "No, they did!" he lied, crossing his arms and looking away. "I just didn''t want to go because I have a little sister to look after." Nima raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh really?" "And besides," Kent continued, trying to sound mature, "they''re all going to expensive places. Why would I waste money on that? I''d rather save it for us." Nima smirked, chewing her apple loudly. "Yeah, yeah. I know what you mean. You''re not cheap, big brother. You''re just responsible." Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she stretched out the word responsible to tease him. Kent''s smile twitched. "Did you just call me cheap?" "Nooo! I didn''t say that!" Nima giggled, stuffing the rest of the apple into her mouth. Kent grabbed her ear gently and tugged. "Oh, so I''m cheap now, huh?" "Ow! Ow! I''m kidding!" Nima yelped, swatting his hand away. Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent smiled internally. Easy points. "Alright, that''s enough messing around," Kent said. "Go gather some vegetables from the yard. I''m going to cook something special with the leftover beef from Aunty Zhou (neighbour)." Nima crossed her arms, frowning. "Why do I have to do all the work?!" "Because you called me cheap," Kent shot back with a grin. "Ugh, fine!" Nima stomped outside, muttering under her breath, "Kent you mean big brother." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent chuckled as he sat back down, phone still in hand. He glanced back at the class group chat. The photos of expensive dinners and fireworks didn''t sting as much anymore. In fact'' Kent smirked.'' Kent: "Wow, you guys are eating food that costs my entire month''s income. But why does Xxx''s face look like the chicken on the table?" Classmate 1: "LMAO! Kent, you''re hilarious." Classmate 2: "Bro, you should''ve come. We''d treat you to a glass of water at least!" Classmate 3: "Hahaha! Comedy King Kent strikes again!" Ding! +40, +55, +60 Spiritual Energy copied from classmates (Joy). Kent grinned as the points rolled in. "Thank you for the donations, you rich idiots," he muttered under his breath. He opened the system screen and checked his current balance. Current SP Balance: 10,250 Kent''s eyes widened. "Whoa. I actually crossed ten thousand points?" For the first time, the system''s mysterious store didn''t feel so out of reach. He scrolled through the items eagerly, his finger hovering over the glowing Spiritual Fruit for Cultivation. Spiritual Cultivation Fruit Cost: 10,000 SP Effect: Allows the host to unlock their cultivation foundation by nourishing the body with spiritual energy. It will be the only way the host can level up his cultivation. [This fruit are cultivator fruit. It''s not like normal fruit which grows by absorbing spiritual energy. Later in the story, some normal spiritual fruit will be mentioned. Don''t confuse it with Kent''s system cultivation fruit.] Kent leaned forward, his heart pounding. "If I eat this I can actually start cultivating. I can become strongermaybe even awaken some kind of power!" He clicked the Purchase button. Ding! "Purchase successfully. The Items have been placed in inventory." The screen flickered, and a glowing fruit appeared in the system''s Item Storage tab. It was vibrant blue, about the size of a plum, and pulsed faintly as if alive. Kent stared at the fruit, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside him. "It''s called a fruit, so it''s gotta be safe to eat, right?" He hesitated, holding his hand in front of him as the glowing fruit materialized into his palm with a faint woosh. It felt cool to the touch, yet waves of energy radiated from it, sending shivers up his arm. "This is it" Kent whispered, swallowing hard. GULP! He threw the fruit into his mouth and bit down. CRUNCH! Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The texture was soft, almost like biting into a ripe peach. Sweet juice burst onto his tongue, and Kent felt an immediate rush of energy flood through his body. Suddenly'' BOOOOM! Kent''s entire body exploded with heat. His veins felt like they were on fire, and his heart pounded so loudly it echoed in his ears. "AAAHHHH!" He collapsed onto the floor, clutching his chest as golden light erupted from his skin. Sizzle! Crackle! His muscles tensed, his bones vibrated, and every cell in his body felt like it was being infused with power. "It burns!" Kent grunted through gritted teeth. "What what is happening?!" Outside the house, Nima heard the faint sound of a thud. She paused, arms full of vegetables. "Big brother?" she called. "Did you drop something?" Back inside, Kent lay panting on the floor as the glow around his body faded. His heart still thudded wildly, but the burning sensation was gone, replaced by an incredible lightness. He sat up slowly, blinking as he stared at his hands. "I I feel different," Kent whispered, flexing his fingers. His muscles felt firmer, his senses sharper, and for the first time, he could feel the faint hum of spiritual energy flowing through his body. Ding! "Congratulations! The host has unlocked their cultivation foundation." Host: Kent Physique: level 1 (10 max) Cultivation: Level F Skills: Copy spiritual energy (SSS) Kent grinned, his face flushed with exhilaration. "I actually did it. I''m a cultivator now!" ''Yaaahhhooo.'' But before he could celebrate properly, Nima''s voice came from outside the door. "KENT! I swear if you broke something, you''re cleaning it up!" Kent chuckled weakly. "Relax, Nima. I just tripped." Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Annoyance). Kent smirked as he climbed to his feet. The system had given him a foundation, and now, the real journey was about to begin. ---- Chapter 6 - 6: The Spark of Fire ---- Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration). Ding! +25 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (annoyance). Wow! She is being so generous. Let''s make her a little more angry then I will help her. A few minutes later, Nima came sprinting back inside, her face pale and her arms full of leafy vegetables. "Big brother!" she panted. "Someone just just broke into our house and fainted!" Kent froze mid-scroll. "Huh? What do you mean ''broke in and fainted''? Who..?" "I don''t know! But it was someone big and scary!" Nima clung to his arm. "What should we do?" Kent sighed, standing up. "Carp! Seriously? Let''s go check." The two rushed outside to the small yard, the evening sky growing darker by the minute. In the middle of the garden lay a manthe same fire performer from the carnival earlier. He looked unconscious, his clothes singed and tattered. Kent blinked. "It''s that guy from before" Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima tugged on his sleeve, eyes wide. "Big brother, what do we do? He''s not moving! If he dies, you''ll go to jail, and I''ll be all alone! Your pretty little sister abandoned!" Kent''s eyebrow twitched. "Stop the drama, Nima! He''s not dead. At least I don''t think so." "Then call an ambulance!" Nima shouted. Kent scratched his head. "Ambulance? You know we''d have to pay for that, right? Let''s call the police insteadthey''ll pay for it." Before he could move, the man on the ground twitched. +99 sp from the jack. (Frustration) Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you''re awake now?" The man stayed still, his eyes cracked open slightly, watching Kent and Nima. Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. Kent thinking. "You''re not unconscious, are you? You''re just faking!" He just poked the man two / three times. The man didn''t respond, but his lips twitched slightly. Kent leaned closer, making a dramatic face. "Oh, I see how it is! You''re not in a comayou''re trying to scam us for money! Hah! Nice try!" Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. "Big brother," Nima asked cautiously, "should we take him inside until the police come?" Before Kent could answer, the man thought to himself, Yes, yes! Take me inside. I checked you-kids live alone. Once I''m in, I''ll silence you both and hide from those black-coat lunatics. Ha ha ha But Kent shook his head. "No way! We''ll keep him here in the yard. If we move him, the police might accuse us of destroying evidence!" The man mentally cursed Kent. +799 sp from the jack. Nima frowned. "At least give him some water! He looks terrible." Kent waved her off. "It takes too long to boil water. Just give him some iceit''s basically the same thing." "ICE?!" Nima stared at him in disbelief. "Yeah! Go get some from the fridge." Ding! +599 Spiritual Energy copied. The man groaned weakly, muttering, "These kids are so mean What happened to kindness?" Before he could complain more, he coughed loudlyCough! Cough!drawing Kent''s attention. "Ugh cough, cough" "Hey! Sir Stay still!" Kent said, pushing him back down on the ground. Ding! +499 Spiritual Energy copied. (Anger) The man tried to sit up again, but Kent shoved him down firmly. "Stop moving, sir! You''re injured!" Ding! +887 Spiritual Energy copied. (Anger) Suddenly, a notification popped up in Kent''s vision. Ding! "Fire source detected. The host has a Fire Affinity. Do you want to copy the fire ability?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait what? I can copy abilities?" The system chimed again. "Host can only copy abilities, for which the host has an affinity. This is an SSS-Rank''s side skill." Kent''s jaw dropped. "Damn it, system! Why didn''t you tell me earlier?! Copy it now!" The moment he gave the command, a surge of fiery energy erupted from the performer and entered Kent''s body. The page from earlier, the one Kent had received from the system suddenly flared to life. FWOOSH! It glowed brightly, sucking in the fire energy. The page transformed into a small flame before merging into Kent''s chest. Kent stumbled back, clutching his heart. "It''s it''s like I was missing a spark to light my fire!" Ding! "Heart Fire Activated. The Host can no longer be harmed by fire unless it is divine-level fire." ["Ultimate Mission Activated: Gather 7 Types of Fire to Fully Master and unlock the true power of Heart Fire." ] Note: Kent didn''t see the ultimate mission. He was busy celebrating getting new power. Kent barely had time to process the notifications when the man suddenly lunged forward, gathering fire in his palm. "You brat!" he roared. "I''ll burn you to ashes!" He lost his temper. He needs to hide soon. The man pressed his flaming hand against Kent''s stomach. WHOOSH! Nothing happened. Kent blinked. "Uh what are you doing?" The man''s eyes bulged. "WHAT?!" Nima screamed, "Get away from my brother!" The man tried again, pouring all his fire into Kent, but the flames simply fizzled out. Kent yawned. "Are you done?" WHAM! Kent punched the man''s head, slamming him into the ground. Ding! +999 Spiritual Energy copied(Anger). After a few more punches, Kent said you want to rob us of money. You Thief. I will teach you a lesson. The man Jack and Kent are both on the same level. Kent caught Jack off guard. That is why he was able to beat him so easily. The man begged for mercy. "I don''t want your money! I''ll give you mine! Just let me go!" Kent grinned. "Now we''re talking!" The man handed over a crumpled stack of cash before fleeing into the night. Kent says goodbye to Jack. He says, please visit again to give us some extra money. Kent thinks this guy is very weak. Why the hell did he try to rob us when he is so weak? As silence settled, Nima crossed her arms. "Kent, stay away from awakened people next time. You''d be dead if it weren''t for me!" Kent laughed. What! How did you save me? ????Nima says I make him run away. He was scared by my scolding. +99 sp from Nima. (Anger) "Alright, Grandma, I''ll be careful." Patting her cheek, he whispered, "I''ll tell you a secret. I''m awakened too." Nima raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then turn the vegetables in the yard into meat." Kent facepalmed. "Let''s just go inside, make dinner and then go to bed. I have eggs to sell tomorrow." --- Chapter 7 - 7: A Day of Eggs, Jokes, and Power --- The golden rays of dawn filtered into the small, creaky house as Kent stretched with a loud yawn. His muscles felt a little different tighter, stronger since consuming the Spiritual energy and Physique Enhancement Fruit the other day. "Time to hustle," Kent muttered, slipping into his old coat and grabbing the woven basket full of chicken and duck eggs. (Note: He collects full one-month eggs together from a nearby farm.) Outside, the morning air was crisp, and faint mist lingered in the quiet streets. Kent made his way to the local market, where small vendors were already setting up their stalls. He picked a familiar spot near the corner, set his basket down, and arranged the eggs carefully. "Fresh eggs! Best eggs in town! Only one dollar for a dozen!" Kent called out, putting on his brightest, salesman smile. An elderly lady approached, leaning on her walking stick as she eyed Kent sceptically. "You again, Kent? How fresh are these eggs?" Kent grinned, holding up an egg dramatically. "Auntie, these eggs are so fresh that if you crack one open, the chick might still say hello!" The lady snorted, trying to suppress a laugh. "You cheeky brat." Ding! +15 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). "Alright, I''ll take a dozen," the lady said, shaking her head with a small smile. A grumpy old man wandered over next, his wrinkled face pulled into a scowl. "Why are your eggs so expensive today? I could buy gold for this price!" Kent crossed his arms and sighed dramatically. "Uncle, these aren''t just eggs they''re miracle eggs! You eat these, and your bones might stop creaking. You might even feel young again!" The man glared at him, but a faint chuckle escaped his lips. "Hmph! Miracle eggs, my foot. Give me ten." Ding! +20 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). A young couple stopped by next. The man picked up an egg and squinted at it. "Are these organic?" "Brother, these eggs are so organic they make grass-fed chickens jealous," Kent quipped. The girlfriend giggled, elbowing her boyfriend. "Just buy them already." Ding! +30 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). Within an hour, Kent had sold almost all his eggs, earning enough for the day and gaining a nice chunk of spiritual points (SP) in the process. "Thank you for your donations!" Kent whispered under his breath as he packed up his basket. Back home, Nima was still curled up under her blanket when Kent walked in. The soft sounds of her snoring filled the quiet house. Kent set the basket down and headed to the kitchen. He cracked open some of the remaining eggs, frying them up with the leftover rice from the night before. The rich smell of cooking food wafted through the air. "Breakfast is ready!" Kent shouted. A moment later, Nima stumbled into the kitchen, her hair messy, rubbing her eyes. "Big brother, you''re too loud" "Too loud? Then you don''t get breakfast," Kent teased, waving the plate of food in front of her. Nima''s eyes snapped open. "Wait, no! I''m awake now!" She pounced onto the chair, grabbing her fork eagerly. "You''re lucky you can cook, big brother. Otherwise, you''d be hopeless." Kent smirked, sitting across from her. "Lucky for you, I''m a man of many talents. Eat up!" Ding! +10 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). After breakfast, Kent grabbed his worn-out backpack and headed to school. The familiar clamour of students greeted him as he entered the gates. Today is the first day of school after the new year. Groups of kids laughed and shouted, and a few were still buzzing about the New Year carnival. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent slipped into his classroom and took his usual seat near the back. He tried to keep a low profile, but whispers about awakened powers were already spreading. "Did you hear? Someone awakened their powers yesterday!" "Yeah, I heard it was Ryan from Class 10-C!" "Ryan? The muscle-head? What power could he possibly awakensuper punching walls?" Kent raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Ryan, huh? That''s the last guy I''d expect to get powers," he thought. Ryan: A rich kid, always bullies Kent for being skinny and poor. Kent always gets first place in class. That''s also a reason. Just as the bell rang, the door slammed open. BANG! A towering figure stepped insideRyan, a broad-shouldered guy with short-cropped hair and an intimidating glare. His shirt sleeves were torn, revealing bulging muscles that didn''t seem normal for a teenager. "Morning, losers!" Ryan barked, grinning as he flexed his arm. "Guess what? I awakened my powers. Strength type, baby! Who wants to see me punch a desk in half?" Without waiting for a reply, Ryan grabbed an empty desk with one hand and CRACK! he snapped it clean in two. The class erupted in chaos. "WHOA!" "Ryan, chill! You''re gonna destroy the classroom!" "Is this guy serious?!" Kent leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "Yep. Classic Ryan." Ryan turned his attention to a skinny student near the front. "Hey, you! I bet I could throw you across the room. Wanna try?" The poor kid paled. "N-No thanks" Kent sighed, shaking his head. "Here we go again." Ryan''s antics continued as he flexed and threatened to "test his powers" on random students. The teacher walked in, took one look at the scene, and immediately backed out. "I''ll have to call for help" Meanwhile, Kent couldn''t resist taking advantage of the situation. Now he is stronger. He can fight back. He raised his hand casually. "Hey, Ryan!" Kent called out with a grin. "With all those muscles, can you lift your grades too?" The class burst into laughter. Ding! +40 Spiritual Energy copied (Joy). +55 Spiritual Energy copied (Frustration from Ryan). Ryan''s face turned red. "What did you say, egg boy?!" Kent leaned back, unfazed. "I said, don''t let your brain skip study day." It''s turning you into a bigger idiot than you were before. More laughter exploded through the room. Even Ryan''s friends couldn''t hold it in. "SHUT UP!" Ryan roared, but his loud voice only earned more giggles. Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Two men in Black coats entered the classroom, their serious faces silencing everyone instantly. "Ryan?" one of them said firmly. Ryan turned, his bravado faltering. "Uh yeah?" "You''re coming with us." "What?! Why?" "You used your powers without permission. You need to pay a fine. The second reason is that the government needs to register all awakened individuals." Ryan tried to protest, but the men grabbed his arm and dragged him out. "Hey! Let go of me! I''m not done flexing!" The classroom watched in stunned silence as Ryan disappeared down the hallway. "Well," Kent muttered, "there goes our entertainment for the day." Ding! +600 Spiritual Energy copied (Mixed Emotions from Classmates). After school, Kent returned home, kicking off his shoes and collapsing onto the old couch. "Time to see what I can get with all this SP," he said, opening his system panel. Current SP Balance: 15,650 His eyes lit up. I earned that much SP. "Let''s spin the lottery!" The glowing wheel appeared, divided into empty slots and hidden prizes. Spin 1 Empty. Spin 2 Empty. Spin 3 Physique Enhancement Fruit Won! "Nice!" Kent cheered, watching the glowing fruit appear in his system inventory. He kept spinning, determined to test his luck. Spin 4 Empty. Spin 5 Physique Enhancement Fruit Won! Spin 6 Empty. Spin 7 Physique Enhancement Fruit After more than 50 spins, Kent had collected 10 Physique Enhancement Fruits. "Alright, let''s max out my body," Kent whispered eagerly. He summoned the glowing fruits one by one, each the size of a large grape. Gulp! .... Crunch! The moment he ate them, heat surged through his muscles. His bones crackled, his body pulsed with energy, and every fibre of his being felt like it was strengthening. Ding! "Physique Enhanced. Strength and Endurance +1 +1 +1." "Maximum Physique Reached." Status:- Host: Kent Physique: level 10 (max.) Cultivation: Level F Skills: Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) Kent stood up, flexing his arm experimentally. His once scrawny body now felt solid, his muscles lean and powerful. --- Chapter 8 - 8: Trouble Finds Trouble --- "I''m like a strength-type awakened now," he said, grinning. "All this just from a bunch of fruits!" I guess I need to go and find the one piece!! He says to himself jokingly. Then he clenched his fists, eager to test his newfound strength. "Alright! Time to find someone to fight!" Kent''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he glanced outside. "Somewhere in town, there had to be someone to test my power on." "Let''s see what this body can do!" The sun hung low in the sky as Kent strolled lazily through the quieter streets of town. His hands were stuffed in his pants pockets, and a faint smirk lingered on his lips. He was literally waking like Dloflemingo. "I''ve got strength now," Kent muttered to himself, "but it''d be a shame to let it go to waste. I need someone to test it on preferably someone who deserves it." The streets were nearly empty as the New Year celebrations wound down. Vendors packed up their stalls, and the sound of distant fireworks echoed faintly through the air. Kent''s boots crunched softly on the gravel road as he wandered aimlessly, whistling a little tune. "MEOW!" A stray cat hissed at him from atop a trash can. Kent stopped, turning his head. "Oh? You want to fight too?" The cat stared him down, unimpressed. Kent chuckled. "Relax. You''re safe for now. I''ve got bigger fish to fry." As he walked further into town, something caught his attentiona faint flicker of light in a dark alleyway. Kent squinted, his senses tingling. "That looks familiar" he whispered. He crept closer and peeked around the corner. There, slumped against a wall and surrounded by faint embers, was the fire user Jack. Oh, it''s the same guy who had tried to scam me back at the house. Heh heh! Smirked ????. His clothes were dirty and torn, and faint flames flickered weakly around his hands. "Well, well, well," Kent said aloud, stepping into the alley with an exaggerated clap. "If it isn''t Mr. Candlelight himself!" The fire user''s head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. "You You again?!" Kent grinned. "Yep, me again. You look worse than the leftovers I ate last night. Are you trying to scam someone else, huh?" +99 Sp from jack. ( Frustration) The fire user growled, stumbling to his feet. "I don''t have time for this!" Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you''ve got time. Trust me." The fire user roared and launched a fireball straight at Kent''s chest. "WHOOSH! BOOM!" The explosion lit up the alleyway, sending dust and debris flying. Smoke curled through the air as the fire user panted, a grin creeping onto his face. "Hah! That''s what you get, brat!" But when the smoke cleared, Kent stood there completely unharmed, brushing soot off his jacket. "You''re gonna need a bigger fire," Kent said casually, yawning. Ding! +50 SP copied (Frustration). The fire user''s grin disappeared. "What the hell?!" "Come on," Kent taunted, cracking his knuckles. "Don''t disappoint me." With an angry roar, the fire user summoned a barrage of fireballs, flinging them wildly. "WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!" Kent weaved through the flames effortlessly, his enhanced physique allowing him to move with inhuman speed. "Missed me!" Kent teased, dodging left. "Still missing!" he said, sidestepping another. "Are you even aiming, or are you just hoping I''ll stand still?" Ding! +60 SP copied (Frustration). The fire user screamed, his flames flaring wildly. "I''ll turn you into ash!" Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before Kent could finish the fight, a deep voice echoed from the shadows. "Yo, Jack! Need a hand roasting this kid?" Kent turned to see a massive man stepping forward, a metal bat slung over his shoulder. The guy was built like a truck, muscles bulging beneath his torn sleeves. Kent sighed, scratching his head. "Great. You brought backup. What is this, a two-for-one deal?" The bat-wielding guy sneered. "You''re gonna regret messing with us, brat." Kent smirked. "Oh, I doubt that." The fire user gathered flames in his hands while the bat-wielding man charged straight at Kent with a roar. "SWOOSH! WHOOSH!" Kent ducked under the bat swing, narrowly avoiding a headshot. He spun around, delivering a kick to the man''s side. "THUD!" The guy stumbled but didn''t fall. "Not bad," Kent muttered. "You''re tougher than you look." The fire user took the opportunity to launch another massive fireball. "WHOOSH! BOOM!" Kent leapt aside, landing gracefully as the flames scorched the ground. "Careful, Candle Guy! You almost burned your buddy there!" The bat-wielder glared. "Shut up!" With both men attacking, Kent shifted into high gear. He grabbed the bat mid-swing and yanked it out of the guy''s hands effortlessly. "Mine now," Kent said with a grin. BONK! He tapped the guy heavily on the head with the bat. The man''s eyes rolled back as he collapsed onto the ground. Ding! +75 SP copied (Desperation). The fire user watched in horror as Kent turned his attention back to him. "Y-You freak!" Kent tilted his head. "Freak? Nah. I''m just an egg seller who hates troublemakers." The fire user unleashed his full power, flames surging into a blazing inferno. "DIE!" The fire roared forward, engulfing Kent completely. Silence! The fire user grinned victoriously. But then WHOOSH! The flames disappeared, and Kent stood there untouched, cracking his neck. "Fire doesn''t work on me, buddy," Kent said. "I''m flameproof." The fire user''s jaw dropped. "W-What?!" Kent dashed forward in an instant, delivering a series of blows: WHAM! A punch to the gut. THWACK! An elbow to the jaw. CRACK! A kick to the chest sends the fire user sprawling. The man groaned, completely defeated. Kent dusted off his hands and looked down at the two unconscious troublemakers. "Well, that was fun." He pulled out his phone, dialling the police anonymously. "Hello? Yeah, you''ll find two idiots knocked out behind Central Alley. Enjoy the clean-up." Before leaving, Kent scribbled a note on a piece of scrap paper and tucked it into the fire user''s pocket. Note: "Caught these guys causing trouble. Courtesy of your friendly egg seller C." Kent walked off into the night, whistling to himself. Ding! +999 SP copied (Despair). Chapter 9 - 9: Invincible F-Rank ---- The streets were calm when Kent strolled back home. The echoes of his earlier fight still played in his heada smug grin plastered across his face. "Two against one, and they still couldn''t lay a finger on me," Kent muttered proudly, kicking a small stone along the path. "At this rate, I''m not just F-RankI''m invincible at F-Rank!" The soft glow of streetlights flickered, and Kent''s mood was soaring. Every muscle in his body felt tight, brimming with energy from the physique fruits he''d eaten earlier. The small glow of Heart Fire in his chest still pulsed faintly, reminding him of the day''s spoils. When Kent walked into the house, Nima was already asleep, snuggled under her blanket. Her soft snores echoed faintly, making him pause. "Sleeping like a baby," Kent whispered, grinning. "Good. Less trouble for me tonight." He slipped into the small, creaky chair by the table and summoned the system screen. System Panel SP Balance: 24,800 "Twenty-four thousand," Kent whispered with glee, rubbing his hands together. "Time to test my luck on the lottery again." The glowing Lottery Wheel appeared in the air before him. Its edges spun with faint sparks of light, divided into empty spaces and glowing slots. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Come on, big rewards!" he said, pressing the spin button. Spin 1: Empty "Okay first one''s just a warm-up." Spin 2: Minor Energy Recovery Pill "Eh, not bad. Could be useful later." Spin 3: Physique Enhancement Fruit Kent''s grin widened. "Jackpot! Another one!" He kept spinning, the wheel flashing brightly each time. Spin 4: Physique Enhancement Fruit Spin 5: Empty Spin 6: Physique Enhancement Fruit By the end of his spins, Kent had three more Physique Enhancement Fruits in his inventory. His excitement was practically radiating off him. Current SP Balance: 21,800 Inventory: 3 Physique Enhancement Fruits Kent summoned one of the fruits. It appeared in his palmvibrant blue, glowing faintly with energy. "This stuff is better than steroids," Kent said, holding the fruit up like a trophy. "What will happen when I eat physical enhancement fruit in max out body?" He tilted his head back and swallowed the fruit whole. GULP! The moment it hit his stomach, it just vanished. Ding! "Physique Enhancement Boost. Strength +50%. Endurance +50%." "Woo!" Kent flexed his arm, watching the muscles bulge slightly beneath his coat. So now I will only get a boost from eating the fruit. It makes me stronger for some time. Kent stood up and stretched. His body felt solid, like an unbreakable wall of steel. He clenched his fists, marvelling at the sheer power coursing through him. "Not bad. Not bad at all," Kent muttered, smirking. He reached for a nearby wooden chair and lifted it effortlessly with one hand, spinning it around like it weighed nothing. THUD! He set the chair down, his grin widening. "I''m like a strength-type awakened now, but all I did was eat a bunch of glowing fruits. Physical cultivators are very strong. They train for years for what I just got overnight." Let me buy two more spiritual fruits. I have enough Spiritual points for that. What will happen if I eat those? Will I rank up again? I can''t wait to see. Shop: Spiritual Fruit 10,000 SP ------------- Buy He pressed the buy, Then he bought two spiritual energy fruits/ cultivation fruits from the system shop. After eating the fruits he felt like his body now held more power. More spiritual energy. Did I level up? Why isn''t anything happening like last time? Hey system, says something. What''s going on? Why didn''t something happen like last time? To his question response, a notification comes. Ding! Rank: F level (middle) He quickly checked the World Alliance Forum ranks. To verify all the ranks. There Kent finds out. Each level has three stages. 1 lower 2. Middle 3. Upper/Peak He also finds out some hidden information. There were some ruins full of treasure and danger that have been opening all over the world for the past few years. Since the resurrection of spiritual energy. Many people enter there and never return again. Some returns with a lot of treasure. Many government organizations, big families and clans control this ruin when it appears. Kent says. It''s too dangerous. Hmm. But I don''t have to worry about that. The government will look after that. Right now I just need to get stronger. Then his mind returned to his rank situation. So I am at the middle of F level. I have to work hard to earn some more Spiritual points. I have to reach the peak rank first. Then the Level E. Let''s make dinner now. I have to wake up Nima from her sleep. I have so much work to do at home. I need her help. ... . . . . Next day- The school bell rang loudly as Kent dragged his feet into class, still feeling the weight of yesterday''s events. He slumped into his seat at the back, yawning lazily. His eyes darted around the room; everything seemed normal at first. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ryan, the musclehead who had caused chaos before was taken by the government, now he was sitting smugly in his chair again. The guy flexed his arms for no reason, grinning at anyone who made eye contact. "Hey, the muscle- for brains is back," Kent muttered to himself. "He didn''t stay gone for long." Ryan''s voice boomed across the classroom, cutting through Kent''s thoughts. "Guess who''s back, losers? That''s right, your future number-one hero!" Hek Hek Hek! (Laughs) Students groaned, rolling their eyes, but some whispered in awe about Ryan''s powers. Just then, the classroom door creaked open, and their homeroom teacher walked in with a stern expression. The usual chatter quickly died down. She set a stack of papers on the desk and adjusted her glasses, scanning the room. "Settle down, everyone. I have an important announcement," the teacher said, her voice sharp and serious. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What now?" he whispered to himself. Chapter 10 - 10: The Blood Test and the Secret Plan --- The teacher cleared her throat. "As you all know, the number of awakened individuals is increasing all over the World. It has become essential for society to identify and guide these individuals to ensure order and safety." She paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the class. "Our school has been chosen to host a mandatory test to determine whether you are awakened or have the potential physique of an awakened person. Every student must undergo this test." The entire class exploded into whispers and chatter. "A test for awakened powers?!" "What if I''m one of them?!" "Man, I hope I get something cool like fire or lightning!" Kent, however, paled visibly. He slouched lower in his chair, tugging his hood over his head. "A test?!" he thought, his heart pounding. "This is bad. This is really bad!" The teacher raised her hand, silencing the class. "The test will involve a blood sample, which will be analyzed to determine your spiritual physique or awakening potential." With spiritual power back. Many elements and metals change. By simply mixing mercury with someone''s blood we can identify someone''s physique. "Kent froze in place." "A blood test?!" he thought, panic flooding his mind. "If they test me, my physique will be off the charts thanks to all those fruits I ate!" Ryan smirked from across the room, flexing his arms obnoxiously. "Blood test? Pfft. I''ll pass with flying colours. They''re gonna see I''m the real deal!" Kent groaned internally, clutching his head. "Ugh, I can''t afford this kind of attention! If they find out I''m physically stronger than most awakened people, the government will be all over me!" They will make a lab rat. Some funny idea goes through his mind. He was inside a cage. The doctor put needles into his butt to pull out blood. Someone cut his hand to test it. His body is preserved in chemicals in the museum for display. He sought. ''Nooooooo!!'' The teacher asked. Kent what happened to you? Why are you yelling? Then she asks, "Do you know what mercury is? Kent says. I know what mercury is. Its is full of mercury liquids. That is why it is called mercury. +9, +8,+10,+19 sp from xxx , xxx, xxx Everyone was shocked by his bad jokes. But it was very good for him. He gets a lot of spiritual points. Kent is very happy. The teacher ignored Kent and then continued, "The test will be conducted tomorrow during school hours. Anyone who avoids the test will face consequences." Kent''s mind raced. "Tomorrow? That gives me less than a day to figure something out! I need a plan- fast." After school, Kent trudged back home, his bag slung lazily over his shoulder. His mind buzzed with thoughts as he kicked the small stones along the road. Thud Thud! "If they take my blood, it''s game over," Kent muttered to himself. "I''ll light up that test like a supernova, and then they''ll start asking questions that I can''t answer." "They will make me a lab rat. I can''t tell anyone that I have a system." I have kept it a secret. As he stepped into the house, Nima sat on the floor, humming a tune as she stacked vegetables into a lopsided pyramid. La La La~!???????????? "Welcome back, big brother!" she chirped without looking up. Kent blinked, an idea hitting him like a bolt of lightning. "Nima blood test wait, that''s it!" He grinned, crouching beside her. "Nima, my favourite little sister, you love me, right?" Nima''s humming stopped as she gave him a suspicious look. "Why are you acting weird? What do you want from me?" "Nothing much!" Kent said, his voice sickly sweet. "I just need a tiny favoura drop of your blood." Heeeeehhhh! Nima''s jaw dropped. "MY BLOOD?! Are you a vampire now?!" "No, no! It''s for science! Yeah, a school science experiment." "Liar!" Nima crossed her arms. "Why would your science class need my blood?" Kent sighed dramatically, rubbing his forehead. "Fine. I''ll tell you the truth. They''re conducting a test tomorrow. I don''t want to do it, so I''ll use your blood instead." Nima blinked. "Why?" "Because if they test me, I''ll become famous!" Kent exaggerated, waving his arms. "You don''t want people swarming your big brother, do you?" Nima stared blankly. If Kent gets famous many girls will fly around him like butterflies. No. I must protect him. Cough Cough! "Uh-huh. And what do I get out of this?" Kent smirked. "I''ll buy you cup noodles for the next three days." Nima snorted. "Cup noodles? Not enough. I want fried rice. With eggs and tomato!" "Deal!" Kent declared, holding out his pinky. Nima grinned, locking her pinky with his. "You better not cheat me!" "Of course not," Kent said, patting her head. "You''re the best sister ever." . . . . . . ..... The Next day at school- The gym was bustling with students lining up for the blood test. Nurses sat at small stations, drawing blood samples, one student at a time. Kent''s heart pounded as he clutched a tiny vial of Nima''s blood in his pocket. "All I need to do is swap it out," he thought. "Easy, right?" As his turn approached, Kent put his plan into motion. Step One: Distraction. I got this. Kent''s turn arrived. The nurse pokes a needle into his finger and takes his blood. She puts the vial on the desk. Before she could label it with his name. Kent fumbled dramatically with his bag, spilling its contents onto the floor. "AAAAAH! My homework! My everything!" Kent shouted, drawing everyone''s attention. The nurse looked over, startled. "What''s going on?" Step Two: Switch the blood. While everyone was momentarily distracted, Kent quickly pulled out Nima''s blood vial and swapped it with the collection tube on the desk. "Sorry! Sorry!" Kent said, scrambling to his feet. "I''m just clumsy, I guess!" The nurse rolled her eyes. "Hurry up. The line is long." The nurse collected the sampleNima''s bloodwithout a second glance. Kent sighed in relief as he walked away, his palms sweating. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That was close," he muttered. "Too close." After school, When Kent got home, he was in a good mood. "Another day, another disaster avoided," he muttered, tossing his bag onto the floor. But his smile faded when he heard faint coughing from Nima''s room. "Nima?" Kent called out, stepping inside. Nima lay curled up on the bed, her face pale and her small body shivering. "Nima! What happened?!" She looked up weakly. I took a bath. "The water was so cold I''ll be fine" Kent''s chest tightened. "Why didn''t you boil some water? I told you not to shower with cold water" You work so hard selling eggs and with school. I didn''t wanted to waste gas. The gas is running out. We still need to use it for the entire month. You foolish girl! Kent says. ''Let''s go see a doctor.'' You look very sick. Nima forced a smile. "Doctor visits cost money, big brother. I''m okay, really" +99 sp from Nima. (Sadness and love) Kent''s eyes burned as he clenched his fists. "This this is because of me. I can''t earn enough money to give my sister a good life. I need to fix this." Then, an idea struck him. "Wait the Physique Enhancement Fruit!" It should be able to make her body condition better, right? I should feed her some fruit. Maybe I can even make her awaken with the systems help. Kent summoned his system in a panic, opening the lottery. But his heart rate dropped when the fruit wasn''t there anymore. "Where is it?!" he shouted. Then, a new tab appeared in the store. "Physique Enhancement Fruit: Now Available for Purchase (1,000 SP each)." Kent blinked. "They moved it to the store because I maxed out my own physique?" "Thank the heavens!" I was scared. Without hesitation, Kent bought ten fruits in a frenzy. He pulled one from his inventory and gently held it out to Nima. "Here, eat this. It''ll make you better." Nima blinked, too weak to argue. She took the glowing fruit and popped it into her mouth. As soon as she eats the fruit. It vanished, and Spiritual energy flowed into her full body. "Hmm? It just vanished?!" she said, frowning. "I didn''t even have a chance to taste it! What did you feed me?!" Before Kent could answer, Nima sat up suddenly, her pale complexion already flushed with life. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, blinking in surprise. "I feel great! What was that?!" Kent grinned, patting her head. "Nothing. Just a little magic." Chapter 11 - 11: The Special Class ---- Kent sat on the edge of Nima''s bed, grinning ear to ear as she stared at him suspiciously. The glowing aura from the Physique Enhancement Fruit still lingered in the air after she ate the first one, leaving her looking both confused and revitalized. "Big brother, what was that weird fruit?" Nima demanded, crossing her arms. "It disappeared as soon as I ate it! I didn''t even get to taste it!" Kent leaned forward dramatically, lowering his voice as if he were about to share a top-secret mission. "That," he said, pointing a finger at her, "This is my superpower." Nima blinked. "Superpower?!" "Yep," Kent continued, puffing out his chest. "Your big brother has awakened a special ability. I can create magical fruits that make people stronger. Pretty cool, huh?" Nima''s eyes widened with excitement. "Whaaat? So now, you''re like the people on the news?!" "Exactly," Kent said with a nod, acting like it was no big deal. "And guess what?" "What?" Kent raised his hand dramatically. WHOOSH! In a flash of light, nine more Physique Enhancement Fruits appeared in his palm. They glowed faintly, filling the small room with a soothing energy. Nima''s jaw dropped. "Whoa! Where did those come from?!" "Magic," Kent said, winking. He held the fruits out toward her. "Here. Eat these. All of them." "All of them?!" Nima frowned, poking one of the glowing fruits. "Are you sure I won''t explode or something?" "You''ll be fine," Kent reassured her, patting her head. "You trust your big brother, right? These will make you stronglike an awakened person." Nima''s face lit up. "You mean I''ll get powers too?!" Kent nodded. "Yep. Do you want to be like the people you see on TV? Strong, cool, and unstoppable?" Nima didn''t even hesitate. "Yes! I want to be strong too!" I will become like Goku or Naruto. She laughed, I will beat all the bad people. "Good," Kent said, grinning. "Then eat these. I''ll handle the rest." Nima grabbed one of the glowing fruits and popped it into her mouth. GULP! Like the first one, it vanished immediately, leaving her looking both amazed and slightly annoyed. "Still no taste," she muttered. "Focus on the results, not the flavour," Kent said, smirking. As Nima ate the fruits one by one, a soft glow surrounded her. The energy seeped into her body, making her look healthier and more radiant with each passing moment. After finishing the last fruit, Nima stretched her arms and legs experimentally. "I feel I don''t know stronger? It''s like I''m not tired anymore!" "See? Told you," Kent said smugly. Nima looked at him curiously. "But you said I''ll get powers. How do I use them?" Suddenly, ''Almighty punch!!'' She punches Kent in the stomach. Kent fell from the bed, into the ground. "What the." "Nima, what are you doing? " Nima replied, I was testing my power. You said you are awakened. Why are you acting like your in pain? Where are my superpowers? ''Like Shadow Clone something!!!'' "That''s the next step," Kent said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "First, you need a cultivation technique." "A what now?" "It''s like a training method that helps you absorb spiritual energy and unlock your powers," Kent explained. Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Then where do we get one? Do you have magical techniques too?" Kent chuckled, patting her head. "Don''t worry about that. Your big brother has his ways." "Are you lying again?" Nima squinted at him. "Nope! I''ll get you a technique soon enough. Just leave it to me," Kent said confidently. The next morning, Kent headed to school feeling refreshed, last night he made a joke in the group chat, SP points still trickling in from his group chats. His phone buzzed occasionally with notificationsclassmates sharing memes, jokes, and complaints about Ryan. "Keep it coming," Kent thought, smirking as he farmed SP quietly. Few minutes later, As he entered the classroom, the usual noise and chaos greeted him. Students whispered about the blood test results, eagerly waiting to hear who had made it into the special class. Ryan, of course, was standing in the centre of the class, flexing his arms again as if preparing for a bodybuilding competition. "I bet I''m C-Rank. No, waitI know I''m B-Rank," Ryan boasted loudly, grinning. "No one else in this class can compete with me." Kent slipped into his chair at the back, rolling his eyes. "This fool Ryan, his brain cell must be exhausted from all that flexing." The classroom door swung open, and the teacher walked in, holding a clipboard. The class immediately fell silent. "Good morning, everyone," the teacher began, adjusting her glasses. "I have the results from yesterday''s blood tests. Listen carefully. These results determine whether you will be joining the special class for awakened individuals." The students held their breath as the teacher began reading names. "RyanB-Rank physique." Ryan stood up dramatically, flexing his arms. "Told you!" "CharlotteC-Rank physique." "EthanC-Rank physique." "MariaC-Rank physique." "XxxxD-Rank physique." The teacher paused before reading the next name. "KentF-Rank physique." A few students snickered, whispering among themselves. "F-Rank? Figures." "Why''s he even on the list?" Kent leaned back in his chair, scratching his head. "F-Rank? Hah. If only they knew." But something else caught his attention. Kent thoughts, "Nima has an F-Rank physique. Last night she ate ten physique enhancement fruits. That means if we she got tested again, she''d probably be A-Rank or higher!" My results will be same too. He grinned to himself. "Good thing I swapped the blood." The teacher put the clipboard down as a new figure entered the rooma tall man wearing a dark uniform, his presence radiating authority. "Good morning," the man said, his deep voice silencing the room instantly. "I''m your special instructor, assigned to guide you in the special class." He scanned the room with sharp eyes before continuing. "The physique rank you were givenwhether F, C, or Bdetermines your body''s potential to absorb and grow with spiritual energy. A higher rank means faster growth. However, physique might change with time." The class held their breath. "you will all start from Level F when it comes to cultivating spiritual energy. Regardless of physique, you must train hard to unlock your potential." Students murmured in confusion. Ryan, of course, shot up from his chair. "What?! You''re telling me I''m the same as Egg Boy over there?!" The instructor raised an eyebrow. "If you don''t train properly, your physique won''t matter. Focus on progress, not pride." Kent smirked. "Couldn''t have said it better myself." Ryan shot him a glare."Shut up, F-Rank!" Ding! +40 SP copied (Frustration). The instructor continued, "The special class begins in two days. Each of you will receive a basic F-level cultivation technique and spiritual tools to assist you. The world is changing and you, the youth, must adapt to it." His sharp gaze landed on each student, lingering just long enough to make them squirm. "Train well, and you may find yourselves rising far above the limits you see today," he finished. As the instructor left, Ryan continued to grumble loudly about his "high physique," while Kent casually leaned back, grinning to himself. "Thanks for the SP, Ryan," he thought. He opened his system quietly. Ding! +60 SP copied (Frustration). +45 SP copied (Annoyance). "Keep it coming, guys," Kent muttered under his breath, pretending to yawn. "You''re all helping me ''awaken'' my sister." After school, Kent returned home and pulled up his system screen, scrolling through the store. "Now that Nima''s physique is off the charts as mine, I need to find her a good cultivation technique. And maybe some spiritual tools too." He grinned as he browsed the system, SP points shining brightly. "All this SP thanks to my classmates, my little sister is going to become unstoppable," he thought, feeling unusually proud of himself. Kent leaned back in his chair, staring at the glowing system screen. "And I''ll keep it that way. No one''s gonna mess with usever." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 12 - 12: Momos, Cultivation, and the Soulbinder ---- Kent slumped into his creaky chair, cracking his knuckles as the system interface popped up before him. His gaze landed on the Spin Wheel, a familiar sight that had both blessed and cursed him in equal measure. "Alright, let''s see what we''ve got today," he muttered, rubbing his hands together. Please give me something good. His SP balance glowed brightly: Spiritual points: 15,000 SP. "Fifteen thousand, huh? Enough for a few spins. Time to hit the jackpot!" Kent smirked, pressing the spin button confidently. Spin 1: The wheel spun rapidly, its glowing sections blurring into a whirlwind of light. Kent leaned forward, his heart racing. The wheel slowed down, stopping on "Stinky Momo!" ( for readers only) A small puff of steam appeared, and a single momo floated down onto his desk. "What the hell?" Kent muttered, staring at the momo suspiciously. The momo was plump, perfectly shaped, and glowing faintly. But the smell. "Why does it smell like someone''s sweaty socks were boiled in a dumpster?" Kent gagged, waving his hand in front of his nose. Kent looked closely. Is it poop? It looks weird and smells like something just pooped here. System, is this some prank?" Kent asked. After the light fades from the momo, A system notification comes. ''Stinky momo.'' A food!! Kent says, "What? What the hell is a Stinky momo? I never heard of it. System, you are definitely joking with me", but there is no response from the system. Kent sought multiple times. "Hello, system. System, say something. Answer me!" Curious (and stupidly hopeful), Kent poked the momo a few times. It jiggled slightly, almost taunting him. With a resigned sigh, he picked it up, thinking it should be something like physically enhancing fruit. He made a hesitant face and a weird look, then took a cautious bite. Nothing!!! The Stinky Momo has no spiritual energy or any kind of power. Kent gets sad for a second. His face is like he is very disappointed. BOOM! Flavours exploded in his mouth like fireworks. His eyes widened as he chewed. "This this is the BEST momo I''ve ever eaten!" he exclaimed. "It''s even better than the normal momos from the best food stall!" "System, I take back my complaints. You''re a genius to make this!" Encouraged, Kent spun the wheel again. Spin 2: Stinky Momo. Spin 3: Stinky Momo. Spin 9: Stinky Momo. By the fifth spin, Kent was surrounded by a mountain of glowing momos, each one wafting its terrible smell. His room now smelled like a poorly managed gym locker. The empty slots of the spin wheel are all filled with momos. It is basically a guaranteed price for a spin. "DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" Kent yelled, throwing a momo at the wall. Nima''s voice rang out from the living room. "Stop yelling, Kent! I am watching TV. I''m trying to watch Goku fight Frieza!" Kent sighed, slumping back in his chair. "Fine, one more spin. Just one more. If it''s another momo, I''m rioting." Spin 10: Jackpot! The wheel stopped abruptly, and a loud chime echoed through the room. A glowing black paper appeared in midair, floating gently before Kent. "I FOUND IT!" Kent yelled triumphantly. ???? Nima stomped into the room, her face scrunched up in annoyance. "What are you yelling about now? She is furious, pulling her dress sleeves, ready to beat Kent. After entering Kent''s room, Nima smells really bad. ''She asked did you poop ???? in your pants?'' Why does it smell so bad here? Do you have diarrhoea? She says, ???? Covering her nose. Before Kent could respond, the black paper flew out of the system goes into Nima''s chest. "AHHHHHHH!" Nima screamed, stumbling backwards. "KENT! SOMETHING WENT INSIDE ME! I''M GONNA DIE!" "AHHHHHHH!" "I''M GONNA DIE!" Kent panicked, grabbing her shoulders. "No, no, no! Calm down, Nima! It''s okay! You''re not gonna die!" "YOU DON''T KNOW THAT!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face. "WHAT IF I TURN INTO A MONSTER?!" "Relax!" Kent said, patting her head awkwardly. "It''s uh probably a cultivation superpower. Nothing bad, I promise." Nima stopped crying, sniffling loudly. "Superpower? Really?" "Yeah! Kent gestured at the glowing screen that only he could see." System Notification: "Soulbinder (SSS-Rank Skill) Awakened. The host is connected via blood relationship." . . . Nima''s Status: Physique: Max (10) Cultivation: level F (Lower) Skill: Soulbinder (SSS-Rank) Description: Extract dead souls using chains and bind them as contracted servants. No level limit but limited slots (0/1). Looking at the screen, Kent grinned nervously. He thinks, this damn system. Do you want my sister to become a necromancer or something? Then he thinks I can''t tell Nima anything about her powers. She will get angry. Let''s just keep it a secret. It''s not like she will find out everything by herself. "It''s all good! So how do you feel?" he asked. Nima tilted her head thoughtfully. "I don''t know but I feel like there''s a big, dark space inside me, my heart. It''s like I can hold something there." "Interesting," Kent muttered. "Try sensing spiritual energy. Close your eyes and concentrate." Nima did as he said, her small face scrunching up in focus. A moment later, her eyes shot open in excitement. "I feel it!" she shouted. "I can feel the spiritual energy! I can absorb it!" She immediately jumped up, twirling around the room in a happy dance. Ding! +20,+76,+99... SP copied (Joy). "NOW I''M AWAKENED!" she yelled, beaming. Kent watched her, smiling faintly. But inside, he was fuming. "DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" he thought angrily. "She can level up so easily now! Meanwhile, I''m stuck farming SP like a clown to buy my way up!" After her celebration, Nima saw some stinky momos on Kent''s bed. What is this? Kent said it''s stinky momos. Do you wanna try it? It''s delicious. She yelled, nooooooo'' it''s smell. Before she could finish the sentence. Kent saw an opportunity, and her mouth was wide open. He quickly grabbed a slinky momo and put it inside her mouth. He grabs her mouth and covers it with his hands. "Don''t spit it out," he says, "chew it. You will thank me." +9 sp from Nima. (Angry) She started chewing the Stinky Momo. +19 sp from Nima. (Satisfaction) Hmmm. Yummy ????. I want more. Kent says no. I will sell it in the market tomorrow. She accused Kent, saying, You have another little sister outside. I know. You wanted to give her all the yummy foods. He sighed deeply. "Alright, alright, take some and go do your homework. I''ll cook dinner." After dinner, Nima fell asleep almost instantly, snoring softly????????????. Kent peeked into her room and noticed something strange she was sleeping without a hint of worry, covered under a soft blanket. Faint moonlight was coming inside the room through the window. With the moonlight, there was also a blue and white mix of coloured spiritual energy coming and entering her body. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Spiritual energy.+1. +1.. +1..'' Her body seemed to absorb spiritual energy automatically, as naturally as breathing. "It must be because of her maxed-out physique," he muttered. "Meanwhile, I have to grind for every scrap of progress." ....."Ughh!" "Damn, you weird system." Then Kent leaves Nima''s room. Yawning and scratching his head. I am sleepy ???? too. Let''s go to bed. I have to sell Slinky Momo''s tomorrow. The following day, Nima woke up feeling more energized than ever. She feels like something is calling her from the ward. She stretched her arms and wandered into the yard, noticing a few dead ants and a cockroach lying near the vegetable patch. She is now sure that it''s coming from the dead insects; she closes her eyes and focuses on the dark space she felt inside her. Slowly, she reached out toward the dead ant. It all comes to her naturally. As if like breathing. She knows what to do. Her instinct is guiding her. WHOOSH! The ant''s soul materialized faintly, glowing like a tiny wisp of light. It floated into her hand before disappearing into the dark space. Nima''s eyes widened. "Whoa! What''s happening!" Encouraged, she turned her attention to the cockroach and tried the same thing. The ant''s soul disappeared, replaced by the cockroach''s. "Huh so only one at a time," Nima murmured. Then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. "I know exactly what to do with this!" Kent was snoring loudly????, sprawled out on his bed like a starfish, arms and legs spread. Nima crept into his room silently, holding the cockroach''s soul in her hand. "Time to wake up, big brother," she whispered, grinning wickedly. "BOO!" She shoved the glowing soul toward Kent''s face. He jolted awake with a loud yell, tumbling off the bed in a tangle of blankets. "WHAT THENIMA?!" he shouted, clutching his chest. "Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack?!" Nima burst out laughing. "You should''ve seen your face, Kent! Priceless!" Kent groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Seriously? You''re using your superpower for pranks now?" "Why not?" Nima said, sticking out her tongue. Kent sighed but couldn''t help smiling faintly. "Well, at least you''re figuring things out on your own. That''s impressive." Nima puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! I''m a genius, not like you!" Ding! +30 SP copied (Pride). As Nima walked off, Kent slumped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Floating notifications were there. Nima: CULTIVATION: Level- F (Middle) "She''s already mid-F rank," he muttered. "At this rate, she''ll surpass me in no time. I can''t let that happen!" He clenched his fists. "I''ve got two days before the special class starts. I need to do something anything to get ahead!" Chapter 13 - 13: Into the Forest of Monsters ---- Sitting on his bed. Kent scrolled through the World Alliance forum on his phone, and then he lazily lay on his bed. The forum was abuzz with posts about spiritual energy''s effects on the world. His eyes skimmed past flashy titles like: "Awakened Individuals Ranking Contest!" "Best Cultivation Techniques for Beginners!" "Breaking News: Evolved Monsters in the Wild!" The last one caught his attention. Thread Title: Evolved Monster Sighted Near Metro City''s Forest Author: SkyHawk99 "Confirmed reports say a strange creature has been sighted in the forest near the border of Metro City. Witnesses claim it''s stronger, faster, and far more dangerous than any normal animal." "Experts believe it''s an evolved monster created by the resurgence of spiritual energy. Stay safe!" Kent''s eyes widened as he sat up. "Evolved monsters, huh? Looks like spiritual energy isn''t just making people stronger it''s affecting animals too." He scrolled down further, reading comments filled with wild speculation: "It''s probably a giant wolf or something!" "Maybe a spirit tiger? I heard one was spotted near the northern mountains!" "Whatever it is, no normal person should go near it!" Kent chuckled. "No normal person, huh? Good thing I''m anything but normal." Kent tossed his phone aside and stood up, cracking his knuckles. "I''ve got two days before the special class starts. If I''m gonna keep up with Nima and those muscleheads at school, I need to practice." He glanced at his reflection in the dusty mirror. "What better way to test my new powers than by taking down an evolved monster?" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The thought sent a rush of excitement through him. He stretched his arms, loosening up his muscles. "Alright, time to hunt a monster." Before leaving, Kent made a quick stop in the kitchen, tossing a few essentials into a small backpackwater, snacks, and a flashlight. He paused for a moment, staring at the glowing system screen hovering before him. "Let''s check the store," he muttered, swiping through the items. The shop menu was filled with all sorts of things: cultivation fruits, low-level tools, and even beginner spiritual techniques. But everything cost SP, and he didn''t want to waste SP just yet. "Nah, I''ll manage with my fists," Kent decided, closing the system. I need to save my SP for level-up only, at least for now. Otherwise, Nima will cross me in cultivation soon....!!!!!! He called out to Nima, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, playing with the cockroach soul wisp. "I''m heading out for a bit. Don''t burn the house down while I''m gone." "Where are you going?" Nima asked, not looking up. "To... uh... train," Kent replied vaguely. Nima raised an eyebrow. "You''re not running off to fight something, are you?" Kent froze for a moment. "Me? Fight? Pfft. Don''t be ridiculous." The sun was setting as Kent walked toward the edge of the city. The towering skyscrapers gradually gave way to smaller buildings, then fields, and finally, the dense forest that bordered Metro City. The forest was eerily quiet, its towering trees casting long shadows across the ground. Kent took a deep breath, feeling the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air. "So this is what a spiritual energy-infused environment feels like," he murmured. "Kinda spooky, but I like it." As he ventured deeper into the forest, he noticed subtle changes in the wildlife. The trees seemed more extensive and more vibrant, their leaves glowing faintly in the dim light. It''s like the trees also evolved. Strange noises echoed through the woodslow growls, rustling leaves, and occasional screeches. "Looks like the animals and trees here are already evolving," Kent muttered, tightening his grip on his backpack. Suddenly, a low growl rumbled through the air. Kent froze, his eyes darting around. The growl grew louder, coming from the shadows ahead. A pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared, followed by a sleek, muscular form stepping into the light. It was a wolf but not an ordinary one. Its fur shimmered with a silvery glow, and faint wisps of spiritual energy emanated from its body. Its teeth look far more prominent and sharper than a normal wolf. Saliva was dripping ???? down from its mouth into the ground. Drip! Drip! "Whoa," Kent breathed. "An evolved wolf." The wolf snarled, baring sharp teeth as it crouched low, ready to pounce. Kent smirked. "Alright, buddy. Let''s see what you''ve got." The wolf lunged forward with incredible speed, closing the distance in a blink. Kent barely dodged to the side, feeling the rush of air as the wolf''s claws grazed his jacket. "Fast!" Kent exclaimed. The wolf turned, growling louder as it prepared for another attack. This time, Kent didn''t dodge. As the wolf leapt, Kent met it head-on, his fist glowing faintly with energy. "WHAM!" His punch connected with the wolf''s side, sending it flying into a nearby tree. The impact cracked the bark, and the wolf yelped before collapsing to the ground. Kent stood over it, panting slightly. "Not bad for my first fight with a monster, huh?" Ding! +50 SP From spiritual wolf (Fear). So, this thing is called a spiritual wolf. Is it because it can absorb spiritual energy? "I guess that''s the reason." My system is helpful. I can quickly know people, animals, or any other things that have conciseness and a little bit of intelligence. The only thing I need to do is trigger an emotion. The wolf growled weakly, struggling to get back up. Kent raised his fists, ready to finish the fight, but paused when he saw the fear in the creature''s eyes. "Eh, you''re not worth it," he muttered, lowering his fists. "Go on, scram." The wolf hesitated for a moment before limping back into the shadows. Kent continued deeper into the forest, his confidence growing with each step. The fight had been short, but it gave him a taste of his enhanced strength and max physique. "If that''s what an evolved wolf can do, I can''t wait to see what else is out here," he muttered. The forest grew darker, the spiritual energy thickening in the air. Kent felt his heartbeat quicken, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the trees, shaking the ground beneath his feet. Kent grinned, his fists clenching. "Now THAT sounds like a real challenge." Chapter 14 - 14: Clash with the Beast ---- The ground beneath Kent trembled as the roar echoed through the forest. Birds scattered from the treetops, their wings cutting sharply through the eerie silence that followed. "Alright," Kent muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Time to see what I''m really made of." He tightened his grip on the straps of his backpack and followed the sound of the roar. The trees seemed denser now, their shadows stretching endlessly. The spiritual energy in the air grew thicker, almost suffocating. It''s evening right now. He wandered around the entire day. After a few minutes, Kent entered a small clearing bathed in moonlight. At the centre stood a massive creature, quickly three meters tall. Its form was hulking and monstrous, with thick, scaled skin that shimmered faintly with spiritual energy. Its eyes glowed a deep red, and its claws looked sharp enough to shred steel. "Holy crap," Kent whispered, his breath catching. "What is that some kind of evolved bear?" The beast roared again, its voice shaking the trees. It locked eyes with Kent, and for a moment, he could feel the sheer weight of its spiritual presence. The system chimed faintly in his mind: "Evolved Beast: Spiritual Bear (F-Rank Middle)." "Middle F-Rank, huh?" same rank as mine. Kent muttered. "Alright, big guy. Let''s dance." The Spiritual Bear charged with surprising speed for its size, its claws carving deep gouges into the earth as it barreled toward Kent. Kent darted to the side just in time, feeling the rush of air as the bear''s claws swiped inches from his face. "Whoa! You''re fast for a big guy," Kent said, grinning nervously. "But let''s see how you handle this!" He swung a punch, aiming for the bear''s side. His fist connected with a loud thud, but the beast barely flinched. "Uh-oh," Kent muttered, stepping back quickly as the bear turned toward him, growling angrily. The beast swiped at him again, its claws leaving deep marks in the ground as Kent dodged. "Alright, so punching isn''t gonna cut it," he muttered, thinking quickly. Kent clenched his fists, focusing on the faint spark of fire energy within him. He could feel it burning in his chest, small but potent. "Let''s light things up," he said, smirking. His fist ???? ignited with a faint orange glow, spiritual flames aura licking his knuckles. (No flame/fire:- because he can''t use or control flame yet). He charged at the bear, dodging another swipe and landing a flaming punch on its side. "BOOM!" The flames exploded on impact, causing the bear to stagger back with a loud roar. "Yes!" Kent cheered. "it works!" The bear turned toward him, its eyes blazing with rage. It roared again, the sound deafening, and charged once more. Kent darted around the clearing, using his agility to stay out of the bear''s reach. He landed another flame aura punch, then another, each strike chipping away at the beast''s defences. The Spiritual Bear, now wounded and enraged, unleashed a burst of spiritual energy. The air around it shimmered, and its movements became even faster. "Aw, come on!" Kent groaned, dodging another swipe. "Can''t you just go down already?" The bear lunged, and this time, Kent wasn''t fast enough. Its claws grazed his arm, tearing through his jacket and leaving a shallow cut. "Damn it!" Kent hissed, clutching his arm. "Alright, no more playing around." He focused his fire energy again, this time channelling it into both fists????????. The flame''s aura lights brighter, illuminating the clearing. "Let''s finish this!" Kent yelled, charging at the bear. The beast swung its claws, but Kent ducked under the attack and leapt upward, landing a powerful flaming uppercut to its jaw. "WHAM!" The impact sent the bear flying backwards, crashing into a tree and then the ground. It let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body limp. Kent stood there, panting heavily, as the flames aura around his fists flickered out. Ding! +200 SP copied (Fear). +1000 SP copied (Despair). "Phew," Kent muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was way tougher than I expected. Good thing I''m awesome." As Kent approached the fallen bear, he noticed a faint glow surrounding its bodya sign of lingering spiritual energy. "Hmm," he thought. "This thing''s soul might be worth something. But I can''t use it. Nima, on the other hand" He grinned, already imagining her reaction. When Kent returned home, Nima was sitting at the dining table, munching on a piece of ????. She looked up as he walked in, covered in dirt and scratches. "What happened to you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just training," Kent replied casually. "Anyway, put on your shoes. We''re going outside." Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima blinked. "What? Why? Where?" "You''ll see. Trust me." Kent replied. Are you taking me out for dinner? ????? I am so happy. You are finally acting like a big brother. Kent paused, thinking about his wallet. I didn''t sell anything today. But I have some money from the scammer ''fire user guy.'' I can treat her to a nice meal. Then Kent said. We will have dinner on our way back home. But now I will take you somewhere else. As they were at the border of the forest. Nima yelled, are you going to feed me wild vegetables now? Kent said no. Just be patient. I have a surprise for you. After that, we will go to your favourite ???? noodles place. ''I am trusting you for now.'' But if you mess with me, I will run away from home. I saw it on TV today. A little sister''s big brother always messes with her. She runs away from home. Then, live a princess life. Don''t blame me if I become a princess. "Kent said, pulling her ears, stop joking around. We are almost there." The siblings returned to the clearing under the cover of night. The Spirit Bear''s massive body still lay there, its spiritual energy faint but present. "Whoa," Nima said, her eyes widening. "Is that a monster Bear?" "Yep," Kent replied, crossing his arms. "And you''re gonna extract its soul." Nima stared at him, then at the bear, then back at him. "Wait, you mean with my power?!" "Exactly," Kent said. "Come on, give it a try." Why are you trying to make me get an ugly thing as my underling? Can''t you find something cute? Didn''t you play with the cockroach this morning? What''s wrong with the Bear? It''s stronger. Kent said. Nima, in anger, bites Kent''s arm like an angry crocodile.???? You are bullying me, big brother. Awwwwh! ''Just do it if you want extra beef with noodles.'' Nima hesitated, but Kent gave her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and focusing on the dark space inside her. Slowly, a chain comes??. The chain pulls the spiritual Beat soul out of his body. The Spirit Bear''s faint spiritual energy begins to gather, forming a glowing orb above its body. "Whoa," Kent muttered, watching in awe. The chains pull the floating orb toward Nima, sinking into her chest. She opened her eyes, gasping softly. "I did it!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up. "I have its soul!" Ding! System Notification: "Soulbinder Slot: 1/1 filled. Spiritual Bear soul bound successfully." Kent patted her on the head. "Nice work, Nima. You''re a natural." Nima grinned, "Let''s go. I am hungry. This is not cool! I can feel its ugly look! What else can I do with it?" Kent shrugged. "Guess you''ll have to figure that out. Just don''t let it eat me in my sleep, okay?" Nima giggled. "No promises." As they walked back, Kent couldn''t help but smile. "With her power and my system, we''re gonna become the strongest," he thought. But deep down, he knew the world was changing faster than anyone could predict. Chapter 15 - 15: The Best Meal for Nima ---- Kent and Nima walked back toward the city, the faint glow of streetlights flickering in the distance. The forest behind them felt darker now, the echoes of their encounter with the Spirit Bear still lingering in the air. Nima was practically skipping, a satisfied grin plastered across her face. "That was amazing, big brother! I feel so much stronger now! But" She stopped mid-skip, clutching her stomach dramatically. GRUMBLE! She looked up at Kent, her eyes wide and pleading. "I''m starving! You promised noodles! With beef! Extra beef!" Kent scratched his head, his confidence faltering. His pockets were nearly empty. He hadn''t sold a single egg, and the money he had left was from that scamming fire user. It''s not enough for two people to buy extra beef noodles. "Well" he began, trying to say something. Nima narrowed her eyes. "Don''t you dare say we''re having carrots for dinner again. I swear, Kent, if you make me eat another carrot" She pointed at the half-eaten carrot from earlier still in her pocket as if it were evidence in a court case. Kent sighed, shaking his head. "No carrots. I promised, didn''t I?" As they walked into the outskirts of the city, Kent''s stomach churnednot from hunger, but from anxiety. He thought he had more money. But it was less than what he calculated. "He mentally counted his money: enough for a plain meal for him and a feast just for Nima." "She deserves the best," he thought. "But I''ll just have to settle for plain noodles myself. Being a big brother isn''t easy." Nima''s eyes lit up as they reached her favourite noodle shop. The warm, savoury aroma of beef broth wafted through the air, making her stomach growl louder. "Here it is!" she squealed, pointing excitedly. "Beef noodles! My favourite!" Kent smiled faintly, stepping inside the small, cosy shop. The owner, an older woman with kind eyes, greeted them with a wave. "Welcome! What can I get for you?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron. Kent glanced at the menu, his heart sinking at the prices. ''It went up.'' He forced a smile. "One large beef noodle soup, with extra beef, for my sister, please." "And for you?" the owner asked. Kent hesitated. "Uh just plain soup noodles for me." Nima blinked, looking up at him. "Plain soup? You don''t want beef?" "Nah, I''m not that hungry," Kent lied, patting his stomach. "I''ll save the good stuff for you." Nima stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she grinned. "You''re such a weirdo, Kent." The bowls arrived steaming hot, and Nima''s eyes sparkled as the smell of rich beef broth hit her nose. Her bowl was loaded with tender slices of beef, glistening noodles, and a fragrant broth that seemed to shimmer with perfection. Kent''s bowl, in contrast, looked depressingly plaina few strands of noodles floating in a clear broth. "Wow, this is the best meal ever!" Nima said, clasping her hands together before digging in. "She inhaled the fragrant steam, her eyes closing as if she were about to enter a dream. The first bite sent her taste buds into overdrive, and she let out an audible ''Mmm!'' of satisfaction." SLURP! SLURP! The sounds of Nima enjoying her meal filled the air as Kent quietly ate his plain noodles. "Big brother, you don''t know what you''re missing!" Nima said between mouthfuls. "This beef is amazing! It''s so soft and juicy!" "Yeah, I bet," Kent muttered, poking at his noodles. After a few minutes, Nima paused, her chopsticks hovering over her bowl. She tilted her head, studying Kent''s face. "You''re not even enjoying your noodles," she said. "Do you want some of mine?" Kent shook his head quickly. "Nope, I''m good! Eat your fill, Princess." Nima grinned. "Princess, huh? Fine, I''ll allow it. But you owe me dessert next time!" After eating some more, Nima left half of the meat and soup for Kent. I am full, Kent eat the rest. I can''t eat anymore. Kent just stared at Nima for a few seconds. He doesn''t know how to respond. Nima gets up from the chair, holds the bowl, and then pours it into the Kent bowl. After eating, When they returned home, Nima flopped onto the old couch, rubbing her full belly. "That was the best dinner ever! I could conquer the world now." I always wanted to eat a bowl of noodles with extra beef. "Thank you, big brother." Kent chuckled, sitting down beside her. "Glad you enjoyed it." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima leaned against him, yawning. "You''re not a terrible big brother after all, you know." "Thanks," Kent said silently. "High praise coming from you." As Nima drifted off to sleep, Kent stared at the faint cracks in the ceiling. I have to earn extra money to fix the cracks. "I need to step up my game," he thought. "I can''t keep scraping by like this. If I want to give her the life she deserves, I need to get stronger. Faster." He clenched his fists. "The special class starts in one day. Tomorrow I will sell slinky momos all day. Earning as much cash as possible. Next morning... Ding! +60, +70,+90,+9,....SP copied (Frustration). +45,666,113,55,+SP copied (Annoyance). People''s faces were full of frustration and annoyance on the streets. Kent just set up his Stinky Momo stall. Its smell is making people''s emotions go wild. Stinky! Stinky! ???? Kent is very happy. Without doing anything, he is earning SP. Suddenly, a few of the other stall owners came to Kent. They were asking what are you doing? Are you mad at us? Kent doesn''t understand what they are talking about. With a confused face, he asked what are you all talking about? ''Uncle and Aunty.'' You all are good people, and you have helped me a lot. I am very grateful to you all. Why would I be angry with you? One uncle asked, then why did you bring poop here? Because of the poop smell, no customers will come here. Kent replied with a concerned face. Uncle and aunt''s, it''s something I made. It''s called Stinky Momo. It is very...very tasty. Eating one from the box. "Try it, everyone. You will like it." One uncle tried one and said where did you learn to make something like that. I never heard of stinky momos before. Kent replied, "It''s just something I found wandering around." ???? Boom! +19.... SP From xxx, xxx,xxx(joy). All the uncle and aunt''s minds blow with the flavour. They felt like heaven. It''s a flavour no one has ever tasted before. "It tastes so juicy and fresh. Its fragrance exploded into my mouth at the first bite. With the perfect spice. I feel like I am in heaven." MHHHHH! Chapter 16 - 16: The Special Class Begins ---- Everyone praises Kent. Saying you are really good at making it. It will be a good business. Kent said I will be selling stinky momos from now on. All of you should covenant into something that fits with momos. In this way, all of our business will grow. You all help me a lot. Everyone is happy to hear that. They said, Don''t mention that again. Life is very hard for you and your sister. We all just wanted to help. Kent says to the crowd, Free samples are available, then he starts to yell, five dollars for a dozen of Momo''s. Come and get yours soon. "Stock is limited." A huge crowd comes to buy it. They all saw the other stall owners'' reactions when they ate. In no time, all the momos were sold. He also earned a considerable amount of SP from them. Kent thinks selling stinky momos earns me a lot of money and SP. It''s a win-win situation. I don''t even have to pay for Momo''s; the system gave it to me for free. I also earned a considerable amount of SP in the process. Saving money will be much easier now. With happiness, flowers were blooming inside his mind. Money was raining down on him. Happy, Happy, Happy! ?? The next day, as usual, he sells stinky momos. Then he went to school. Today is the first day of special class. Kent stood at the gates of the special class building, a towering structure tucked away in the far corner of the school campus. Unlike the main school, this area was surrounded by high walls topped with surveillance cameras. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence making it clear that this wasn''t an ordinary classroom. "Fancy," Kent muttered, adjusting his worn-out backpack. "All this for a bunch of kids who can throw fireballs and lift cars?" The gates creaked open, revealing a pathway lined with neatly trimmed hedges and glowing lights. Kent followed the path, the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air sending shivers down his spine. "This place feels different," he thought. "Stronger." The special class was held in a sleek, modern room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the school grounds. As Kent entered, he immediately felt the weight of judgmental stares. Most of the students were seated in small groups, chatting confidently. Their uniforms were pristine, their postures oozing self-assurance. Compared to them, Kent''s patched-up outfit and casual demeanour made him stand out like a sore thumb. At the front of the room sat a boy who looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. His golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and his bright blue eyes seemed to glow faintly. "Who''s that?" Kent muttered under his breath. "Ethan Cross," someone whispered nearby. "He has an A-Rank physique. Looks like an angel, doesn''t he?" Kent rolled his eyes. "Great, a poster boy for perfection." Ethan noticed Kent looking and smiled warmly. He picked up his bag and walked over, drawing more stares from the class. "Hi, I''m Ethan. Mind if I sit here?" Kent blinked in surprise. "Uh, sure. Go ahead." Ethan sat down, extending a hand. "You''re Kent, right?" "Yeah," Kent replied, shaking his hand. "How''d you know?" "I heard about you," Ethan said. "The F-Rank guy who awakened on his own without any clan or organisation backing made it into the special class. That''s impressive." Kent snorted. "Yeah, tell that to the rest of these guys. They look like they''re ready to throw me out." ''Ethan chuckled.'' Ding! +30 SP copied (Amusement). Across the room sat Mia Carter, a girl with long black hair and striking green eyes. She had an air of quiet intensity, her gaze fixed on her desk. Despite her silence, she commanded the attention of nearly every boy in the room. Many boys were talking about her. "Man, she''s gorgeous," someone whispered. "I heard she has an A-Rank physique too. What do you think? Should I talk to her?" "You look like a fat toad; don''t dream about making her your girlfriend." Kent glanced at her briefly before turning back to Ethan. "Looks don''t matter in here. It''s talent I care about." At the back of the room stood Ryan Hale, arms crossed and glaring at everyone like they were beneath him. His broad shoulders and sharp features made him look more like a professional fighter than a student. "He''s A-Rank, too?" Ethan whispered. "Strength type. Rank-B. He''s not exactly friendly." Kent replied. Kent smirked. "I like unfriendly people. They''re easy, SP." thinking on his own. The room fell silent as the door opened, and a woman in her mid-thirties strode in. Elena Rivers had sharp auburn hair and an equally sharp gaze. She is a level C cultivator, and this is evident in her graceful yet commanding movements. "Welcome to the special class," she began, her voice calm but firm. "You''re here because you have potential. But the potential is meaningless without discipline." She scanned the room, her eyes briefly resting on Kent before moving on. "First, some rules," Elena continued. "Everything that happens in this class stays in this class. Sharing information with outsiders is a violation of Nexus law and will result in severe consequences." A boy in the back raised his hand nervously. "What if someone already told people they''re in the special class?" Elena''s gaze turned icy. "Then they''ve already made their first mistake." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She pointed to the Nexus emblem on the wall a swirling design of interconnected lines, symbolizing unity and control. "Nexus is the central organization overseeing all awakened individuals. They are responsible for regulating spiritual energy and maintaining order in a world that''s rapidly changing." She gestured to another symbol beneath it: a single eye surrounded by a ring of stars. "The Watchers serve Nexus directly. They''re the ones who enforce the rules and deal with threats rogue awakened people, spiritual beasts, and anyone who defies the law." Chapter 17 - 17: Nexus and Watcher introduction. ---- Elena''s tone grew grave. "Currently, Nexus and Watcher have FOUR LEVEL-B cultivators some of the strongest people in the world. They are the pillars holding this fragile peace together. Disrespect them at your own peril." We call them Nexus to show our respect. You all will be given ranks once you finish your education. The world is changing. We don''t even know what will come next. We have to prepare for anything. We will share cultivation resources with you. Hopefully, one day, you all will join the Nexus & Watchers. These are the positions of NEXUS & WATCHER. They go from - Tier-1(lowest) Tier-6 (highest). NEXUS (Leaders) Overseer (Tier-6): The supreme leader of Nexus, making all major decisions. Archons (Tier-5): Top-level enforcers and strategists who lead divisions within Nexus (e.g., Operations, Research, Security). WATCHER (Operatives) Commanders (Tier-4): High-ranking officers who oversee tier 3 and lower in the field. Sentinels (Tier-3): The elite operatives handling the most dangerous missions. Wardens (Tier-2): Mid-tier agents responsible for hunting down threats and guarding key locations. Trackers(Tier-1): Scouts and frontline Watchers who specialize in reconnaissance and pursuing targets. After the explanation, Elena stepped aside, revealing a tray of small vials filled with silvery liquid. "This is how we''ll determine your current physique," she explained. She picked up a vial and added a drop of blood. The liquid shimmered before turning faintly pink-red. "F-Rank," she said. She held up another vial, this one glowing a deep crimson red. "A-Rank." "When your blood mixes with this mercury substance, it reacts to your spiritual potential. The deeper the red, the higher your rank. You''ll be tested again in one month to measure your progress." One by one, the students approached the tray to look closely. Ryan went near and said let me test, he dropped blood from his fingertips, and his vial turned a brilliant crimson, eliciting murmurs of admiration. "Of course," Kent muttered. "Muscle head B-Rank." We all know that. Our rank was told two days ago. Why waste resources? Ethan laughed softly. RR Ding! +25 SP copied Ethan (Amusement). Ding! +25, +89,+99+1.. SP copied xxx, xxx, xxx (Amusement). Ryan started talking. Hey Kent, you F-Rank. ''Don''t joke around with your low-level physique.'' The whispers began immediately. He has the lowest-level physique here. "Seriously? Why''s he even here?" "Must''ve been a mistake." Ding! +5, +9,+19+1.. SP copied. Kent smirked internally. "Keep talking. You''re just SP farms to me." Okay! Okay! "Everyone gets back to your seat. Soon, you all will be given resources and techniques for cultivation." The class continues... After class, Kent returned home, tired but satisfied. The day had been long, but the SP notifications ringing in his mind were proof that it had been worth it. SP Balance: 41,678. "Not bad," Kent said, pulling up the system store. He scrolled through the items, his eyes fixed on the Spiritual Fruit. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This should push me to E-Rank," he thought, purchasing two fruits. As the first fruit materialized, exactly that moment, Nima walked into the room, her eyes lighting up. ''What is that Kent? It''s look so good.'' It''s a fruit for... before he could finish talking. "Is that for me?" Nima asked with glowing eyes. Kent''s heart just melted as he looked into his sister''s eyes. She is the only family he has in this entire world. It''s just one fruit. I can buy three more, which should be enough for me to level up. Then, he handed it to her. But before she could take a bite, the fruit flew out of her hand and back into Kent''s. "What the" Nima exclaimed. "Why can''t I eat it?" Kent frowned, reading the system notification: "This item is exclusive to the host." "Well, that''s awkward," Kent muttered. Nima puffed her cheeks in frustration. She bites Kent''s hand where the fruit is. Half of Kent''s hand was inside her mouth. "Give me the fruit, Kent," she demands. Kent said you can''t eat it. You have another sister outside Kent. You wanted to give her the fruit. She yelled dramatically. She became angry.. Nima punched Kent in the cheek (she always plays with Kent like that), but her newfound strength shocked him. "Ow! Ow! Take it easy!" She blinked, her eyes wide. "Oops! Sorry, big brother!" Kent groaned, rubbing his cheek. How are you so strong? "She said I don''t know." Kent says to the system, Check her status. A floating notification appears. Name: Nima Cultivation: Level -F (Peak) "You''re already at the peak of F-Rank, What the....?" It''s only been two days since you started cultivating. Nima nodded sheepishly. "I guess so?" Kent sighed, pulling out four boxes of momos to placate her. "Here, eat these. Now promise not to break me in half." ''She says, this time I let it go. But you have to feed me fried rice with tomato.'' Then she leaves the room. Once Nima was happily munching on her momos in the dining room, Kent first bought one more fruit, then focused on consuming the fruits. "LET''S LEVEL UP NOW." "She is already stronger than me. It hurt my big brother''s pride. Soon she will be able to beat the shit out of me." The first fruit sent a warm, fiery energy coursing through his body, reshaping and strengthening his body with spiritual energy. The second and third fruits amplified the amount of spiritual energy inside his body, leaving him feeling lighter and more powerful than ever. Ding! "Congratulations! The host has reached E-Rank." Kent flexed his hand, marvelling at the surge of spiritual energy flowing through him. He could feel the world around him more vividly the spiritual energy in the air, the faint hum of life all around. Host: Kent Physique: level 10 (max.) Cultivation: level E (Lower) Skills: Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) As he prepared for bed, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck. Kent paused, his eyes narrowing. "Someone''s outside," he muttered. He moved toward the window, peering into the shadows beyond the yard. For a moment, he thought he saw a figure standing still, watching. But when he blinked, it was gone. Chapter 18 - 18: A Mystery Man and his offer. --- Who was that? That person was strongmaybe C-level. But the spiritual energy was far beyond Teacher Elena''s, and she''s the only C-level I know. Does that mean the figure was a B-level? But why would a B-level expert be here? There are only four Level-Bs in the entire country. Today Miss Elena told me that in the class. Did the figure sense my level-up? Then why did he/she hide? Whatever. I have over 10,000 SP now. It''s time to buy another spiritual fruit. Kent opened the system window. SP: 11,678 [Shop] | [Lottery Spin] | [Income History] He tapped on the Shop tab, expecting the usual options. And thenHis jaw nearly hit the floor. Spiritual Energy Fruit: 100,000 SP "A hundred thousand SP for one fruit?! This is a robbery! At this rate, I''ll be stuck at Level E forever!" Kent clenched his fists. His veins bulged. "Damn you, System! What the hell is this?!" he roared. "You''re telling me I need a hundred thousand just to buy a fruit?! The price went up ten times!" Had it increased because he levelled up? "Hey, System! Answer me!" A notification popped up. [System Notice] [Every time the host levels up, the price of spiritual fruit will increase.] [At each level, the host can only buy five Cultivating fruits. The host will receive a random gift with each level-up.] [System upgrade in progress. Gift will be granted upon completion.] And just like thatthe system went silent. Kent nearly exploded. "How long is this gonna take? At this rate, Nima will reach Level E in a day or two, and I''ll still be stuck here!" It had taken her just two days to reach the peak of F-level. "Am I really going to be the big brother who needs protection from his eleven-year-old sister?" His face turned pale. His soul practically left his body in shock. "System, you screwed me over!" Kent desperately tried to open the system window again. "Let me at least use my spins! Listen, System, you better give me something good!" [System Updating. Please wait...] No response. His frustration hit a peak. He slumped onto his bed, face-down. "I can''t use the system. Which means... I can''t even sell stinky momos tomorrow morning." Kent groaned. "Just great. Another day of suffering." He decided to sleep it off. The Next Morning, Nima woke up early and decided to watch TV until Kent got up. Their television was an old relic from the 90ssomething Kent had salvaged from a junk shop. Most days, it needed a good beating to start working. She flicked the power switch. The screen remained black. "No problem, she says. A few well-placed slaps should do the trick." She hit the side of the TV. Nothing happened. Another slap. ThenCRACK! Nima''s hand went straight into the TV. Sparks crackled. The machine groaned. And then BOOM! A deafening explosion rocked the house, blowing a hole through the kitchen wall and reducing the TV stand to ashes. Kent shot out of bed. Aunt Zhou, their nosy neighbour, had also heard the explosion and came rushing over. "NIMA!" Kent bolted into the room. "Are you okay?! What happened?!" Nima''s eyes brimmed with tears. She sniffled. "K-Kent I broke the TV. It hurts so much and now I can''t watch my TV shows anymore!" Kent narrowed his eyes. She''s acting!!! He could see it in her face. No real pain. It''s just dramatic flair. She was trying to dodge a scolding. "She blew up the TV and the kitchen wall. Just what we neededanother expense I can''t afford." Aunt Zhou barged in. She scooped up Nima and coddled her like a baby. "There, there, you''re a big girl! Don''t cry!" she cooed. Then she whirled on Kent. "KENT! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Kent blinked. "Huh?" "You''re just standing there, looking like you just woke up from a nap while your little sister ALMOST GET KILLED?!" "Well, when she puts it like that..." Before he could respond, an old man stepped into the house. Kent frowned. "Hey, old man! Who the hell are you?!" Aunt Zhou waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Kent. This is my husband. He just came home a few days ago." She beamed at the man. "My husband is a very important person. He works all the time, but he loves me so much. He''s wealthy, but for me, he''s willing to live in the countryside!" The old man coughed loudly to shut her up. "Zhou. Enough." He turned to Kent. "The girl is fineno need to scold her. Zhou, take her to our home. I need to talk to the boy." Aunt Zhou hesitated but eventually nodded and left, taking Nima with her. The moment they were gone WHAM! The old man threw a punch at Kent. Kent barely blocked it, but pain shot through his arm like lightning. "WHAT THE HELL, OLD MAN?!" he shouted. "WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME?!" The old man chuckled. "Not bad, kid. You''re stronger than I thought." His hand glowed. A thin blade of spiritual energy extended from his fingertips. Before Kent could react, the old man slashed. A sharp breeze passed himhis shirt was sliced clean through. Kent clenched his fists. Fire aura flared in his palms. "YOU CRAZY OLD MAN! AHHHHHH!" He charged. The old man watched him with a calm smile as if he were playing with a baby chick. "Oh? How amusing." His eyes gleamed with interest. "This boy His fire affinity is strong, but he can''t wield it properly. And there''s something else something untapped. I haven''t seen potential like this in years." Kent threw a flurry of punches. The old man dodged every single one. "Damn it! Just stand still!" The old man chuckled. Young man, I am very impressed with you. "I want you to become my disciple." Kent froze. "What?" "I''ve been looking for a good seedling for a long time," the old man continued. "Last night, I sensed your spiritual energy. You''re at Level E, right?" Kent''s eye twitched. "Wait IT WAS YOU?! YOU WERE THE CREEPY SHADOW FROM LAST NIGHT?!" The old man smiled. "Indeed." Kent''s rage erupted. "You crazy old man! First, you attack me. Then you say you want me as your disciple?!" He crossed his arms. "IN YOUR DREAMS." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration) +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Anger) The old man stared at him, stunned. He had imagined this scene so differently. He thought he''d show off his power, extend the offer, and Kent would bow and say, "Master!" with awe in his eyes. Instead IN YOUR DREAMS. The words echoed in his mind like a curse. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Youth these days are so unpredictable" The old man sighed. "Don''t be so hasty, boy. Listen to me, I am a" Kent didn''t let the old man complete his sentence; he walked away from the old man. He goes out of his house. He found Nima happily munching on meatballs at Aunt Zhou''s house. "This tastes good, Aunty Zhou! Can I have more?" Kent sighed. "Nima, don''t trouble Aunt Zhou." Aunt Zhou chuckled. "Oh, nonsense. She''s adorable!" The old man followed Kent, rubbing his temples. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." Kent mockingly stuck his tongue out at him with frustration. "Come on, Nima. Let''s go home." Chapter 19 - 19: A Heart to Heart conversation. --- Nima held Kent''s hand tightly as they walked into their home. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked up at him. "Big Brother, when are we going to buy a new TV?" Kent froze mid-step, gripping the door handle. A long sigh escaped his lips before he turned to her. "Do you know why I haven''t sent you to school yet?" Nima tilted her head, thinking for a second before answering. "Because we''re orphans? And we ran away from the orphanage?" "That''s one reason," Kent admitted. "But the other is... we''re poor. I''m saving money for your education. Right now, we can''t afford a new TV." Nima''s eyes widened in horror as her soul visibly left her body. She turned into a lifeless stone, standing frozen in place. Somewhere in the background, a passing bird turned to stone as well, cursed by Nima''s sheer frustration. +999 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Nima snapped out of her stone-like state, her face twisting in anguish. "Kent! How am I supposed to watch my favourite shows?! My anime, my dramas, my reality TV showsEVERYTHING will be ruined!" She grabbed his arm and shook him violently. "I don''t need to go to school! I already know all the math for fifth graders! Don''t force me to run away!" Kent chuckled, prying her hands off his sleeve. "Nima, I know you''re a genius," he said, ruffling her hair. "You could probably skip grades and go straight to high school if you had a tutor. But school isn''t just about studies. You need to learn new skills, make friends, and experience life outside. That''s why you have to go." She pouted, crossing her arms. "So? What does that have to do with my TV?" Kent sighed. "We''ll buy a new TV after I get you admitted next month. You have to wait until then." +99 SP copied from Nima (Sadness). Nima kicked the floor lightly, her voice softer now. "I know you work hard, Kent I can just get a scholarship as a cultivator. That way, you don''t have to" Kent cut her off immediately, his expression turning serious. "Nima, you''re only 11 years old." He placed his hands on her shoulders. " "Do you know what happens when an orphanwho''s just 11suddenly awakens as a cultivator?" She blinked. "...What?" "Trouble." Kent sighed. "Do you know the usual age when people awaken their powers?" She shook her head. NOO!! "Fifteen," Kent said. "That''s the average." He crossed his arms. "According to the government, the earlier someone awakens, the higher their chances of reaching Level A. That''s why if anyone finds out about you, bad people will come after you. They''ll try to take you awayforcefully." Nima froze, realizing the weight of his words. Kent gently squeezed her shoulders. "That''s why we have to keep this a secret until I''m strong enough to protect youor until you''re strong enough to protect yourself." Nima clenched her fists. "I understand." Kent grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Who knows? Maybe you''ll get so strong that you''ll be the one protecting me in the future." Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Really?! Then I''ll be the big sister!" Kent chuckled. "We''ll see about that." +30 SP copied from Nima (Joy). Kent stood up, brushing the dust off his worn-out pants. "Alright, you already ate at Aunt Zhou''s house, right? So I''ll make something for myself." Nima''s grin immediately disappeared, replaced by an exaggerated scowl. "I''M HUNGRY! I''LL EAT WHATEVER YOU EAT!" Ding! +19 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent sighed. "Fine, fine. Come on, let''s eat together." After breakfast, Kent left for school, his excitement barely contained. Today was the second day of special class. He had no idea what they would learn, but he hoped for something that could make him more vigorousor more prosperous. As soon as he entered the classroom, he noticed something. Everyone was busy talking to each other. Kent had just stepped through the doorway when WHAM! Someone shoved him from behind. Kent stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance. A familiar voice sneered. "Move out of the way, F-rank." Kent turned around to see Ryan smirking arrogantly. But before Kent could say anything'' "Cut it out. Don''t act recklessly," a voice called out from inside the classroom. "It was Ethan." He walked toward them, his sharp gaze fixed on Ryan. "Are you okay, Kent?" Kent shrugged it off. "It was nothing. Ryan isn''t that strong. Everyone in this class is the same rank, so it''s not like he can actually hurt me." +99 SP copied from Ryan (Anger). Ryan''s face turned red. "You YOU''RE CALLING ME WEAK?!" His fists clenched. "THEN LET''S FIGHT!" The entire class went silent for a moment Then "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" Excited shouts erupted, filling the room with energy. Students began gathering around, their faces lighting up with anticipation. Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, this escalated fast." FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Outside the classroom, loud shouting and cheering echoed through the hallways. Miss Elena, standing outside, furrowed her brows. "What the hell is going on in there?" Ding! +6, +77, +86, +98, +67 SP copied (Excitement). Meanwhile, inside the classroom Kent sat back, arms crossed, grinning like a villain. He didn''t care about the fight breaking out. He wasn''t interested. Why?---Because he had already won. The entire class was still F-rank, but he was already Level E. No matter how much they fought, he could beat anyone here with a single punch. So, instead of fighting, he farmed SP like a businessman collecting rent. Just thenTHUD! The door swung open, and Miss Elena stormed into the classroom. Instantly, the room fell silent. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. Some students were too scared to breathe, while others sat with their backs straight like model students. "For different reasons, every student either feared or respected Miss Elenasome sought to impress her, while others were simply terrified." "Everyone, take your seats," Elena commanded. Within seconds, the entire class scrambled to sit down. Kent, sitting in the middle, glanced at Ethan and Mia, who had taken the seats beside him. Ethan sat on his right, while Mia sat on his left. Elena cleared her throat. "Before we begin, let''s start with something basic that most of you should already know. But for those who don''t, pay close attention." Elena paced to the front of the class, her eyes scanning the students. "Spiritual energy is not the same everywhere. Some places have more, some have less, and some have none at all." She tapped the board behind her. "Areas rich in spiritual energy are called Spiritual Lands. In these places, cultivation is faster and more effective. Many of you come from families who own such lands." Several students nodded in understanding. "However," she continued, "some areas have spiritual energy so dense that they are currently uninhabitable. Nexus and Watchers categorize these places into three levels: Low, Medium, and High." Elena turned to face the class, her expression serious. "Then, there is another dangerthe sudden emergence of Ruins and Pocket Dimensions." A few students muttered among themselves, but Elena raised a hand. "For those unfamiliar, ruins are ancient battlefields or graveyards where countless warriors perished. These places were lost for thousands of years until now." Her eyes flickered with a strange light. "Pocket Dimensions, on the other hand, were once controlled by powerful ancient sects and clans. They created separate realms and used them as their sect, but due to the disappearance of spiritual energy, these places became inaccessible for centuries." The classroom was dead silent. "But now spiritual energy is returning. And as a result, these places are awakening." She looked around, gauging the students'' reactions. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Some ruins and pocket dimensions are harmless, but others are deadly. If you''re pulled inside, the only way out is to find the Main Treasure or the Formation Core to clear the dimension." A few students paled at her words. "Inside, there are hidden dangersancient beasts, zombie-like monsters, mythical cities, and entities beyond human comprehension." The tension in the air grew thick. Finally, Elena clapped her hands. "That concludes today''s lesson." A few students let out sighs of relief. "Now, I will distribute your cultivation resources." A few Tier-1 Watchers entered the room, each carrying trays filled with small, diamond-shaped stones. Each student was handed three white, shimmering spiritual stones. Elena folded her arms. "These are Spiritual Stones. They will help you cultivate faster. Unlike absorbing spiritual energy from the atmospherewhich contains many impuritiesthese stones provide pure, condensed energy." She continued, "Each stone lasts about ten days for someone with a B-rank physique. However, since many of you have basic cultivation, these three stones should be enough to push most of you to Level-E Peak." A ripple of excitement spread through the class. "But remember," Elena warned. "After this, you will only receive resources based on your cultivation progress. Do not waste this opportunity." ''Fullfil your dreams. Become the best Cultivator of this era.'' Kent, for once, remained silent. Because for him, this information was new. His whole life had been about survivalabout making money, finding food, and ensuring that Nima had a better future. He never had time to think about the bigger world outside. Elena''s words opened his eyes. Kent''s Dream (For SP Farming Purposes) After a moment of deep thought, Kent raised his hand. Elena arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Kent?" He took a deep breath and then "My dream is.EQUAL JUSTICE! FREEDOM!" A heavy silence filled the room. Elena blinked. Once. Twice. She had no idea how to respond to that. Ding! +999 SP copied from Elena (Frustration). She slowly closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled. Ding! +778 SP copied from Elena (Frustration). Without saying a word, she decided to ignore him. She cleared her throat. "Class dismissed. Remember, do NOT share this information with outsiders." As the students packed their things, Ethan approached Kent, smiling. "Hey, let''s walk home together." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Our homes are in different areas. Don''t you have a car? Aren''t you supposed to be rich?" Ding! +99 SP copied from Ethan (Shocked). Ethan''s face twitched. "Dude, I just thought we could hang out." But you don''t seem interested in that. Give me a call if you change your mind. Kent chuckled. "Alright, I''ll call you sometime." Ethan handed him his number and then left. For the first time, Kent felt something strange. Maybe making friends wasn''t such a bad idea after all. Chapter 20 - 20: A Suddenly visitor. --- On his way home, Kent casually tossed the three spiritual stones in the air, catching them one by one with a grin. His excitement bubbled overhe couldn''t wait to try absorbing them once he got back. Deep down, he knew it wouldn''t work because of his SSS-rank Copy Spiritual Energy skill, but a small part of him still clung to hope. He refused to overthink it. Humming a tune, Kent stepped inside his house. The familiar warmth of home greeted him, but something felt off. "Where''s Nima?" Usually, when he returned, Nima would run to him from watching TV. If she wasn''t watching TV, she was probably asleep. Wait I almost forgot. Kent suddenly remembered this morning''s incidentNima had blown up the TV. Right That explains the silence. Shaking his head, he made his way to Nima''s room and knocked. Knock! Knock! "Nima? Nima, are you awake? Nima?" Kent knocked louder. "I''m home! Guess what?" The door creaked open slowly, revealing Nima standing there, clutching a patched-up teddy bear in her arms. The teddy looked like it had gone through a fashion crisis, covered in randomly coloured patches like a rainbow quilt. But what caught Kent''s attention wasn''t the teddyit was Nima''s expression. Her eyes were dull, and her entire posture screamed ''upset.'' A black aura of frustration seemed to radiate off her. She sighed dramatically. "What is it?" Kent, utterly oblivious to her mood, beamed as he held up his spiritual stones. "Do we have something to eat?" Then, without waiting for a response, he excitedly continued, "Today, I learned so many things! And looklook!" He held out the shiny spiritual stones like they were the greatest treasure in the world. "With these, I''ll reach Level D soon!" Nima rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might disappear into another dimension. "You woke me up just to show me some stupid rocks?" she yelled. Ding! +99 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent grinned. "Don''t be sad! I''ll wait for you at Level D!" Ha Ha Ha!!! Nima''s scowl vanished in an instant. She raised a hand, pointed at her nose, and smirked. "No need. I''m already Level-E." Kent froze. His entire body turned stiff as a gust of wind howled dramatically behind him. CRACK! Tiny cracks appeared in the air around him as if his soul had shattered. Then"W-WHAT?!" Nima tilted her head smugly. "You don''t have to wait for me. I''ll catch up to you soon, Big Brother." Kent snapped out of his daze, muttering under his breath, "She''s progressing so fast" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mind suddenly drifted to the Physique Enhancement Fruits. If he sold them, he''d be a trillionaire overnight. But he knew better. If people found out he had such magical fruits, powerful cultivators would come after him. He couldn''t let that happen. Not until he was one of the strongest. Kent rubbed his hands together, grinning like a villain plotting world domination. Meanwhile, Nima let out a small yawn, covering her mouth with one hand. "Kent, what am I supposed to do all day at home?" she complained. "I slept the entire day. The TV''s gone, and you refuse to buy a new one." Kent flinched. "Oh crap I forgot about that. I need to change the TV topic very FAST. Ideas!" Kent exclaimed with a fake burst of enthusiasm. "Nima! When I was coming home, I saw that some of our tomatoes were ready to be picked! Do you want some fried rice with tomatoes?" Nima''s eyes immediately sparkled. She kicked her feet up in the air, gripping her teddy bear like it was a weapon of war. "YES! YES! YES!" Kent sighed in relief. Thank god, I''m saved for now. But deep down, he felt guilty. Sooner or later, he''d have to buy her a new TV. For now, though, it was time to pick some tomatoes. As Kent plucked ripe, red tomatoes from the vines, he couldn''t help but marvel. "These things are huge." Each tomato was round, plump, and almost glowingfar better than any normal ones he had seen before. " The reason must be the spiritual energy affecting them" As he worked, he overheard voices coming from Aunt Zhou''s house. A man''s calm, friendly voice drifted through the open window. "I''ll come again when the ruins of Metro City open. It''s very close to opening." Kent''s hand paused mid-air, still holding a tomato. Ruins? Metro City? His eyes narrowed slightly as he listened more closely. Something interesting was going onKent couldn''t hear properly what they were talking about. He thought, why do I feel like this guy is a cultivator? Whatever. Aunty Zhou''s husband is a cultivator, too. This guy must be hare for the old man. I should go inside. The person finished talking and said goodbye. As he passed Kent, he stared at him intently. Kent, still holding the tomatoes, raised an eyebrow. What''s with the stare? What does he want? Stop looking at me like that! Just go already! Never mind. If he doesn''t want to leave, I''ll go. Let''s avoid trouble. That old fart is powerful. I don''t want to mess with one of his people. But just as Kent was about to step away, the person suddenly spoke. "Wait a moment, please." Kent froze. What does he want? Does he want to fight, like the old man? But his spiritual energy feels like a Level C cultivator I can''t beat him. A cold chill ran down his spine. What the hell is going on? Why there are so many strong cultivators around my house and in the city? Since last week, Kent has been noticing a few powerful presence in Metro City. He tightened his grip on the tomatoes. Can I beat him? What if he doesn''t hold back like the old man? I can''t run away either. Nima is inside. What will happen to her if I run? Step Step Step The person moved closer, his hand raised. Damn, he''s making a move! Damn it! Damn it! Kent gritted his teeth. I''ll give it a shot. I can''t run but I''ve to become a role model and big brother to Nima. I can''t just run from problems. Taking a deep breath, Kent focused intensely, drawing spiritual energy from his heart...A faint orange aura flickered to life, gathering around his palm. ???? Whoosh! ???? He was still holding the tomatoes, but as his fire aura flared up on his hands, the pot in his hand began to melt slightly from the outside. Kent spun 180 degrees, his stance solidifying. A few tomatoes tumbled to the ground as he turned to face the approaching figure. ThenThe guy extended his hand. "Hello. My name is Lian." I heard about you from Mr Yu. Silence..... Kent stared at him, his mind grinding to a halt. "Glad to meet you," Lian says to Kent. THIS GUY SCARED ME FOR NOTHING?! Couldn''t he just say hello earlier? WHY BUILD UP ALL THAT TENSION?! Kent sighed internally. I''ve taught him a lesson. Lian, seemingly unaware of Kent''s internal turmoil, repeated himself. "Hello, I''m glad to meet you." Kent narrowed his eyes. "How glad are you? Can you show me?" Lian blinked. +99 SP Copied from Lian (Shocked). Lian jumped back, visibly stunned. What what kind of answer is that?! How am I supposed to respond?! I was never taught how to handle a conversation like this! His thoughts spiralled into confusion. +88, +99, +77, +75 SP Copied. Meanwhile, Kent bent down to casually pick up the fallen tomatoes, his expression calm and collected. Behind him, Lian was still frozen, unable to process what just happened. Kent smirked. "Now you''ll know," he muttered, brushing dust off the tomatoes. "Don''t mess with me again. You almost gave me a heart attack. I should go inside." He gave Lian one last HMPH! Before turning away, his steps were confident. Should I rent a new house? He wondered. This place is becoming chaotic with weird people but the rent is cheap here. Back Inside the House, Kent shut the door behind him with a click. Nima, sitting on the old couch, looked up at him suspiciously. "What happened? Why are you breathing so heavily? Why are you so sweaty?" Kent wiped his forehead. "Huh? N-Nothing. Just" Nima''s eyes narrowed. "Did you go for a jog? But you just left a little while ago. How can you sweat like that in such a short time?" Then, her expression changed as a wild thought struck her. "Wait the only way to sweat that much would be" "KENT, DID YOU POOP OUTSIDE, IN THE YARD?!" +77 SP Copied from Nima (Anger & Confusion). Kent choked on air. "W-WHAT?! NO! DON''T SAY WEIRD STUFF LIKE THAT! YOUR THOUGHTS ARE WILD" Nima crossed her arms. "Hmph. Then what happened?" Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Shh! There are a lot of cultivators around here. You have to be careful when you go outside to play." His voice lowered. "Aunt Zhou''s husband is a cultivator. That old man is very strong. Maybe even a Level-B cultivator." Nima''s eyes widened. "That old man? Really? Are you sure?" Kent nodded. "Yes. And he''s powerful. This morning, he attacked me. Wanted me as his disciple. I never felt that much power before." Nima''s eyes sparkled. "WOW! That sounds like something out of an anime! Like those evil big bosses living in the countryside!" She punched the air a few times, pretending to fight an invisible enemy. "Don''t worry, Kent! I''ll work hard at cultivation! Once I become a BIG BOSS myself, I''ll beat all the OTHER big bosses and protect you! No one will be able to bully you!" Heh heh heh! ???? Kent chuckled, crossing his arms. "Thanks, Nima." Then, under his breath, he muttered: "But who will save me from you?" Later that evening, Kent and Nima cooked fried rice with tomatoes together. The tomatoes, grown from their own farm, were more prosperous in flavour than anything they had eaten before. Nima chewed happily, her legs swinging beneath the chair. "This is SO GOOD! We should grow some more tomatoes!" Kent smiled, enjoying the meal. --- Author Note: Hello, English is my second language. I might make some mistakes while writing. I am too poor to afford an editor. If you find any weird sentences or errors, please comment so that I can fix them. I will work day and night to fix everything. Thank you for reading till now. Chapter 21 - 21: A sword Cultivator ---- . . The following day, Nima pouted unhappily, sitting by the window as Kent prepared to leave for school. She sighed. "You''re leaving again" Kent ruffled her hair. "I''ll buy you a new TV soon. Just give me a few more days." She nodded slowly, still sulking. Kent smiled. "Alright, be good at home. Study a little, okay?" Nima watched him walk away from the windowleaning her head on the sill. "BYE!" she called out. Kent yawned as he walked, still frustrated from last night. Even after trying multiple times, he had failed to absorb the spiritual stones. He refused to give them to Nimashe was already progressing at a monstrous speed, far faster than anyone else. Suddenly, his spiritual sense tingled. !!!!!!~~~????? He turned his head sharply. In the courtyard, the old man, Xian Yu, was practising his sword techniques. Swish! Whoosh! The air hummed with energy as Xian Yu''s sword aura sliced through the wind, leaving streaks of golden light behind. Kent paused. He was mesmerized by the sword moves. The old man moved like a phantom, each stroke of his blade flowing seamlessly into the next. His long silver hair billowed in the air, his left hand resting behind his back while his right wielded the sword with deadly precision. Then FWOOSH! Leaves fell from a nearby tree. With a single swing SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Every single leaf was sliced in half mid-air before they even touched the ground. Sizzle Sizzle ???? The sheer spiritual energy in the cuts burned the edges of the leaves. Behind Xian Yu, an enormous spiritual sword manifesteda towering 8 to 10 meters tall, hovering majestically in the air. The sword in his hand was equally imposingwith a blue hilt, silver borders, and mysterious ancient runes inscribed along the blade. Anyone could tellthis was no ordinary sword. Kent''s eyes widened in awe. Damn, this old man is strong. Then Clank! Xian Yu sheathed his sword with a crisp sound, turning to Kent with a satisfied smile. "Good morning, Kent." Before Kent could reply, Aunt Zhou stepped into the courtyard. "Oh, Kent! You''re up early." Kent nodded. "Good Morning, Aunt Zhou." Then he turned to Xian Yu. "Practicing so early, old man? What type of sword technique is this?" The old man grinned. "It''s my family''s sword technique. " Kent raised an eyebrow. Obviously, I can see that, old man. I meantwhat''s the name of the technique? I can''t tell you the name unless you want to learn it. "Do you want to learn it?" No thanks, he just nodded politely. "I see. Well, I should get goingI''m already late for school." He turned to leave, but "Wait a second, Kent." Xian Yu''s voice stopped him mid-step. Aunt Zhou looked concerned. "Yu" she started but stopped herself. Kent adjusted his school bag strap and turned back. "Yeah?" Xian Yu smiled and lifted his sword. "What do you feel when you look at this sword?" Kent glanced at the blade. "It''s long. It''s old. It''s sharp. Why?" +499 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). The old man''s eye twitched. He jabbed his finger against Kent''s chest. "I''m serious! Answer properly!" Kent sighed, then he looked at the sword again, this time thoughtfully. "It''s a tool that can alter someone''s fate. A blade that can cut through mountains and riversif wielded by the right person." He met the old man''s gaze. "In the hands of the wrong person, it becomes a tool of war and destruction. In the hands of an ordinary person, it''s just a piece of steel." Xian Yu stared at him, eyes widening slightly. So young, yet so insightful Then, the old man grinned and lifted the sword high into the air, striking a dramatic pose. "What do you think, young man?" he said, his voice grand and theatrical. "Want to learn? Want to become my disciple?" Kent''s face lit up like an excited child. "Wel Well I. I DON''T." SPLURT! The old man froze. Kentsy words stabbed him into his heart like a thousand invisible blades. He stumbled back, clutching his chest. PUH! He spat out a mouthful of imaginary blood. +999 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Heart Bleeding). Kent turned on his heels. "Excuse me, old man. I gotta go." Xian Yu reached out weakly. "Wait!" WHOOSH! But Kent was already gone. +999 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Anger). The old man gritted his teeth. "That brat What a troublesome child. Doesn''t he realize the honour of becoming my disciple?" Aunt Zhou patted his back reassuringly. "He''s still young, Yu. He doesn''t want to learn it right now." Xian Yu sighed deeply. "I don''t have much time left. I can''t let my skills fade away. The spiritual energy has returnedI need to pass on my legacy." Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His gaze hardened. "I need to find a successor." Kent walked down the streets, passing tall buildings. He shook his head, muttering. "That old man keeps trying to trick me into becoming his disciple." He checked his SP notifications. +11, +99, +17 SP Copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Kent grinned. "Why am I still getting SP from him? Damn, he must be thinking about me. What a Grumpy old man." A bus rumbled past him as he reached the school gates. Kent entered his class. The classroom was already filled with students chatting amongst themselves. Kent settled into his seat, eager to see what today''s lessons would bring. A few hours later, Lunchtime arrived. Students gathered in groups, chatting and eating. Kent, however, sat alone under a tree, lost in thought. "I still can''t see how much SP I have collected. The system is down. But I need to earn more SPthat''s for sure." "Today, I didn''t get a chance in class to earn SP. I have to do something But what? Should I beat someone up? That''ll definitely get me SP but I''ll also get punished." Suddenly VROOT! VROOT! His phone vibrated. Kent looked down at the screen. His eyes narrowed. Oh, a group SMS from Ryan. Let me see what he''s sent. ?? Massage: Let me show you all something. This is a video of some cultivators. Watch it. I''m hiring people. It''s an excellent opportunity for you all. Kent opened the video. ?? It was a recording of several individuals playing baseball, using spiritual power. Oh, isn''t this just like the anime Dragon Ball Super baseball match? Ryan sent another message to the group. "I want to build a team. Many organizations are planning to hold a baseball match featuring cultivators." I''ll pay you all a good amount of money. This is a great business opportunity. Several students replied: One: Great idea. I''ll join. Two: How much money? Three: I want to be a shareholder. Four: This is a good opportunity to earn some money. Kent: Has anyone asked Miss Elena? She said not to share that we''re in a special class. Ryan, are you planning to declare that we''re all cultivators? ...Silence. +889 SP copied from Ryan. (Frustration) +999+999+999 SP from Xxx xxx xxx. Oh, I''ve earned a lot of SP. Thanks, classmates, for that. But this is only good if we have permission, Kent thought, holding a spoon in his mouth. Another SMS arrived in the group. ?? One: Oh, Ryan. The young master of the Hale family. You can''t handle Kent. He!! He!! He!! Ryan: Kent, I''ll beat you. I challenge you. Two: Come on, don''t act so seriously. Ethan: Don''t be a loser, Ryan. After school, Kent returned home. Nima was waiting for him at the door. "What took you so long? I''m bored to death." I am sorry. "School ended late today. What do you want to eat for dinner? Carrot soup?" Kent asked. +199 SP from Nima. ???? "Kent thoughtNima doesn''t want carrots, huh?" Fine, noodles it is. Kent prepared the noodles. Nima, with a mischievous grin, said, "Let''s see who can finish faster. The loser does the dishes." They ate in a rush. Kent almost choked. Damn it, I lost. You win, Nima. Cough!! Cough!! Kent was coughing. I''ll wash the dishes. Suddenly, he heard a familiar sound. Ding! System upgrade complete. The reward for level-up is given. Kent felt something stir inside his body. What''s happening? A massive surge of spiritual energy gathered around his heart, creating an empty space. His spiritual scene was pulled into space. Within the blank space, a swirling silver and black mist formed. From it, a white dagger emerged. Kent stared in shock. What is this dagger? Is this my reward? But why is it inside my heart? He tried to reach out with his spiritual form, but the dagger resisted, flying away just beyond his grasp. Damn it, system. What kind of reward is this? Why can''t I touch it? Another notification popped up. Ding! Adjusting the dagger''s power to match the host''s level. Reducing power: 90% Current power: 10% Finally, Kent was able to touch the dagger. He tried to pull it out, but it refused to come out, showing resistance. He gathered all his power into his hand. Ahhhhhh!!!! With all his might, he yanked the dagger free from the blank space within his heart. When he finally succeeded, he was back in his original body, holding the dagger in his hand. Chapter 22 - 22: A new Weapon. --- The dagger quickly materialized into a solid form, its presence undeniable. The handle and blade were etched with ancient marks, the meaning of the markings lost to time. Near the base of the handle, a small gem-like rock glowed faintly. It seemed to resemble a face, but not quitea strange, ethereal semblance. The gem pulsed with a soft light. System Notifications Ding! Name: SOUL SLASHER Class: Legendary Power: 10% Note: The dagger''s power will increase as the host''s cultivation level rises. Usages: The host Can slash enemy souls, inducing fear. Effect: Freezes target for 1-10 seconds, depending on the enemy''s level. (Effective against all levels.) Kent gripped the dagger in his hands, his thoughts racing. This... This is amazing. It can freeze any enemy, no matter their level. The stronger they are, the less time they''ll be frozen. It''s perfect for me. I will never go and poke a Level B opponent anyway, "At least not yet." This will be a great trump card in battle. He infused some spiritual power into the Soul Slasher, trying to mimic the moves of the old man Xian Yu with his own brand of flair. Haiyya!!!... Woosh!!! Cut!! ..... Cut!! Something fell to the ground. Kent could sense the dagger''s resistance. It''s almost like it has a consciousness of its own. "He says, Is it trying to fight me? Maybe it''s because I don''t know any sword techniques." From the kitchen, Nima heard the strange sounds Kent was making. "What''s wrong with you, Kent? Are you playing with the dishes? Are you a little kid who plays with the dish soup bubbles?" Kent didn''t pay attention to her. He was lost in thought. "I need to learn sword skills. This dagger won''t obey me unless I can use sword aura properly." "Maybe I should ask the old man next door? But that grumpy old fart..." He swung the dagger again, this time more confidently. Nima, growing irritated, jumped onto Kent''s back. "Hey! Answer me! What are you doing? Where did you get that funny-looking knife?" Kent sighed, finally acknowledging her. "Nima, this is my superpower. I got this knife as part of it. Now get off me. You''re getting heavy. Maybe you need a diet plan." ???? +77 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) Just then, both siblingsKent and Nima heard a noise from the roof. Kent quickly whispered, "Shh... Someone''s up there." Three figures in long black jackets dropped from Kent''s roof and then landed in Aunty Zhou''s house. Two of them bowed respectfully to the third. "The person we''re looking for lives here," the leader said. Kent and Nima peeked from the window, trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xian Yu comes out of the house. The old man settled into a chair in the yard. He looked at the three men with a raised eyebrow. "What are you kids looking for?" The leader signalled to the others. "Don''t do anything without my order." With that, he approached Xian Yu, releasing a wave of spiritual energy. Kent frowned, thinking, What''s happening here? This guy is strong... Is there going to be a fight? "What should I do?" Kent muttered. Nima nudged him. "Move, I can''t see." Kent whispered to himself, "I''ll go save Aunty Zhou if a fight breaks out." The leader, noticing Kent''s curious eyes from the window, locked onto him. Kent quickly ducked down, hiding. Damn, he saw me. He''s really strong. Now that he saw me, I can''t secretly go and save Aunty Zhou. The leader spoke up. "I am Logan, a student of the late Charles." "I am here to meet you, Mr. Xian Yu." Kent''s thoughts raced with wild imagination. So the old man is hiding from his enemies... That''s why he lives out here in the countryside. He must''ve killed that Charles guy. What will happennow that they''ve found him? Xian Yu remained calm, sipping his tea. "Sorry to meet you outside, respected Nexus Logan. This is my wife''s home. It''s not a place for uninvited guests." Hearing the name ''Nexus,'' Kent recalled what Teacher Elena had told him. "So, he''s the one... The leader of the government forces." "Logan, Is it? I''ll keep that in mind. Just now, You''ve really scared me. I''ll hold a grudge for this." Logan nodded to Xian Yu''s comment with a hint of recognition in his eyes. Kent''s thoughts swirled. So, is the old man part of Nexus? The two began to converse. Logan spoke first, his voice firm. "Your fountain physique was destroyed before the return of spiritual energy. You can''t fight without risking your life. Every time you use your power, you shorten your lifespan. If only there were a way to restore your physique." Xian Yu, with a thoughtful look, poured more tea into his cup. "Let''s not discuss about that. It''s my fate, and I''ve accepted it." "I don''t have much time left anyway. The only way to prolong my life is to break into Level A, but with my broken physique, that''s impossible." Xian Yu''s tone softened. Logan says, "Thanks to you, many of the world''s problems were solved ten years ago. At that time, you and Chen Li were the only Level B cultivators in the world." "Hey, your master was also Level B," Xian Yu added. "But he died in that incident eighteen years ago... that was a time when my foundation was damaged. We all suffer from that battle." Now look at you and his kid. Both Level B cultivators, protecting the country." He paused, then asked, "So, why have you come here, kid? Logan stood up, his expression serious. "I''m here to invite you to the Nexus ranks. Join us as the 5th Nexus. Now that spiritual energy is returning faster than ever before, the time to act is now." Kent and Nima struggled to listen in. Nima whispered, "I can''t hear anything. Let''s go outside." Kent shook his head. "We can''t. They will beat us for being naughty kids." Both of them knew the two men were far too strong for them to handle. Outside, the conversation continued. "Join us as the 5th Nexus," Logan insisted. Xian Yu spat out his tea in shock. "What...?" "Cough!! Cough!!" He quickly recovered, apologizing. "Sorry, Nexus Logan. Right now, I''m just an old man. As you just saw, I can barely handle my tea. I don''t want to fight beside you, young people." Logan stood up from the chair, his tone softer now. "Perhaps I went a little too far. But you''re the only Level B cultivator who doesn''t belong to any organization." I know your clan doesn''t want to side with anyone, Logan continued, "but if you change your mind, the 5th Nexus position is yours. Soon, many new opportunities will open up. If we find anything that could help your broken physique, we''ll offer it to you, whether you join or not." Logan added, "I hope that one day your clan won''t be our enemy over the ruins and the pocket dimension. All I want is to protect my homeland." Xian Yu, holding his teacup, smiled faintly. "I feel the same way. For peace, love, and our country." Logan and his followers bid farewell and left, leaping effortlessly across the rooftops. Whoosh! Whoosh! Moments later, Aunty Zhou appeared at the door, asking, "Are you okay? What were they saying? I couldn''t hear a thing." Xian Yu replied, "They must have used a spiritual tool to block the hearing. That... Nexus Logan. Quite the character." They went inside, continuing their conversation. Kent and Nima, frustrated at not being able to overhear more, Kent sighed. "Go to bed, Nima," Kent said. Once she left, Kent decided to check the system for any new upgrades brought on by the recent level-up. Chapter 23 - 23: A Sudden Surprise by the System. -- Kent was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Hey, System, open the system window and let me see what''s new there." The usual screen popped upnothing had changed. What the? Kent thought, furrowing his brow. System, what did you upgrade? You take that long time to upgrade for nothing. System notifications arrived: New skill: Appraisal added to the system. Note: Each use will cost SP. The amount will be based on the level item or target. Kent blinked. Ohhh, a new skill, but it costs SP? Damn you, System. Why can''t you give it to me for free? He grumbled, then turned to check if there was anything new in the shop. Shop | Lottery | Income History | Chat Group ???? What''s this new ''Chat Group'' option? Kent wondered, noticing the lock sign beside it. He tried multiple times to enter the Chat Group window, but every time, a message popped up: "The level is too low. The level is too low. The level is too low." "System, what''s this supposed to mean?!" Kent growled, irritation rising. Ding! The host can''t join any chat group until cultivation reaches LEVEL C. Kent stared blankly at the screen. So you''re telling me, after two whole days of upgrades, you''re just telling me I''m weak? "He groaned and rechecked the shop. Still the same two items." Spiritual Points: 156,789 SP. Items: Physique Enhancement Fruit. He cursed the system again and rolled back into bed, falling asleep. The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Kent. He groggily got out of bed, cooked breakfast, and prepared for school. Outside, the old man, Xian Yu, was practising his sword moves. The birds were flying freely in the clear sky. Once done with his daily routine, Xian Yu suddenly heard Kent''s voice. "Goodbye, Nima!" Kent called out to his sister. Xian Yu quickly froze and struck a dramatic pose, acting like he was still in the middle of his sword practice. Whooshing!! Whooshes!!! "Good morning, Mr. Xian Yu! How are you doing?" Kent greeted him. Xian Yu was caught off guard by Kent''s sudden approach. Haaahhh!!!! He cleared his throat. "Goodnight, Kent. Ahem! I mean good morning." Kent couldn''t help but chuckle. "Mr. Xian Yu, your sword technique looks pretty cool." The old man''s eyes sparkled with pride. He jumped toward Kent, eager to show off. "You like it, huh? It''s pretty cool. Want me to teach you? I''ll show you all the cool moves!" Kent smirked. "I want to, but there''s a problem" Xian Yu, undeterred, waved his hand. "It doesn''t matter what the problem is! There''s nothing that can stop me from teaching you! I can solve any problem!" Ke paused for a moment before telling about his problem. Meanwhile, Xian Yu thought, "I know you like money. Just say it. He grinned slyly." Kent asked the old man. "Well, it''s not that big of a deal The thing is, I was wondering, how good were your academic results?" Xian Yu puffed up his chest proudly. "Back in the old days, I was the top genius in my class. I got an A+ in every subject!" OH! That''s excellent! Kent said, giving a thumbs-up. "I knew I made the right choice asking you." Xian Yu started to suspect something was off. "Wait he''s up to something." Kent leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Xian Yu, I''ll have time to practice swords if you could take over as Nima''s tutor. You know, most of my free time goes into teaching her. You could tutor her when I''m at school. Plus, you''re very oldshe could look after you if you trip and fall by mistake. ????" +999 SP from Xian Yu (Shocked). Kent held back a laugh. His own joke thoroughly entertained him. With a twinkle in his eye, he called out, "Nima Nima! Come out!" Thud! Nima kicked the door open, her voice sharp. "You you stone-hearted big brother!" ???? I can''t watch my anime and dramas, and now you want me to study all day? (She''d overheard everything from the window.) +999 SP copied from Nima (Anger). Kent shrugged, unfazed. "Old man, you have no idea how lucky you are. My little sister is such a nice girl. You wouldn''t find anyone like her in the entire city." Xian Yu, still trying to process everything, nodded slowly. "You''re right. I can''t find anyone like her who can kick the door that hard." Kent lowered his voice. "Mr. Xian Yu, the truth is... Nima is an awakened person, too. She became a cultivator at such a young age." WOW! Xian Yu says, "l don''t know, she is this incredible kid." Shh, old man. No one knows about that. I want to keep it a secret. I don''t want people to bug me about joining clans or organizations. In the background, Nima fumed like a wild beast while Kent and Xian Yu chatted happily. "Nima, come here. Kent called her." "Why did you call me Kent? What do you want?" Kent raised an eyebrow. "From now on, when I''m at school, you could go to Aunt Zhou''s house. You''ve always wanted to play in Aunt Zhou''s house, right?" Nima was not buying it. "Don''t fool me, Kent. I''m not a little kid anymore. You can''t trick me!" +666 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent smirked. "If you don''t listen to me, I''ll stop making fried rice and noodles for three months. Decide now, what do you want?" ''Study Or no Gried Rice for three months.'' Kent muttered to himself, "You have no idea how hard I worked to get this old man to be your tutor. It''s free, too! Saves me a ton of money." Nima finally gave in, glaring at the old man as she stormed off to Aunt Zhou''s house. "I''m not a little kid! Ugh! Kent, I know you just blackmailed me." Xian Yu sighed. "Why is she looking at me like that? I''m the victim here." Kent, satisfied, waved goodbye to them both, calling out, "Have fun!" Inside Aunt Zhou''s house, Nima walked in, scowling. "Aunt Zhou, what are you doing?" Aunt Zhou greeted her warmly. "Oh, look who''s here! Want a snack? Come in, I''ve got plenty." Nima grinned. "From now on, I''ll study with your husband. After Studying, can I watch TV? I haven''t watched my anime and drama since our TV broke." Aunty Zhou replied, "Of course! But only after studying." One minute later...Nima munched on snacks, savouring each bite. Yum! Yum! Xian Yu grumbled from behind her, Take your time, kid. Don''t choke on it. "Damn it, I wanted to find an apprentice, but now I become a babysitting." He paused, a thought crossing his mind. Wait a minute. It''s not a bad idea. She''s more talented than Kent. Xian Yu grinned mischievously. Heh Heh Heh! "I''ll teach both of the siblings my sword techniques," he decided. Meanwhile, Kent was walking down the street when a system notification popped up. Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the first mission. Reward: Spiritual Cloak. (A cloaking ability) Use: Creates a spiritual energy cloak using the host''s energy. It can be used as a defence and also blocks spiritual senses. This technique can be taught to blood-related people. Kent''s eyes lit up in excitement. His thoughts go back to this morning incident. "When he woke up this morning. He was rubbing his eyes when suddenly, a mission alert sounded in his mind." Ding! Mission: Find a tutor for Nima. Reward: ??? Time: One day. What the? The system gave me a mission now. Is this because of your upgrade System? Answer me! [Ding! The system will be more active now. From now on, the system will assign missions to the host. The host must complete all missions. Some missions have time limits. Missions cannot be refused. Failure to complete a mission will result in a deduction of SPdepending on the task.] Kent groaned. I can''t refuse a mission? And if I fail, will I lose SP? No way, System! I won''t let you take my SP. I need to find a tutor quickly. "Kent grinned slyly. I''ve got a plan. I''ll trick old man Xian Yu." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Present time...Back at Aunt Zhou''s house, Xian Yu was teaching Nima, watching as she wrote. Xian Yu says, "You''ve got strong, steady handwriting. You could become a calligraphy artist." Nima tilted her head, uninterested. "Do they make a lot of money?" "Not really. Only a handful of them earn well," Xian Yu replied. "Then I don''t want to. I want money!" Nima declared, munching another snack. "I''ll sell at the market like Kent. That''s how we survived until now." Xian Yu sighed, watching the two siblings. I''ll help them as much as I can until my time runs out. He looked at Nima, thinking, Damn, these kids have it tough. After that, his thoughts shifted to Kent''s training, and I''ll teach Kent this. No, wait that one! Yes, that move will be best for him. Chapter 24 - 24: Sword training Start --- In the afternoon, the sun remained bright, casting golden rays across the yard. A soft, cool breeze rustled the leaves as Kent returned from school. Xian Yu and Nima stood on the yard, waiting for Kent. The old man''s sharp eyes scanned Kentbefore he spoke. "Go change into something more suitable for training. Quickly, both of you!" A few minutes later, Kent and Nima returned, dressed in t-shirts and jogging pants. The old man stood tall, his weathered face unreadable as he addressed them. His voice carried the weight of experience, unwavering and firm. "The first lesson is simple," he said, his piercing gaze locking onto them. "You will swing your sword 1,000 times. Only after that can you take the next step." Kent and Nima exchanged uneasy glances, gripping their wooden swords tightly. The unfamiliar weight made their hands feel clumsy. "Observe," Xian Yu continued, picking up his own sworda battered yet well-maintained blade. The worn surface bore the marks of countless battles. "This is how it''s done." He moved with the grace of a panther, deliberate yet fluid. "First, lower your body at a 45-degree angle," he instructed, adjusting his stance. "Your feet should be planted firmly. Balance is everything." Raising the sword above his head with both hands, he ensured the blade was perfectly straight, pointing toward the heavens. "Now, swing downward in a clean, precise motion." He demonstrated his sword moves. "Watch this he says, The wooden blade cutting through the air with a sharp whoosh before stopping inches above the ground." "Remember," he straightened, turning to face them with an intense stare. "The blade must not touch the ground. If it does, that swing doesn''t count. Precision is key. Sloppiness won''t be tolerated." The siblings nodded, determination glinting in their eyes despite their hesitation. Xian Yu handed them their training swords. "Begin. I will count." Taking a seat on a worn wooden chair, he folded his arms and watched as the lesson commenced. "1 2" His voice sliced through the air like a whip. Kent and Nima started, their movements stiff at first. Swish! Swish! "8 99 198" Sweat beaded on Nima''s forehead. Her arms trembled with every swing, and by the 200th count, her movements had slowed. Her breathing was ragged. "I I can''t do it," she panted, her wooden sword slipping from her fingers as she collapsed to her knees. "Nima!" Kent called out, pausing mid-swing to glance at her. "Keep going!" the old man''s voice was unrelenting. "She''s done, but you are not. Push through!" Kent gritted his teeth, his arms burning with fatigue. But he tightened his grip and continued. "299 599" His shirt was soaked with sweat. His legs felt like jelly. Each swing sent jolts of pain through his shoulders, but he refused to stop. "888" The old man''s voice carried a hint of approval now. "999 1,000!" Kent''s final swing was as precise as the first. He barely managed to hold himself up before collapsing, gasping for air. Xian Yu nodded, a rare flicker of a smile appearing. "Good. Both of you did well." He glanced at Nima, who was sitting on the ground, staring at Kent in awe. Nima,"You gave up after 200. Not bad for a first try." Then, turning to Kent, his eyes narrowed slightly. "And you you pushed through when most would have quit. That is the spirit of a warrior." Kent grinned weakly, pride swelling in his chest despite his exhaustion. Xian Yu stood, his chair creaking as he rose. "Rest for now. Tomorrow morning, we begin again." The Next Morning...As dawn barely kissed the sky, a rhythmic knocking echoed through Kent''s house. The sun had yet to rise fully, and the world remained painted in hues of deep orange and soft gold. Kent, still exhausted from the previous day''s training, groggily woke up. Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled to the door, opening it just as the first light of day spilt over the horizon. Xian Yu stood there, looking as composed as ever. "Let''s begin. Where''s Nima?" Kent yawned. "Sleeping." He crossed his arms. "You can wake her up if you thinkyou can handle her anger, but I''m not doing it. She''ll go into a crazy mood if I try to wake her up." The old man''s expression shifted as he imagined Nima''s wrath. In his mind''s eye, she was yelling at him, demanding apologies. He quickly brushed the thought aside. "Ahem! Ahem! I will teach her later, maybe after homework in the afternoon. You, come with me." They walked into the yard, where various weight bags and large stones lay scattered around. Xian Yu gestured toward them. "Put these on." Kent strapped on the weights: 150 kg on his vest, 50 kg on each leg, and 20 kg on each arm. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now, swing the sword exactly as you did yesterdaybut this time, strike the rock. There is one simple rule you must obey, that is you can''t break the wooden sword." Kent''s brows furrowed. Seriously... Are you telling me to break rock with wood? This is totally the opposite of common sense. "How do I break a rock without breaking the wooden sword?" It''s impossible!!! "You need to become one with the blade," Xian Yu said. "Connect your spiritual sense with the wooden sword. This is the first step toward mastering the Sword Dao." He pointed to the ground, saying. "Once you finish three stages of training, you will be able to do this." Xian Yu raised a single finger. A faint, shimmering aura gathered around it, forming an invisible blade. With a single swing, the training dummy and the ground beneath it were sliced in half. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Old man, you''re amazing! Teach me that move. Right now, I need to learn these cool moves. Not some wood breaking the rock!" Xian Yu flicked Kent''s forehead. "Stop dreaming. You won''t be able to do it until you master the fundamentals. Also, stop calling me ''old man.'' From now on, call me Master." "No way Kent replied. I''m only here to learn your sword moves, not to become your disciple." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Xian Yu sighed. "Enough talking. Start practicing. First, swing the sword 1,500 times in the air. Then, strike the rock 500 times. You must complete 2000 swings before it''s time for school." "Before school?!" Kent groaned. "Yes. Now get to it." You don''t have enough time to waste. As Kent began training, Xian Yu observed him closely. "When I was a child, I could barely swing 100 times with 200 kg," he murmured to himself. "But Kent has already surpassed 500 swings. His physical strength is unbelievable. Is he hiding his true level?" His gaze darkened with curiosity. "He''s definitely at a Level E cultivation, but unless he has an A-rank physique, this shouldn''t be possible. I need to test both siblings later." After completing his 1500-air swings, Kent attempted to strike the rock. The first impact caused a crack in the wooden sword. The second swing deepened the cracks. The third swing snapped the sword in half. +999 SP from Xian Yu (Frustration). The rock remained unscathed. Xian Yu stroked his beard. "I only brought one wooden sword today. I don''t have any more wooden swords. Go home! Tomorrow, I''ll have more wooden swords ready for you. If you break one in three swings, then I guess you will empty the wooden sword market." Kent, too tired to argue, nodded and dragged himself inside the house, already dreading the next day of training. Chapter 25 - 25: Testing New powers. --- After the morning training, Kent was out of breath and, drenched in sweat, decided to bathe. "After bathing, I''ll wake up that lazy little sister of mine," he muttered, dragging himself toward the bathroom. "I''m too tired to do everything alone." Once refreshed, Kent made his way to Nima''s room to wake her up. She was sound asleep, lying like a baby, free from the burdens of the world. Her innocent, peaceful face filled Kent''s heart with affection. Looking at her, Kent mused to himself, "My little sister has the Soulbinder SSS-RANK skill, a power that sounds like something a villain would wielddark and ominous. But it''s far too overpowered for my liking. I wish I had her skills. Unlike mine, which doesn''t even allow me to cultivate properly." An idea sparked in Kent''s mind, and he decided to use his appraisal skill to check if there were any hidden side effects to Nima''s skill. This way, "I could also evaluate my own appraisal abilitiesafter all, SP is valuable to my growth. I don''t want to waste it on random things just for the sake of curiosity. I''m such a genius." Kent chuckled to himself, feeling proud of the plan. "Ha ha ha!" He activated the System, speaking aloud, "System, use the appraisal on Nima''s Soulbinder skill. Show me what cool things this skill has." The System notifications came through: Calculating [Ding! Cost: 1000 SP (Price reduced by 90% due to blood relation.) Do you want to use it?] [Yes / No] Kent eagerly selected "Yes." Appraising Complete. Ding! Nima''s Status: Physique: Max (10) Cultivation: Level E (lower) Skill: Soulbinder (SSS-Rank) 1. The user can''t feel any emotion if she kills a person (No PTSD). 2. She can read captured soul memories. 3. She can understand all souls'' languages. Description: Extracts dead souls and binds them as contracted servants: no level limit but limited slots (1/2). Kent read through the information, his eyes lingering on the description. He thought to himself, "SSS rank means there are likely three more sub-skills tied to this one." But it''s good that she won''t feel any mental trauma or anxiety if she kills something. In a world like this, killing to survive is inevitable. The peaceful world we once knew is gone. Kent stared at Nima, pondering her overwhelming abilities. With a physique maxed out at level 10, she progressed faster than anyone. She could capture souls and keep them as her servants, read their memories, and communicate with any soulall of this without fear or PTSD. ''This system is cruel to me''...Frustration boiled inside him. Here I am, stuck making jokes and causing trouble to level up. Wait a minute. My skill is also SSS rank. I should have three sub-skills too. Without wasting another second, he activated the appraisal on himself. "System, use appraisal on my Copy Spiritual Energy SSS-RANK skill." Calculating Ding! Cost: 10,000 SP. Kent''s eyes widened. "System, wasn''t it supposed to be 1,000 SP?" His voice was filled with irritation. "What the hell?" Ding! There is no discount on the host himself. Do you want to use it? [Yes / No] "No No, I don''t want to," Kent grumbled. "I need to save my SP to level up first." Nima''s level was still behind his, but who knew? In a few days, she might surpass him. "I can always check my skills later when I have enough SP. I already know that one of my sub-skills lets me copy powers from others under certain conditionslike if I have an affinity for their superpower or skill." Kent, still fuming with frustration, couldn''t stop thinking about his other two sub-skills. "I can''t waste any SP right now, he thought, but I can''t stand not knowing!" His anger bubbled up, and he shouted at the system. The sudden outburst was enough to wake Nima from her peaceful sleep. She groggily blinked up at him and yawned. "What are you doing, Kent? Did I sleep too long?" she asked, stretching. "I came to wake you up," Kent replied, "I need some help with breakfast. My arms are sore from training, and I need to finish everything quickly before school." Nima lazily got out of bed and followed Kent to the kitchen. As they worked together, Kent told her what needed to be done while he handled most of the cooking. Nima huffed, clearly irritated. "How dare that old man put you through such tough training? He doesn''t even know how to solve math problems, yet he acts like he''s some big shot!" She paused, clearly fuming. "And he even made your hand sore? I''m going to have a word with him. You need less training, not more." Kent smiled at her protectiveness. "Ooww, my little sister really cares for me." But Nima was still speaking. "He doesn''t know you''re the world''s best cook! If your hand is sore, who''s going to cook for me?" Kent''s face fell slightly. Just shattered... ???? Damn it... She cares more about food than me. Nima tries to hold back a laugh. Kent asks, "Nima, you''re pulling my leg, right?" She grinned mischievously. "Nope! I have to tell him you''re the best cook. Now, hurry up and make breakfast! I''m starving!" Kent stops cooking and approaches Nima with a playful grin. "You little... naughty little girl. I''ve got to teach you a lesson." Before he could catch her, Nima darted away, laughing. "You naughty little thing, always pulling my leg! Let''s see if you can outrun me now!" A few minutes later, they were seated at the table, enjoying breakfast together. Once they were done, Kent handed Nima over to Xian Yu for her lessons. "Old man," Kent said with a smirk, "take care of her. She''s got a sharp tongue today, but I''m sure you can handle it." Xian Yu sighed dramatically, muttering to himself, "I wanted a disciple, not a babysitting job." Kent entered the special class, a sly grin on his face. Today was the day he''d get to test out his new skill. The other students were already seated, chatting amongst themselves. "Today''s the day," Kent thought to himself, "Let''s see how good this Spiritual Cloak really is." During a break between lessons, Kent slipped into a quiet corner of the hall, his excitement building. He closed his eyes and focused, tapping into the flow of spiritual energy within him. He says, "System, activate Spiritual Clock." A faint shimmer surrounded him as a translucent, cloak-like barrier formed around his body. The air inside felt oddly calm, almost serene, as if the world outside had been muted. "Whoa," Kent whispered, clearly impressed. "This is pretty cool. Let''s see what it can do." He stepped out of the hall and spotted a group of classmates nearby. Sneaking up behind one, he deactivated the spiritual cloak. "BOO!" The student jumped, spinning around. "What thewhere did you come from?!" Kent grinned. "Just testing a little something." Ding! +77 SP copied (Fear). Encouraged by the success, Kent spent the rest of the break sneaking up on classmates, startling them, and earning SP. One student turned bright red with embarrassment after Kent suddenly appeared behind her, a blush creeping up her neck. (She might have a crush on Kent) Ding! +88 SP copied (Embarrassment). Another tripled over himself as he tried to back away from Kent''s sudden appearance. Ding! +99 SP copied (Shock). By the time the break ended, Kent had accumulated over 20,000 SP. "Not bad," he thought, heading back to class. "This skill is already paying off." After school, Kent returned home and immediately called out. Nima, "Where are you?" "I''m inside," she replied. "The old man had somewhere to go, so I came back home." Kent entered the house and smiled at her. "Nima, I''ve got something to teach you. It really useful. You will like it." She tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it?" "It''s a skill called Spiritual Cloak," Kent explained. "It''ll help you defend yourself and block spiritual senses in case of an emergency. You can sneak around without getting noticed by anyone." Nima''s eyes widened with excitement. "Really? Teach me!" Kent spent the next hour guiding her through the basics, showing her how to channel her spiritual energy and form the cloak-like barrier around her body. By the end of the session, Nima had managed to create a miniature, flickering version of the cloak. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not bad for your first try," Kent said, ruffling her hair. "I''m impressed." Nima beamed with pride. "Thanks, big brother!" Ding! +99 SP from Nima (Joy). Kent couldn''t help but smile. With her growing so fast, I need to step up my game. Chapter 26 - 26: A test & The Night Hunt ---- After that, Nima started telling Kent about her day. "You know, today the old man Xian Yu did this... and that..." He almost choked on his tea when I told him I wanted to learn high school math. He tried to solve math problems, but he kept veering off into teaching me other subjects. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Knock! Knock! Kent opened the door to see the old man, Xian Yu, standing with a sad and pissed-off expression on his face. Kent said, "Mr. Xian Yu, she''s just a kid..." +999 SP from Xian Yu (Frustration) Kent felt a little tense, realizing the old man was upset. Xian Yu cleared his throat. "I''ll solve your math problems, Nima. Hand me the notebook." Then he changed the subject. "Kent, why are you looking so tense? Don''t worry, I don''t mind. I know she''s just a kid." He turned to Nima. "Listen, I was solving math problems before you were born." Nima fired back, "How old are you?" Xian Yu paused. "I... I''m 71 years old. Why?" Nima smirked, "I''m only 11 years old. You''ve been doing math for 60 years, and you still can''t solve high school math?" +999 SP from Xian Yu (Anger) "You little... Hey, Kent! What have you been teaching her? Why is she like this?" Xian Yu growled. Kent quickly realized the situation was escalating and that he couldn''t afford to let them fight. If they argued more, he''d lose both a free tutor and babysitter. An idea suddenly clicked in Kent''s mind. "Grandpa Xian Yu, calm down," he said, trying to defuse the tension. He quickly thought He wanted me to call him master all the time. Maybe that''ll calm him down. +999 SP from Xian Yu (Shocked) "You both call my wife ''aunt,'' and now you''re calling me ''grandpa''?!" Xian Yu stared at Kent. Kent''s soul seemed to leave his body at that moment. He had acted too hastily, not thinking carefully when his mind just blurted out "grandpa" after hearing that Xian Yu was 71. He stood there, frozen and soulless. "I messed up big time." Xian Yu waved his hand. "Alright, kid. You''re right. From now on, you can call me grandpa, and from now on, call my wife ''grandma,'' too. She looks young, but she''s actually older than she looks." "Although we don''t have any children, we''d like to have some grandkids." The old man''s serious expression softened. "Alright, enough of that. I''m here for something important." He handed Kent two vials of mercury. "Take these, test both of your physiques and tell me what the results are." As he handed over the vials, he leaned in closer to Kent. "Why do you look so tense again? Don''t tell me you don''t have an F-rank physique?" "No, no," Kent said quickly. "When I tested for the special class, my results were F-rank. No need to test again." Xian Yu didn''t relent. "Some people''s physiques change over time. I want to know if yours has. Nima never tested her physique, right? You know how to do it, don''t you?" The old man left, but not without saying, "Tell me the results in the morning." As soon as he left, Nima turned to Kent. "What should we do now, Kent? You told me never to tell anyone about our max-level physique. Should we tell him the truth?" Kent shook his head. "No. We''ve only known him for a few days. Even though he''s teaching us sword techniques, we can''t trust anyone. At least, not now." "Even our parents left us in an orphanage. This old man is just a neighbour. He and Aunt Zhou are kind to us, but we can''t reveal our secrets to anyone! Let''s check our physiques first. Then we''ll decide what to do." Kent pricked his finger and dropped a drop of blood onto the mercury. The moment it touched, the mercury vanished with an explosive blast. Crack! Boom! "What does this mean, Kent? What are we going to show the old man?" Nima asked, her eyes wide in confusion. Kent said gravely, "It means our physiques are too strong to be measured with current technology and methods." "Now what?" Nima asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "I have an idea, Kent. What if we use someone else''s blood to fool the old man?" Kent raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going to find someone who''ll give their blood at this hour?" sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But you gave a good suggestion, Nima." Kent smiled. "I could just go to the metro city forest and get some beast blood. That might work." Nima shook her head. "You don''t need to go. Did you forget I have the ugly Bear? We can use the ugly Bear''s blood." Kent taps on Nima''s forehead. Silly, That Bear is a soul. It has no blood. Why are you so dumb sometimes? +99 SP copied from Nima.(Angry & frustrated) Kent, "You called me a dumb. You don''t love me anymore? You have a little sister outside. I know it now." I won''t talk to you until you buy me a sugar apple. Huh! Stop your acting, Nima. Stay at home. I will come back soo,n and don''t play with the vial, or you will break the vial while I am gone. Whoosh! The forest near Metro City was eerily quiet under the pale moonlight. The faint rustling of leaves in the cool breeze was the only sound, but it carried a sense of unease. Kent trudged forward, his fists clenched, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. "This better work," Kent muttered to himself. "If I can just get some beast blood, I can fool the old man and avoid any suspicion." He stepped over a fallen log, his mind racing. "If I told him the truth about our physiques, he''d definitely ask too many questions. But lying to him? It feels wrong" A sudden growl snapped Kent out of his thoughts. He froze, his fire aura instinctively flaring around his fists as his eyes darted toward the sound. From the darkness emerged a Shadow Panther, its sleek, black fur shimmering faintly with spiritual energy. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kent, and its tail flicked menacingly. "Well, aren''t you a handsome one," Kent muttered, taking a step back. "Alright, fluffy one, let''s see what you''ve got." The panther growled, crouching low before leaping at him with terrifying speed. Kent barely had time to dodge as the panther''s claws swiped past him, tearing through a nearby tree trunk like paper. "Okay, not so fluffy after all!" Kent shouted, summoning his fire aura into his palms. He thrust his hands forward, launching a hard punch at the beast. The panther snarled, twisting mid-air to avoid the attack. It landed gracefully, its eyes narrowing as it sized him up. "Oh, you''re a smart one," Kent said, smirking. "But I''ve got more tricks up my sleeve." The panther lunged again, faster this time. Kent rolled to the side, his fire aura igniting around his fists. He countered with a fiery punch, managing to graze the beast''s side. The panther yelped, its fur singed, but it quickly recovered, circling him with predatory intent. "Alright, time to end this," Kent muttered. He focused his energy, summoning his Soul slasher dagger. The dagger gave light, illuminating the forest around him. The panther hesitated, its instincts warning it of the danger. Kent took the opportunity to charge, landing a powerful stab into the panther''s belly. With a final growl, the panther collapsed, its spiritual energy fading. +1999 SP copied from Panther. (Death) Note: The highest SP Kent can get is 2000." It''s the limit for one-time earning of extreme emotions ''for now.'' Kent crouched beside the fallen panther; he pulled a small water bottle from his pocket and carefully drew some of the beast''s blood. "This should be enough to convince the old man," he muttered, holding the bottle up to the moonlight. The dark liquid shimmered faintly, a testament to the panther''s spiritual energy. As Kent made his way back through the forest, the vial of blood clinking softly in his pocket, doubt began to gnaw at him. "The old man''s not stupid. He''ll probably figure out that this isn''t our blood. And what if he asks more questions?" He paused, leaning against a tree as he stared up at the stars. "Why am I even doing this?" he asked himself. "He''s been nothing but kind to us, and here I am with doubt and trying to deceive him. But I can''t tell him the full truth either. It''s too risky." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe I''m overthinking this. I''ll tell him our physiques are better than E-rank and leave it at that. I am telling him the truth." By the time Kent reached the edge of the forest, he had made up his mind. "I will drop the whole blood idea," he said to himself. "It''s too risky, and it feels wrong. I''ll say we tested and found out our physiques are stronger than E-rank. That should be enough to satisfy him without raising too many questions." He glanced down at the bottle in his hand before tucking it back into his pocket. "Better to keep this just in case. Who knows? It might come in handy later." Kent slipped back into the tiny house. Nima was waiting for him. He placed the bottle on the table before sinking into a chair, his body sore from the fight. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. "I hope this works. If he asks too many questions, I''ll have to come up with something fast." Nima asked. Kent, what happened? Why are you so silent? Nima, Listen to me. I have decided we won''t use the beast''s blood. If the old man asks you anything about our physique test, just say. We have better physiques than E rank. Just avoid all other questions from him. You are an expert in that. Nima bites Kent''s hand. You are picking on me. Both siblings play a little bit, making jokes. Then they go to bed. Chapter 27 - 27: The Old Mans Suspicions The early morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden hue over the siblings'' tiny house. Kent sat at the table, nervously tapping his fingers against the wood, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing in the quiet room, while Nima busied herself eating a piece of bread she had drenched in sugar water. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s the plan again?" Nima asked between bites, her voice muffled by the food. "We tell him our physiques are better than E-rank but stay vague," Kent said, pacing back and forth, his feet shuffling across the wooden floor with a creak-creak. "No specifics, no numbers. Just enough to make him think it''s not worth digging deeper." Nima rolled her eyes, her voice laced with mockery. "You''re overthinking this. Grandpa Xian Yu isn''t a detective." Kent paused, rubbing his temples, his fingers pressing hard into his forehead. "You don''t understand. The old man''s sharper than he looks. One slip-up, and he''ll start asking too many questions." Knock! Knock! The sound jolted them both. Knock knockthe distinct, sharp thud against the door resonated in Kent''s chest. Kent straightened his back, forcing a calm expression as he walked to the door. Opening it, he found old man Xian Yu standing there, his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face. "Good morning, kid," Xian Yu said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Creak. "So, did you test your physiques?" Kent exchanged a quick glance with Nima, who gave him a subtle thumbs-up from behind her bread. "Yes, we did," Kent said, his tone even. "And, uh well, it turns out our physiques are a bit better than E-rank." Xian Yu raised an eyebrow, his smile fading. "A bit better?" Kent nodded quickly. "Yeah. Somewhere between E and D, I guess. But it''s hard to be sure." +999 SP copied from Xian Yu. (Frustration) Xian Yu studied him for a moment, his sharp gaze making Kent''s stomach churn with a sinking thud. "You''re not lying to me, are you?" Xian Yu asked, his tone soft but firm. "N-no!" Kent stammered, forcing a laugh. "Why would I lie about something like that?" +99 SP copied. Xian Yu''s eyes flicked to Nima, who was busy pretending to be fascinated by her bread. "And what about her?" Xian Yu asked. "She''s never been tested before, right?" Nima froze, then turned to him with wide, innocent eyes. "I think I''m around the same rank as Kent. Maybe a bit stronger. I''m just a kid, after all." Xian Yu sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I see" The old man turned away, looking out the window as if lost in thought. "I don''t blame you for not trusting me," he said quietly. "You''re orphans, and you''ve had to fend for yourselves. Trust doesn''t come easy." Kent and Nima exchanged guilty glances. The weight of his words hit them like a soft thud in their chests. Xian Yu turned back to them, a small smile on his face. "But I''ll earn your trust someday. Mark my words." With that, he gave them a brief nod, preparing for the training. "I will wait outside." Then he left the house, leaving the siblings in an awkward silence. "Well, that went better than I expected," Kent muttered, sinking into his chair with a sigh of relief. Nima grinned, leaning her chin on her hands. "You were so nervous. I thought you were going to faint." "Very funny," Kent said, glaring at her. "You''re lucky you didn''t slip up with your innocent act." "Who, me?" Nima said, feigning shock. "I''m the perfect picture of innocence." "Sure you are," Kent said, rolling his eyes. Nima laughed, then pointed at the bottle of blood still sitting on the table. "So, what are we doing with that?" Kent glanced at it, frowning. "I''ll get rid of it later. It''s useless now." Just as Kent was about to relax, the familiar ding of the system echoed in his head. Ding! Mission Assigned: Learn (sword aura) the first stage of sword technique. Reward: ??? Time Limit: None. Kent groaned, slumping in his chair as the sound of the notification left him feeling drained. "Great. More training." "What''s wrong?" Nima asked, tilting her head. "Nothing," Kent said quickly. "Just thinking about how much work I have to do." Nima smirked. "You mean how much work Grandpa Xian Yu is going to make you do?" Kent shot her a look. "Don''t push your luck, Nima." A few minutes later, Kent joined Xian Yu in the small yard behind Aunt Zhou''s house. The old man was already there, practising his sword techniques with his usual graceful movements, the swish-swish of his blade cutting through the air like a whisper. "You''re late," Xian Yu said without turning around. "Good morning to you too, Grandpa," Kent said, earning a sharp glance from the old man. "Alright, kid," Xian Yu said, lowering his sword. "Let''s see if you''ve been paying attention." Kent sighed, stepping forward. "Let''s get this over with." For the next hour, Xian Yu put him through a gruelling series of drills, and the thud of Kent''s wooden sword meeting the ground echoed with every mistake. Xian Yu corrected his form repeatedly, pushing him to his limits. "You''re improving," Xian Yu said grudgingly as Kent collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. The air around Kent was thick with exhaustion. "Thanks," Kent wheezed. "I think." As Kent lay there, staring up at the sky, something clicked in his mind. "The mission" he muttered to himself. "It didn''t say anything about the time limit. Just how hard is it to learn the sword aura?" He sat up, his eyes narrowing. "It didn''t even tell me about the reward." Xian Yu raised an eyebrow. "What are you mumbling about, kid?" "Nothing!" Kent said quickly, jumping to his feet. "Let''s go again!" "I like your warrior spirit, Kent," the old man said. "Don''t blame me when your body gets sore. Now start doing the 500 swings (rock breaking) with the wooden sword." "But remember, each time you break a wooden sword, three will be a punishment." Kent groaned as he picked up a new sword. His body screamed for rest, but he pushed through, swinging again and again. But it didn''t last long. Today, he broke the wooden sword after just 20+ swings. Crack! From behind, the old man slapped Kent with LEVEL-D strength. Kent was thrown a few feet ahead. Ouch! Ouch! ???? Kent yelled, clutching his back. "Are you a mad old man? You want to kill me?" "Stop nagging," Xian Yu said, unfazed. "This is also a part of training. My master trained me this way. See how strong I am?" "You your time was in dinosaur time. Don''t compare that with this era!" Kent shot back, his pain momentarily forgotten. +99 SP copied from Xian Yu. (Speechless) A few seconds later, Kent stumbled back home, groaning as he went. "Today''s training is over. Don''t you have to sell in the market?" Chapter 28 - 28: Earning SP the --- After finishing his morning training with Xian Yu, Kent dragged himself back home, sweat dripping from his brow. His body ached, but the thought of earning SP kept his spirits high. "It took me FIVE spiritual fruits last time to cultivate From LEVEL-F to LEVEL-E. I should need five fruits this time, too. One fruit cost now- 100,000/- Spiritual Point. It''s ten times more expensive than the previous level. I need to hit 500,000 SP before my cultivation reaches LEVEL D," Kent muttered to himself, wiping his face with a towel. "Let''s check my spiritual points first," Kent muttered. He opened the system to view his SP balance. After checking, he sighed. It wasn''t enough for him to level up anytime soon. Spiritual Points: 187,123 SP. Kent asks with a deep voice, "Hey, system, what''s the difference between cultivating fruits at each level? They all look the same. Can I buy about 30 or 50 Cultivation fruits?" [Ding! System notifications- Dear host, you can only buy five Cultivation fruits at each level. Like the price, the fruit''s spiritual energy also increased by ten times.] "What a bummer..." Kent says, "Nima will soon become a cultivator of Level E (middle). At this rate, I''ll never catch up to Nima. I need a plan to earn SP faster. I need to get creative." While sipping a glass of water, Kent leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing mischievously. "If the system rewards me for triggering emotions, then I just need to mess with peoplewithout getting myself in trouble, of course." Nima walked into the room, chewing on a carrot. "What are you scheming now, Kent? Why does your facial expression look like you plan to do something weird?" "Nothing that concerns you. My face is normal as always." Kent said, grinning. "That grin is terrifying," Nima replied, narrowing her eyes. "Bye, Nima, I have to set up my stall." Kent stepped outside, ready to put his plan into action. First plan- The Stinky Momo Stall (Revisited): Kent set up his infamous stinky momo stall in the middle of the bustling street. The smell wafted through the air, causing immediate chaos. "What is that smell?!" a passerby exclaimed, covering their nose. "It smells like someone left socks in a sewer for a month!" another yelled. "I can''t take it anymore." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +56 SP copied (Disgusting). +77 SP copied (Annoyance). +79 SP copied (Fainting). A curious man approached, pinching his nose. "What are you selling?" "Stinky momos," Kent said proudly, holding up a steaming plate. "One bite, and you''ll forget all your problems!" The man hesitated before taking a bite. His eyes widened. "This this is amazing!" he shouted, shoving another momo into his mouth. "It''s the best thing I''ve ever tasted!" +133 SP copied (Joy). Kent smirked. "That''s the magic of stinky momos." Second plan- The "Lost Wallet" Prank: Kent walked into the crowded market area and "accidentally" dropped a fake wallet filled with Monopoly (fake) money. "Excuse me! You dropped your wallet!" a kind woman called out, picking it up. Kent turned around dramatically. "Oh, thank you! You''re an angel! This wallet contains my life savings!" As she handed it to him, the play money spilt out, revealing the fake bills. The woman''s expression shifted from concern to disbelief. "Are you serious right now? This isn''t real money!" +88 SP copied (Annoyance). +45 SP copied (Shocked). Then, he decided to go even further. He casually dropped the wallet in the busy street. When people saw it, filled with money, they thought they''d hit the jackpot. But as soon as they picked it up, their hopes were shattered. +99 SP copied (Annoyance). +451 SP copied (Anger). Third plan- The Dramatic Falling Act: Kent positioned himself near a group of teenagers( 16-17 years). As they passed by, he suddenly tripped over his own feet, flailing his arms like a cartoon character before landing with an exaggerated thud. "Are you okay?!" one of the teenagers asked, startled. "I think I think I broke my pride," Kent groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. The group burst into laughter. Giving him a lot of SP. +99 SP copied (Amusement). +112 SP copied (Sympathy). By the time Kent returned home, his SP balance had skyrocketed. System, check my current SP. He said! Ding! Current SP: 212,456. Kent grinned, staring at the system screen. "Not bad for a day''s work. Who knew being a clown could be so profitable?" Nima was sitting on the couch, flipping through an old comic book, when Kent walked in. "You''re home early," she said without looking up. "What''s with that smug look?" "Nothing. You read, don''t disturb me. I will get ready for school. After that, I will leave you with Grampa Xian Yu to study." +99 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) A few moments later, Nima was sitting on a wooden chair, holding a pen in her hand and writing something. Opposite her, the old man Xian Yu sat, watching over her. Both of their faces are pale and full of frustration and annoyance. None of them wanted to be here in the yard, one studying and the other teaching. Kent waved his hand, saying have fun. I am leaving. See you later. Rustle! .... ???? ???? ???? Rustle! A wind blowing some leaves passed in the background of Nima and Xian Yu. Both silent. In the school. Some students were gossiping. One saying you are awesome. "You have got luck." Another saying. "I wish my family also had something like that. You are great. Bla Bla..." Kent walked into the classroom, his eyes scanning the room before settling on the group. He sat down at his desk, noticing Ethan Cross seated next to him."What''s going on?" Kent asked Ethan. "I heard loud voices outside. What are they talking about? Why are they so excited?" "Why, they are holding that grass like it''s some kind of treasure?" Kent continued, raising an eyebrow. Ethan leaned in and explained, "That''s not ordinary grass. It''s spiritual grass, filled with spiritual energy. Eating it can boost cultivation. "Kent nodded. "Ah, so that''s why they''re so hyped." "Yeah. Ryan reached Level E last night," Ethan said. "He''s giving the grass out to celebrate. "Kent frowned. "He made it to the next level so fast. He should be the top student in our class." "Didn''t miss Elena say it takes about 15 days to break through?" Kent asked. Ethan shrugged. "Ryan has an A-rank physique, and his family bought him spiritual land for cultivation. That''s why it''s faster for him."Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait... What is spiritual land?" __ Note: I request everyone to vote for this book. Thank you. __ Chapter 29 - 29: A Arm Wrestling with Ryan --- "Oh, you didn''t know?" Ethan wears glasses to look and sound like an intellectual. "A spiritual land is a place where spiritual energy is more concentrated compared to other places. You know, spiritual energy is still recovering. Not all areas of the world contain equal amounts of spiritual energy. Some places are rich in spiritual energy, while others have very little." "The old and ancient places like ruins and pocket dimensions Miss Elena told us about drawing more spiritual energy. Spiritual land is a smaller version of those. Those places gather more spiritual energy than others. It can make animals and plants mutate and evolve faster." "Spiritual lands are extremely expensive. If someone lives on those lands, their cultivation is faster. Spiritual land also has different levels. All land is not the same. Some places might also harm you, like a graveyard or an old battlefield. Those places have negative effects if you cultivate them for too long." Kent says, "You also have a spiritual land. Congrats on your breakthrough." Ethan''s chest puffed up a little hearing that. "Yes, yes. I broke through yesterday. My spiritual land is a little higher than Ryan''s." "Kent, why don''t you come and cultivate at my place? Your breakthrough will be faster. Although your physique is F-rank, it should make you cultivate faster." Kent, with a smirk, thought to himself, "Oh, I broke through to Level E two days ago. And my sister is also a Level-E cultivator. But Ethan must belong to a big clan, I guess. He owns a higher level of spiritual land. And he doesn''t show off like Ryan. He''s not like others, an arrogant person. I guess I can be friends with him." Meanwhile, in the classroom, many students were saying, "Ryan, show us your power! We want to know how much stronger you are at Level E!" Ryan became full of confidence and showed off his muscles. "Watch, watch! ???? Ha ha ha!!" From behind, Kent says, "Your arms look so thin and weak. Are you sure you levelled up?" Ryan got embarrassed. All the students started laughing. +99, +77, +88, +65, +35 SP from students. +999 SP copied from Ryan (Embarrassment). Ryan defended himself. "It''s not about the look and appearance. How about you challenge me to an arm wrestling match, Kent?" Kent replied, "Sure, why not? I want to see how strong you are." Ryan says mockingly, "Come, I''ll show you... F-rank physique." Both of them held their hands, and people started cheering in the background. They were pushing against each other. From the right side, Kent paused Ryan''s hand. From the left, Ryan went back. "What are they doing? Are they dancing or something?" students were murmuring. Ethan says, "It looks like they''re showing us an arm wrestling dance." Ryan thought, "He always embarrasses me in front of others. I''ll break his hand. Then I''ll apologize afterwards. He''s a cultivator; his hand will heal in a week." Ryan used all his power. His eyes turned red with anger, and he yelled, "Ahhh!" But Kent didn''t feel anything. His physical power was already higher than anyone in the class. He had maxed out his physique. Kent pushed with only half of his strength. Ryan fell backwards on his butt from the force. Slam! Everyone was shocked. "What just happened? Kent is a Level-F cultivator, and Ryan is Level-E!" +999, 888, 777... SP copied from students (shock). Kent realized he had used too much power. "I didn''t think he''d be so weak. What should I do now?" He scratched his head and said, "Suddenly, I feel full of strength. I don''t know why. Maybe I reached Level E and awakened as a strength-type." Then he says, "Thank you, Ryan. You helped me level up. I''m grateful to you. Let''s celebrate both of our breakthroughs. Where''s the spiritual grass? Here, take it. Have fun!" Kent distributed all the grass to his classmates. Ryan became as stiff as a stone, giving Kent a lot of SP. +999 SP copied from Ryan (Frustration). +999 SP copied from Ryan (Shocked). +999 SP copied from Ryan (Anger). S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +999, +999, +999, +999 SP copied from others. Kent laughed. "Now I can show my power without any worries. I''ll say Ryan helped me level up faster. I''m such a genius. ????" Ethan asked, "Did you really level up just from arm wrestling?" Kent replied confidently, "Yes. Didn''t you see?" Ethan said, "Then you should definitely tell Miss Elena about this. You''ll get more cultivation resources." Miss Elena came into the classroom. Before Kent could say anything, the rest of the class started to tell her everything. How Kent level up. Miss Elena said, "You''re already a self-awakened cultivator, and now you level up faster than your physique and even gain strength-type power." She handed him two more spiritual stones. With the previous three, Kent now had a total of five spiritual stones. These stones were useless to him. Nima could use the spiritual stones, but Kent didn''t want to give them to her. She was already progressing faster than he was. Ethan came over and asked, "What''s wrong? Why do you look disappointed?" Kent quickly had an idea. ???? ???? "I have a good deal for you, Ethan. Do you want to buy some spiritual stones for a cheap price? I have five in total. They''ve never been used." Ethan was shocked. "Don''t you need the spiritual stones for cultivation? You know, all these stones in our Dragon County are controlled by Nexus and the Watchers. You''ll never get any more spiritual stones in the future if they find out you sold them. Think about it, Kent." Kent murmurs to himself. "I don''t need these stones. I don''t care if I get more or not. But I can sell them to earn some extra money. But how much do they cost? What if Ethan cheats on me?" Then he defends Ethan, thinking, "No, Ethan is rich. He doesn''t need to cheat me. These stones probably don''t cost much. People can easily absorb spiritual energy from the air for free. I don''t need them. Nima''s already progressing faster than me, and I can use this to earn some extra cash. But how much do they even cost? I don''t know the real value of these spiritual stones." Kent kept thinking about this over and over again. Ethan broke his thought. "Are you sure you want to sell them? I don''t have much pocket money left. I can buy two from you. But I know a place where we can sell them all. We have to be careful. Nexus and the Watchers can''t find out about this." Chapter 30 - 30: A Risky Deal --- "Spiritual stones are very important for a cultivator. Kent, think about it again," Ethan said, his voice laced with concern. Kent took a step back, putting on a sorrowful expression. He was trying to create tension before delivering his next words. "Alas! Do you think I don''t know how important and precious these spiritual stones are?" he sighed dramatically. "I''m an orphan, and I have a little sister. We survive on the small stall I set up before school. You don''t know how hard it''s been for us all this time." Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan looked at him, puzzled. "But what about your cultivation? How will you progress without them? Your growth will be painfully slow." Kent shook his head, his face a mask of determination. "I don''t have the luxury of focusing on my cultivation. I have to make a living for my sister and me. Most of the time, I''m working, leaving no time for cultivation. So, it doesn''t matter if I use the spiritual stones or not. My progress will always be slow. Besides, look at todayI levelled up unexpectedly." He shrugged, almost nonchalantly. "Don''t worry, I''ll just do some more arm wrestling with Ryan if I need to level up further. You''re around, aren''t you? You can help me with a few matches, too." Ethan frowned. "You really plan on using that? You''ll be back to square one." Kent waved him off. "We''ll get more spiritual stones next month. I''ll use those for my cultivation then." "Damn it, how long do I have to convince him?" Kent thought, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Just agree to my request already." Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, I''ll help. Meet me after school. I''ll take you to a secret place. We''ll sell the stones, and if there''s anything left, I''ll buy it." Kent smirked, an expression of triumph flickering across his face. "Plan a success." "Do you have a bank account?" Ethan asked suddenly. "We''ll need a secret one. These spiritual stones are worth a lot. Each one is going for fifty thousand dollars." Kent''s eyes widened in shock. "Fifty thousand dollars?" He gulped. "I''ve never had more than five hundred dollars in my account With that kind of money, I could give Nima the life she deserves." He paused, realization dawning. "No wonder Nexus and the Watchers use military-level security to transport these stones. If someone stole even one box, it would be like millions of dollars lost instantly." "I don''t have a secret account," Kent admitted, his voice thoughtful. "Is it a problem if I use my real account?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "It''s not a big deal, but if someone from Nexus investigates you, how will you explain the money?" Kent chuckled. "Nobody''s going to care about an orphan boy. I don''t think it''ll be an issue. It''s illegal to check someone''s private information anyway." +99 SP copied from Ethan. (Surprised) Ethan didn''t know how to respond. He knew that by going to the black market and selling the stones, they were breaking the rules, but Kent seemed unfazed. "Alright," Ethan muttered. "Let''s go." After school, Kent and Ethan met behind the school''s back gate, away from prying eyes. Ethan looked around nervously, adjusting his glasses for the disguise. "You sure about this, Kent?" Ethan whispered. "The black market isn''t a joke. One wrong move, and we could be in serious trouble." Kent smirked, clapping him on the back. "Relax, Ethan. We''re just selling some stones, not smuggling ancient relics." Ethan rolled his eyes. "Spiritual stones are practically ancient relics in Dragon County. Nexus and the Watchers keep a tight grip on them. If they find out, we''re toast." "Then let''s make sure they don''t find out," Kent said confidently. Ethan sighed. "Alright, follow me. I know someone who can help us." Ethan led Kent through the winding alleys of Metro City, past bustling marketplaces and quiet, shadowed corners. Eventually, they reached a small herbal shop with a faded sign that read "Herb Haven." Ethan knocked on the door three times, paused, and then knocked twice more. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a scar running down his cheek. He studied them for a moment before stepping aside. "You brought an unknown kid?" the man asked, his voice gruff. Ethan cleared his throat. "He''s the one selling the stones, Mr. Fang. I''m just here to make sure everything goes smoothly." Mr. Fang''s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kent. "You don''t look like someone who''d have spiritual stones. Where''d you get them?" Kent grinned, holding up the pouch of stones. "Let''s just say I''m good at collecting things." Fang smirked and motioned for them to follow him inside. The shop''s interior was dimly lit, with shelves lined with jars of dried herbs and mysterious powders. Fang led them to a hidden room behind a sliding panel, where a small table and two chairs waited. "Show me the goods," Fang said, sitting down. Kent placed the five stones on the table, their white, crystalline surfaces glinting faintly in the light. Fang picked one up, inspecting it closely. "These are high-quality stones," Fang said, nodding appreciatively. "Where''d you say you got them?" Kent shrugged. "Let''s just say I have connections." Fang raised an eyebrow but didn''t press further. "Alright, I''ll give you 240,000 dollars for the lot." "240,000?!" Kent exclaimed, leaning forward. "These are worth way more than that! You''re trying to rip me off!" Fang smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You''re lucky I''m even offering that much, kid. The risk of selling these stones is huge. Nexus and Watchers have eyes everywhere." Ethan nudged Kent, whispering, "240,000 is actually a good deal, Kent. Let''s not push our luck." Kent frowned but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Deal." As Fang transferred the money to Kent''s bank account, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. Fang''s expression darkened. "Stay here." He slid the panel shut and stepped into the leading shop. Kent and Ethan exchanged nervous glances as muffled voices reached their ears. "What''s going on?" Ethan whispered. Kent peeked through a small crack in the panel. Two men in black coats, their Nexus badges gleaming, were speaking with Fang. "They''re Nexus and Watcher agents," Kent muttered. Ethan''s face paled. "We''re dead. We''re so dead." "Relax," Kent whispered, pulling out his Spiritual Clock ability. "If they come in here, I''ll hide us." The minutes felt like hours as Fang spoke with the agents. Finally, the footsteps retreated, and Fang returned, his face grim. "They were asking about some random unauthorized trades," Fang said. "You kids need to leave. Now." Kent and Ethan didn''t need to be told twice. They quickly slipped out through a back exit. The night had grown late by the time Kent finally returned home. Nima was already asleep. He had informed her earlier that he would be late after studying and training with the old man, Xian Yu. She had dinner with them and now was resting. After some work, Kent went to bed, his phone in hand. He stared at the numbers in his bank account. "One, two, three, four, five, six" He jumped out of bed, yelling in disbelief. "I''m rich!" His mind raced as he imagined money pouring down around him. He pictured himself sitting on a throne made of cash, sleeping on piles of money, his thoughts spinning wild fantasies. "What should I buy first? A car? A plane? A ship? Or maybe a noodle shop for Nima?" As soon as he mentioned Nima, an old memory resurfaced in his mind. ----''Two years ago, they had run away from the orphanage. Kent had just turned 15, and someone had wanted to adopt Nima. But she didn''t want to leave Kent. She cried for two days straight. Then, Kent made the toughest decision of his life. He took her and ran away from the orphanage. They lived on the streets for a week before Kent managed to find a cheap house to rent.'' Nima had asked him, "Big Brother, is this really our house?" Kent smiled softly and said, "It''s not ours, but from now on, we''ll live here." Nima had smiled back, a spark of determination in her eyes. "One day, I''ll buy this house, and we''ll make it our permanent home. We''ll live together forever." Back to the present: "I know what I''m going to do." Kent''s voice was full of purpose. "I''m going to buy this house. I''ll talk to the landlord and surprise Nima." Suddenly, a sound echoed in Kent''s mind. [Ding! Mission: Investigate the Spiritual Land on the outskirts of Metro City. Objective: Uncover the secret behind the abnormally high spiritual energy concentration. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Unidentified). Penalty: -200,000 SP if the host fails. Time: 7 Days ] Kent stared at the mission, his initial reaction one of frustration. "200,000 SP? That''s almost a week''s worth of farming spiritual points!" Chapter 31 - 31: Mission Preparation and New Challenges ---- But the reward intrigued him. A spiritual treasure could be anythingan artifact, a skill, or even something that could give him a significant advantage in cultivation. "I am very sleepy right now," Kent muttered, clenching his fists. "Tomorrow morning, I will check the mission." As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the small house, Kent sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the system screen hovering before him. "System," Kent said aloud, "tell me more about this mission. What exactly am I supposed to investigate?" [Ding! Mission: Investigate the spiritual Land on the outskirts of Metro City. Objective: Uncover the secret behind the abnormally high spiritual energy concentration. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Unidentified). Penalty: -20,000 SP if the host fails. Time Remaining: 6 Days, 17 Hours.] He looks at the location on the internet. He finds many photos. Kent sighed, rubbing his head. This is the Nexus and Watchers logo on the fence at that location. That means it''s already under their control. How am I supposed to sneak in without getting caught?" He glanced at Nima, who was munching on a piece of tomato at the dining table. "Nima, you''re pretty good at sneaking around, right?" Nima raised an eyebrow. "Why? Are you planning something dangerous again?" "Of course not," Kent said, waving her concern away. "I''m just asking hypothetically." "Hypothetically, I''m not helping you," Nima said, smirking. I am a good girl. Please don''t invite me into your sinister plans. After breakfast, Kent set out for school, his mind already working through his plan. If he was going to investigate a Nexus-registered spiritual land, he needed informationentry points and, most importantly, ways to avoid being caught. In class, he casually approached Ethan, who was busy scribbling notes. "Hey, Ethan," Kent whispered, leaning over. "You know a lot about spiritual lands, right?" Ethan adjusted his glasses to act like a teacher. "Of course. Why do you ask?" "I heard there''s a Nexus-registered spiritual Land near Metro City," Kent said. "Do you know anything about it?" Ethan''s eyes widened. "You''re not thinking of going there, are you? That place is off-limits to civilians. Nexus has it locked down tighter than a dragon''s nest." "I''m just curious," Kent said, feigning innocence. Ethan sighed, leaning closer. "The Blessed Land you''re talking about is called the Emerald Vein. It''s one of the most concentrated spiritual energy sites in the region. Nexus has stationed multiple Watchers there to guard it." "Why''s it so heavily guarded?" Kent asked. "There are rumours," Ethan said, lowering his voice. "Some people say it''s not just a spiritual landit''s a gateway to an ancient pocket dimension or a ruin. Nexus doesn''t want anyone tampering with it." That evening, Kent sat at the dining table, scribbling notes on a piece of paper. Nima watched him from across the table, her head resting on her hands. "You''ve been acting weird all day," Nima said. "What are you planning now?" "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent replied. sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima narrowed her eyes. "If you get arrested, don''t expect me to come bail you out." I saw you are making plans to break into somewhere. Won''t write your plans on paper, you stupid. Kent chuckled. "Don''t worry, kiddo. I''ve got this under control." His plan was simple: sneak into the Emerald Vein, gather the information the system wanted, and get out before anyone noticed. As Kent finalised his preparations, a soft knock came at the door. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching behind his back to summon the Soul Slasher dagger. "Who could that be at this hour?" Nima whispered, her eyes wide. Kent signalled for her to stay quiet as he approached the door. When he opened it cautiously, he found Ethan standing on the other side, his expression tense with nerves. "What are you doing here?" Kent asked, stepping outside. "I knew you were up to something," Ethan said, crossing his arms. "You''re planning to sneak into the Emerald Vein, right?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Keep your voice down!" Ethan sighed. "Listen, I don''t know what your deal is, but if you''re really going to do this, you''ll need help." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Why would you help me?" "Because if you get caught, it''ll come back to me," Ethan said. They will indeed investigate you if they catch you. Then, they will find out I helped you sell the spiritual stones. "You''re not exactly subtle, Kent. Besides, I might know someone who can get you inside." "I won''t ask why you want to go there, but as a friend, I''ll help you, Kent." The next evening, Ethan led Kent to a dimly lit restaurant bar on the outskirts of Metro City. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and smoke, and the sound of rowdy laughter filled the room. Ethan guided Kent to a secluded corner where a woman with short silver hair sat nursing a drink. She wore a black cloak that partially concealed her face, but her piercing green eyes seemed to see right through them. "This is Lyra, a - lone cultivator," Ethan said. "She''s let''s just say she''s good at getting into places she shouldn''t be." [Note: Lone / individual cultivators are people who don''t want to join / can''t join a clan or organisation or any prominent and wealthy families and in the government. So they work like bounty hunters or adventurers who can be hired for money.] Lyra smirked, leaning back in her chair. "So, you''re the kid who wants to sneak into the Emerald Vein. Got a death wish, do you?" "Not exactly," Kent said, crossing his arms. "I just need to take a quick look around. No big deal." Lyra raised an eyebrow. "No big deal, huh? You do realise Nexus shoots trespassers on sight, right?" "Which is why I need someone like you," Kent said. Lyra chuckled. "Alright, kid. I''ll get you in, but it''s going to cost you." "How much?" Kent asked. "I don''t have much to offer, but how about a discount?"Lyra''s eyes sparkled. "Discount? You must be kidding. Kid, my fee is twenty thousand dollars not a penny less."Kent thought for a moment. I can afford it now, but it''s still too much. I need a way to get a discount."How about half now and the other half when the job''s done?" Kent suggested."Smart kid," Lyra replied, handing Kent a bank account number. "Transfer the first half here." After transferring the money, she said, "Meet me at the forest entrance tomorrow night. And bring your game face. This isn''t going to be a walk in the park." Back home, Kent sat on the old broken sofa, staring at the stars through the window. Then, stand up slowly, opening the door to go out. Nima came out of her room, her hands on her hips. "You''re sneaking out again, aren''t you?" she said. Kent grinned. "How''d you guess?" "You''re terrible at hiding things," Nima said, sitting beside him. "Be careful, okay? I don''t want to end up all alone." Kent''s smile softened as he ruffled her hair. "Don''t worry, Nima, I''ll be fine." As Nima returned inside, Kent clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "Alright, Emerald Vein," he muttered. "Let''s see what secrets you''re hiding." Chapter 32 - 32: Infiltrating the Emerald Vein ---- The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light casting an eerie glow over the dense forest surrounding the Emerald Vein. Kent adjusted his hood, trying to calm his nerves as he approached the designated meeting spot near the forest entrance. The air was thick with tension, and every sound from the rustling of leaves to the distant hoot of an owl felt amplified. Kent clenched his fists, his spiritual energy swirling faintly around him. From the shadows, a figure emerged. Lyra, the silver-haired lone cultivator, was dressed in a black cloak that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night. Her piercing green eyes glinted as she sized up Kent. "You came alone?" she asked, her voice low. Kent nodded. "Yeah. Let''s get this over with." Lyra smirked. "You''ve got guts, kid. I like that. Follow me, and stay quiet." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Lyra led Kent through the dense underbrush, her movements swift and nearly silent. Kent, on the other hand, struggled to keep up, his footsteps crunching loudly on the dry leaves despite his best efforts." "You''re loud," Lyra muttered, glancing over her shoulder. "You''ll get us caught if you don''t keep it down." "Sorry," Kent whispered, his cheeks flushing. As they moved deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier with spiritual energy. Kent could feel it prickling against his skin, a sensation both exhilarating and unnerving. "Do you feel that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah," Kent replied. "The spiritual energy here is intense." "That''s the Emerald Vein for you," Lyra said. "It''s like a magnet for spiritual energy. No wonder Nexus keeps it under lock and key." After what felt like an eternity, they reached the edge of a clearing. Lyra held up a hand, signalling Kent to stop. "There," she whispered, pointing ahead. Kent followed her gaze and saw the Nexus outpost. A high-tech barrier surrounded the entrance to the Emerald Vein, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Armed Watchers patrolled the perimeter, their sharp eyes scanning the area. "Looks like there''s no way in," Kent muttered, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. Lyra grinned. "That''s where you''re wrong. I''ve got a trick up my sleeve." "She pulled a small, rune-etched device from her pocket. It hummed softly as she activated it, a faint shimmer appearing around them." "Invisibility cloaks?" Kent asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "Something like that," Lyra said. "It''s a spiritual concealment device. As long as you stay close to me, they won''t sense us." ''But we have to hurry. It won''t last long.'' Kent thinks, "Isn''t this similar to my spiritual clock unlike my skill- This has a time limit. System surely gives useful rewards." Kent nodded, his heart pounding. "Alright. Let''s do this." With Lyra leading the way, the two carefully approached the barrier. The concealment device did its job, masking their presence from the patrolling Watchers. Kent held his breath as they slipped past a pair of guards. One of them paused, frowning as if sensing something. "What''s wrong?" the other guard asked. "Thought I felt something," the first guard replied, narrowing his eyes. Kent''s heart raced, but Lyra remained calm, pulling him further into the shadows. "Relax," she whispered. "We''re almost there." Once they passed the barrier, Kent was struck by the sheer beauty of the Emerald Vein. The ground glowed faintly with green light, and massive crystalline structures jutted out of the earth, pulsating with spiritual energy. "It''s like another world," Kent murmured, his eyes wide. "Don''t get distracted," Lyra said. "We''re not here for sightseeing." Kent nodded, focusing on the task at hand. The system''s mission was clear: investigate the source of the Vein''s abnormally high spiritual energy. "Where do we start?" Kent asked himself. Kent asks Lyra. I am looking for something unusual. Do you know where it could be? Lyra pointed to a cluster of larger crystals in the distance. "That''s the core of the Vein. If you are looking for anything unusual, it''ll be there." As they approached the core, Kent felt the spiritual energy intensify, pressing down on him like a heavyweight. Lyra stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing. "Something''s not right." "What do you mean?" Kent asked. "Look at the crystals," Lyra said, pointing to the glowing structures. Kent squinted, noticing faint cracks running through the crystals. Dark, inky energy seeped from the fractures, starkly contrasting the pure green glow. "What is that?" Kent asked, his voice tinged with unease. "Corruption," Lyra said grimly. "I''ve seen this before. It''s caused by negative spiritual energyresentment, hatred, fear. If it spreads, it could destabilize the entire Vein." Ding! System Notification: Objective Updated: Investigate the source of the corruption. Kent sighed. "Of course, it''s never simple." As they ventured closer to the core, the corrupted energy grew stronger, swirling ominously around them. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the air. Kent tensed, his fire aura flaring instinctively. From the shadows emerged a monstrous beast, its body twisted and deformed by the corruption. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kent and Lyra, and it let out an ear-piercing roar. "Great," Kent muttered. "Because this night wasn''t dangerous enough already." Lyra drew a pair of daggers, their edges gleaming with spiritual energy. "You take the left; I''ll take the right." Kent nodded, summoning his Soul slasher dagger. "Let''s do this." The beast charged, its massive claws slashing through the air. Kent rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. "Over here, ugly!" he shouted, aiming a slashing strike at the beast''s side. The dagger singed its fur, but the beast barely flinched, its corrupted energy swiftly healing the wound. "Okay, that''s not fair," Kent muttered. Lyra leapt onto the beast''s back, driving her daggers into its neck. The beast howled, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake her off. "Now, Kent!" Lyra shouted. Kent didn''t hesitate. Channeling all his energy into his dagger, he lunged forward, plunging the blade into the beast''s chest. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its corrupted energy dissipating into the air. +1,500 SP copied from the corrupted beast. (Death) As the beast''s body faded, a small, glowing orb was left behind. Lyra picked it up, her eyes narrowing. "This is" she began, but Kent interrupted her. "Let me guess. The bad news?" Lyra nodded. "Not really, but this is a beast core. That creature evolved so far that it formed a beast core." If this corruption is spread, many animals will evolve in violent ways that could cause some problems. No wonder Nexus and Watcher sealed this entire area. Kent''s eyes widened. "You mean this could spread.?" "Exactly," Lyra said. "But we don''t have enough time. Someone is coming this way." The guard must have heard the noise of our fighting. We have to leave now. Suddenly, a sound comes. Ding! System Notification: Mission Complete. Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Soul Refinement Orb). ???? [A fire source is detected. The system advises the host to absorb the fire quickly. ????] A glowing object materialized in Kent''s hand. He inspected it, his mind racing with questions. "What now?" Where''s the fire source? Kent murmurs. Lyra glanced at him, her expression serious. "Move now. We need to get out of here before Nexus finds us." ---- Give a small gift ???? please, if you are enjoying the story. Chapter 33 - 33: The Escape from the Emerald Vein --- The Emerald Vein pulsed with unstable energy, the aftermath of their battle leaving an eerie silence. Kent clutched the newly acquired Soul Refinement Orb, its faint glow radiating warmth in his hand. ????? Lyra stood beside him, scanning the surroundings with a wary expression. "We need to get out of here now," Lyra said, slipping her daggers back into her cloak. "Agreed," Kent replied, his heart still pounding from the encounter. "But give me a minute." Kent used his spiritual clock ability on her and then said wait here. I will be back soon. Kent is looking for the fire source. System, give me the exact location. I don''t have time to wander around. Nothing, no response from the system. "Damn it, system. What should I do? Where do I look? What can I do Wait a minute, how could I forget something so important?" System use appraisal in this area. No matter the cost, just do it. Appraisal used. Cost 25,000 SP. System notifications - Corrupted spiritual land. Man-made corruption. Because of corruption and resentment of people, a hellfire is created. Hellfire ???? 1/100 What the Fu*k!!!!.. It''s one per cent of the full flame. You send me here for this. Ding! [Host doesn''t need full flames. Host-only needs to collect a part of 7 types of fire.] . . . (System tells this to readers.)???? [If the host can collect 100% of all seven types of flames. The host will be invincible in the multiverse.] "Okay, okay. I get it." Kent muttered, his mind racing. "Let''s just quickly collect the flame. But how do I collect it? Should I touch it directly?" (Kent goes near a crystal and then pulls it out. Under the crystal is a small black fire. It is tiny. If you light a thin birthday candle, you will get the exact size of the fire.) Kent hesitated for a moment, then reached out and touched the flame. The heat surged through his hand, and he could feel the skin beginning to burn slightly. The system''s voice echoed in his mind: You will not be harmed by any flames unless they are divine fire. Kent grimaced, his eyes widening. This tiny fire... is this powerful? So, hellfire can also damage me. How do I collect the fire? The system says something. Ding! The host is in contact with one of eight fires. Want to absorb it? Do it, hurry up. My hand is straining to burn. [System can''t do it directly because the fire will be stored in the host body. The host needs to do it. The system can guide the host.] The system''s voice resonated clearly in Kent''s mind: Focus your mind and think of absorbing the fire with your hand. Channel your heart fire; it will guide you. You and fire are one. Kent closed his eyes, steadying his breath. He focused, imagining the fire flowing into him, his hand acting as a conduit. Slowly, he began to feel the hellfire merging with him, the intense heat coursing through his body like an unstoppable current. His heart fire stirred as if awakening to guide the foreign flame into his very core. A moment later, Kent felt a strange emptiness within himlike a hollow space within his heart that was suddenly filled with something. The heat from the hellfire fused seamlessly with the burning core inside him. He opened his eyes, his breath coming faster now as he felt the fire settle into him like it had always belonged there. Ding! Absorption complete. Fire collect- 1/7 The host can now use fire attack.???? After that, Kent comes back to where Lyra is. Sorry for the delay. Let''s go. Hurry up! If they find us. "They''ll throw us in a cell," Lyra said bluntly, "and probably interrogate you until you give up every secret you have. Trust me, you don''t want that." Kent gulped. "I get it. Let''s move." The duo retraced their steps toward the edge of the Emerald Vein. The path that had been clear earlier now seemed darker, as though the corruption had spread further. "This place feels... wrong," Kent muttered, his heart flame sparking faintly as a precaution. "That''s the corruption," Lyra said. "It''s destabilizing the Vein''s energy. If it spreads, the entire area could collapse." As they approached the barrier, a loud crackling noise broke the silence. Lyra stopped abruptly, holding out her arm to block Kent. "What is it?" Kent whispered. Lyra pointed ahead. A group of Watchers stood near the barrier, their weapons glowing faintly with spiritual energy. "They''re reinforcing the barrier," Lyra whispered. "They must''ve been trying to contain the corruption." Kent''s stomach dropped. "What do we do now?" Lyra smirked. "Follow my lead." Lyra reached into her cloak, pulling out a second rune-etched device. She held it up to Kent with a sly grin. "This is a one-time use short-range teleportation talisman," she explained. You have to pay for it. It''s not part of the same deal. "It''ll get us past the Watchers, but we''ll have to time it perfectly." "Perfectly?" Kent asked, his voice rising slightly. "Do I look like someone who''s good with ''perfect''?" Lyra rolled her eyes. "Just hold onto me and don''t let go." The two of them crouched low, blending seamlessly into the dense underbrush, their eyes locked on the Watchers with unwavering focus. One of the Watchers detached from the group, his gaze sweeping the forest warily. Each movement was measured and deliberate, as though he could sense that something was amiss."Now!" Lyra hissed, her voice barely a whisper, but filled with urgency. She activated the talisman, and in an instant, a swirl of spiritual energy engulfed them. The world blurred for a moment before they reappeared several meters away, just outside the barrier. Kent stumbled, his head spinning. "Warn me next time!" "No time for warnings," Lyra said, grabbing his arm. "We''re not safe yet." The two sprinted through the forest, the sound of shouting behind them growing louder. "They must''ve noticed us," Kent said, glancing over his shoulder. "Obviously," Lyra snapped. "Pick up the pace!" Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sharp whistle cut through the air, and Kent ducked instinctively as a glowing arrow zipped past his head, embedding itself in a tree. "They''re shooting at us?!" Kent exclaimed. Lyra smirked. "Welcome to the world of individual cultivators, kid." Kent groaned, summoning his spiritual clock abilitya faint barrier formed around them, deflecting another arrow. "Nice trick," Lyra said, glancing at the shield. "Keep that up, and we might actually make it out of here." The forest began to thin, and the city lights of Metro City were visible in the distance. Kent''s legs burned from the effort, but the adrenaline kept him going. "We''re almost there," Lyra said, her voice strained. Just as they broke through the tree line, a Nexus Watcher appeared in front of them, his sword drawn and glowing with spiritual energy. "Stop right there!" the Watcher commanded, his voice booming. Kent and Lyra skidded to a halt, their breaths ragged. "Got any more tricks up your sleeve?" Kent whispered. Lyra grinned. "Just one." Before Kent could ask what she meant, Lyra threw a small smoke bomb at the Watcher''s feet. The explosion of smoke engulfed the area, and she grabbed Kent''s arm, pulling him into a narrow alley. "Keep moving!" she hissed. Kent murmurs, "thank god my spiritual clock technique is able to hide my face. That guy didn''t see my face. Otherwise, I will be on the morning news as a criminal." The two finally stopped in a secluded corner of the city, both gasping for air. "That was too close," Kent said, leaning against a wall. Lyra smirked as she pulled out her phone. "My work is done. Transfer the money. And give me an extra five thousand." She glanced at Kent with a confident grin. "See? Told you I''d get you out." Kent rolled his eyes, transferring the rest of the money. "Yeah, yeah. Don''t spend it all in one place." In reality, Kent''s heart was bleeding. He had never spent this much money in his life. Each digit he transferred felt like it was draining him. He cursed Lyra silently, her lack of a discount stinging his pride. The way she had played him, taking all that cash, made him wish he had thought it through more carefully. "This woman is no joke. She takes all my money. This is the first time in my life I spent over 1000 dollars at one go." Lyra chuckled. "Good luck with whatever you''re planning, kid. Just rememberNexus doesn''t play around. You''d better be ready if they come knocking." With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Kent alone. Sometime later... Kent slipped back into his small house, his body aching from the night''s events. Nima was waiting for him, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face. "Where were you?" she demanded. "Out," Kent said, collapsing onto a chair. Nima frowned. "You''re hiding something." "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent said, patting her on the head. "Go to bed." Nima huffed but obeyed, retreating to her room. As Kent sat alone, he pulled out the Soul Refinement Orb, its glow pulsating faintly. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered. Ding! System Notification: New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Source of Corruption. Kent groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Of course. Because one mission wasn''t enough." Chapter 34 - 34: The Corruption Unveiled --- Kent stared at the Soul Refinement Orb glowing faintly in his hand. Its light pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, almost as if it were alive. The system''s latest quest weighed heavily on his mind. Ding! System Notification: Quest Objective: Investigate the origin of corruption and its connection to the Emerald Vein. Reward: Unknown item and new skill slot unlock. Kent''s eyes widened at the reward. "Alright, system, you''ve got my attention. But how am I supposed to investigate something like this? I''m just one guy." He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Nima would kill me if she knew I was taking on something this dangerous." "Kill you for what?" Nima''s voice suddenly broke through his thoughts, making him nearly jump out of his chair. "Nothing!" Kent said quickly, shoving the orb into his pocket. Nima narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You''re acting suspicious, Kent. What are you hiding?" Kent waved her off. "It''s nothing important. Didn''t I tell you to go to bed?" Why are you here again? I came to drink some water. Nima said, pouting as she walked away. "But if you get yourself jailed doing something stupid, I''m taking all your stuff." Kent chuckled, but her words only reminded him of the danger ahead. . . . . The next day, Kent decided to start his investigation by visiting the local library in Metro City. He figured ancient records or books about spiritual energy might give him a lead. "The library was created a few years ago for everyone. Anyone can use it. The library contains all ancient books." "But the most useful ones are not in the library. It''s a good place to learn about the history of old cultivation." The library was quiet, with only a handful of people scattered among the shelves. Kent made his way to the section on spiritual energy, scanning the spines of the books for anything that stood out. "History of Spiritual Lands Ancient Energy Techniques Myths of the Spiritual World" Kent muttered to himself as he pulled out a dusty tome. The book was heavy, and its pages were yellowed with age. As he flipped through it, a particular passage caught his eye: "The corruption of spiritual energy is not a natural phenomenon but a result of deliberate tampering. Ancient texts speak of artifacts that can disrupt the balance of spiritual energy, turning it dark and unstable. These artifacts were often used in forbidden rituals by rogue cultivators seeking power at any cost." Kent''s eyes narrowed. "Artifacts like this orb?" He read further, learning that these artifacts could be traced back to ancient sects that were wiped out during the decline of spiritual energy thousands of years ago. Some were said to exist still, hidden in ruins or passed down through secret organizations or bloodlines. "This explains the corruption in the Emerald Vein," Kent thought. "But why now? And who''s behind it?" Kent returned home, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. He pulled out the Soul Refinement Orb, its glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kent sat on a chair in his dimly lit room, the Soul Orb glowing faintly in his palm. The artifact radiated an eerie yet mesmerizing aura, pulsating like a heartbeat. His curiosity was piqued. What exactly was this orb? "System," Kent said, narrowing his eyes. "Appraise the Soul Orb." A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent window appeared before him. Cost 10,000 SP. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Yes/ No] Do it, Kent said. Ding! [Soul Refinement Orb] Description: A rare artifact capable of upgrading a soul''s strength and potential. Function: Collect the souls of defeated beings to fill the orb. Once complete, the energy can be transferred to a specific soul to enhance its rank and abilities. Limitations: The quality of the soul absorbed determines the upgrade''s effectiveness. Note: You can store multiple souls at a time. Compatibility: Highly effective on individuals with Soulbinding abilities. Kent''s eyes widened as he read through the description. "So, this isn''t just some random item. It''s... a game-changer." His mind immediately went to Nima. Her Soulbinding ability was still untested, but he knew its potential was immense. If the Soul Orb could make Nima grow stronger faster, it was worth exploring. Kent paced the room, spinning the orb between his fingers. "System, did you... plan this for Nima? You''ve given me tools and resources, but this feels different." The system''s mechanical voice responded, emotionless yet oddly reassuring. "Host has a strong bond with Nima. The system optimizes resources to benefit the host and their allies. Nima''s growth aligns with the host''s objectives." He chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you''re saying even my sister''s getting a boost because of me? Guess I should feel flattered." But there was no time for sentimentality. If the Soul Orb was to be used, it had to be tested. He needed to figure out how to collect souls and determine the orb''s capacity. Kent decided to start small. He slipped the Soul Orb into his pocket and ventured into the forest outskirts where lesser evolved beasts roamed. These creatures had been the first to transform when spiritual energy returned, and they were perfect test subjects. It wasn''t long before he encountered his targeta snake-like creature with glowing blue scales and sharp fangs. It hissed menacingly, coiling to strike. "Alright, buddy," Kent muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s see if this thing works." The fight was over in seconds. With his enhanced physique and fire aura abilities, the creature stood no chance. As its lifeless body slumped to the ground, the Soul Orb in his pocket began to hum. A spectral mist rose from the creature''s corpse, drawn toward the orb. Kent watched in fascination as the fog was absorbed and the orb''s glow intensified. "Looks like step one works," he said, holding up the orb. "Now to fill it completely." It automatically collected the soul. I don''t even have to do anything. This is a problem. What if the orb collects only low-level souls? "I have to research it further, I guess." Over the next few hours, Kent defeated several more beasts, each one adding to the orb''s energy. By the time he returned home, the orb was blazing with light, signalling it was full. Nima greeted him at the door, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You''re late again. What were you up to this time?" "Work," Kent said with a grin, holding up the glowing orb. "And I brought you something." Nima blinked, tilting her head. "What''s that?" "An artifact that might make you even stronger," he said, handing it to her. "Think of it as a soul vitamin." She stared at the orb, sceptical. "And what am I supposed to do with it?" "Absorb it," Kent explained. "It''s designed to boost the power of your soul. The system says it''s perfect for someone with your abilities." Nima hesitated but eventually nodded. She sat down and held the orb in her hands, closing her eyes. Kent watched as the glowing energy seeped into her body, but nothing happened. What the why isn''t it working? Kent said. Nima gets angry. Kent, are you pranking me? She slams the Soul refinement Orb into the ground. SLAMS! +99 SP copied from Nima. (Anger) Wait a minute, Nima. I guess I made some mistakes. Summon your servant Soul bear. I think this is for your servant. She summons the spiritual Soul Bear from her dark soul space. The bear''s soul materialized with a dark haze in front of them. "Give the Orb to the bear." She put the orb near the Bear''s soul, and nothing happened. .... ???? Nima is about to yell. That moment, he said feed it to the Bear. After feeding the Orb, it finally works. The Bear is absorbing the souls of other beasts from the Orb. Kent asked can you feel the Orb inside the Bear''s belly? I can feel it. It will take some time to absorb it. But I don''t want this ugly Bear. Can''t you find me something cute, Kent? "She bites Kent''s hand like a hungry shark ????." Kent said I will definitely find something cute later. For now, use the Bear. Maybe it will get cute once it levels up. Chapter 35 - 35: The Power of the Soul Orb --- With the success of the Soul Orb, Kent felt a renewed sense of purpose. Nima has a way to level up her soul servant. As long as he had the system and his family Nima by his side, there was nothing he couldn''t achieve. "Get ready, Nima," he said, patting her shoulder. "This is just the beginning. We''re going to need every ounce of our strengths if we want to survive this world right now." Her determined gaze met him. "I''m ready, Kent. Whatever comes, we''ll face it together." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Bear stood silently, its translucent, ghostly form glowing faintly as it began to absorb the energy from the Soul Refinement Orb. The artefact, now dimming, pulsed rhythmically as if syncing with the spiritual energy of the Bear''s soul. Kent watched intently, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. The light from the orb reflected in his eyes, a mix of curiosity and pride. "I think it''s working," he muttered to himself. Nima is lying on the floor, pouting as she observes the process. "It''s still ugly. I thought levelling up would make it sparkle or grow wings or something. At least make it fluffy!" Kent smirked. "What did you expect? A magical unicorn? I can''t control the looks, Nima. Levelling up doesn''t come with glitter and confetti." She glared at him, her sharp gaze piercing. "You always promise me cool things, and I always end up with something creepy! You''re the worst, Kent!" +199 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). Kent chuckled as the system notification popped up. "Relax, little genius. The Bear''s strength is what matters. You''ll see its value soon enough." The room grew warmer as the Bear''s body began to change. Its spectral form solidified slightly, the faint outlines of muscles and sharper claws becoming visible. Its once translucent fur took on a faint sheen, giving it a more robust appearance. Nima''s eyes widened, her pout fading into awe. "Wait... is it actually getting stronger?" Ding! System Notification: Souls From Orb has been fully absorbed. The bound soul has levelled up. Kent raised an eyebrow. "System, show the details." Ding! Soulbear Status: Rank: F (Middle) E (Lower). [ Abilities: 1. Basic Combat Instincts (Improved). 2. Strengthened Spiritual Defense. ] Nima''s mouth dropped. "It levelled up! I didn''t even have to do anything!" "See?" Kent said, nudging her shoulder. "Told you it wasn''t a waste of time." The Bear growled softly as if acknowledging its growth. It stood taller, its once-awkward movements now fluid and deliberate. "Well, it''s still ugly," Nima muttered, crossing her arms. "But at least it''s now a strong kind of ugly now." Kent was about to tease her again when the system chimed. Ding! Mission Reminder... Investigate the origin of corruption in the Emerald Vein. Objective: Trace the source of the corruption affecting spiritual energy in your region. Reward: Unknown item and new skill slot unlock. Kent''s smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Emerald Vein That''s tied to the corruption Nexus has been handling." "What''s that face for?" Nima asked, narrowing her eyes. I should be making this face. The bear didn''t become cute. "Nothing you need to worry about," Kent replied, ruffling her hair. "You focus on training your Bear. I''ve got some work to do." Nima grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. "Don''t you dare do something dangerous without telling me!" Kent paused, looking down at her determined face. He sighed. "Fine. I''ll tell you... later. For now, trust me, okay?" Kent pulls out some paper binding... It is the book. He reread the book from the library to get some clues. He made a copy of some pages before he left the library. As he flipped through the pages, one passage stood out: The passage says "Corrupted sites often lead to the appearance of mutated beasts, unstable spiritual lands, and a decline in cultivator health. If left unchecked, these sites can spiral out of control, endangering entire regions." He folds the page with a thud, his mind racing. "So I have to go back there again." Nima''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. " What are you reading? I want to read too!" It''s a book for older people. You can''t read. Nima said, But you are not old. Why do you get to read it? I am bigger than you, so I am allowed to read it. +79 SP copied from Nima (frustration). Later that evening, Kent stood at the edge of the forest. He tightened the straps on his backpack, his resolve firm. "Alright, system. Let''s see what you''ve got for me." The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. But Kent wasn''t afraid. With his abilities, system, and determination, he knew he could face whatever lay ahead. The Emerald Vein and the corruption it harboured were waiting. Kent crouched low, his eyes scanning the perimeter of the Emerald Vein. The moonlight illuminated the dense forest, casting long shadows that danced ominously in the breeze. This time, the area was far more fortified than before. Around the facility, Nexus operatives patrolled in pairs, their spiritual energy faintly detectable even at this distance. Spotlights mounted on trees swept across the forest floor, and the hum of drones filled the air. "Well, this just got a whole lot harder," Kent muttered to himself, adjusting his backpack. He activated his Spiritual Clock, a cloaking ability that masked his presence by bending spiritual energy around him. Ding! Spiritual Clock activated. "Kent whispered, his brow furrowing. "I''ll have to move fast." With the cloaking ability shielding him, Kent slipped past the first set of guards. The Spiritual Clock not only hid his spiritual signature but also muffled his footsteps, making him a ghost in the dense forest. As Kent crept closer to the facility, he noticed new barriers had been set up. A faint shimmer in the air revealed a spiritual energy detection array. Crossing it without alerting the guards would be impossible. --- Note: I request everyone to give their daily Power Stone and Golden tickets. Chapter 36 - 36: Navigating Tight Security --- Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Smart move, Nexus," Kent muttered, impressed. "But not smart enough." He carefully reached into his backpack and pulled out a small pouch containing a handful of stones. Tossing one a few meters away from the array, he watched as the stone triggered the detection field. Alarms blared, and several operatives rushed toward the disturbance. "Go, go, go!" one of them shouted. Using the distraction, Kent darted past the array, slipping into the shadows. The Emerald Vein facility was eerily quiet compared to the chaos outside. The air was thick with spiritual energy, a mix of natural and corrupted. Kent could feel the tension in his chest as he moved deeper into the structure. His goal was clear: find the source of the corruption and complete the system mission. Kent entered a large chamber filled with old crystals, each one radiating a faint spiritual energy. Most of them seemed stable, but a few glowed with a dark, ominous aurathe corruption was unmistakable. In the centre of the room, a massive machine hummed quietly. Its purpose became clear as Kent observed the process: corrupted crystals were being purified and stored in containment units. "So Nexus isn''t behind the corruption," Kent realized. "They''re trying to stop it." He approached one of the containment units, his eyes narrowing as he studied the glowing crystals. There is a small, black crystal, its energy pulsating like a heartbeat. Ding! System Notification: Corruption Source Identified: Black Vein Crystal. [Note: The Black Vein Crystal is an ancient artefact tied to the corruption of spiritual energy. A long-forgotten sect of rogue cultivators originally created it during the age of spiritual energy''s peak. These cultivators sought to harness and weaponize spiritual energy by concentrating it into powerful cores. However, their methods were unstable, causing spiritual energy to become tainted, dark, and chaoticwhat is now referred to as corruption.] "This is it," Kent muttered. "The cause of all this chaos." He activated his Spiritual Clock again, using its cloaking ability to mask his presence as he examined a machine. (The machine is for corruption purification.) Kent''s curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to know how the machine worked and, more importantly, how the Black Vein Crystal was connected to the corruption. He carefully adjusted the controls, his fire aura sparking faintly as he tampered with the device. Suddenly, the machine let out a loud whine, its lights flickering erratically. "Oops," Kent whispered, stepping back. The machine overloaded, causing several of the corrupted artefacts to shatter. A dark mist filled the room, swirling ominously before dissipating into nothingness. Alarms blared throughout the facility. "Great job, Kent," he muttered sarcastically, slipping into the shadows as Nexus operatives swarmed the chamber. He quickly grabs the Black Vein. System notifications come. Ding! The host is advised to put the crystal in the system storage. Kent quickly followed and put the Black Vein into the system. Then a System notification comes. Black Vein Crystal Stored. Description: A concentrated source of corrupted spiritual energy. Capable of destabilizing spiritual lands and mutating living beings. Function: Acts as a core for corruption, spreading its influence across the surrounding area. It can be neutralized through purification or containment. Warning: Prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage and make the soul violent. Kent''s heart raced. "This thing it''s worse than I thought." Using his Spiritual Clock, Kent navigated the chaos, slipping past guards and avoiding detection. He managed to reach the facility''s exit just as a high-level operative entered the chamber. The man radiated power, his spiritual energy, unlike anything Kent had encountered before. Meanwhile, he was getting many sp from the guard. Ding! +999, +999, +888,567+876. SP copied. Before Kent left, He saw glimpses of Nexus''s plans a map of a massive ancient ruin hidden deep within the metro city, its activation imminent. ,(very soon it will open) "He just took the map. Thinking he might be able to get some treasures from the ruins." Once he was safely out of range, Kent pulled out the map he had retrieved from the facility. It was old and tattered, but the markings were clear. The ruin Nexus was targeting was massive, and its activation could potentially destabilize the entire region. "System, what now?" Kent said, folding the map and tucking it into his system storage. No response... When Kent returned home, he found Nima already asleep on the couch, her Soulbear curled protectively beside her. He quietly spread the map on the table, studying its details under the dim light. "This is bigger than I thought," he whispered to himself. "Nexus is trying to explore this ruin. When will it open? It doesn''t say anything." "I guess I have to go to the location and find out for myself." Kent glanced at Nima, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I''ll protect you, kiddo. No matter what." With the map in hand and a clear goal ahead, Kent knew his mission wasn''t over yet. He folded the map carefully, and this time, he placed it in his bag, his mind already racing with plans for the next step. While Nima is sleeping, I should go and check the location. It''s not very far, but I have never been to that location. It is only a 1:30-hour journey outside the city. I am a cultivator now. I can handle this. Let''s do it. If I find a good treasure, I will become more powerful. Then, I step out of the house full of confidence. Kent is standing in the yard, and suddenly, a sound comes. Ding!. System Notification: Mission complete: Investigate the corruption''s origin and its connection to the Emerald Vein. Reward: 1. Flashing Step. 2. A skill slot. What is this Flashing step? System, can you explain? Skill: Flashing Step. Description: A movement technique that allows the host to dash forward with explosive speed, leaving a trail of dust behind. System Notification: The host has a footwork technique. Do you wish to learn the Flashing step? [Yes] / [No] Before leaving the yard, Kent decided to learn his newly acquired rewards. [Yes, I want to learn it.] Chapter 37 - 37: Nima Finds out the secret ---- Kent stood in the dimly lit yard, the quiet of the night broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets. Ding! Skill learned: Flashing Step. As the system completed the transfer, Kent felt an intense heat shoot through his legs, like a surge of adrenaline supercharged with electricity. ? He stumbled slightly, steadying himself against a nearby fence. "Whoa," he whispered, looking down at his legs, which now glowed faintly with spiritual energy. "This is insane. Let''s see what you''ve got, Flashing Step." The cool air brushed against his face as he stretched his legs, preparing to test his new skill. Nima was fast asleep inside, and Kent had no intention of waking her. This was his time to experiment without any interruptions. Planting his feet firmly in the dirt, Kent inhaled deeply and activated the skill. Boom! The sudden burst of speed caught him off guard, sending him hurtling forward like a rocket. He didn''t stop until he crashed face-first into a stack of wooden crates near the corner of the yard. CRASH! ???? "Ugh..." Kent groaned, sitting up amidst the splintered wood. "Okay, note to self: learn how to stop before using this in public." From inside the house, a muffled voice called out, "Kent?!" The door creaked open, and Nima stumbled out, her hair a mess and her eyes half-closed. "What are you doing?!" she yelled, glaring at him. "Are you fighting a monster or something? I was having the best dream ever!" Kent held up his hands defensively, his face smeared with dirt. "Relax, Nima. I''m just practising a new technique. Go back to sleep." Nima squinted at him, then at the scattered debris in the yard. "Practicing? It looks like you''re destroying the yard. You better fix this before morning!" +199 SP copied from Nima (Frustration). "Alright, alright. Go back to bed. I''ll clean it up later." "Later?" she huffed. "Fine. But if you wake me up again, you''re cooking breakfast for a week!" She stomped back inside, slamming the door behind her. She took the bag with her. The same bag where the map is. "She saw the bag outside on the ground near the gate. She thought Kent mistakenly put it there. Kent didn''t know she took the bag." S~ea??h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Kent dusted himself off and returned to the centre of the yard. "Okay, let''s try this again. But this time... don''t end up in a pile of broken crates." He focused, channelling his spiritual energy into his legs. The warmth returned, but this time, he controlled it, feeling the power flow evenly through his body. "Flashing Step!" Whoosh! Kent dashed forward, leaving a faint trail of dust in his wake. He skidded to a halt just before the fence, grinning triumphantly. "Ha! Nailed it!" Feeling more confident, Kent decided to up the challenge. He grabbed a few barrels, crates, and even an old chair, setting them up as obstacles around the yard. "Alright, time to test my agility," he said, clapping his hands. With a deep breath, he activated Flashing Step again. Whoosh! He zipped between the obstacles, weaving left and right. The chair wobbled, and one of the barrels nearly tipped over, but Kent managed to complete the course without knocking anything down. "Not bad," he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. For his final challenge, Kent placed a single brick in the middle of the yard. His goal was to use Flashing Steps to dash to the brick and stop precisely on top of it without crushing it. "This is it," he said, narrowing his eyes. He activated the skill, dashing forward with precision. Whoosh! As he approached the brick, Kent shifted his weight, slowing down just enough to land lightly on top of it. He balanced there for a moment, arms spread wide for stability, before stepping off. "Perfect!" he said, pumping his fist. As Kent surveyed the yard, he couldn''t help but notice the mess he had made. Dust coated everything, several crates were splintered, and the once-sturdy fence now is learned at an odd angle. "Yeah... I''ll clean that up tomorrow," he said, time to go to the ruin location. With this new technique, I am more confident now. Just as he was about to look for the bag, the door creaked open again. Nima stood there, her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face. She was holding something. She demands."Kent, what is this map!" ????? Pointing the map at Kent''s. You are planning on going there,e aren''t you? What will happen if you die there? I will go with you. You can''t go there alone. Kent said. What you can''t go there. It''s a dangerous place. +777 SP copied from Nima. (Frustration) Then you are not going to. I am stronger than you. I level up my cultivation. I am now LEVEL-E (middle). I also have the ugly Bear at Level E (lower). You can see that the ugly bear is the same rank as yours. I am stronger than you. She said to Kent, Showing her muscle .???? "Kent thinks, sooner or later, she needs to fight. She is right, and she is stronger now. She can handle everything. Let''s take her. It will be extra help for me." Alright, you can come. But you have to listen to my every word. You can''t wander off alone. +999 SP copied from Nima. (joy) She jumps. You are the best big brother, Kent. Am I really becoming a big brother who will be protected by his little sister? "Perfect," he said with frustration. I have to level up my cultivation faster. System. How much SP do I have? Ding! Spiritual point: 359,456 SP I can now buy three spiritual fruits. Should I use I level up to Level-E (middle)? I only need 150 thousand SP more to get to LEVEL-D. Let''s wait a little bit. I guess... In a few days, I will be able to earn 150k SP. He glanced at Nima, who was busy packing a small bag with snacks and supplies while singing. ''I am going out to defeat the monster with my big brother. I am so happy.'' Chapter 38 - 38: The Path to the Ruins and Nima’s Practice Battle. --- SHE STATED SINGING while packing some snacks into her bag-dry carrots????????..... La La La~ ???? ???? Despite her playful demeanour, she was focused and efficient. "Ready to go?" he asked. "Ready!" she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder. The siblings set out, they want to come back early before morning, and the old man Xian Yu will come in the morning to train Kent. They have to come back before morning. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As they left the city behind, the landscape grew wilder, the air thicker with spiritual energy. "So, what do we know about this ruin?" Nima asked, hopping over a fallen log. "Not much," Kent admitted. "Just that it''s ancient and dangerous. The map shows some markings around the area, probably warnings or traps." "Traps?" Nima said, her eyes widening. "Like, ''fall into a pit and get eaten by a monster'' traps?" Kent chuckled. "Something like that. That''s why you need to stick close to me." Nima nodded solemnly, her hand resting on Kent''s hand. Okay, I understand. As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls grew louder. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest. Kent froze, motioning for Nima to stay behind him. Kent crouched in the forest, his senses heightened as the pack of Silver Fang Wolves (Level-E) emerged from the shadows, their silvery fur glowing faintly under the moonlight. "Well, this is unexpected," Kent muttered, summoning his fire aura on his hand. "Nima, stay behind me." "No!" Nima said, her voice steady but determined. "I can fight. Let me handle this!" Kent glanced back, a mix of pride and concern flashing in his eyes. "Alright, but be careful. Use the bear and keep your distance." Nima nodded, summoning her Soul Bear with a sharp command. The spectral bear materialized beside her, its translucent form now more defined after levelling up. The pack began to circle, their glowing eyes locked onto the siblings. One wolf lunged at Kent, its jaws snapping. "Flashing Step!" Kent shouted, activating his movement skills. He dashed sideways, leaving a trail of dust. Then, he uses fire aura to engulf the wolf mid-leap. It yelped, retreating with scorched fur. Meanwhile, another wolf charged at Nima. She reacted quickly, summoning her Soulbinder chains. The spectral chains shot out, wrapping around the wolf and pinning it in place. "Now, Bear!" Nima commanded. The Soulbear roared and pounced on the immobilized wolf, its spectral claws tearing into the creature''s spiritual energy. The wolf howled before collapsing into a faint mist, its essence absorbed by the Soul Orb. As the fight continued, Nima noticed the Soul Refinement Orb glowing faintly on her. She instinctively reached for it. Why is it glowing, Kent? Kent said the Soul Orb must have taken the wolf''s soul. It works this way automatically. I didn''t find any way of controlling it. Let me check. Nima said. She focuses her spiritual energy and sense into the Orb. She can feel the orb responding to her. She said Kent, I can control the Orb. I can choose which soul to keep. I guess it''s because you don''t have talents like mine. That''s why you couldn''t do it. ???? .... ???? Meanwhile, Kent defeats one wolf. The orb glowed brighter as it absorbed another wolf''s soul. Nima felt a surge of energy, a new connection forming between her and the orb. "Let me see if I can throw out the wolf''s soul or not." Then, the newly collected wolf soul is thrown out by her command. "It''s working!" she called out to Kent. The soul refinement orb now fully listens to me. I can even throw out a soul from the Orb. "That''s my genius sister!" Kent shouted, launching a fire-infused punch at another wolf. "Keep going!" +999 SP copied from Nima. (Pride) As the remaining wolves attacked, Nima grew more confident, Defeating them and using the orb to absorb their souls selectively. She managed to direct the orb to avoid weaker souls, focusing only on the strongest ones to benefit her Soul Bear. Within minutes, the pack was defeated. Nima feeds the Orb to the Bear. Quickly absorb all the Souls. The Soulbear stood victorious, its translucent form glowing faintly from the absorbed energy. Soulbear Level Up: E (Lower) E (Middle). The bear let out a deep growl, its form becoming more solid and menacing. Its claws lengthened, and a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounded it. "Wow," Nima said, staring in awe. "It now reaches the same level as mine." Kent approached, a proud grin on his face. "Not bad, Nima. You''re learning fast. And the orb you''ve mastered it already." Nima smirked, crossing her arms. "Of course. I''m a genius, remember?" +199 SP copied from Nima (Pride). Kent laughed, ruffling her hair. "Alright, genius. Let''s keep moving. The ruin should be very close." The dense forest gave way to a clearing, revealing the ancient structure they had been searching for. The ruin stood tall, its stone walls covered in vines and glowing runes. The air around it was thick with spiritual energy, making it difficult to breathe for a second. "This is it," Kent said, his voice low. Nima clutched her chest, her face tense. "It''s so... heavy. Is this normal?" Kent nodded, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, ruins like these radiate a lot of energy. Just stay close." As they approached, Kent''s sharp eyes caught movement around the ruin. He froze, pulling Nima behind a tree. "Guards are coming," he whispered. Dozens of Nexus operatives and the Watchers patrolled the area, their spiritual energy faintly detectable even from a distance. Spotlights swept across the clearing, and a faint shimmer indicated a protective barrier around the ruin. "Looks like they''re not taking any chances," Kent muttered. Kent and Nima heard two watchers talking to each other. Watcher One: We have been guarding this place for over a month now. There''s still no sign of opening. What do you think? How long will it take to open? Watcher Two: I don''t know. It''s for hire-ups to worry about. Our job is to make sure no civilians can come to this place. Kent heard their taking. Then he asks the system. Use Appraisal to check how long it will take to open it. Ding! 1000 SP cost. System notifications: Name: Ancient battlefield graveyard ruin. Threat level: Medium-low Opening time: 10 -15 days (depending on spiritual energy recovery of the world.) Suggest cultivation: Level C After reading the notification, Kent said out loud. The ruin is close. Damn it. "So... what do we do now?" Nima asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Kent frowned, weighing their options. "We can''t get in right now. The ruin isn''t open yet, and there''s no way we can sneak past all of them." Nima''s face fell. "So we came all this way for nothing?" "Not for nothing," Kent said, pointing out the Soul Orb. "We levelled up your bear and got a lot of strong souls. That''s progress." Nima''s disappointment lingered, but Kent quickly shifted gears. "Let''s try something," he said. "You''ve been practising the Spiritual Clock, right?" Nima hesitated. "A little... but I''m not good at it yet." "Now''s your chance," Kent said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Focus on masking your presence. Even if it''s just for a few seconds." Nima closed her eyes, summoning her spiritual energy. A faint shimmer surrounded her, but it flickered like a dying lightbulb. "Not bad," Kent said. "But it''s not enough. You have to learn it. I will teach you properly tomorrow. Here, let me help." He activated his own Spiritual Clock, extending its range to cover both of them. The world seemed to dim as their presence vanished, blending seamlessly with the shadows. "Whoa," Nima whispered. "This feels... weird." "It''s effective," Kent said, guiding her away from the clearing. "Let''s head back before someone notices us." The siblings moved quietly through the forest, the Spiritual Clock shielding them from any wandering guards. By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the first hints of dawn were breaking through the trees. Kent deactivated the ability, exhaling deeply. "That was close." Nima nodded, her face thoughtful. "We''ll go back, right? When the ruin will open." "Of course," Kent said, smiling. "But next time, we''ll be stronger." As they walked back toward their small home, Kent couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride. Nima was growing stronger daily, and together, they were becoming a force to be reckoned with. "Get some rest when we get home," Kent said, ruffling her hair. "You''ve earned it." "You too," Nima replied, smirking. "You look like you got chased by a pack of wolves." Kent laughed, shaking his head. "Touch." With the ruin marked on their mental map and their skills growing, the siblings knew this was just the beginning of their journey. As soon as they enter the house. The old man Xian comes. Kent, wake up! Today, I will give you some different exercises. I am so tired ????. I have to train now. Kent murmurs. Grandpa Xian Yu. Can I skip today''s training? The old man holding Kent''s hands drags him for training. Saying that kids of this generation are becoming lazy. I can''t let my disciple be lazy. Chapter 39 - 39: Nima Masters the Spiritual Clock ---- The old man yelled, dragging Kent and tossing Kent a wooden sword. "A strong cultivator doesn''t make excuses. Now, to the yard!" The small yard behind their house was quiet, except for the occasional chirping of birds. Kent stood with the wooden sword in hand, his face etched with despair. "Start with the basics!" Xian Yu ordered, demonstrating a series of swift, precise movements. "And don''t even think about slacking off. I''m watching you." Kent sighed but followed along, his movements slow and clumsy at first. After an hour of drills, Xian Yu clapped his hands. "Alright, time for some sparring!" "Sparring? With you?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Of course!" the old man replied, grinning. "Who else can show you how it''s done?" The sparring session was brutal. Xian Yu''s strikes were quick and relentless, forcing Kent to rely on his reflexes and his new technique, Flashing steps to keep up with the old man. Old man Xian Yu says, Kid, not bad, not bad. Your movement is different today. "Kent didn''t fully use the flashing steps. He only used the technique without any spiritual energy. To avoid and keep up with the old man." By the end of the session, Kent was lying flat on the ground, gasping for air. "You''ve got potential, kid," Xian Yu said, his voice softening. "But potential means nothing without hard work. Remember that." Later that day in school... The special class began with the usual routine. Miss Elena was lecturing about the dangers of pocket dimensions when Kent decided it was time to stir things up. "Miss Elena," Kent interrupted, raising his hand. "I have a question." She sighed. "What is it this time, Kent?" "If someone gets stuck in a pocket dimension, does that mean they''ll miss school forever? I am Asking for a friend." The entire class burst into laughter, except for Ryan, who groaned loudly. "Do you ever take anything seriously?" Ryan muttered. Ding! +675 SP Copied from Ryan (Frustration). Ding! +56,78,39,98... SP Copied from Classmates (Amusement). "Alright, settle down," Elena said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Kent, if you''re not going to take this seriously, at least don''t distract the others." "Of course, Miss Elena," Kent replied with a mock salute, earning another round of chuckles from the class. I am very close to earning 500k SP. I need one or two days for that. Then, I can level up my cultivation. ''Kent murmurs to himself.'' After school, Kent rushed back home, eager to continue teaching the spiritual clock to Nima. The old man, Xian Yu, had been tutoring her during the day, and the old man also taught Nima sword techniques. Nima always skips training and slacks off. But she can learn everything very quickly as if the heavens had blessed her. "Alright, Nima," Kent said, stepping into the backyard. "Today, you''re going to master the Spiritual Clock." ???? Nima stood with her arms crossed, her expression determined. "I''ve been reading all day. Now, you want me to practice?" Kent said. If you learn the technique, I will give you a nice meal at your favourite restaurant. Nima jumps. Deal! I want to go to XXX hotpot restaurant. Kent, hurry up. What are you waiting for? Watch me master it. "You''ve got this," Kent said, patting her on the head. "Just focus your energy like I showed you." Nima nodded, closing her eyes. A faint glow began to surround her as she concentrated. Her spiritual energy rippled through the air, forming a faint, transparent shield in front of her. The shield was small and wobbly, but it was there. "You did it!" Kent exclaimed, grinning. "I''m not done yet," Nima said, her brow furrowing in concentration. The shield stabilized, its ticking sound becoming clear and steady. Ding! Nima has successfully mastered the Spiritual Clock. The shield grew more prominent, its intricate clock design spinning steadily. "Whoa," Kent muttered, his eyes wide. "You''re a natural, Nima." Nima opened her eyes, her face lighting up with excitement. "I did it! I really did it!" Kent gave her a thumbs-up. "See? I told you you could do it." "Now, let''s see how strong it is," Kent said, picking up a rock. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait, you''re going to throw that at me?!" Nima yelped, stepping back. "Relax," Kent said, smirking. "The clock will block it. Trust me." He hurled the rock at the shield. It hit the surface with a dull thud before shattering into tiny pieces. "See?" Kent said, grinning. "I told you it''d work." Nima laughed, her excitement growing. "This is amazing! What else can it do?" "It can also block spiritual senses," Kent explained. "If someone tries to track you or sense your energy, the clock will hide you." "Really?!" Nima''s eyes sparkled. "That''s so cool!" As the sun set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Kent and Nima sat on the rooftop of their house, watching the world grow quieter. "Thanks for teaching me, Kent," Nima said softly, leaning against him. "You''re the best big brother ever." Kent chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Don''t get used to it. I''m only nice to you because you''re the only sibling I''ve got." "Yeah, right," Nima said, smirking. "What about the hotpot restaurant treat?" ''Kent rolled his eyes. Yes, yes... I will take you tomorrow.'' Today, let''s eat fried rice with egg and tomato. Kent thinking. I have to buy the house first from the landlord. Then I will take Nima to a fancy restaurant for a meal. I also need to buy some new clothes for her. Let''s give her a big surprise. Before that, I need to become a Level D cultivator. She is already a stronger and higher-level Cultivator than me. Nima yelled. Kent, what are you doing? Didn''t you say you would cook? Let''s go inside the home. I am hungry. Yeah... Yeah, I am coming. This girl loses her temper when it comes to food. I had better go fast; otherwise, she would start nagging like a Karen. "After dinner, they go to bed. Everything is as peaceful as ever. But little did Kent know his life would take a huge turn soon. The first step will start in the morning." Chapter 40 - 40: Mastering the Flames ---- Next morning... As the early rays of the sun illuminated Kent''s small yard, a familiar chime echoed in his mind. System Notification: New Quest Unlocked: Master the Flames! Kent sat up on his bed, rubbing his eyes as the system details appeared before him. What is this? I didn''t even get a chance to wake up properly, and the system gave me a mission. Can''t you wait until I go to the washroom and freshen up? I really need to go for a ????. Whatever, let''s check the mission first. After that, I will finish my business. Show me System, What do you have in store for me? Quest Objective: Learn how to fully utilize your flame and fire aura to execute an effective fire-based attack. "Finally, a quest I can work on at home," Kent muttered. "This should be fun." Accept Quest? [Yes] / [No] Without hesitation, Kent selected [Yes], and the first stage of the quest appeared. Quest Stage 1: Ignition Summon and stabilize a fire aura with minimal energy loss. The host has been wasting energy before when using fire aura. "Stabilizing fire aura using minimum spiritual energy, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. So, I was doing it the wrong way. "Let''s see how hard this can be." Training Stage 1: Ignition Kent stepped into the yard, the crisp morning air refreshing against his skin. He took a deep breath, centring himself. "Alright, fire aura, show me what you''ve got." Closing his eyes, Kent summoned his spiritual energy, directing it toward his palms. A faint warmth spread through his fingers as a small flame flickered to life in his hand. Ding! Fire Aura Activated. The flame wavered slightly, its edges unstable. Kent furrowed his brow, focusing harder. "Stabilize come on" he muttered, trying to balance his spiritual energy output. The flame grew steadier but flickered violently whenever his focus wavered. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to maintain it. After several minutes of trial and error, the flame stabilized completely, glowing brightly in his hand. "Yes!" Kent exclaimed, grinning. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 1 Complete. Stage 2: Flame Control Kent wiped the sweat from his brow as the next stage appeared. Quest Stage 2: Flame Control Shape the fire into a small projectile or barrier. "This is where it gets tricky," Kent said, recalling a few days ago what he had read about energy manipulation in one of the books from the library in the special class. He extended his hand, summoning the flame again. This time, he visualized it forming a sphere or a ball in his hand. "Shape it focus" Kent whispered, his voice steady. The flame trembled, stretching outward before collapsing into a chaotic flicker. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn it," Kent muttered, summoning it again. For the next hour, he practised relentlessly, shaping the flame into different forms. At first, the results were dismalblobs of fire sputtering out before they could take shape. Eventually, Kent managed to form a small, imperfect sphere. "Not bad," he muttered. "But I can do better." As he continued practising, the sphere grew more defined, its surface smooth and glowing. "Now for a barrier," Kent said, shifting his focus. Summoning a more significant flame, he visualized it stretching into a wall. The energy pulsed in his hands as the fire extended outward, forming a thin, flickering barrier. "It''s weak," Kent said, inspecting the barrier. "But it''s a start." After another hour of refining his technique, the barrier became more stable, its fiery surface radiating heat. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 2 Complete. Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame Fist Kent leaned against a tree, panting slightly. "Two down. Is there more system?" The final stage appeared before him. Quest Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame fist Combine fire and physical force to create an explosive attack. "This sounds fun," Kent said, straightening up. "But also dangerous." Let''s go to the yard for this training. Otherwise, I will destroy the house. He summoned his fire aura again, letting it envelop his fists. The heat was intense, radiating outward as the flames licked at his skin. "Alright, let''s start small," Kent muttered, punching the air. A small burst of fire shot forward, dissipating after a few feet. "Not bad, but it needs more impact," Kent said, narrowing his eyes. He practised combining his punches with bursts of fire, gradually increasing their power. Each strike sent a fiery blast through the air, the explosions growing louder and more controlled. "Let''s try a real target," Kent said, setting up a wooden plank he had found in the yard. With a deep breath, he focused his energy, channelling it into his fist. The fire aura flared brightly as he launched a powerful punch at the plank. BOOM! ???? ???? ???? The plank shattered into splinters, the fire engulfing the debris in a brief explosion. "Yes!" Kent shouted, pumping his fist in triumph. Ding! Quest Update: congratulations, host. Stage 3 Complete. Kent collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily as the system notification appeared. Ding! Quest Completed. Reward: Skill Unlocked: Ember Slash (An entry-level fire attack). This skill can level up with the host''s cultivation. +5,000 SP Bonus. Note: The Ember slash will take one skill slot. "That was worth it," Kent muttered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. The system uses the slot I got before from the mission. This skill will get stronger with my cultivation. That hard work really paid off. Kent yelled out loud. Yahooo''!!! Yahooo''!!! The noise from Kent''s training and celebration had finally woken Nima, who stepped into the yard, rubbing her eyes and holding the patch-up teddy bear ????. "What are you doing out here, Kent?" she asked, yawning. ???? "Practicing," Kent replied, sitting up. "Wanna see my new skill?" "Sure," Nima said, her curiosity piqued. Kent stood up, summoning his fire aura again. With a swift motion, he unleashed an Ember Slash, a fiery arc that scorched the ground a few meters away, creating a sword-cut straight line. "Whoa!" Nima exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That''s awesome!" "Pretty cool, right?" Kent said, smirking. "Can I try?" Nima asked eagerly. Kent shook his head. "No. You''ve got your own techniques to master." you can''t do it. Nima pouted, crossing her arms. "Fine. But you''d better teach me later!!!!" "I can''t teach you this," Kent said, "you need to have awakened fire attributes first. He laughs. Without it, you can''t learn it." Nima replied. "What fire attributes do I need?" Kent says, "It''s like your soul''s power. You need fire powers. Like, I can''t have Souls as slaves. Cause I didn''t awaken that power." "But I can learn Firepower. Nima said." Kent asked, "How?" "I need to capture a fire-awaken bad guy and make him my servant. Then I can use fire, too. Ha Ha Ha!" Nima replied. "Damnit. I never thought this way. Kent murmurs. Nima can have multiple types of superpowers with her soulbinder power." "Listen, Nima, Dual types of awakened superpowers aren''t that rare. I know you like to show off a lot. But You need to be careful, Nima, when you have multiple servants. You can''t show various types of power in front of anyone." "I know that. You don''t have to tell me that. I will be a genius with multiple types of powera big boss, just like in anime." Hah Hah Hah!! As the sun begins to become brighter, it is almost time for the Xian Yu training session. Kent and Nima sat together on the old, broken and patched-up chair in the yard, sharing a quiet moment. "You''re getting stronger, Kent," Nima said softly. "So are you," Kent replied. "We''re going to need all the strength we can get for what''s coming." The world is changing very fast. We need to change with the world. Nima nodded, her determination shining in her eyes. "We''ll face it together." Kent smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With his new skill and Nima by his side, he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. Chapter 41 - 41: A surprise For Nima and a Confusion. --- Old man Xian Yu comes from behind. He says, Ohhh, you both siblings having a heart-to-heart conversation!!! It''s time for training, Kent. Throws a dull sword at Kent. He jumps from his seat and catches the sword. I am ready, Grandpa Yu. Xian says to start practising. He sat on the chair, and on the other hand, there was an old radio like the one from 1990. ???? "This is my treasure, he says." Nima gave him a look. He says you are really old. Who listens to the radio these days? The old man didn''t care. He plays the radio. ???? OH HOH OH HO! KUNG FU FIGHTING! EVERYONE SAY KUNG FU FIGHTING! EVERYBODY IS KUNG FU FIGHTING!! Meanwhile, Kent is doing his sword practice. He swings the sword, and a faint white aura emerges from his every swing. The old man Xian Yu says. Remember, Kent, each of your swings must go for killing. Never give a chance to your enemies. Never show them mercy if someone or something wants to kill you. Every warrior must remember that the enemy will never show mercy. So they don''t have to show mercy, either. "Kent is doing very well. He is very close to achieving a breakthrough in the sword technique." The old man murmurs to himself. ''Every day, he swings the sword over 2000 times. He almost finished his training today.'' The old man stood up from the chair. He put one hand behind and one hand forward, then bent, pointing his finger at the radio button. CLICK! He turns off the song. Says: Kent, it''s enough for today. Let''s call it a day. He looks at his wristwatch. You have school to attend. It''s almost time. Kent said, wiping his sweat from his face. Grandpa Yu, I have a question to ask. Why do I have to train in the early morning? "Why can''t I do it in the afternoon or evening?" He replied well, that''s a long and old story. Xain Yu says, in short, that my master used to train me in the early morning. I am following my master''s teaching. Then Kent says. I am sure when you were a kid, there wasn''t this type of music, right? Why do you play KUNG FU FIGHTING music? Did your master also play music back then? +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). I play music for art and to create a rhythm for you inside your heart. My master didn''t use music; and he used something else. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent then says why do I have to swing a sword. Why don''t I create art and rhythm? +999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Sword techniques vary from time to time. But you need to learn the basics first, and then you can practice doing anything you want. To learn the basics, you need to have rhythm. A real expert can create any move once he gets the hang of rhythm. Kent asked when I would learn heart rhythm. Can''t you teach me some cool moves? I am tired of doing the same thing again and again. Why do you need sword moves? Xian Yu says, making a funny face. You are just a Level-F cultivator. It''s not like you will fight in the ruins or something. Kent says, ohh, Grandpa, I forgot to tell you I Level up. I am a Level E cultivator now. Xian Yu says, How? Don''t you have a low-rank physique? How did you level up so quickly? Or perhaps you have a higher-rank physique? "Kent thinks, damn, this old man is trapping me every chance he gets. He wants to know about my real physique rank." I just wanted to earn some SP from him by asking some questions to irritate him. Then he starts swinging the sword to avoid the old man''s question. Wziz! Whosh! Wziz! I am a low-rank physique Cultivator. I will work hard, Grandpa. Don''t worry. Xian Yu says. Stop that, now go home. I will leave. Kent gets back to prepare for school, and he plans a surprise for Nima. Today, he will buy the house from the landlord. A few minutes later, he goes to school. After school, he goes to the government land office with the landlord to register the house. In the afternoon, after finishing all the paperwork, Kent entered his house and slowly opened the gate. Nima, what are you doing? He sees Nima as full of anger and rage. Her eyes become black. Many questions floated above her head. What happened to you, Nima? Kent asked, showing his worry running towards her. ???? She started by talking like a little baby. Kent, old man Yu gave me high school class 10 algebra and some linear equations to solve. Kent jumps backwards, assessing the situation. She is furious. Let me cheer her up quickly. Otherwise, I will face the anger. "Nima, go clean up. I will take you somewhere cool, and you will like it there." Location change..... . . Their first stop was an enormous shopping mall. Where Nima always wanted to visit. But Kent couldn''t afford a single thing there. Kent goes to a kid''s store. Pick multiple pretty-looking dresses for Nima. Go and try them out, Nima. She comes out of the changing room wearing a beautiful pink dress. She says I like them all. Kent gives his bank card to the shopkeeper. We will buy them all and pack them up for me. Meanwhile, Nima is lost admiring herself in the mirror. I look like a princess on TV now. The next stop was a mobile phone store. Nima always wanted a new phone. Kent picks the latest iPhone model for her. The phone sparkles like a diamond for Nima. She couldn''t hold her happiness. "Her eyes and the phone both are shining like a diamond in the sky. ?? ????" Then Kent buys some dolls for Nima. Especially a big teddy that is 1 meter in size for Nima. She sleeps with a teddy bear. The one she has now is ancient, and Kent has patched it up multiple times. After that, They play in a claw machine and some other games in the game centre. Nima happily enjoys everything. They are both walking in the mall now. Nima is holding her teddy bear tightly in her hands. She started to get worried. She didn''t think all that time. She was busy enjoying everything for the first time. Then she asks, KENT, did you do anything that will make me angry? You have never been like this before. You are treating me like a princess from the TV. ???? Suddenly, a thought comes into her mind. Wait, this exactly feels like the last meal together of my favourite TV show. This is how they abandoned their children, giving them a last good memory. She throws her teddy bear on the ground. She starts crying, hugging Kent. She yelled Kent place, don''t leave me. You are the only family I have. ???? ???? SOB!! SOB!! SOB!! She burst out, her tears falling like fountains. Kent, I will be a good girl from now on. Please don''t leave me. I promise you. Passerby one: He is bullying a little girl. Passerby two: does he look like a jerk? Let''s beat him. Passerby three: let''s wait a little.. Meanwhile, Kent is speechless. He brings Nima to enjoy life like a normal kid. But she totally misunderstood him. Rub ~~ Rub ~~ Kent pats Nima''s head, says stop crying. Listens to me first. First of all, you are not allowed to watch those TV series from now on. Kent picks up the bear and gives it to her. She is holding it like a confused child. Second, I bought the house today from our landlord. I bring you here to celebrate. From now on our lives will be much better. You will always be able to enjoy things like this your entire life. She jumps into Kent''s back. Wow, Really! Do we have our own house now? Did you borrow money from others? I will stop asking for snacks and other food. We have to pay the borrowing money soon. I will help you sell eggs and momos when you go to school. This way we will earn more money. Kent laughs. You don''t have to worry about money, And you don''t have to give up your snack. I didn''t borrow money. Let''s go. I will take you to a movie. Nima is pleased. Movie Movie, we will watch a Movie, eat popcorn and drink soda. ???? ???? ???? "Kent thinks. I bought the house for Fifty thousand dollars."''I gave Lyra 25 thousand.'' I still have 165 thousand dollars. With this money, I will rebuild our house and buy all the latest furniture. Our life will be better!! Chapter 42 - 42: Reaching the first stage of sword Dao. --- Next day. Kent is training with old man Xian Yu. Today, he is trying to cut the big rock with a wooden sword. He is very close to cutting the rock. After a few hundred swings, he started to feel something. Then Xian Yu was watching him, sitting and enjoying the music. A few swings later...Kent felt something as if he was born again just now. He felt everything around him was different now. He can feel the sword''s aura now, and if he wants, he can use it. Then he decided to use it. He closed his eyes and felt the sword aura, A white and blue aura, coming out of his body. He channelled the aura into the wooden sword. A sharp blade-like aura covered the wooden sword, and he was able to break the big rock with the wooden sword. The old man Xian Yu says. Bravo. I am proud of you young man. Your first step of training is complete. The next step is sword control. You have to control your sword using the sword aura. He gets enlightened. He mastered the sword aura. Suddenly, a familiar sound came into Kent''s mind. Ding! Mission Complete: Learn (sword aura) the first stage of sword technique. Reward: Sword intent (level 1). All swords will obey the command. Max level: Level 10. Xian Yu says go home. Today''s training is over. I need to prepare the next training plan for you. You must practice by trying to move the sword using your sword aura from now on. Kent is inside his home playing with the Soul SLASHER dagger. Soul Slasher OBEY, my command. Kent puts spiritual energy into the dagger. The dagger is floating in between Kent''s hands. The dagger gave out a black aura with a blue border line. Kent says go cut your target. Kent raises his hand. The dagger goes to the target at a high speed. Whosh! Cut! Cut! Crack! [Dagger: SOUL SLASHER Class: Legendary Power: 10%. Note: Dagger power will increase as the host cultivation levels rise. Usages: Can Slash enemy souls to create fear. Effect: Frozen 1-10 seconds. Depending on the enemy''s level. (All level use)] Soul Slasher cuts one of the chairs inside Kent''s house. It cuts the chair into hundreds of tiny pieces. Seeing that, Kent feels proud. Ha Ha Ha. I have finally done it. I am able to control the dagger now. I have mastered the skill of controlling the dagger perfectly. This dagger never listens to me. But now I do what I say it to do. PROUD !!! ???? SUDDENLY, Nima comes out of the room. Seeing Kent destroyed her favourite chair. She quickly grabs one of the chair legs. BOOM! BOOM! She hits Kent on the head. Kent was busy being arrogant and proud of his achievement. ???? "Stop playing with your dagger. Furniture is not a target for you to practice your sword skill!! You destroy my favourite chair. Now, what do you think your punishment will be?" Kent rubbed his head. "Ow... Ow, Nima, that really hurt a lot." A big bump was visible on Kent''s head. You are stronger than me now. You have to pull your strength, Nima. You almost killed me. Nima didn''t care about that. She says my favourite chair. Kent, throwing an apple at Kent. Now peel this apple for me using your sword skill. Kent is scared of her anger. I didn''t notice it. But I really destroyed her favourite chair. I need to calm her down first. Whoosh! Whoosh! Kent peels off the apple, then, holding the apple, he kneels, presenting the apple like Nima is a royal and Kent is a worker. Nima says it''s not enough, "Peel six more apples and two oranges." "Okay, okay. I am not it." Kent peels them one by one, and she eats them all one by one. In this situation, she really became the big boss of a gang. Kent says. How''s that? Are you full now? Do I need to peel more? Do you feel a little bit sleepy? You always feel sleepy when you are full. ???? She yawns. I am not that sleepy. As a punishment, you will cook fried rice with tomato and egg for a month. Kent agreed to the punishment. Then says. I am planning on rebuilding the house. Let''s buy a ready-made home. It will only take 5-6 hours to assemble the house. We are only two people. So we don''t need a big house. Nima says, okay, but I will need a new big TV. And my room will be pink. I need this in the kitchen. Bla bla bla. One day later, they entered their new house. A three-bedroom kitchen and dining house. Nima is pleased. They also bought costly furniture. Nima says don''t play with the furniture again. It''s all brand new. Nima quickly jumps on the sofa and turns on the TV. She is able to watch TV after so many days. Kent took the remote; let''s check some news first. Kent put it on the news channel. In the channel, a blast and police chase were showing. Nima says to Kent what''s this? Put up the volume hurray up. I want to listen. TV news: There was a robbery in the metro city bank by an awakened cultivator. The individual is powerful. "Please be aware citizens. The robber fled into the block D local market." Nima says, Kent, isn''t this the market where you set up your stall? It is really dangerous don''t go to the market until they catch the robber. See, that guy looks very ugly, just like my soul bear. Kent says wait a minute. I saw this guy today. I know the area where he is hiding. Meanwhile, inside the robber''s hideout. There are three of them. One of them says boos the Nexus and Watcher are patrolling everywhere in the city. We can''t get out of the town now. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 43 - 43: A sudden mission and a plan for the future. ---- Another one says. We can''t stay here any longer. We need to buy food and water. Boss, what should we do now? Shut up!!! You, number one, buy some food and water. Number two, you keep watch over the area. The number one robber goes out to a shop. He says to one of the shop customers. Did you see anyone from Nexus and Watcher here? The man replied. Yes. I am one of themyou petty robber. We were waiting for you, monitoring every shop in this area. Finally, we are able to find you. The robber number one throws the food and water in the watcher''s face, and then he starts running to the hideout. The watcher informed others on Bluetooth ear devices. He says the robber is spotted 200 meters from my location. The robber attacked everything in front of him to create a distraction. New reporters also come from somewhere. Start''s going live. The robber number one goes into the hideout. ???? Many police cars come. One of the big offices brought out a mike, and he yelled. You have been surrounded! There is no way to escape. Give up your resistance. SURROUNDING IS THE BEST OPTION. The robber boss gets angry. You noise cops. Stop yelling. First, he slaps the robber number one. You idiot. Why didn''t you run elsewhere? You bring them to me. Then, the boss grabbed one of the cars parked nearby. He pulls the car out of the ground. Then he throws the car at the cops. ''TAKE THIS''. You should have just let me rob the bank and run away peacefully. Now, suffer the consequences. One of the cops says. "He is powerful. We can''t handle him. We need a strong cultivator." Bam! Bam! CRASH! The car landed on the ground. Destroying two other police cars. The boss laughs in joy. HAHA, that''s the difference between you weakling and me. You Bunch of loudmouths, cops!! Some strong watcher members come. One gives orders to clear the area. Everyone moved back from here. We will handle it. Miss Elena, a Tier-3 member, says. I will handle the helpers. You handle the robber boss. Whoosh! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whiz! She attacks the two helpers. Throwing a talisman. It landed on the helper''s face, and it became a spiritual blast, throwing the two robbers far away. The boss runs away, leaving his followers behind. Meanwhile, Kent and Nima were watching everything on the TV. Suddenly, a friendly sound comes. Ding! Mission: Defeat the robber boss. Reward: A valuable item for the host''s future growth. Time limit: 2 hours. Failure: - 20, 0000 SP Damn it system. This guy is powerful. Miss Elena is a Level-C Cultivator. She is fighting with the robber. In comparison, I am only Level E. I don''t have a chance. You will take my hard-earned 200k SP from me if I don''t complete the mission. What should I do? I only have one choice now. I need to level up. I have enough SP for that. I was saving my level up for when I entered the ruins. But I have to level up now. Kent buys FIVE SPIRITUAL FRUITS from the system shop. One by one, he eats all five of them. GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! GLUP! A surge of power comes into Kent''s entire body. He is able to feel a tremendous amount of power now. He can now feel things hundreds of meters away clearly. He can hear things that are far away, too. Ding! Host Level up!! Host: Kent Physique: Level 10 (max.) Cultivation: Level D ( lower) Sword intent: Level 1 Skills: 1. Copy spiritual energy. (SSS) 2. Ember Slash Kent runs out of the house. I don''t have much time. I need to go there and wait for an opportunity. With my Soul Slasher dagger and Level D cultivation, I can defeat the robber. Nima runs behind Kent, saying, where are you going, Kent? What happened to you? Why are you in so much rush? Kent says stay at home. I will go and check things out quickly. The fighting is very close to our house. Kent thinks this robber is at least Level D(peak) if he is able to run in front of Miss Elena and other WATCHERS. Maybe I will get something good from the system, and the robber must have spiritual tools for him. I will hit the jackpot this time. Kent jumps into one wall, then another wall, and then he reaches one of the building roofs. Whoosh! Whoosh! When he landed, he almost lost his balance. Wow! I need to get used to my new strength. He regains his balance. I jumped really high in one go. I do it by instinct. Now, let''s see where the robber is. Boom! ???? ???? Blast! Kent sees the boss and the watcher attacking each other while running. Kent says I need to stay quiet. Wait for an opportunity to strike. Let''s hide here. They will come this way in seconds. Rumble! Blast! Boom! Miss Elena uses her talisman. Throws multiple of them at the robber boss. The robber boss says. Damn it, it''s endless. How many talisman papers does this bitch have? Hey, bitch stop that. Let me leave in peace. I will give you half of the money. ???? That woman is such a big trouble. I can''t be trapped here in this alley. I need to fight back and then find a scope to run out of this town. Now, they are coming from the front too. He throws some cars at Miss Elena. Come on bitch, show me what you got!! Elena dodges the cars. In a counterattack, she throws more talismans at the robber. They clash for some rounds, like throwing rocks at each other. Boom! Boom! Whosh! Whosh! Boom! Whosh! The robber''s boss said. Damn it. It''s going nowhere. How long did that bitch talisman''s will last? There are fewer cars here now. I need to find some people. Chapter 44 - 44: Death of a comrade and a mysterious stone. --- The boss of the robbers ripped the door off a car and hurled it at Miss Elena Rivers with terrifying force. His motive is to finish Elena or at least injure her enough to stop her. Seeing the car door coming at her at high speed, She instinctively raised her hands in defence, but it was futile. Whoosh! The sharp edge of the metal door slashed across her thigh. Slash! A deep cut opened, and blood dripped onto the pavement. Drip... Drip... Drip... Elena clenched her teeth, suppressing a pained groan as a burning sensation spread through her leg. The warm trickle of blood soaked into her pants, but she forced herself to remain steady. "Damn it... That bastard got me. I need to be more careful. I''m running low on talismansI have to close the distance." A Tier-3 Watcher operative shouted, "Elena! Are you okay? Say something!" Before she could respond, the robber''s gaze flicked to a passing cara family of four inside. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. "Perfect." With monstrous strength, he lifted the entire vehicle, passengers and all, as if it weighed nothing. Then, with a wicked laugh, he hurled it straight at Elena. "Try dodging this, bitch! Follow me if you can!" he sneered before dashing off. Elena exhaled sharply. "Bastard!" She turned to her teammate. "Go after him! Don''t let him escape! I want to beat that son of a bitch with my own hands!" The Tier-3 operative nodded and sprinted after the robber. Step! Step! Step! The boss fled at a breakneck pace, weaving through the wreckage of cars and debris. Just ahead, a Tier-2 Watcher happened to cross his path. The moment their eyes met, fear flashed across the Watcher''s face. Before the poor man could react, the robber lunged, snatching him by the throat and hoisting him into the air. "HELP... ME!" the Tier-2 operative choked out, his legs kicking frantically above the ground. The Tier-3 pursuer caught up just in time to see his comrade dangling helplessly, the robber''s fingers tightening around his skull. A sickening crack filled the air. Crack! "No..." the Tier-3 Watcher whispered in horror. "LET HIM GO, YOU MONSTER!" he bellowed, raising his sword. "I''LL KILL YOU!" The robber chuckled darkly, his grip tightening. "Times have changed. In this new era, the weak have no place. They''re nothing more than insects crushed beneath the strong." CRACK! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Tier-2 Watcher''s head caved in, blood and brain matter spurting between the robber''s fingers. His lifeless body fell limply to the ground. The Tier-3 Watcher froze, his sword trembling in his grip. His mind screamed at him to move, but shock rooted him in place. His knees nearly buckled as tears welled in his eyes. Elena arrived at the scene. The moment she laid eyes on the mangled corpse of her comrade, rage exploded inside her like an uncontainable fire. Her voice thundered with fury. "I''M GOING TO RIP YOU INTO PIECES AND FEED YOU TO THE DOGS, YOU SICK FUCK! I SWEAR IT!" The Tier-3 Watcher snapped out of his daze, his grief transforming into a burning hatred. He charged at the robber, his sword gleaming under the dim city lights. "DIE, YOU BASTARD!" CLANG! The robber caught the sword with his bare hands, his smirk never fading. With a casual shove, he sent the Watcher staggering backwards. "You talk too much." Elena wasted no time. She formed hand signs, channelling her spiritual energy. Talisman seals ignited in the air around her, glowing with raw power. Whoosh! Whoosh! She unleashed a barrage of spiritual attacks. Boom! Boom! BOOM! The ground trembled from the impact, debris flying in all directions. The robber clicked his tongue. "Tch. No time for this." He slammed his fist into the ground. Crack! The pavement shattered beneath him, creating an opening to the underground sewer system. Whoosh! He vanished into the darkness below. Elena cursed. "Damn it! GO AFTER HIM! We can''t let him escape!" Within minutes, helicopters roared into the area, their searchlights sweeping the streets. VROOM!! PAT! PAT! PAT! ???? The city was in lockdown. Meanwhile, in a dark alley... Kent crouched in the shadows, watching the unfolding chaos from afar. "So he took the sewer. That means... he should come out from" His eyes flicked toward a nearby exit. "Right there." He sprinted along the building rooftops, moving swiftly to intercept. At that moment THUD! Kent slammed into someone at the corner of the building. Both of them staggered. Kent cursed. "What the fuck?!" The robber, panting heavily, wiped his brow. "Huff... Huff... Hey, kid, watch where you''re going!" Kent instinctively prepared to attack, but before he could move Whoosh! A sword came flying out of nowhere, piercing straight through the robber''s shoulder. BAM! The force of the impact hurled him into a wall. The robber let out a pained growl. "ARGH!" The wall cracked under the impact, sending rubble scattering. Kent barely had time to react before the robber''s body crashed to the ground right next to him. "What the f?!" His focus slipped for a second. Fizzle His spiritual cloak flickered and dropped. The Tier-3 Watcher landed nearby, stepping toward the robber. His voice was cold and unforgiving. "I planned to take you alive. That''s why I only aimed for your shoulder. But after what you did... I''ll make you beg for death." The robber, groaning, looked up. "Shit If I hadn''t run into that kid, I could''ve gotten away..." Then something clicked. "Wait That kid. He didn''t even flinch when we collided" The robber''s eyes narrowed. He''s not normal. With no other choice, he gritted his teeth. "Looks like I have to use that technique." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strange stone. Kent, still partially concealed, muttered, "Hey, you two continue fighting. Don''t mind me. I''m just an observer." Suddenly +999 SP copied from Stone (Watcher). +999 SP copied from Raka (Robber). Kent scratched his head and awkwardly grinned. "Uh... Believe me, I have an important mission here. You guys go ahead." Both fighters stared at him. The Watcher thought: That bastard brought back up. He''s planning an ambush. The robber thought: Fuck! Another one?! And he''s a master of stealth...! The robber grinned darkly. "Doesn''t matter. I''ll kill you both and enjoy my money afterwards." He crushed the stone in his palm. Immediately, a violent surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body. WHOOSH! Wind howled. The air crackled with power. "Shit!" The Watcher''s eyes widened. "He''s trying to break through into Level C forcefully!" The robber let out a primal scream. "ARGHHHHH!!" His muscles bulged. His veins pulsed. The ground beneath him split apart. The Tier-3 Watcher clenched his fists. "If he succeeds we''re fucked." "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" The robber roared as his body underwent a terrifying transformation. Kent exhaled. "...Well, shit." Chapter 45 - 45: MY First kill of a human being. The twilight sky casts long shadows over the city as Miss Elena Rivers races through crowded streets, her heart pounding urgently. Still reeling from her earlier rescue, she pushes herself to catch up with the Tier?3 Watcher. As she rounds a corner, she notices a surreal sighta swirling mass of spiritual energy gathering in an abandoned square, its eerie glow illuminating shattered glass and crumbling concrete. Without hesitation, she quickens her pace, determined to uncover the source of the disturbance. BOOM! The sound echoes off nearby buildings as she arrives at the scene. There, in the centre of the chaos, a desperate robber is engaged in a dangerous act: he is forcefully straining against the limits of his cultivation in a bid to break through to Level C. His eyes burn with both fear and reckless determination. "Damn itI''m late! This guy is trying something extremely dangerous. If he fails, he''ll become a human bomb," he shouts, his voice trembling with both adrenaline and dread. The weight of his words hangs in the air as the unstable spiritual energy threatens to surge uncontrollably. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The energy radiates from his body like an ominous aura, its pulsating force ready to burst forth and obliterate everything within an entire city block. The raw power suggests that nothing beneath the threshold of a Level?D cultivator would survivenot even those with modest abilities would be spared from its devastating impact. Elena''s eyes narrow as she scans the scene. "It will be incredibly difficult to stop him now," she thinks, her mind racing with strategies. "Wait, who is that guy? Why can''t I see his face?" The mysterious figure''s hooded silhouette suggests he is from the notorious Dark Allianceclearly, a deliberate attempt to conceal his identity. Not far from her, Kent stands between the Tier?3 Watcher and the robber, his muscles tense and his eyes locked on the unfolding confrontation. He internally muses. This guy is tough, but he''s pushing himself to level up. How am I supposed to defeat him if he succeeds? The tension in the air is palpable, punctuated by the relentless churning of spiritual energy. Amid the chaos, dust and shards of broken concrete swirl in the winda testament to the raw power unleashed in this battle. The sound of the wind, carrying with it the echoes of destruction, fills the space. Wind! Wind! A Tier?3 Watcher member, his face etched with determination and fatigue, brushes the dust from his eyes. "Damn itI was pushed far back by that force," he curses under his breath. "No one in this metro city will defeat him if this continues." His gaze falls upon Miss Elena, whose arrival has added a spark of hope to the dire situation. "Cover me, Elena! We have to stop him at all costs!" he shouts, urgency lacing every word. With that, both he and Elena surge forward into the fray. Without missing a beat, Elena hurls her talisman paper with practised precision. "Roger that, comrade!" she calls out, her voice steady despite the chaos. Whoosh! The robber reacts with equal speed, swinging his handnow wreathed in a fierce, flickering aura of spiritual energyto deflect the incoming talisman papers. They scatter into the air and explode in brilliant bursts of light. Boom! Boom! Boom! "Just a little more, ElenaI''ll finish this. Hold on," declares the Tier?3 Watcher as he shifts his stance. "I''m going to use my blood manipulation superpower." His tone is grim; he continues, "It''s extremely exhausting, which is why I rarely resort to it. It only works with my own bloodI had to cut myself. Give me a second!" He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a small, worn knife. With swift determination, he makes a deep incision on his hand. The pain is evident on his face, but his focus never wavers. With his other hand, he makes a precise gesture to control the blood flow as it gushes out like a fountain. The scarlet liquid gathers around his head, coalescing into a shimmering ball that splits into five distinct parts. From each part, he forms a blood speardeadly projectiles aimed squarely at the robber''s head. Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! Wizz! The robber instinctively adopts a defensive posture, his eyes widening as he scoffs, "Do you think this is enough to defeat me? You must be joking. What can a few blood spears do to a strength-type user? My body is as hard as iron." His voice carries both confidence and a hint of defiance, even as he braces against the incoming attack. Simultaneously, another Watcher executes a cunning manoeuvre. While distracting the robber, he channels his own blood toward a concealed sword. In a display of swift alchemy, his blood transforms into the shape of a hand. This newly formed blood hand slips silently behind the robber, finding its mark by piercing an earlier wound on the robber''s shoulder. Stab! "ARRRGGHHHH!" the robber bellows in agony as he crumples to his kneesblood streams from his wound in torrents, resembling water gushing from a broken tap. "Pouring!" cries the Tier?3 Watcher, now barely holding onto consciousness as he sits on the ground. "Elena, attack him quicklyI can do little more now. Most of my blood is gone, and I might collapse at any moment." Before Miss Elena can launch her next move, the robber''s gaze fixes on Kentour main characterwho has been observing the chaotic struggle. "What the hell! I''m going to die here, and that guy from the Nexus hasn''t done anything until now. He must be too weak to intervene," the robber jeers bitterly. Kent, taken aback by the unexpected accusation, thinks, Why is he directing his anger at me? I haven''t even attacked yet! His confusion is momentary, for in the blink of an eye, the robber suddenly charges directly at him. "Get out of my way!" the robber bellows, his voice laced with madness. "Have you lost your mind because you couldn''t complete your level-up? He''s the one who attacked you!" He points accusingly at the fallen Tier?3 Watcher, his gesture desperate and erratic. Barking furiously, the robber continues, "I''m going to die soonbut before I do, I''ll kill one more government watchdog. My final act will be to take down a weak ant!" With that, he charges at Kent, and his fist is enveloped in a swirling mass of spiritual energy. "Die for megive me one last moment of pleasure!" he roars, unleashing the full force of his attack. Kent''s mind races as he assesses the oncoming blow. Damn, this attack... this momentumit might be a Level?C cultivator strike. I have to counter, or I''m as good as dead! Every muscle in his body tenses in preparation. In that crucial moment, Kent recalls the invaluable teachings of the old man Xian Yu. The voice of his mentor echoes in his mind: "That''s the wrong stance, Kent! Stand firmpress your feet into the ground, channel your strength through your legs, waist, and arms. Only then can you strike or defend with full power. Make everything fall under your control!" Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kent murmurs to himself. My control is the key to success. He channels the ancient wisdom into his very being and gathers his spiritual energy until his fist begins to glow with a flash of radiant, sun-like brilliance. "Come now, criminal!" he shouts, his voice resolute as he steps forward to meet the charge. In a synchronized moment of violent beauty, Kent bends forward and unleashes a powerful punch at the robber''s hand just as the latter''s fist meets his own. The collision of their strikes sends shockwaves through the air, and the clashing spiritual energies merge into a shimmering barrier that encases both fighters. BOOM! The impact generates a sudden, forceful gust that momentarily blinds Miss Elena, who is still poised with her talisman paper. "What a strong airflow," she exclaims, marvelling at the raw power on display. "If I weren''t a Level?C cultivator, I''d have been blown away!" At the same time, the struggling Tier?3 Watcher clings desperately to the ground, his strength nearly spent as he fights against the wind''s relentless pull. "Damn it what just happened?" he mutters, barely audible over the fading roar of energy. As the turbulent winds finally subside, the Watcher''s eyes widen in disbelief at the sight before him: the robber''s hand lies shattered on the ground, with a significant portion blown clean away. His wrist is entirely obliterated, leaving only exposed, jagged bone in its wake. The robber''s cry of pain is guttural and heart-wrenching, "ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! My hands you bastard!" His voice, now a mix of fury and agony, reverberates through the silent aftermath of the battle. Chapter 46 - 46: A New Companion For Nima. --- Blood dripped onto the ground from his exposed bones. He couldn''t believe that the man he''d always thought was weak had done this to him. Dip! Dip! Kent glared at the robber. In the robber''s eyes, Kent appeared as the devil himselfcome to punish him for his misdeeds. Kent maintained his fierce expression, determined not to reveal his inner panic. He still couldn''t believe that he had become this strong after levelling up. He could easily defeat an almost Level?C cultivator with one punch. Have I become the one-punch man?! I don''t want to go bald, he thought. The Tier?3 Watcher observed everything in awe. How could Kent deliver such a devastating attack with his fistdestroying the robber''s hands so effortlessly? There was no record of anyone in the metro city being this powerful. "Hey! Who are you? What''s your connection with the robber? Answer me quickly!" the Watcher barked at Kent. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent panicked. No wayI can''t take on two Level?C cultivators at the same time while maintaining my spiritual clock technique. Miss Elena knows me. If anyone sees me drop my spiritual clock, it''s all overthe government will take me! "SOUL SLASHER, come out!" Kent commanded. "I don''t have timeGO finish the robber with Ember Slash!" The Soul Slasher burst forth, slicing directly through the robber''s chest with Ember Slash and leaving a gaping hole that extended out his back. Whoosh! Slash! The robber''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. (+1999 SP from the robber. [Death]) The Tier?3 Watcher noticed Kent''s flying daggerand then a flying sword. "Wait this this is a flying sword! Is he a Level?C? A secret Level?C cultivator master in this town? Who knows the Sword Aura Control Technique? We haven''t seen anything like this before. This is going to be very bad if he starts killing people left and right." "Hey, you! Answer me! Who the hell are you? Why are you here in this city? What do you want?" he demanded. "Elena, we have to capture himhe might be very dangerous. We can''t let him escape from here," another voice insisted. Kent leapt onto the roof and began sprinting using his flashing steps, vanishing instantly. "Wait a minutewhere did he go? He was here just now," Miss Elena remarked. "He jumped onto the roof and used some footwork technique to run away. He was swift." "You didn''t see him because he took advantage of all the dust around here. He might be a member of the DARK ALLIANCE. We need to inform headquarters quickly," an observer added. Whosh!! Step! Step! ???????????? Kent running away!! "Elena, Kent can fight a fake Level?C cultivator and even control a flying swordhe''s a Level?C cultivator himself. We need to find him as soon as possible!" A few minutes later HUFF! HUFF! I managed to run away quicklydashing in the opposite direction of my house so they''d search in the wrong area. I decided to stop my spiritual clock and then catch a bus on my way back home. "System, why didn''t you reward me? Don''t tell me I didn''t finish the mission!" I muttered as I boarded the bus. Ding! The reward was already giventhe notification hidden from a host who, apparently, is too blind to notice its details! "Hey, system! Don''t mock me!" I yelled. "The government almost caught me because of your mission!" (+199 SP from xxx.) "Hey! Kid, we''re sleeping. Stop yelling!" came a voice from the back of the bus. "Oh! I forgot I''m on a bus. I need to keep quiet. Sorry, Uncle!" I replied. "Let me see the reward," I murmured with a smirk as I rubbed my hand. System Notifications: Congratulations, host. Mission: Defeat the robber boss. Status: Complete Reward: A spiritual pet egg. Condition: The host must sit on the egg for a total of 240 hours to hatch it. Note: The host''s sister can also contribute to the hatching task because of the bloodline connection. "What the hell, system! You want me to become a chicken? Why didn''t you say what kind of egg this is? I even need to sit on it for 10 days straight to hatch it. If I only sit on it for one hour a day, it''ll take 240 days to hatch!" At least one thing was promisingNima could also participate in the hatching. But will she? Let''s think about that laterI''m almost home. "Hey, system! Where is my Level Up reward? I''m supposed to get a reward for levelling up my cultivation. I don''t see any notifications" Ding! System Notifications: The reward is prepared, but the host must wait for it. "System, why are your rewards always delayed? Other systems in novels, manga, and anime give rewards instantly!" I grumbled. Sigh! "This is my stop. Hello, sir, bus driverplease drop me off. My destination has arrived!" After stepping off the bus, I found my house cloaked in darkness. Nima was sleeping. "How long has it been?" I wondered, checking the time. 1:00 AM! "Shit! It''s past midnight. I was out for hoursbut it felt like only a few minutes. Let''s wake Nima up. I have a great idea!" I thought. Knock! Knock! "Nima! Nima! Wake upget up quickly! I need to take you somewhere. If you want to tidy up, do it fast because we don''t have time. Wake up!" I smirked to myself. He, he, he! The watchers are probably gone by now. I need to take Nima to that location quickly. Nima, ever resourceful, gathered the robber''s soul and transformed it into her servanta fake Level?C cultivator servant. It was a promising opportunity for her. Bang! A pillow smacked into my face. "Kent! You said you''d be back soon. I waited for you while I was hungryI wanted to eat together. But don''t come! I eat alone and then go to bed. Now I''m sleeping, and you''re disturbing me!" (+999 SO from Nima [frustration and anger]) "???? What do you want? Do you want me to cook dinner for you? I''m not doing that. You go cook dinner! I''ll eat again laterand cook for me too! Hurry up!" I replied, "Come on, my little princess. I''m sorryno, Your Highness, I have a gift for you. Come with me; we''re going out for a bit." Nima''s anger subsided slightly at the sound of me addressing her as "Your Highness." She asked, "Why are we going out at midnight? Give me the gift." "I''m taking you to capture a spirit. I know a good placelet''s go, hurry up! If we''re late, the spirit might disappear!" Nima retorted, "It''s better not to be an ugly bear again. OtherwiseI''ll run away from home!" "Yawn! Don''t worryit''s a good thing. You can let the new spirit absorb your soul bear. You may have one spirit, but it''s better to keep the stronger one." "No," Nima replied. "I have more space in my black hole now. I can have more! I even grew bigger when I reached Level?E cultivator!" What! Really? I thought to myself. She could now have two soul servants. After capturing the robber''s spirit, she''d have one Level?E and one fake Level?C servantand she herself was Level?E. Damn, she was becoming very overpowering. I have the systemI''m supposed to be the main character! After a while, I took Nima to the place where I had killed the robber. "Nima, use the spiritual clock and wait for me here. I''ll go check if there''s anyone around," I instructed. I scanned the entire block and then called out, "Come herecan you feel anything? Any spirit here?" "Nima replied, "Yes! I can see a black ball floating hereit''s a spirit or a soul. Do you want me to catch it?" "Yes, do it. It''s a fake Level?C cultivatorand it''s human, too. It will be your bodyguard from now on." Chapter 47 - 47: A plan for future and robbers Memory. --- Nima used her Soulbinder power, summoning four black spiritual chains ?? that pulled the robber''s soul into her black hole. "I got him, Kent. What''s next?" she asked confidently. "What? You captured him that easily?" Kent replied, astonished. "Of course! I''m a genius. What did you expect?" Nima said with pride. "Now, what do we do?" "Let''s get out of here quickly," Kent said. "We need to go home. Then we''ll test your new servant." They swiftly left the location and returned to their home. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, after leaving the battle area, Miss Elena and Stoneboth Tier-3 Watchersreported the incident to the NEXUS and WATCHER headquarters. "There has been a Level-C unknown cultivator in Metro City," Miss Elena said, her voice serious. "He''s possibly a Dark Alliance member. The robber used a Dark Alliance technique to level up forcibly. The unknown cultivator killed him to prevent any information from leaking." In a room full of monitors, several people dressed in black coats, along with some government officials in suits, sat around a round table, discussing the incident and reviewing video footage. Liam, a Level-B cultivator from Nexus, spoke first, his eyes glued to the screen. "It''s definitely a Level-C cultivator. Based on the footage, he seems to be strength-oriented, and his sword technique suggests he''s been practising a specialized style." SLAM! Jade Monroe, another Level-B cultivator from Nexus, smashed the table in frustration. "What''s there to discuss? Why are you two hesitating, Logan and Liam? I''ll go and catch the Dark Alliance member myself. I''ll bring him back. I need to go to Metro City now. Get ready, I''m coming!" Yang Li, another Level-B cultivator, holding a brush in his hand, added, "I''ll send over some of my beast talisman paper. Go after that Dark Alliance member. They''ve killed many across the country trying to seize the ruins and pocket dimension." Logan, the leader of Nexus and a Level-B cultivator, spoke with authority, his voice calm but firm. "Alright, Jade. You go. But listen carefully. Don''t cause any problems this time. You always manage to mess things up. And don''t act greedy. I know why you''re so eager to go to Metro Citythe ruins will be opening soon." Back at Kent''s house, Nima and Kent stepped inside. Kent''s mind was racing with ideas. He could create the most substantial organization in the world using the physique enhancement fruits. However, two things were holding him back: First, the money required to handle such an organization. He didn''t have enough yet, but the robber''s hidden wealth could help. Second, he needed a strong cultivator as the leader, someone loyal to both him and Nima. Kent knew he couldn''t leadat seventeen, no one would take him seriously. He had to stay hidden, his power a secret. But now, with the robber''s money and Raka as their servant, both problems might be solved. Kent turned to Nima. "Summon the robber, Raka. Let''s access his memory. We need to find out where he hid the money. With that, we can build our team and make them loyal to us." Nima summoned the robber, and his form materializedblack, shining with spiritual energy. But Kent''s expression shifted. Something was off. The robber''s spiritual power didn''t feel the same as before. "System, use appraisal on Raka," Kent ordered, a frown crossing his face. Ding! Name: Raka Status: Soul Servant of Soulbinder Nima Cultivation: Level-D (middle) Physique: Level 4 Skill: Strength C Double the average "Damn it," Kent muttered under his breath. "His level dropped. Could it be because of the forced level-up technique he used with that stone? But still, it''s not bad. We can level him up using the Soul Refinement Orb." Kent paused, noticing something else. "Wait... why is he only wearing underwear? What the hell, Nima? Where''s his clothes?!" "What are you yelling about, Kent?" Nima replied, raising an eyebrow. "You told me to summon him. I summoned him. Why are you acting like you''ve never seen a spirit before?!" Kent walked closer to Nima, frowning. "I didn''t take you out at midnight to capture a powerful spirit just to satisfy some strange hobby of yours. Why is he only wearing underwear?" "Why would a dead person need clothes?" Nima countered, laughing. "And he looks like a fighter from WWEall muscles. I gave him the WWE look. What''s wrong with that?" Kent rubbed his temples. "What will people think when I use him as the leader of an organization? He can''t just wear underwear. I need him to look like a boss." "Nima, give him some clothes. A suit or something!" "No way," Nima replied stubbornly. "I want him to look like the WWE. You know nothing, Kent. The most important thing in life is to be happy. And I''m happy with how my servant looks. Why are you complaining?" Kent sighed. "If you need a big boss, I''m available for the job. I always wanted to be the big boss. You want me to give my soul servant that position? Not happening." With a huff, Nima turned to the fridge, singing to herself as she grabbed a snack. "I want some food. Some food for my tummy. I don''t have a mummy. When my brother cooks food, my tummy will be full." "La La La Lah~~" "Nima," Kent called out, shaking his head. "Listen to me. I''ll give you a lot of money if you let him be the big boss. You can buy all the snacks you want with that money. How much do you want? It doesn''t matter if he becomes the big boss of the group." "You''re the boss, Kent," Nima replied thoughtfully. "That makes you the real big boss. He''ll be your manager. Like those TV shows, you know? A hidden big boss, pulling all the strings while the manager does all the work." Nima paused for a moment, imagining the possibilities. Then, she smiled evilly. "Alright, Kent. I''ll let you use him however you want. But I want enough money for one month''s worth of all my favourite snacks. Deal?" Kent grinned widely. "Deal! No more discussion. Now, go ahead and check his memory. Let''s see where the money is hidden and how much. Hopefully, it''s enough to create an 8-10 person team. I can level them up with physique enhancement fruits." A few seconds later, Kent asked impatiently, "How is it, Nima? Can you see anything? How long will it take?" "I can''t see anything," Nima replied, a frown crossing her face. "Nothing''s coming into my mind. What should I do, Kent?" Chapter 48 - 48: A Powerful Cultivator comes to the Metro city. --- Kent paused, a flicker of realization crossing his mind. System, help me out here. How does the memory-watching skill work? Ding! Host''s sister, Nima, needs to close her eyes to view the memory of her soul servant. Kent, eager to impress Nima and act like the big brother he wanted to be, stroked his chin, mimicking the wise old man, Xian Yu. "Nima, close your eyes. Try watching Raka''s memory." Nima''s eyes widened. "WOW!! You''re such a genius, Kent! If I don''t close my eyes, I''ll see his memory. Let me try again. Good idea, Kent!!! ????" With a determined look, Nima shut her eyes and focused. As she did, a stream of memories began to unfold before her. The last thing she saw was how Kent had defeated Raka, followed by visions of Raka''s crimeshow he killed many people and where he hid the money after robbing the bank. But there was a strange voidnothing before the robbery. The memories were blank, like a dark abyss. "I found where he hid the money, Kent," Nima exclaimed. "But there''s nothing before he robbed the bank. Everything is empty!" Kent gave a thoughtful nod. "Your lunch was amazing, Nima. It feels like I''m watching an anime too! But this guy, Raka he''s a bad one. What if his enemies come after us when we make him the big boss?" Nima looked sceptical. "Don''t worry, Kent. We''ll make sure he never shows his face again. We''ll appoint someone else as the vice leader to handle things. Raka will only be called upon when we need help. Don''t stress; you''re the big brother, and you''ve got it all figured out." Kent chuckled, relieved. "Exactly! Now, get some rest. I''ll cook something for us to eat." Nima grinned mischievously. "You cook, I''ll relax. It''s almost morning anyway, and I''m hungry after all this soul-searching." Kent sighed but gave in. "Alright, alright! I''ll cook, but you should help me." Nima smirked. "No need, I''ll leave it to you. Raka will help you." She turned toward Raka, who was standing nearby, awaiting his orders. Raka stood silently, ready to follow instructions. As Kent headed off to the kitchen, Xian Yu appeared, calling him for training. Kent quickly excused himself, and Nima hid Raka, making sure everything was in order. Kent left with Xian Yu, but before he went, Nima waved him off from the window. Behind her, Raka silently observed, standing still. Location Change C School Grounds: At school, Kent noticed a murmur in the air. Everyone seemed preoccupied with their phones. Curious, he approached Ethan, who was busy checking his device. "What''s going on? Why is everyone so excited?" Kent asked, intrigued. Ethan looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Haven''t you checked your phone today? Last night, the Watcher released a video offering a reward for anyone who can identify a certain person." Kent frowned. "What video?" Ethan showed him a clip. "This one. It''s about a Level-C cultivator who defeated the robber from last night. The strange part? They say this cultivator lives in our city, but neither Nexus nor Watcher has been able to locate him." Kent raised an eyebrow. That''s convenient. My spiritual clock technique will keep me safe. Ethan continued. "They''re asking anyone who recognizes him to come forward, but with just his height and body shape, how can anyone identify him? It seems like an impossible task." Kent thought to himself, relieved. Great! No need to worrymy spiritual clock technique is OP! Ethan then lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of mystery. "By the way, there''s something else. A Nexus cultivator is coming to our school today. He''s been assigned to oversee Metro City. My family and other big families are trying to avoid him." Kent frowned in confusion. "Avoid him? Isn''t having a connection with Nexus a good thing?" Ethan chuckled dryly. "You don''t know? Every major family in the city knows that interacting too much with him is a bad idea. He''s obsessed with money, but the problem is that he''s terrible at keeping it. People who get too close to him end up losing money. It''s like he has bad luck with wealth. There''s even a rumour that bad luck is his superpower, though he never admits it." Kent''s curiosity peaked. "He''s coming to our school?" "Yep," Ethan confirmed. "He''s also in charge of the new cultivation college Nexus is planning to build in the area." Kent nodded, absorbing the information. "Got it. But I have one questionhow do you know all of this secret information? You''ve never told me which clan you belong to." Ethan didn''t answer, avoiding Kent''s gaze. "Let''s go. We need to gather on the field to welcome the Nexus leader." The wind suddenly picked up, and Kent felt a powerful spiritual energy pressure envelop the area. This aura it feels familiar. It''s similar to what I felt when the Nexus leader visited Grandpa Xian Yu. Kent''s eyes narrowed. If this is the Nexus leader in charge of our city, I''m sure he could''ve taken down the robber in one move. I might think I''m strong, but compared to these Level-B cultivators, I''m nothing. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A moment later, a fit yet slightly overweight man jumped down from the school rooftop. He landed gracefully on the PT stage, and despite his size, the landing was as light as a feather, with no sound or crater. The man raised his arms, shouting, "Everyone, gather in a line! Anyone who wants my autograph, form a line!" The students stood in stunned silence. The man, now looking a bit embarrassed, cleared his throat. "Ahem! Hello, students! It''s nice to meet you all. I''m your new principal for the special class. I hold a high position in Nexus and Watcher. My name is Jade Monroe, but you can call me Principal Jade." He launched into a long-winded speech. "You are the future of this country. You must cultivate well and follow all orders diligently" Halfway through, his speech faltered. He paused, trying to remember the next line, but his mind went blank. "I I hope you all um contribute to society well" A heavy silence fell over the crowd. ???? Jade Monroe scratched his head awkwardly. "Forget it! Everyone, stand at attention!" He snapped into a military salute. "Work hard! Make your country and your parents proud. That''s all! Dismissed! Go to your classes. Your teacher will have something important and interesting to share today." The students stood in shock. Their image of a powerful Nexus cultivator shattered. Is this really the Nexus leader? Is he our principal now? This is weird. Chapter 49 - 49: Final preparation for the ruins of an ancient graveyard. --- Inside the classroom, an atmosphere of eager curiosity hung in the air. The students exchanged quiet whispers, wondering what important news Miss Elena would deliver today. Kent turned to Ethan, his voice filled with casual interest. "Hey, Mr. All-Knowing, do you have any idea what important information we''ll be hearing today?" Ethan leaned back in his chair, tapping his finger against his chin thoughtfully. "I''m not sure, but I''ve got a hunch, and it''ll be something beneficial for us. I did hear that Nexus and Watcher are planning to increase the special class students'' cultivation levels." Kent raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with mild sarcasm. "Oh? It sounds like it''ll be useless to me then. I''m not like the others. The only thing that can help me level up is SP." His eyes narrowed in thought, frustration creeping into his voice. Why does everything good always go to someone else? Just then, Miss Elena entered the classroom, and the chatter quickly died down. She walked to the front and set her papers on the desk where Mike''s assignment was placed. The students sat up straighter, instinctively aware that whatever she was about to announce would be necessary. "Listen carefully, students," Miss Elena''s voice rang out, commanding attention. "In a couple of days, the ruins near the metro city will open." A ripple of excitement passed through the students, their interest piqued. "We plan to take you to the ruins for your cultivation. The opening stage of the ruin gathers an enormous amount of spiritual energy from the atmosphere. It''s a perfect environment for cultivating your abilitiesbut there''s a risk." The room grew quieter, the weight of her words sinking in. "We don''t know the exact moment when the ruins will open. So, if you happen to be in the area when it happens, you will be forcefully pulled inside. We can''t control this," Miss Elena continued, her gaze steady. Kent''s heart skipped a beat. Pulled inside? He swallowed, his mind racing. He wasn''t sure whether that sounded like an opportunity or a nightmare. "If you are pulled in, you might face dangers beyond anything you''ve encountered before," she added. "But if you can survive and cultivate there for at least two days, all of you will level up at least one minor level. For example, if you''re currently at Level E, you could move to Level E middle in just two days. If you have an A or B rank physique, your progress will be even faster, potentially crossing an entire major levelsuch as from Level-E to Level-D." She handed out a link to an online registration form. "Discuss this with your families. The day after tomorrow, we won''t be having any classes. We''ll take all the students who are willing to go. You''ll be able to register for the ruin cultivation event via the online form." Her tone shifted slightly, growing more serious. "Remember, there is danger involved. No reward comes without risk. So think carefully before you register." After the announcement, the class resumed its usual rhythm. Kent, however, was already lost in thought as he packed up his things. I''m definitely going. I know the ruins they''re talking about. It''s the same one I visited with Nima the other day. His mind spun with possibilities. I''ve read about these ruins in the World Alliance posts. Clearing a ruin can take over a week or more. You need to find the core and defeat the boss guarding it. There''s treasure insidevaluable items and a pocket dimension. But most importantly, it''ll help me grow stronger. I need more battle experience. I need this to hone my abilities. But there were preparations to be made first. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled map Nima had drawn for him earlier that morning. Raka hid the money here, in an old warehouse inside the ventilation system. Let''s get it. Kent followed the map''s directions, navigating the familiar paths until he reached the abandoned warehouse. Without hesitation, he entered and quickly grabbed the bag of money. The weight of it in his hands felt wrong. I''m not a thief, he thought, glancing around nervously. But I really need this money. A pang of guilt hit him. He couldn''t just take it. I know what it''s like to live without moneyhow hard it is. I can''t take this from someone else. His grip tightened around the bag, then loosened. No. I''ll earn my own money. I''ll build my own clan, my own future. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He made up his mind. This money belongs to other people. I can''t just keep it. His thoughts raced. But I can''t just give it to the police directly... What if they''re corrupt? A plan began to form in his mind. I need to find someone trustworthy to handle this for mesomeone who''ll do the right thing. Miss Elena came to mind. She''s a Level-C cultivator. I trust her. He nodded to himself, feeling confident in his decision. I''ll call her and tell her where the money is. I can''t risk getting caught. Kent left the warehouse, buried the money in a secluded spot, and memorized the longitude and latitude of the location. With his mindset, he activated his spiritual clock, making his way to a nearby public phone booth. After calling Miss Elena and informing her of the money''s location, Kent let out a relieved sigh. Now, that''s taken care of. His next task was supplies. He needed waterlots of it. He visited a nearby superstore, purchasing five large 5-litre water gallons. He also grabbed several packs of non-perishable food, enough to last him a few days. All set! Kent thought as he checked his supplies. Now, I need to convince Nima. With everything ready, he returned home, feeling the weight of the upcoming days pressing on him. The ruins will be dangerous. But it''s an opportunity I can''t afford to miss. The following day, Kent set up a stall in the market to earn some extra SP. His sign read, "Earn SP Here!" but, unfortunately, sales were slow. He sighed in frustration. +19... +99... +79... +299... +333 SP... from various people Disappointed. +29... +89... +69... +299... +353 SP... from multiple people Disappointed. +69... +29... +99... +399... +533 SP... from numerous people Disappointed. Kent''s shoulders slumped. This is not going well at all. Still, he knew he had more important things to focus on. Chapter 50 - 50: A public announcement by the most troublesome Nexus. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Last night, Jade Monroe held a press conference with all the TV channels. Jade: I am sorry. What did you ask? I couldn''t hear it. Can you repeat it again? Reporter one: Can you tell me why you came to this city? He replied. I am in charge of this town''s security. You all know the incident with the robber. I am here to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. Also, Nexus and Watcher care very much about the education of the young generations. I am also here for that reason. We will build some cultivation colleges. We choose the metro city as the primary location for our dragon country. As the principal, I will oversee all the colleges. Snap! Snap! Snap! Jade: Take my photos from the left side. I look good from that angle. If someone posts a bad picture of me, I will look for you. Ha Ha Ha! I hereby officially declare that Nexus is going to educate all the youngsters of our Dragon County. I am in charge of all the students. CLANK! In the Nexus headquarters, "Why are you angry, Logan? Liam asked him while eating a bowl of noodles. What''s wrong!!" Please don''t ask me; see for yourself. This might be our biggest mistake for sending Jade to the metro city. We told him to keep the opening of the cultivation college project a secret. But he.! SIGH! Liam took the phone from Logan''s hands, and he saw Jade Monroe''s picture in the news. He is telling the world about the secret project. Jaw-dropping... News: Breaking news!!! Nexus Jade Monroe is in charge of the metro city, and the government is opening cultivation colleges. Liam was thinking, Damn, it. I felt he would do something crazy. But I never imagined this I can''t show my anger in front of Logan. Otherwise, he will tell me to fix everything. Let''s act normal. Ahem... listen, Logan, He is in charge there. I guess it''s reasonable for him to seek some stoplight. We all know how he thinks. I am sure he knows what to do. Let''s hope he doesn''t F?k up everything!! Back to KENT. He is also watching the Jade Monroe press conference on his phone. This guy is so Cringe!!! "Suddenly, He heard a voice asking how much for the stinky momos?" I am not selling. Go away!! ''I am out of stock. Wait a minute... this voice sounds very similar, he murmurs to himself.'' Why am I hearing the same voice from my mobile and behind my back? "Don''t tell me it''s the cringe headmaster!!" +199 SP from Jade Monroe (frustration). Kent looks back to see if his suspicions are true or not. He gets shocked seeing the fat man. It''s really him. Shock! Jade says. If you are out of stock, then how can I see steam coming out of the pots!! After coming to this city, I asked people about the most famous local food in this area. Everyone says there''s a new local food named Stinky Momos. I came to have a taste. Didn''t you see the news today? Don''t you recognize me!! I am on the news today. Kent quickly grabs the pot and gives Jade a box of stinky momos. I was joking, sir. Please take it. It will be 20 dollars. Jade eats one out of the box. Wow, this tastes so good. It''s worth coming here. Give me two more boxes. Kent replied. I am glad to hear that you liked it. Here, take it. That will be sixty dollars. Hey, young man, you look so familiar. Did I meet you before? Yes! I am one of the special class students. We met yesterday at the school field. When you gave your speech. Later, we met on the training grounds. You have a good memory, sir. Ohhh! What a coincidence. I am your headmaster. So I guess I don''t need to pay you. Come to me if you have any Cultivation problems. I will guide you personally. This food will be my tuition fee. Kent is thinking, how cheap- this guy is a Nexus, and he is trying to cheat me out of money. He wants a free meal. But I can''t say NO to him. I need those spiritual stones every month. If I say something, he might hold grudges. Tomorrow, I will join the ruins cultivation team. What if he removes me from the team? I want to get inside the ruins to collect some treasures. What should I do? "Let him leave without paying!!" SIGH! ???? The nearby uncle yelled at Jade Monroe. Hey, you dirty, fat man. What''s wrong with you? Kent is an orphan boy. He also has a little sister to look after who is somehow hungry all the time. Do you know how hard he works just to put food on the table? He pays all his bills for this business and attends school with the money. This is his only income source. How could you cheat him? Don''t you have any moral values!! Jade Monroe replied I am sorry, uncle. Please don''t yell at me, and I didn''t know. Today, I was in the news. Don''t damage my reputation. I don''t want to cheat him. I wanted to give him a chance to learn from me. You misunderstood me. Take this money, young man. I am sorry. I didn''t know that. You are a responsible young man. From now on, you will be my little Bro! I will help you with your cultivation. We will be bros forever. Tell that uncle to calm down. Kent said aren''t you supposed to be my teacher? How did we become bros? I am only 17 years old. How old are you? +999 sp copied from jade. (Embarrassment) Bro, I am just 35 years old. We, cultivators, can live hundreds of years. Now that the spiritual energy is back, we will live even longer. One day, we will become bros. "Why not now? Just call me, bro, in the future. Okay, I have some work to do. I will see you later, Bro!" Meanwhile, at home, Nima''s soul is leaving her body. She is lying on the desk in the front yard. I can''t take it anymore. I am hungry. Aunty Zhou, give me some food. The old man Xian Yu says. Nima, stop playing Possum with me. Do your homework. You still need to solve TWENTY more math problems before eating lunch. Xian Yu smirked with an evil look. He murmurs to himself. You mock me a lot for not being able to teach you math problems. I had to study again for you. Now, I will make you learn every type of math problem there is. Meanwhile, somewhere in the Northern country, a princess is preparing to leave her home and come to the Metro city. Her family is sending her to a college for cultivation. Her father ( Level-B ) holds a prominent position in the world alliance. He has many enemies, and that''s why he is sending her to Dragon County. He talked with Logan for her safety. ty Chapter 51 - 51: Meeting an old Friend but he Rejects me. --- Hah Hah Hah!!!! The old man, Xian Yu, laughs heartily, leaning back in his chair as he imagines his granddaughter, Nima, buried under piles of homework. You''ll get a taste of your own medicine soon enough, Nima. Slamm!! The heavy front gate of Xian Yu''s house creaks open with too much force, causing the rusted hinges to groan. A man''s voice booms from the doorway. "Long time no see, Xian Yu! How have you been?" Mr. Xian Yu, my old friend! I''m here to see you after all these years. I''ve missed you so much, especially during your last days! It''s me, Jade Monroe! Long time no see! Did you miss me?" Xian Yu pauses, his mind blanking for a moment as the man''s voice registers in his head. Wait... who is this? Why does my gut tighten with irritation just hearing this? His eyes narrow, scanning the overweight man in front of him. "Jade Monroe?" Xian Yu repeats, genuinely baffled. "What''s going on? I don''t remember anyone who looks like... this." The man laughs loudly, clearly enjoying himself. But Xian Yu''s words strike with the force of an arrow. "You... What? Why do I feel so angry hearing your voice?" His heart sinks as he realizes how genuinely unexpected this encounter is. He blinks at the man in disbelief. "What did you say your name was again?" The man''s cheerful expression falters for a second, but he quickly recovers. "I was shocked by your sudden appearance and your strange words." Jade Monroe''s face falls as he hears Xian Yu''s response. His heart shattershe had expected a warm reunion, even a hug, as if they were long-lost brothers. But instead, he receives nothing but cold dismissal. "You don''t remember me?" Jade stammers, his voice wobbling. "We spent over a year together in the first ruins that opened after the spiritual energy recovery. Only five years, Xian Yu! You forgot me? Did old age catch up to you? Is your mind failing you already?" Xian Yu''s brows furrow in deep concentration as he processes the words. Wait... first ruins? Over a year together? His eyes widen with sudden realization. "You... You''re Jade Monroe?" He exclaims, shocked. "How did you get this fat?" Ha ha ha! Jade laughs nervously, waving off Xian Yu''s blunt remark. "I knew you didn''t forget me! I''m honoured! You still care!" He grins widely, his laughter filling the air. "Let''s catch up like old times, yeah? It''s been forever! How''s life treating you, Xian Yu? Enjoying your retirement?" Xian Yu, trying to suppress a groan, rolls his eyes. How could I forget you? He mutters to himself. You nearly killed me a hundred times over. How could I ever forget the disaster you are? S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A flash of painful memories hits him. Jade Monroe is the man who triggered every trap in every ruin we''ve ever exploredthe one who stole other people''s food and got us into trouble at every turn. Everyone dreads going on an adventure with him. "You!" Xian Yu exclaims, a vein popping on his forehead. "You nearly caused my death a hundred times over! You were the one who made me suffer through all those ruins! People still avoid ruins because of you, you know!" Nima, who had been watching the scene unfold with wide eyes, stands up from her chair. This is her chance to shine, to finally get out of the endless homework cycle her grandfather insists on. With this fatso here, I can finally stop doing this boring homework! She raises her chin confidently and calls out. "Hey, mister! Did you bring a gift? You can''t come empty-handed after so long! It''s basic manners to bring something when visiting someone after years apart. Are you the type who likes to mooch off free food?" Just like me, Nima silently thinks with a smug smile. Xian Yu snorts, clearly amused by Nima''s boldness. "Ahem! Are you poor? If you''re looking for money, I suggest you leave before I whip some sense into you." Whip? Jade blinks in confusion. "Wait, kid, what are you saying? Whipping my butt? Is that a poem? What, are you trying to scare me with some weird poem? I''m not that educated in this stuff. It''s making me nervous!" Nima looks smug as Xian Yu chuckles softly, clapping Nima on the back. "Good job, kid. That''s the spirit!" They high-five each other, hands clasped behind their backs in a pose straight out of an action movie. Meanwhile, Jade, still shaking his head in bewilderment, sighs. "Anyway, I came to tell you about a new ruin opening near the graveyard mountains. It''s happening tomorrow. I wanted to invite you along. Let''s go, just like in the old days." Xian Yu, still clearly irritated, waves him off. "Thanks for the invite, but no thanks. I''ve retired now. I''m not running headfirst into a ruin to risk my life again. Enjoy it on your own, Jade. I''m good living the rest of my years in peace." Jade''s expression darkens briefly, but he quickly hides it behind a smile. "Your loss, old man. You were always so stubborn. I was going to share the loot equally, but if you''re not interested" He shrugs dramatically. "Well, suit yourself. Let me know if you change your mind. I''ve got work to do, anyway. Tomorrow''s the day. Goodbye, Xian Yu!" Later that afternoon, Kent returns home, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity. "Nima, I''m back. Let''s head home soon." They sit on the sofa as Nima eagerly recounts her day. "Grandpa tried to make me do double homework today. But then this fat guy shows up. His name''s Jade Monroe. Can you believe that? Grandpa was so mad, but I took advantage of the situation and skipped all my homework." Kent''s eyes narrow in concern. "Nima, you have to listen to me. Please don''t get involved with him again. Jade Monroe is from Nexus. He''s in charge of this city now and is my principal. He''s very powerfulLevel B cultivator powerful. He can do a lot more than we can handle." Nima shrugs nonchalantly. "Okay, okay. I''ll give him some snacks next time he comes. I get it, Kent. Don''t worry. When I become a big boss, I''ll protect you, okay? Now go cook dinnerI''m starving!" Kent chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Everything with you starts and ends with food, Nima. You''re a growing girl now, so you can help me cook tonight." "I will help!" Nima grins mischievously as she summons Raka. "Go, Raka! Help Kent cook for me." Kent sighs in exasperation. "Seriously? You''re hopeless, Nima. I told you to help, not summon your soul servant to do your chores. No more using Raka for housework! Got it? From now on, it''s all you!" The following day, Kent prepares to leave for the ruins. "Xian Yu and his wife will care for Nima while I''m gone. Have fun, all of you. I''ll be back with treasures!" Meanwhile, on a remote island, a secretive Dark Alliance meeting is taking place. The Dark Alliance, an organization that cultivates forbidden techniques, is a shadowy force working for the enigmatic ''supreme leader.'' The organization includes various clans and factions, each with its agendawhether for power, revenge, or chaos. All of them work toward a common goal under the supreme leader''s mysterious command. Chapter 52 - 52: Whispers in the Shadows All these people follow him for many different reasons. They all have their various purposes. These organizations and clan leaders rule their forces under one supreme leader. Drip... Drip... Drip... The sound of water echoed softly, an unsettling rhythm in the damp, dark hall. In the centre of an unknown island, a massive fortress rose ominouslya relic of ancient times, long forgotten by the world. Its obsidian spires scraped the heavens, jagged and unyielding as if they had once reached for the stars themselves, only to be cast down by time. Inside, the air was thick with an oppressive unease. The long hall stretched endlessly into darkness, illuminated only by flickering torches that barely lit the way. Shadows danced along the cracked stone walls, alive in their menacing way. The flickering light seemed to pull at the room''s edges, hiding more than it revealed. At the far end of the hall, a large stone table sat ominously, commanding the centre of the space. Around it, twelve hooded figures were seated, their faces hidden in the darkness. Their presence, heavy with tension, made the silence all the more unbearable. Thud! A hand, long and clawed, slammed onto the table, shaking the room. Several of the hooded figures flinched, their bodies instinctively recoiling at the force. From the shadows at the head of the table, glowing crimson eyes pierced through the darkness like twin infernos. The gaze alone was enough to freeze the blood of anyone who met it. "What happened to the Emerald Vein plan?" the man growled, his voice low and menacing, laced with an authority that seemed to crack the very air. It was as if the walls themselves were afraid of him, trembling in response. One of the hooded figures hesitated, his body tense, before rising to speak. "M-my lord...," he stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "We... we failed to achieve the desired results. The corruption did not spread as planned." The room grew colder still, as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees with every passing word. The fear was palpable, and everyone in the room could feel the leader''s violent aura tightening around them, squeezing the very air from their lungs. "Why?" The leader''s voice was a hiss, his crimson eyes narrowing in disdain. The man gulped, sweat pouring down his forehead. "I... I checked on the Black Vein Crystal, but it has disappeared. There was... an intruder. Someone breached the Emerald Vein facility and likely took it." A thick silence followed one that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. SWOOSH! In an instant, the leader''s hand shot out from the shadows, his claw-like fingers extending unnaturally long. With a terrifying swiftness, he grasped the man by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground, the fingers digging deep into his flesh. "You dare come to me with excuses?" The leader''s voice dropped to a deadly growl, his nails sinking into the man''s skin, drawing blood with a sickening sound. The pressure was crushing, suffocating. Swirl! "P-please, my lord... forgive me...!" the man gasped, his voice weak and desperate, his hands clawing at the leader''s iron grip, trying vainly to break free. CRACK! The sound of the man''s neck snapping echoed through the hall like a thunderclap, a final, dreadful sound that sent a ripple of fear through the remaining figures. His lifeless body was tossed aside like a rag doll, landing with a sickening thud against the cold stone floor. The other hooded figures sat frozen, paralyzed by fear. The silence that followed was deafening. "I gave you power," the leader''s voice cut through the stillness, icy and controlled. "I gave you techniques that no one in this world could even dream of. And yet... you fail me at every turn." The leader leaned back into the shadows, his glowing eyes scanning the room, each figure feeling the weight of his gaze. "Eighteen years. For eighteen long years, I''ve worked toward claiming the Emerald Vein. Eighteen years of patience, sacrifice, and cunning... only for it to be taken from me?" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The room remained deathly quiet, none of the figures daring to meet his eyes, their heads bowed in fear and submission. "This world is a prison," the leader continued, his voice rising with anger. "A barren wasteland devoid of true power. I cannot stay here. The Emerald Vein was supposed to be the keythe core of the Ruins and pocket dimension was supposed to be my way out!" His fist slammed down onto the stone table with a force that shattered part of it, cracks spreading like a web across its surface. "The artefact core..." he murmured, eyes burning with obsession. "It lies in one of these Ruins, one of these pocket dimensions. It will give me the power to escape. To finally leave this forsaken place!" With a sharp motion, he turned toward one of his hooded followers, his voice dripping with venom. "You. Take a team to the Graveyard Mountains Ruins immediately." The figure nodded quickly, fear evident in every movement. "Yes, my lord. I will not fail you." The leader''s eyes flared brighter, like two living fires. "You had better not," he snarled. "Fail me, and your fate will be worse than his." He gestured toward the crumpled corpse of the man whose neck had just been broken. The figure bowed deeply, trembling in fear. "Understood, my lord." The leader leaned back once more, his clawed fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone table. Tap... Tap... Tap... "Find the intruder," he ordered, his voice like ice. "I want to know who they are, what they want, and why they dared to interfere with my plans. Leave no stone unturned." One of the hooded figures hesitated, a faint tremor in his voice. "My lord... it is possible the intruder is connected to Nexus. They have been actively monitoring the Emerald Vein and other sites of corruption." The leader''s eyes flared even brighter, his anger boiling over. "Nexus..." He spat the word, his voice dripping with disdain. "They''ve been a thorn in my side for far too long. Always meddling, always getting in my way." He leaned forward, a sinister smile creeping onto his shadowed face. "But let them come. Let them throw themselves into the fire." The hooded figures sat silently, nodding in unison. Their silence was not one of agreement but of fear. Fear of the supreme leader. "They''ll only pave the way for my ascension," the leader muttered darkly, his smile growing more with madness. The followers stood, moving quickly and deliberately toward the door. As the last of them left, the leader sat in the darkened hall, his glowing eyes fixed on the far wall. "Soon," he whispered, his voice barely audible, a promise of doom. "Soon, I will break free of this wretched place. And when I do..." His clawed fingers curled into a fist, his nails biting into his own flesh. "This world will kneel before me." Meanwhile, Somewhere along the Dragon County border, Logan, the leader of NEXUS and WATCHERS, stood on a quiet hilltop, his eyes closed in focus and concentration. His senses stretched outward, searching for somethinganything. Chapter 53 - 53: A new type of fire is found but Kent doesnt know. --- He was on the lookout for intruders. With every opening of a ruin or pocket dimension, numerous greedy individuals and foreign organizations swarmed to claim any treasure they could. While it wasn''t a problem to let them try their luck, there was always the risk of some going too farkilling weaker individuals to steal from them. That''s why the World Alliance had implemented strict rules: no one was allowed to enter a ruin or pocket dimension unless they were a member. This allowed the Alliance to hold people accountable for their actions. Those who caused harm would be dealt with swiftly. Rustle rustle The faint sound of movement reached Logan''s ears. He tensed. Another one. His eyes snapped open, honing in on the source of the disturbance. A surge of spiritual energy hit his sensesdefinitely a Level-B cultivator. "You are not allowed to enter," Logan''s voice rang out, firm and calm. "Turn back, or I will be forced to take action." The reply came swiftly, dripping with defiance. "The ruins of this world belong to all of mankind. Why should only World Alliance members be allowed entry? We refuse to join any organization. We value our freedom." Logan''s expression remained impassive. "The World Alliance does not restrict your freedom. It only requires you to be registered so that if you break the law, you can be held accountable. If you refuse to join, then you are a criminal. And there is no mercy for criminals." The unknown cultivator''s hands ignited with yellow fire, flames swirling around his fingers in preparation for an attack. "Then I will kill you and enter the ruins. You''re alone here. No one will know." Before the man could finish his sentence, Logan''s movements were a blur. With a flick of his wrist, his sword was drawn from its scabbard. Its gleaming blade caught the light, sharp enough to slice through the air as if it were nothing more than paper. Whoosh! A sword aura shot through the air, slicing towards the cultivator at lightning speed. The cultivator didn''t have time to react. The blade sliced clean through his neck, the impact too sudden to comprehend. What''s happening? The cultivator''s vision began to blur. Why am I He never finished the thought. The last thing he felt was the searing pain in his neck as his head plummeted to the ground. His body remained upright for a moment longer, the yellow flames in his hands expanding wildly before consuming him in a fiery explosion. SLAM! Logan, unbothered, kicked the decapitated head like a soccer ball into the growing flames. He watched with detached interest as the Level-B cultivator''s body was reduced to ash. When the fire finally died down, only a tiny, glowing yellow orb remainedabout the size of a tennis ball. It burned fiercely, unaffected by the destruction around it. Clank! Logan sheathed his sword and reached into thin air, pulling out a small spiritual box. He carefully collected the yellow fire, muttering to himself. "A treasure... This must have come from another ruin." He stored the orb within the box, then extended a thin spiritual line from his ring. The line wrapped around the box and pulled it into the ring, the spatial tool now holding the treasure. Spatial tools are artefacts with an inner space that can be used for storage. They are bound to the user''s soul and can only be transferred upon the user''s death or if someone stronger takes them. Back at the Graveyard Mountains, Jade Monroe stood on another hilltop, gritting his teeth in frustration. "That old man refused my offer. If he had agreed, we could have taken all the treasure together. What a waste." TSK! TSK! TSK! He clicked his tongue, annoyed, before pausing mid-thought. A sudden realization struck him. Wait a minute... I forgot something. What was it? His eyes widened. "Oh, right! My storage bag!" He cursed under his breath. "I need to grab it before I leave. Where else would I store all my loot?" With that, Jade turned around and hurried off to retrieve his forgotten bag. Meanwhile, on a bus full of students, Kent stared out the window, lost in thought. The rolling fields outside blurred as the bus rumbled along. Why hasn''t the system given me my level-up reward yet? Kent mused. If I get it before we reach the ruins, it could be helpful. Maybe it''ll help me inside... Suddenly, the familiar system sound rang in his mind, like the chime of a bell. Ding! The level-up reward is ready. Congratulations, host. Reward: SSS-Rank Architect of Creation. Details: The host can create and design objects, provided the materials are available. Kent''s eyes widened in disbelief. Another SSS-Rank skill?! The system really is overpowered! His heart raced with excitement, but quickly, his mind shifted to the next question. How do I use this new skill? System, how does this work? Tell me what I need to do. Ding! The host lacks the necessary materials, and the conditions for usage have not been met. The system will notify the host when the skill can be used. Kent sighed in mild frustration. So I can''t use it yet Fine, I''ll wait. But for now, let''s focus on the ruins. His eyes shifted to his right, where Ethan sat, half-asleep. The other students around them were either yawning or chatting idly, bored from the long ride. Mia Carter, as usual, was silent, lost in her own world. Kent nudged Ethan, a plan forming in his mind. "Ethan, wake up! I need to ask you something. Do you know what kind of treasures can be found inside a ruin? I''ve only seen vague references about them being full of treasure, but nothing specific." Ethan''s drowsy expression evaporated instantly as his eyes snapped open. "Ah, let me tell you!" he said, sitting up straighter, now fully alert. "There are many types of treasure you can find. Spiritual tools, powerful artefacts, spiritual resources like food and medicine, and even ancient cultivation techniques." Kent leaned in, eager to hear more. Ethan continued, "In the centre of the ruin, there''s always the corean artefact of unimaginable power. There''s usually a boss monster or guardian that protects the core. The area is filled with dangerous creatures, some ancient spiritual animals and others... well, inhuman." Kent listened intently, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "If you manage to take the core, the ruin will close forever," Ethan added. "But those cores are incredibly valuable. They''re the most powerful artefacts from ancient times. They hold unimaginable power, but because spiritual energy was absent for so long, they''ve weakened over time. As spiritual energy returns, however, these cores will regain their former strength." Kent''s eyes sparkled. I''ll take everything. Sell it all and get rich. Super rich. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan sighed, knowing exactly what was on Kent''s mind. "Be careful, Kent. There are people who kill others to take the treasure. Some even disguise themselves as World Alliance members just to get into the ruins. You have to watch your back." Kent nodded absently, still lost in his thoughts of treasure. Rich, rich, rich... Chapter 54 - 54: Kents Mischief Among Thousands --- Ethan says we are here. We are finally at the graveyard mountains. The bus driver pushed the break hard. Whoosh! Break! Kent says this is impressive. The area is covered with multiple army vehicles and hundreds of army officers guarding the entrance. The area is continuously observed by the army helicopter. WHIRL! PAAT! ???? Kent says to himself. Looks like I will make a fortune here. This place is covered with very thick spiritual energy. Ethan comes closer to Kent, saying. What are you waiting for? Hurry up, find a good place, and start cultivating now. Otherwise, you won''t find a good spot. Kent says. Don''t you want to enter the ruins? You guys go ahead. I will wander around a bit, and then I will join you guys. The graveyard mountains were alive with spiritual energy. Thousands of students from all corners of Dragon County had gathered, their conversations creating a symphony of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. They stood in groups, some chatting animatedly while others meditated, sitting cross-legged, mentally preparing for the cultivation. Kent stepped out of the bus, taking in the sight before him. It was a sea of people, all here for the same reason: the cultivation boost. But Kent''s mind worked differently. He can''t cultivate like others. "Thousands of students, all emotionally charged... If I play my cards right, I can rake in hundreds of thousands of SP in one go!" He smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Now, one spiritual fruit cost is One Million SP. Now, If I want to level up my cultivation. I need FIVE MILLIONS of SP points. I must take this opportunity to earn as much SP as possible. Kent''s first idea came to him as his stomach growled. He pulled out his famous stinky momos from system storage, wrapped neatly in a cloth. The moment he unwrapped them, the pungent smell wafted through the air. Phew! Sniff! Sniff! "What is that smell?!" a nearby student shouted, covering their nose. Someone pooped here. What the Fuck, who poop here? We are here for cultivation. The stench spread quickly, triggering a wave of reactions. "Ugh, what is that?!" "Who shit in an open area like this?" "My nose! My precious nose!" Kent casually popped a momo into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated delight. "Mmm, delicious," he shouted, earning glares from the students around him. Ding! +99 SP from Student A (Disgust). +88 SP from Student B (Annoyance). +77 SP from Student C (Confusion). The system notifications kept rolling in as more students caught a whiff of the infamous slinky momos. Kent grinned, muttering to himself, "This is too easy." Spotting a group of students meditating near a small stream, Kent''s mischievous mind sparked another idea. He casually walked to the stream and pretended to slip. Splash! Mud and water flew everywhere, drenching the meditating students. "Hey!" one of them yelled, glaring at Kent. "What''s your problem?!" Kent stood up, feigning innocence. "Oh no! I''m so sorry! I didn''t see the mud there because of the smell. I was distracted. Are you okay?" The students were too annoyed to believe his apology. Ding! +150 SP from Student D (Frustration). +120 SP from Student E (Anger). Kent bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. As Kent wandered through the crowd, he noticed a group of elite students boasting about their cultivation techniques. One of them loudly declared, "My family''s technique is the strongest in all of Dragon County!" Kent decided to test their patience. With a sly grin, he activated his fire aura and heated a small piece of dried chilli he had in his system storage. He brought some herbs to cook inside the ruins. Holding it near the ground, he released a burst of air that mimicked a loud farting sound. PFFFFFFT! The elite students froze. Their leader, the boastful one, turned red as everyone stared at him. "W-what was that?!" someone whispered. "Dude, did you just?" "It wasn''t me!" the leader shouted, his face burning with embarrassment. Ding! +199 SP from Elite Student (Humiliation). +89 SP from Bystander (Amusement). Kent casually walked away, trying not to burst into laughter. Kent''s next plan involved some sleight of hand. Spotting a group of students who had removed their shoes for meditation, he quietly snuck in and swapped their shoes with mismatched pairs. Minutes later, chaos erupted. "Where are my shoes?!" "These aren''t mine!" "Who switched them?!" Kent, pretending to help, handed out random shoes to confused students, earning annoyed glares and amused chuckles from the crowd. Ding! +120 SP from Student xxx (Irritation). +100 SP from Student xxx (Confusion). +150 SP from Student xxx (Amusement). As he schemed, a familiar chime echoed in his mind. Ding! System Notification: "Host is in a densely populated area. Would you like assistance in creating a tool for widespread emotional reaction?" Kent''s eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued. "You''re suggesting I create something to mess up more with all these people?" System Response: "Correct. With the host''s SSS-Rank Architect of Creation, materials in this area can be utilized to design a functional item. Would you like to proceed?" Kent smirked. "Oh, you know me too well, system. Let''s do this. Guide me." Ding! "Analyzing surroundings... Materials identified: leftover stinky momos, spiritual herbs, moist soil, and an empty spiritual stone casing. Combining these can result in a Stinky Bomb." Kent pulled out his pouch and began gathering the suggested materials. Nearby students glanced at him suspiciously, but he waved them off with an innocent smile. "Alright, system," Kent muttered. "What''s the recipe?" System Notification: Base: Use the momo as the core. The leftover oils and smell will create the primary stink. Enhancer: Add shredded spiritual herbs to amplify the odour and trigger stronger emotional reactions. Binding Agent: Mix in moist soil to hold the ingredients together. Ignition Catalyst: Insert a fragment of an empty spiritual stone casing to create a small, controlled burst. Kent followed the instructions, his hands working quickly and efficiently. He wrapped the ingredients tightly, then he made a small flame in his finger, his hellfire heating the bomb slightly to seal it together. When he was done, he held up the small, lumpy object. It looked harmless enough, but the faint whiff of its smell was enough to make Kent wrinkle his nose. "Ugh," he said, holding it at arm''s length. "This thing is disgusting. Perfect." Before using it on a crowd, Kent decided to test the stinky bomb in a quieter area. He moved to a less crowded corner of the gathering and lobbed the bomb into a patch of bushes. BOOM! ???? The bomb exploded with a muffled pop, releasing a cloud of foul-smelling smoke that wafted through the air. Nearby students froze, their faces contorting in disgust. "Ugh, what is that?!" "Who let a skunk loose here?!" "I''m going to throw up!" Ding! +99 SP from Student xxx (Disgust). +88 SP from Student xxx (Annoyance). +77 SP from Student xxx (Confusion). Kent grinned as the system notifications rolled in. "This is a goldmine," he muttered. System Notification: "Host has successfully created the first Stinky Bomb. Would you like to improve its design for future use?" Kent tilted his head, intrigued. "What kind of improvements are we talking about?" System Response: "Possible enhancements include: Duration Boost: Increase the lingering effect of the smell. Range Expansion: Cover a wider area with the stench. Emotion Amplification: Trigger stronger emotional responses." Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Emotion amplification, huh?" Kent says, his grin widening. "That sounds like my kind of upgrade. Let''s do it." The system guided him to add more spiritual herbs to the mix and refine the ignition catalyst. By the time he finished, he had three improved stinky bombs ready to go. Armed with his new creations, Kent wandered back into the crowd, looking for the perfect spot to unleash his chaos. He found a large group of students meditating near a quiet stream. "This''ll be fun," Kent whispered, tossing a bomb into the middle of the group. BOOM! ???? A cloud of putrid smoke erupted, sending the meditating students scrambling. "Ugh, what is that?!" "My nose!" "I think I''m going to die!" Ding! +150 SP from Group xxx, xxx, xxx (Collective Disgust). +120 SP from Student xxx (Frustration). +100 SP from Student xxx (Amusement). Chapter 55 - 56: The Ruins Open causing chaos. Kent casually walked away, biting back laughter. Next, Kent spotted one more group of elite students boasting loudly about their family techniques. He couldn''t resist. "These guys need to be humbled," Kent muttered, pulling out another bomb. He tossed it into their midst and waited. BOOM! ???? The elites froze as the smell hit them. "Who did that?!" one of them roared, his face red with anger. "This is an insult to my family''s honour!" Ding! +199 SP from Elite Student A (Humiliation). +150 SP from Elite Student B (Anger). As Kent continued his mischief, a Nexus and Watcher official approached the crowd, shouting for order. "Who is causing this chaos?!" the official demanded. Kent, the opportunist, pointed at a random student. "I saw him throw something earlier!" The accused student turned pale. "I-I didn''t do anything!" The crowd murmured, unsure of who to believe. Ding! +89 SP from Nexus Official (Irritation). +77 SP from Student F (Confusion). Kent grinned, enjoying every moment. But his SP farming didn''t last long. Some Tier-3 and Tier-4 Watchers, with all the teachers, were discussing something important. Jade Monroe was in the middle of the group. He gives an order by saying, We don''t have time. I will go to the ruins entrance. You should move the students quickly. We incorrectly calculated the opening time. If these young people get sucked in, many will die. Although we take permission from their parents, we can''t put them in danger like that. They will have their time soon. They need more training. Amidst the rising tension, a Tier-4 Nexus and Watcher official stepped onto a raised platform, his commanding presence instantly silencing the chaotic murmurs of the students. His spiritual energy amplified his voice, cutting through the crowd like a blade. "Attention, everyone!" his voice boomed, echoing across the field. "The situation has escalated. The ruins are becoming unstable and could open at any moment." Gasps rippled through the crowd, and panic began to bubble beneath the surface. "To ensure your safety, we are moving all students far away from the vicinity of the ruins," the official continued. "Form groups and board your buses immediately. Time is of the essence." He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd. "However, if the ruins open before we can evacuate, you must follow these rules: Stay with a group. Do not wander alone under any circumstances. Your teachers and Watcher officials will do everything in their power to guide and protect you. Do not act recklessly, or it will mean certain death." Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crowd fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The official''s voice grew sterner. "Ruins are not a playground. They are ancient, unpredictable, and filled with dangers beyond your comprehension. Those who act without caution risk their lives and the lives of others." In the back, a hushed murmur spread among the students. Some were visibly shaken, some people pissed their pants, while others looked excited, their eyes gleaming with the promise of glory and treasure. "Stick with your class and teachers!" the official command. "Do not make this harder for us. Move to the buses immediately." Kent stood near the edge of the crowd, his mind racing. "If they''re evacuating us, how am I supposed to get into the ruins?" he thought, clutching his chest dramatically. "My treasures!" Kent whispered, his voice filled with exaggerated despair. "I can''t let all those ancient artifacts slip through my fingers." [This is karma for all the chaos I caused earlier, isn''t it? Said to himself.] +99 SP copied from Ethan (Annoyance). +77 SP copied from Mia (Amusement). Nearby, Ethan and Mia stood watching him, their expressions a mix of exasperation and curiosity. "Snap out of it, Kent," Ethan said, waving him over. "We have to find the rest of our classmates and head to the buses." Kent sighed, dragging his feet as he joined them. "Fine, I will help you." I won''t go with you guys. I have some work to do. [Kent thought, "I swear, if I miss the ruins opening because of this evacuation, I need to sneak inside the ruins somehow. I can do it with my spiritual clock technique."] Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You''re unbelievable. Do you even listen to yourself?" What work do you have here? This area has now turned into a danger zone. Let''s move. Mia, as usual, remained silent, her stoic expression betraying nothing. The trio weaved through the bustling crowd, searching for familiar faces. The air buzzed with nervous energy as students hurriedly formed groups, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of panic and determination. "Where''s Ryan?" Ethan asked, scanning the sea of students. Kent smirked. "Probably hiding somewhere, hoping the ruins don''t open." +99 SP copied from Ethan (Frustration). As they continued their search, Kent''s sharp eyes caught sight of Ryan huddled near the back of a bus, looking pale and jittery. "There he is," Kent said, pointing him out. "And he looks like he''s about to faint. Should I scare him for some quick SP?" Kent was lost in thought Ethan rolled his eyes. "Focus, Kent." What are you daydreaming about? Just as they regrouped with Ryan and a few other classmates, a deep rumble echoed through the ground. RUMBLE! The vibration was faint at first, like a distant thunderstorm, but it quickly grew stronger, shaking the very earth beneath their feet. "What''s happening?" a student cried out, their voice laced with fear. "The ruins!" someone shouted. "They''re opening!" Students became panicked. They started running left and right. The Nexus official''s voice boomed across the field once more. "Stay calm! Do not panic! Find your teachers and stay together!" The rumbling intensified, and cracks began to spread across the ground. A brilliant light erupted from the centre of the ruins, shooting into the sky like a beacon. "Shit," Kent muttered, his heart pounding. "It''s happening." Students scattered in every direction, some rushing toward the buses, others frozen in place. The Nexus officials and Watcher operatives scrambled to maintain order, their shouts barely audible over the deafening noise. "Everyone stay together!" Ethan shouted, his voice barely cutting through the chaos. Kent grabbed Mia''s arm, pulling her closer. "We need to move now!" Crack! With a deafening CRACK, the light from the ruins exploded outward, engulfing the entire area. The students screamed as the blinding brilliance consumed them, their forms vanishing one by one. "Stay close!" Kent yelled, reaching for Ethan and Mia, but the force of the light was too strong. "Ethan! Mia!" Kent shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the overwhelming noise. When the light finally faded, Kent found himself alone, standing in a desolate landscape. The air was thick with spiritual energy, making it hard to breathe. The ground beneath him was cracked and dry, and the sky above was an eerie shade of red and blue. "What the hell just happened?" Kent muttered, looking around. He reached for his system interface. Ding! System Notification: "You have entered an active ruin. Warning: You are in an isolated zone. Survival is the top priority." Kent clenched his fists, his mind racing. "Ethan, Mia where are you guys?" He took a deep breath, his determination hardening. "Guess I''ll have to find themand survive this place while I''m at it." Chapter 56 - 56: The First encounter with monsters. - But first, I will find and collect all the treasures. He says this, rubbing his hand with an evil smile. Kent looks around, and his surroundings are filled with foggy air. He can see tall mountains very far away. He murmurs, "I didn''t expect this place to be this big. It''s at least HUNDREDS of times larger than the Graveyard Mountains." Ding! System notifications: Name: Ancient battlefield graveyard ruin. Threat level: Medium-low Mission options: 1. survive until the ruin is clear. 2. Collect the core of the ruin. Reward: Based on which mission is completed. Suggest cultivation: Level C So I have two choices. I will get a reward based on my performance. I will try my best to clear the option number TWO. I need to look for any opportunity. !!!!! Kent felt someone''s spiritual energy and some movement. He moves his head up, and he sees something flying at him. Wait wait. I just got here. Who is attacking me? The object is coming at him with speed. A dagger? Kent steps back, dodging the dagger. The dagger landed near his foot. THWACK! He sees from the uphill that a skinny human-like figure jumps down. The human shape comes closer to him. At first, he couldn''t see clearly because of the fog. When it came close, he saw a monster just like a human. Jump! Closer! Its body is covered with light black energy. Something in between grey and black. Its face looks like an undead monster. Kent says to the system from now on to use Appraisal Skill on everything that costs below ten thousand SP. Please inform me as soon as I find someone good or someone close by. Ding! Many Ghoul monsters were detected. Cultivation: Level-F Description: low-level soldier of ancient times. After absorbing spiritual energy, soldiers'' dead bodies became Ghoul monsters. So this ugly-looking thing is a ghoul. The system said many Ghouls. But I can only see one. Where''s the rest of them? !? Crack! !? Suddenly, the ground started to form a circle, and small hill rocks were cracking. From beneath the ground, many Ghouls started to come up. The hill breaks, creating a zigzag hole; from there, many more Ghouls come in front of Kent. GHRL! GHRL! GHRL! GHRL! The Ghoul monsters surround Kent. They changed at him together. What the fuck! Kent picks the rusty dagger from the ground. He yelled gey the fuck away from me, you ugly Ghouls. I came here to find treasures. He swings the dagger 360 degrees, and He says I am much more potent than you all. You are not even a warm-up for me. You dare to attack me. I was having a good time thinking about finding many treasures and becoming rich. He cut down all of them without any effort. I didn''t even need to use any spiritual energy to defeat you guys. My physical strength is enough for you low-level mobs. Shake! Shake! From the ground, many more Ghouls pop out. Ohh! You stupid things want me to play whack-a-mole game with you. Fine, I will play with you all. Kent breaks a part of the small mountain with his hands. He puts the dagger on his back, tucked inside so it won''t fall down. Then, he shaped the rock into a hammer with his hands. The rock breaks like clay on his hand. After that, Kent says. You mob monsters are very mindless. I didn''t get any SP from you guys. So I don''t have to play with you to collect some sp. I will just kill you all and look for treasures. THWACK! S~ea??h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. THWACK! Kent starts popping the Ghoul''s head one after another. Those Ghouls are F- level. I saw many students who hadn''t even awakened yet. They came for an awakening. If those students face this monster, they will die. They can''t even respond quickly enough to these Ghouls'' attacks. If I find those unawakened students, I should help them if they give me money. Nothing is free in this world. These students are wealthy. They should all give me their money so that I can save them all. Ha! Ha! Ha! He laughs, kicking a Ghoul''s head. Then Kent grinned as he stood amidst the pile of defeated ghouls, holding his newly crafted rock hammer. The misty air was heavy with the smell of damp earth and the faintly rotting stench of the ghouls. He wiped his brow dramatically despite not even breaking a sweat. "Alright, system, no more of these low-level scrubs," he muttered, twirling the hammer in his hand. "Where''s the treasure? Where''s the challenge? Give me something worth my time!" Ding! System Notification: "Host has defeated 27 Ghoul Monsters. No SP was awarded. These Ghouls-type Monsters don''t have any intelligence." Kent sighed. "Yeah, I noticed. It''s like fighting angry, oversized rats. Come on, don''t tell me what I already know. Give me some new information." With a shrug, Kent kicked another ghoul''s body aside, watching it crumble into ash. He strolled through the ruins, his oversized hammer resting on his shoulder like a great weapon of legendwell, at least in his mind. The foggy landscape stretched endlessly before him, broken only by jagged rocks and crumbling remnants of ancient structures. It was eerie, yet oddly peaceful. "Alright, if I were treasure, where would I hide?" Kent mused, scanning his surroundings. As if in answer, the ground beneath his feet gave a subtle tremble. RUMBLE! CRACK! "What now?" Kent groaned, steadying himself as the ground split open a few feet away. From the fissure emerged a fresh batch of ghouls, their grotesque faces snarling in unison. GHRL! GHRL! Kent sighed, tightening his grip on his hammer. "Oh, come on! I just cleared this area! Are you guys on a respawn timer or something?" He swung the hammer in a wide arc, sending the first wave of ghouls flying like bowling pins. THWACK! SPLAT! "I told you guys already," Kent muttered, smashing another ghoul into the ground. "I''m here for treasure, not babysitting a graveyard!" He spun on his heel, delivering a powerful overhead strike to a particularly ugly ghoul. CRUNCH! "Oof, that one was uglier than Ryan''s angry face during an arm-wrestling match," Kent joked, chuckling to himself. After flattening yet another wave of ghouls, Kent leaned against his hammer, surveying the aftermath. The ground was littered with ash, and the monsters dropped the occasional rusty weapon. "Alright, system," he said, catching his breath. "If I''m gonna keep getting swarmed like this, you better make it worth my while. How about some loot?" Ding! System Notification: "Low-tier weapons detected. The host can collect it for architect skills." Kent picked up a jagged sword from the pile, its blade chipped and dull. "This? This is your idea of treasure? System, even a blindfolded monkey with a butter knife could make a better weapon than this!" Shaking his head, Kent tossed the sword into storage and continued exploring. He soon stumbled upon a dilapidated stone structure, its entrance partially collapsed. A faint glow emanated from within. "Finally, something interesting!" Kent said, his eyes lighting up. He pushed aside the rubble blocking the doorway and stepped inside. Chapter 57 - 57: Kent’s Mischief and a Ghoul Horde --- Inside, the air was more incredible, the fog replaced by a faint golden light that seemed to come from the walls themselves. The room was small and bare, save for a single pedestal in the centre. On the pedestal sat a small, glowing orb. Kent''s eyes sparkled. "Now we''re talking!" He approached the pedestal cautiously, half-expecting more ghouls to burst out of the ground. When nothing happened, he grinned and reached for the orb. As his fingers closed around it, the system chimed. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Soul Fragment Orb. Description: Contains remnants of a mighty warrior''s soul. It can be used to enhance spiritual techniques or summon a temporary guardian. The host can also use it to level up Soulbinder Nima''s servants. Kent whistled, holding the orb up to the light. "A temporary guardian, huh? Sounds handy. Wonder if it''ll look like a big, buff dude or something cool like a dragon." He pocketed the orb, feeling quite pleased with himself. "Alright, let''s see what else this ruin offers!" As Kent continued his journey, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his hunger. "Man, all this ghoul smashing works up an appetite," he muttered. "Too bad there''s no ancient ruin cafeteria around here." Just then, he spotted a strange patch of plants growing near the base of a hill. The leaves were broad and dark green, with small fruits dangling from the stems. "Food!" Kent exclaimed, rushing over. He picked one of the fruits and sniffed it cautiously. The smell was unpleasant, to say the least. "Ugh, it smells like Ryan''s gym clothes," Kent said, holding it at arm''s length. "But food is food, right?" But why do I always find weird things? Taking a deep breath, he bit into the fruit. The taste was as bad as the smell, but the sudden surge of energy it gave him made it worth it. "Whoa, this stuff''s like an energy bar from hell," Kent said, grabbing a few more. "Might as well stock up!" He stuffed his backpack with the fruits, already plotting how to prank Ethan and others with them later. As the sunor whatever equivalent this strange ruin hadbegan to set, Kent found himself wandering through a maze of crumbling walls and narrow passages. The eerie silence was occasionally broken by distant growls or the rustle of unseen creatures. "Alright, this place is starting to feel like a horror movie," Kent muttered, gripping his hammer tightly. "Where''s the creepy music and jump scares?" Just as he said, a sudden noise made him freeze. RUSTLE! SNAP! Kent whirled around, his heart pounding. "Who''s there? Show yourself!" Out of the shadows stepped a rabbit. A very fluffy, very non-threatening rabbit. Kent stared at it for a moment before bursting into laughter. "A killer rabbit? Really? What''s next, a zombie squirrel?" As Kent continued his solo exploration, the ground began to tremble once more. A low, ominous hum filled the air, growing louder with each passing second. "Oh, great. What now?" Kent muttered, bracing himself. From the distance, a beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating the ruins in an otherworldly glow. "Looks like the main event is starting. It must be Nexus Jade fighting with something," Kent said, his grin returning. "Time to find those treasures before he finds the core." With his hammer in hand and his eyes on the horizon, Kent charged forward, ready for whatever the ruins had in store. Kent strolled through the ruins, his oversized rock hammer still slung over his shoulder. The eerie silence of the ancient battlefield graveyard was broken only by the occasional growl of a distant ghoul or the crunch of debris beneath his boots. "Alright, treasures, come to Papa," he said, rubbing his hands together and flashing his signature evil grin. "First, I find the loot. Then I" Suddenly, he stopped mid-step. The fog ahead swirled unnaturally, and faint shadows moved within it. "System, appraisal, quick!" Kent whispered. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Detected: Large group of Ghoul Soldiers. Threat Level: Level-E (Low). Kent''s eyes widened. "Large group? How large are we talking here?" They are stronger than the previous ones. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. CRACK! RUMBLE! The ground beneath him trembled as the first ghoul stepped out of the fog, followed by another, then another. Within moments, a massive horde of at least fifty ghouls emerged, their glowing eyes fixed on Kent. "...Okay, that''s a lot." ???? Kent tightened his grip on his hammer, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. "Alright, you ugly mob rejects, let''s dance!" he shouted, planting his feet firmly on the ground. The ghouls let out guttural growls as they charged at him. GHRL! GHRL! THUMP! THUMP! Kent swung his hammer in a wide arc, sending the first wave of ghouls flying like ragdolls. THWACK! SPLAT! "Ha! One hit KO!" Kent laughed, spinning the hammer in his hands. "Who''s next?" But the ghouls kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. "Alright, time to step it up!" Kent said that summoning his hellfire, he created a fire circle. Flames erupted around him, casting flickering shadows on the crumbling ruins. The next wave of ghouls charged straight into the flames, their rotting flesh sizzling on contact. FWOOSH! HISS! Kent grinned as he dashed through the horde using his Flashing Step, leaving a trail of flames behind him. "You guys really should''ve stayed dead!" he shouted, delivering a fiery uppercut to a particularly large ghoul. BAM! ???? After what felt like hours of non-stop fighting, the last ghoul fell, dissolving into ash. Kent leaned on his hammer, panting. "Phew That was a workout," he muttered. As the ash settled, Kent noticed something glimmering in the pile of ghoul remains. He bent down and picked up a small, round object. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Spirit Core Fragment Description: A shard of concentrated spiritual energy left behind by high-ranking ghouls. It can be used to enhance souls'' intelligence. "Oho! What do we have here?" Kent said, holding the fragment up to the light. "This might come in handy later." As Kent pocketed the fragment, his stomach growled loudly again. I was fighting these Ghouls for almost half a day. "Oh, great," he groaned. "Fighting all those ghouls made me hungry. Should I eat my packet foods or stinky momos?" Last time, I found some weird fruit that gave me strength. Maybe I should look for some other things too. Everything inside the ruins has been here for thousands of years. I might find something useful. He looked around and spotted a patch of peculiar mushrooms growing near a crumbled pillar. "System, appraisal!" Kent said, pointing dramatically at the mushrooms. Ding! Appraisal Activated. Name: Stinky Spirit Mushrooms Description: Emits a foul odour when burned. It can cause nausea and emotional irritation to those nearby. Kent''s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Stinky mushrooms, huh? I bet these could make things interesting." ???? He plucked a handful of mushrooms and set up a small campfire. As the flames licked at the mushrooms, an overpowering stench filled the air. PHEW! BLECH! "Holy crap, that''s bad!" Kent said, covering his nose. "Even I wasn''t ready for this!" The stench spread quickly, carried by the wind. Within minutes, distant voices echoed through the ruins. "What is that smell?!" "Ugh, I think I''m gonna puke!" "Who''s burning something so gross?!?" +999, +888, +777 SP copied from multiple sources (Disgust). Kent chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "This is too easy!" As the chaos unfolded, Kent climbed onto a nearby ledge to get a better view of the ruins. The fog had started to thin, revealing more of the battlefield. He spotted groups of students and cultivators wandering aimlessly, clearly lost and overwhelmed. "Looks like I''m not the only one having fun," Kent said, grinning. Suddenly, the ground trembled again. RUMBLE! CRACK! "What now?" Kent muttered, his grin fading. Chapter 58 - 58: A Mysterious Journey From the distance, a massive stone gate slowly began to rise from the ground. Ancient runes etched into its surface glowed with a golden light. "The ruin core" Kent whispered, his eyes widening. "It''s opening!" The tremors grew more potent, and the air was filled with the sound of grinding stones. As the gate fully emerged, a blinding light burst forth, enveloping the entire battlefield. "Whoa!" Kent shouted, shielding his eyes. The light grew brighter, and Kent felt a strange pulling sensation as if the very air was trying to drag him forward. Kent was sent to a different location. WHOOSH! SWIRL! ???? Some horses came out from the gate. On top of the horse, there was something sitting. It was very far away. Kent couldn''t see clearly what those things were, so he was sent to a different location. WHOOSH! Kent felt like he was being thrown through a whirlpool of light and sound. His stomach churned, and his vision blurred as the world around him spun uncontrollably. "System!" Kent yelled, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "Where the hell am I now?!" Ding! System Notification: The host has entered a Ruin Subzone. Location: Outer Perimeter - Graveyard Fields. "Subzone? What does that even mean?!" Kent''s frustration grew, but before the system could respond THUD! He landed flat on his back in a patch of soft grass. "Ow..." Kent groaned, rubbing his back as he sat up. The first thing he noticed was the eerie silence. No ghouls growling, no wind blowingjust an unnatural stillness that made his skin crawl. Kent stood up, brushing dirt off his clothes. The fog was thinner here, allowing him to see his surroundings more clearly. He was in an open field surrounded by jagged rocks and skeletal remains of what looked like ancient soldiers. Their rusted armour and broken weapons were scattered across the landscape, a haunting reminder of the battles that once raged here. "This place feels wrong," Kent muttered, shivering. Ding! System Notification: Warning: Spiritual Energy Levels are Highly Concentrated in this Area. Prolonged Exposure May Cause Fatigue or Hallucinations. "Well, that''s comforting," Kent said sarcastically. "Thanks, system." As he cautiously moved forward, something shiny caught his eye. A small pile of items was lying near a shattered statuea mix of broken artifacts, coins, and what looked like a lunchbox? "Jackpot!" Kent said, rushing over. Ding! Appraisal Activated: Rusty Coin: Ancient currency. No value for a cultivator. Cracked Relic Shard: Useless fragment of an artifact. Lunchbox (Sealed): Contains edible contents. Kent''s stomach growled. "Edible, huh? Don''t mind if I do." This must be from one of the students. How did it get here? Whatever He pried open the lunchbox, revealing a neatly packed sandwich. It smelled surprisingly fresh, but just as he was about to take a bite! ROAR! [Ding! Wild boar: Level-E] A giant, mutated boar burst through the nearby underbrush, its tusks glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Its red eyes locked onto Kent, and it pawed the ground, preparing to charge. "Oh, come on!" Kent groaned, tossing the sandwich aside. "Can''t a guy eat in peace?!" The boar charged, its massive body shaking the ground with each step. ???? "Alright, piggy, let''s see what you''ve got!" Kent shouted, summoning his fire aura. Flames erupted around his fists, and he dashed toward the boar using Flashing Step. WHOOSH! Kent appeared behind the boar instantly, leaving a trail of dust and embers in his wake. "Missed me!" he taunted, slamming his fist into the boar''s side. BOOM! The impact sent the boar skidding across the ground, but it quickly got back up, snarling in rage. +199 SP copied from wild boar. "Oh, you''re tougher than you look," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. "This might be fun." This wild boar has intelligence. The boar charged again, this time faster and more ferocious. Kent dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its tusks. He countered with a fire-infused uppercut, aiming for the boar''s jaw. CRACK! The Boar howled in pain, stumbling backwards. +599 SP copied from wild boar. "Had enough?" Kent smirked. But instead of retreating, the boar''s body began to glow. Its spiritual energy surged, and its muscles bulged unnaturally. "Oh, crap," Kent muttered. "It''s powering up!" The boar let out a deafening roar before charging again. Its speed and strength now doubled. Kent activated Flashing Step again, narrowly dodging the attack. WHOOSH! CRASH! The Boar slammed into a boulder, shattering it into pieces. "Okay, time to finish this," Kent said, summoning all his fire aura. Flames swirled around him, forming a fiery vortex. With a mighty leap, he launched himself toward the boar, delivering a devastating punch to its head. BOOM! The boar collapsed to the ground, its body smoking from the impact. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Boar (Defeat). Kent landed gracefully, wiping sweat from his brow. "That''s what you get for interrupting my meal." Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After catching his breath, Kent continued exploring the area. As he climbed over a hill, he froze at the sight before him. In the middle of the desolate ruins was a small, lush farm. Rows of vibrant vegetables grew in neatly organized patches, and a tiny wooden hut sat in the centre. "What the?" Kent whispered, rubbing his eyes. "Am I hallucinating?" He cautiously approached the farm, his eyes scanning for traps or hidden dangers. The air around the farm felt differentcalmer, almost peaceful. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the ruins. As he reached the edge of the farm, his stomach growled again. "Well, if this is a hallucination, at least it smells good," Kent said, sniffing the air. The vegetables looked ripe and freshcarrots, cabbages, tomatoes, and even some unfamiliar ones. ???? "Wait, is thata vegetable field?" Kent froze, blinking in disbelief. These aren''t my hallucinations. There is actually a farm inside the ruins. Amid the destruction, a lush patch of green thrived. Rows of tomatoes, peppers, and cabbages grew tall and proud as if they''d decided to rebel against the battlefield''s gloom. At the edge of the field stood a crooked hut, its walls sagging like an old man hunched over with age. Chapter 59 - 59: The Ruins Hidden Field Kent rubbed his eyes. " Is this what starvation does?" His stomach grumbled again, this time so loudly he winced. "Alright, no time to debate realitytime to eat!" Kent waded into the field like a kid in a candy store, grabbing armfuls of ripe vegetables. Conjuring a small flame in his palm, he roasted them on the spot. The smell of charred peppers filled the air, making his mouth water. "Who needs a cooking show? ''Fire Chef Kent'' is in the house!" He bit into a roasted tomato, juice squirting everywhere. "Mmm! A five-star meal right here." While enjoying his self-made feast, Kent noticed something shiny sticking out from a pile of old wooden farming tools near the hut. Curious, he dug it out, finding a small pouch. System Notification! [Rare Item Detected!] Name: Ancient Ginseng Seeds Rarity: Epic Effect: Produces ginseng with immense spiritual energy, capable of boosting vitality and healing. Its leaf can help restore Yin and Yang energy. Very helpful for couples. There are some other seeds inside the pouch. If I can make these seeds grow, I might get rich simply by selling vegetables. Ha Ha Ha! Kent held the pouch up like it was a trophy. "Ginseng seeds? Looks like I''m starting a farm after this crazy quest! Call me Farmer Kent." An image comes into Kent''s thoughts. He is wearing a farm hat and planting vegetables. Nima is watering the plants. Then he sells all the ginseng and vegetables. A guy gives him a bag full of money. Then he and Nima in rich clothes. Kent in a ???? Nima ????money is raining above them. Just as Kent finished collecting the vegetables, the air shifted. A low growl echoed from the tall grass. "Great. Here comes trouble. Kent said to himself." A pack of Spiritfang Wolves slinked into view, their glowing fur making them look like oversized glow sticks with anger issues. Their sharp quills bristled, and their growls sounded like someone revving a broken motorcycle. "You guys really want to mess with a guy holding fire, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. System Notification! [Detected: Spirit Fang Wolves. Level: E Peak Threat: Low.] The wolves lunged. Kent rolled his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed controlled arcs of flame, singeing their fur and sending them yelping back into the ruins. "Run along, furballs! And don''t come back unless you''re bringing marshmallows!" System Notification! +999, +888,+777.. SP copied from Wolves. The field fell silent again. Kent wiped his hands, satisfied with his loot, when a strange noise pierced the air. "PHWAAAAH!" Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent turned slowly, unsure if he was about to be attacked or ambushed. Perched on the edge of a vegetable crate wasa bird. But not just any bird. This one looked like it had been assembled from spare parts. Its feathers were patchy, its beak was crooked, and its eyes had that glazed look of someone who hadn''t slept in weeks. "PHWEEEEEEEH!" the bird blared, sounding like a kazoo being stepped on. [Kazoo Birds are the birds of Dragon County that make weird sounds. It used to live in the forest. Almost extinct. Only a few are left in national care.] Kent stared at it for a long moment. "What is the actual? Are you broken?" The bird tilted its head and then let out another sound. "SKWAAAAAAH!" System Notification! [Rare Creature Detected!] Name: Emberling Sparrow Rarity: Rare Description: A distant relative of the Phoenix. Due to thousands of years of diluted bloodline, it has lost its fiery powers. It is mostly harmless but can poorly mimic sounds. Bloodline Purity: 0.01% Phoenix Cultivation: Level-F "0.01% Phoenix bloodline? That''sbarely enough to light a candle," Kent said, bursting into laughter. The bird hopped closer, making another bizarre sound: "PFFFTOOOW!" "Alright, alright, stop. You''re gonna make me choke from laughing." Kent crouched down, roasted a small piece of vegetable, and offered it to the bird. "Here, eat something before you embarrass yourself even more." The bird hesitated but eventually pecked at the food. +98 SP copied from Sparrow. (Happy) "You know, for a bird with a legendary bloodline, you sound like a broken flute." "PWAAAAK!" "See? That''s not even remotely bird-like!" Kent whistled a simple tune. Say Chirp! The bird stared at him, tilting its head dramatically with each note. Then it opened its beak and "PFFFAWWWW!" Kent fell over laughing. "Nope, nope, that''s worse. You''re killing me here!" The bird hopped closer, chirping awkwardly: "PWEEK-PWEEE!" "Okay, one more time," Kent said, whistling again. The bird tried its best, managing a faint resemblance to an actual chirp. Crip! Crip! Crip! "Not bad! You''re still weird, though." Satisfied, Kent stood and dusted himself off. "Alright, weird bird. You''ve had your fun. Go back to your vegetable paradise. I''ve got ruins to explore." He turned and started walking. After a few steps, he heard faint flapping. "PHWAAAK!" Kent groaned. "You''re following me, aren''t you?" The bird hopped after him, flapping its patchy wings. "Seriously? I don''t need a sidekick! And you''re the worst phoenix wannabe I''ve ever seen." "PWEEEH!" the bird replied indignantly. Kent sighed. "Fine. Do what you want. Just don''t expect me to carry you." I don''t even know if I can take out a living thing outside the ruin. You better not get attached to it. The bird chirpedstill awkward but slightly improvedand continued following him into the ruins. As they ventured deeper into the desolate ruins, Kent muttered to himself, "Of all the legendary companions I could''ve gotten, I get Kazoo Bird. My luck is amazing." "PHWAAAA!" the bird squawked as if in agreement. Despite himself, Kent chuckled. "Alright, Kazoo Bird, time to go. You stay here. You can''t come with me." I can''t help you. I am looking for treasures, and there are a lot of ghouls that keep coming at me for some reason. You might get killed by them. Whoosh! Kent uses his flashing steps to quickly leave the farm so that the bird can''t follow him. Chapter 60 - 60: A Ghoul Problem and saving some students. ---- After leaving the farm with his backpack full of spiritual vegetables, Kent wandered deeper into the eerie expanse of the ancient battlefield ruins. His steps were steady, but his mind wandered. The weight of the ruin''s foreboding atmosphere didn''t faze him as much as the occasional crunch of bones beneath his feet. "I can''t believe I wasted all that time on vegetables," Kent muttered, shaking his head. "Where are the treasures? The artifacts? Ancient weapons? This place is supposed to be filled with stuff like that!" He kicked a broken spearhead lying in the dirt. It flew forward with a clang, bouncing off a rock. "Useless," Kent grumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Suddenly, a distant scream pierced the air. "AAAAAAAHHHHH!" Kent froze, tilting his head like a curious bird. "What was that? A scream? Oh boy, someone''s in trouble." A wicked grin spread across his face. "Which means SP farming time!" Following the sound, Kent crept through the fog until he stumbled upon a clearing. The sight before him was straight out of a nightmare. A swarm of ghouls cornered a group of students. The creatures were grotesque, their decaying bodies radiating a faint spiritual energy. Their glowing eyes burned with a primal hunger as they lunged at the terrified students. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Help us!" one of the students screamed, swinging a rusty sword at a ghoul. His shaky hands barely kept the monster at bay. Another student tripped and fell, crawling backwards as a ghoul loomed over him. "No! Stay back!" Kent leaned against a tree, observing the chaos. "Man, this is bad. For them, I mean. For me? This is prime SP farming real estate." Just as a ghoul pounced toward a fallen student, Kent dashed into the fray, activating Flashing Step. WHOOSH! In an instant, he appeared between the ghoul and its victim. "Bad ghoul!" Kent said, smirking as he delivered a fiery uppercut. BOOM! The ghoul''s head exploded into ashes, its body crumbling to the ground. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). Ding! +250 SP Copied from Students (Amazement). The students stared at him wide-eyed. "Who are you?!" one of them asked. "Me?" Kent said, tossing his hair dramatically. "Just your friendly neighborhood cultivator. Now, get behind me before you become ghoul chow." Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). Ding! +250 SP Copied from Students (Amazement). The students scrambled to their feet, huddling behind Kent as more ghouls surrounded them. The ghouls snarled, their glowing eyes narrowing as they lunged at Kent. "Alright, ugly. Let''s dance," Kent said, summoning his hellfire. Black Flames erupted around his fists, crackling with intensity. He dodged one ghoul''s attack, countering with a fiery punch that sent it flying into a tree. THWACK! The tree cracked under the impact, and the ghoul disintegrated into ashes. Another ghoul charged at him from behind, but Kent spun around, delivering a blazing roundhouse kick. WHOOSH! BOOM! The kick not only destroyed the ghoul but left a trail of flames in its wake. "Two down, eight to go," Kent muttered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Students (Awe). One of the students, a short, chubby boy, was still swinging his sword wildly, even though there were no ghouls near him. "Dude," Kent called out, dodging a ghoul''s claw. "Who are you fighting? The air?" The boy froze, looking embarrassed. "I-I was just warming up!" Ding! +300 SP Copied from Student (Embarrassment). Kent chuckled, delivering a flaming punch to another ghoul. "Well, your warm-up needs work." As he fought, another student tripped over a rock and accidentally threw his weapon into the bushes. "Hey!" the student yelled. "My sword!" Kent burst out laughing, grabbing the fallen student by the collar and pulling him to his feet. "Forget the sword, buddy. Just stay alive!" Ding! +450 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). The remaining ghouls growled, their movements becoming more erratic as Kent systematically tore through their ranks. One particularly large ghoul, its body covered in cracked armour, roared and charged at Kent. "Oh, you''re a big boy," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s see what you''ve got." The armoured ghoul swung a massive claw at him, but Kent ducked, countering with a fiery uppercut that sent the ghoul staggering. Before it could recover, Kent activated Flashing Step, appearing behind it in an instant. WHOOSH! With a powerful kick to the back, he sent the ghoul crashing into a group of its smaller allies. BOOM! The impact created a fiery explosion, reducing the ghouls to ashes. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Students (Awe and Relief). As the last of the ghouls fell, the students erupted into cheers. "You saved us!" one of them said, tears streaming down his face. Kent brushed off his clothes, smirking. "All in a day''s work. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I''ve got treasures to find." "Wait!" another student called. "You''re leaving us?" "Yup," Kent said, walking away. "You''ll be fine. Just stick together and don''t do anything stupid." Ding! +750 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). As Kent walked away, he realized something. "Wait a minute," he muttered, looking at his SP balance. "I earned more SP from these kids than from killing the ghouls." [SP Balance: 967,510 SP] He stopped, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should hang around them a bit longer. You know, to ''help'' them." A mischievous grin spread across his face. "SP farming never ends." With that, Kent continued his journey, leaving behind a group of students who would likely remember him as both their saviour and the strangest cultivator they''d ever met. +999 SP from number 788. (Anger) But one guy looked very angry. He planned to lure the students into Ghouls and kill them all. But Kent suddenly came and put his plan to waste. "Because of you, my mission failed. I won''t let it go so easily. First, I will deal with you." He started to follow Kent. He wants to kill Kent first. Then he will kill as many students as possible before his other team members collect the core. Chapter 61 - 61: Trouble Follows me to give some extra SP. - Kent strolled through the foggy battlefield ruins, his hands tucked behind his head, whistling an off-key tune. The adrenaline from the earlier battle had already worn off, leaving him in his usual carefree state. "Man, those ghouls were pathetic," Kent muttered. "But hey, they gave me a nice SP boost. And those kids'' reactions? Priceless." Ding! System Notification: +999 SP from 788 (Anger). "Huh?" Kent stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the desolate landscape around him. "System, who''s 788?" Ding! 788 Identified: A Dark Alliance Operative. Cultivation Level: C-Low. Motive: Unknown. Note: Dark Alliance members typically have numerical codes instead of names. They are known for their ruthless tactics. "A Dark Alliance member?" Kent murmured, his playful demeanour vanishing for a moment. "Didn''t Miss Elena say something about those guys? Something about them being trouble and having no names, only numbers." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So this guy''s been following me? I guess he''s mad about something. What should I do? Should I fight him or run from him?" Or I can report to a watcher or Nexus Jade Monroe about him. Nah! I can''t do that. If they ask me how I find out about him, what will I answer? I can''t say my system reveals his information. ???? A grin crept onto Kent''s face. "Perfect. He''s angry, which means SP farming opportunity! Let''s have some fun with this guy. Kent started walking again, his pace deliberately slow. He knew 788 was tailing him, so he made sure to leave a clear trail. Occasionally, he''d whistle loudly or kick a rock, ensuring his pursuer wouldn''t lose him. "Alright, System," Kent whispered. "Let me know whenever he gets close. And keep the SP counter running." Ding! System Monitoring Activated. It wasn''t long before Kent felt the faint pressure of spiritual energy behind him. 788 was closing in, but Kent pretended not to notice. Instead, he hummed to himself, stopping every now and then to inspect random rocks or sticks. "This place is so boring," Kent shouted, stretching his arms. "No treasures, no cool artifacts, just a bunch of dead grass and fog." Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Irritation). Kent smirked. "Oh, he''s annoyed already? This is gonna be fun." After a few minutes of walking, Kent reached a narrow ravine. The walls were steep, and the ground was littered with loose stones. He paused, pretending to tie his shoelace. WHOOSH! A sharp burst of spiritual energy shot past him, slicing into the ground a few feet ahead. Kent straightened up, turning slowly to face his attacker. "Well, well, well. Suppose it isn''t Mr. 788. Took you long enough to catch up." How did you know my name? Who are you? Answer me! 788 said to Kent. Kent replied. I am also a member I saw your file. We both pretended to be students. My mission is to get close to the Nexus and Watcher. The hooded figure stepped forward, his face partially hidden in shadow. His voice was cold and emotionless. "You ruined my mission." "Oh, did I?" Kent said, feigning ignorance. "Sorry about that. I was just busy saving lives and being awesome. I didn''t mean to mess up your plans. I want to save those students and help them gain some recognition so that I can get close to NEXUS. As you know, they are very cautious. Your plan was very sloppy. If anyone from the watcher was present in the area, you plan you need to be more clever." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Frustration). 788''s fists clenched, his spiritual energy flaring around him. "You think this is funny?" Kent tilted his head, grinning. "A little, yeah. But hey, you look strong. How about we team up? Two fellow cultivators exploring the ruins togethersounds fun, right?" 788 hesitated, clearly caught off guard by Kent''s sudden proposal. "You want to team up?" "Of course!" Kent said, stepping closer. "Think about it. With your strength and my uh, charm, we could totally dominate this place." Ding! +500 SP from 788 (Confusion). Despite his suspicions, 788 agreed to team up with Kent, if only to keep an eye on him. "788 thinks he knows my name. Only Dark Alliance core members can have that information. But something is different about him. I have to be careful around him." The two walked through the ruins in tense silence, with Kent occasionally breaking the awkwardness by pointing out random rocks or pretending to hear ghouls nearby. "Did you hear that?" Kent whispered, stopping suddenly. 788 froze, his eyes darting around. "What?" "I thought I heard a ghoul growling," Kent said, squinting into the fog. "Maybe it''s hiding behind that rock over there." 788 cautiously approached the rock, his spiritual energy flaring in preparation for an attack. But when he kicked the rock aside, there was nothing there. "Oops," Kent said, scratching his head. "False alarm. My bad." Ding! +800 SP from 788 (Annoyance). As they continued walking, Kent pretended to pull out a small pouch from his backpack. "He pulled it out from system storage." "What''s that?" 788 asked, eyeing the pouch suspiciously. "Lunch," Kent said, grinning. He opened the pouch, revealing a batch of stinky momos he had saved from his earlier pranks. The pungent smell immediately filled the air. 788 gagged, covering his nose. "What the hell is that smell?!" "Stinky momos," Kent said proudly, taking a big bite. "Want some?" 788 took a step back, his face twisted in disgust. "Keep that thing away from me!" Ding! +1,500 SP from 788 (Disgust). S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent laughed, waving the momo in front of 788. "Come on, don''t be shy. They''re delicious!" As they walked through a particularly foggy area, Kent suddenly gasped, pointing at something in the distance. "Look! A treasure chest!" he shouted, dashing forward. 788 followed reluctantly, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the object Kent was running toward. When they got closer, it turned out to be an old, broken crate covered in moss. "Oh," Kent said, scratching his head. "Never mind. False alarm again." 788 glared at him. "Stop wasting my time." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Irritation). As the day went on, Kent continued to cause minor inconveniences for 788, all while pretending to be his comrade, a clueless teammate. Every time 788 grew frustrated or annoyed, Kent silently celebrated the SP notifications flooding his system. "Man, this guy''s a goldmine," Kent thought to himself. "At this rate, I''ll hit a million SP in no time from him." He already gave me over 300 thousand SP. My level-up is close, and I can feel that. "Thank you, 788." Their "teamwork" was interrupted when a group of ghouls emerged from the fog, snarling and baring their fangs. "Finally, some action!" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. But instead of attacking, he stepped back, motioning for 788 to take the lead. "You''ve got this, buddy. Show me what you''ve got!" 788 hesitated, glaring at Kent. "You''re not going to help?" "Of course I will," Kent said, grinning. "I''m moral support. Go get ''em, tiger!" Ding! +1,000 SP from 788 (Frustration). 788 had no choice but to fight the ghouls alone. He dispatched them quickly, his movements efficient and precise. Kent clapped enthusiastically. "Wow, that was amazing! You''re like a one-man army!" Clap! ???? ???? Clap! 788 ignored him, wiping the blood from his blade. As the two continued exploring, a sudden tremor shook the ground. "What was that?" Kent asked, looking around. Before 788 could answer, a deafening rumble echoed through the ruins. The fog grew thicker, and the air became heavy with spiritual energy. 788 said it was a fighting tremor. Someone is fighting with a powerful monster. From the force of this tremor, I can say this is definitely from a Level-B cultivator. It must be Nexus Jade Monroe. He is the only Level-B cultivator inside this ruin. Let me move forward. Chapter 62 - 62: A Dark Showdown 788 sudden attack. --- Kent adjusted his backpack, whistling cheerfully as he looked for any treasures the fallen Ghouls might have. "SIGH! These ghouls are poor; there is nothing good here!" He feels 788 is very silent for some reason. But the silence behind him didn''t sit right. "Why so quiet back there, 788? You''re mad about the momos?" Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Anger). Kent smirked, glancing over his shoulder. 788''s hooded figure moved silently, but the spiritual energy radiating from him was no longer calm. It flared with hostility. "Alright, alright," Kent said, waving his hand dismissively. "I get it. You''re mad because I let you fight alone. But look at the bright sideyou''ve got front-row seats to my cheering." Ding! +1,200 SP from 788 (Frustration). Suddenly, 788 stopped walking. His spiritual energy surged, the ground beneath his feet cracking. "You think this is funny?" 788 hissed, his voice cold and venomous. I caught your lie. You are not a Dark Alliance member. Kent blinked, pretending to be surprised. "What? Did I say something wrong? Come on, buddy, we''re a team!" "You ruined my mission," 788 growled, stepping closer. His hand reached into his cloak, pulling out a jagged black blade that radiated dark energy. "And now, you''re acting like a Dark Alliance member." You talk too much. That is what gave you away. You said only one Level-B cultivator is present inside the ruins. If you are a dark alliance member, you should know that our group leader is also inside. As soon as the ruin opened, He contacted everyone who was inside the ruins. Show me our dark alliance communications stone. Otherwise, I will kill you right now. Kent panicked for a second. Then he said, Ohh! I lost my stone when I entered the ruins. That''s why I don''t know. It''s not a big deal. 788 Says. Ha Ha! Got you now. There is no communication stone. We contract each other with this. "788 pointed to his arm. A black bracelet was on his hands." I don''t know how you managed to get my information. I will give you a chance to tell me how you find out about me. Do we have a mole? Answer my question! I will provide you with a quick death. You won''t feel a thing. This will be your one and only option. Otherwise, I will torture you until you spill out the truth. The cheerful grin vanished from Kent''s face, replaced by a sly smirk. "Oh, so you wanna fight? Finally, something fun!" come on then. WHOOSH! 788 lunged forward with incredible speed, his blade aimed straight for Kent''s chest. "Oh crap!" Kent yelped, activating Flashing Step just in time. He dashed to the side, leaving a fiery trail behind him. CLANG! The dark blade struck the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the earth. "Whoa, easy there!" Kent said, brushing off his sleeve. "You could''ve ruined my jacket." It cost a lot. This is the first jacket I bought, which is over 500 dollars. Ding! +1,500 SP from 788 (Rage). 788 snarled, his spiritual energy spiking even higher. "You''re not walking out of here alive!" He charged again, his blade coated in spiritual energy this time. Kent ducked under the swing, rolling backwards. "Okay, okay, I get ityou''re really mad. But do we have to do this here? My SP meter is gonna explode!" +999 SP copied from 788. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +999 SP copied from 788. +999 SP copied from 788. What the Fuck you are talking about? 788 asked. What is SP? Did you lose your mind? I feel that from the start, you have some problems. You must be a crackhead!! Kent knew he couldn''t keep dodging forever. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his Soul Slasher Dagger and Hellfire at the same time. The blade shimmered with a dark purple hue, its surface glowing faintly with hellfire as he infused it with his energy. "Let''s see how you like this!" Kent said, spinning the dagger in his hand. WHOOSH! He lunged at 788, slashing upward. CLANG! The two blades collided, sparks flying as their spiritual energies clashed. 788 pushed forward, his strength overwhelming. "You''re nothing but a cocky and a clown kid!" Kent grinned, his feet sliding back from the force. "And you''re just another bad guy in a hoodie. Let''s see who''s better!" 788 swung his blade in a wide arc, releasing a wave of dark energy. "Hellfire Barrier!" Kent shouted, summoning a wall of black flames to block the attack. BOOM! The two energies collided, creating an explosion that shook the ground. Dust and debris filled the air. "You''re stronger than you look," Kent admitted, coughing as the dust settled. 788 smirked. "And you''re weaker than you act." "Oh, really?" Kent said, his eyes narrowing. He activated Flashing Step, dashing behind 788 in an instant. WHOOSH! His dagger slashed toward 788''s back, but the dark operative spun around, blocking it with his blade. CLANG! Their weapons locked again, the air crackling with tension. "I have to admit," Kent said, grinning. "You''re the first guy to keep up with me in a fight this long. Too bad you won''t last much longer." 788 growled, his spiritual energy surging. He slammed his palm into the ground, creating a shockwave that forced Kent to leap back. "You''re all talk," 788 spat, raising his blade. "Let''s see if your skills match your mouth!" Kent chuckled, twirling his dagger. "Oh, you''ll see. But don''t blame me if it hurts!" He coated the dagger with more Hellfire, the black flames licking the blade hungrily. The temperature around him rose, the air shimmering with heat. "Ready or not, here I come!" Kent shouted, dashing forward with Flashing Step. WHOOSH! He appeared right in front of 788; AMBER SLASH Kent yelled, slashing downward. SLASH! The blade sliced through 788''s cloak, leaving a charred line across his chest. "ARRGH!" 788 staggered back, clutching his wound. Ding! +999 SP from 788 (Pain). +999 SP from 788 (Pain). +999 SP from 788 (Pain). 788''s breathing grew ragged, but his eyes burned with fury. "You you''ll regret that." He raised his blade, channelling all his remaining spiritual energy into a single attack. Kent sighed, shaking his head. "Bad guys always say that. Don''t you ever come up with new lines?" As 788 charged, Kent stood his ground, his dagger glowing brighter with hellfire. WHOOSH! The two clashed one final time. BOOM! The explosion of energy sent shockwaves through the ruins, scattering debris everywhere. When the dust settled, Kent stood over 788, his dagger pressed against the man''s throat. "Any last words?" Kent asked, smirking. 788 glared at him, his voice a low growl. "You won''t win" Kent shrugged. "Wrong answer." SLASH! The dagger glowed brightly as it cut through 788, disintegrating his body into ashes. Ding! +2,000 SP from defeating 788. Kent sheathed his dagger, letting out a long sigh. "Man, what a drama queen. At least he was good SP farming material." He stretched his arms, looking around. "Now, where was I? Oh, righttreasures!" let''s see what things you got 788. "Kent picks up a tree branch and pokes through 788 ashes. Nothing, only this black bracelet left. DAMN 788, you are poor or maybe my hellfire burned all the treasures." If my hellfire was able to burn the treasure, then those might be at a very low level. This bracelet is something powerful. It is still the same. Let''s keep it for now. Later, I will give it to Nexus Jade Monroe. That way, he would be grateful to me. I will ask him to give Nima a scholarship. I am such a genius. Let''s look for treasures now. With a cheerful whistle, Kent walked deeper into the ruins, leaving behind the ashes of his defeated foe. Chapter 63 - 63: A Treasure Hidden in the Dirt --- Kent stretched his arms after the intense battle with 788, his back cracking audibly as he tilted his head from side to side. The eerie quiet of the ruins returned as the ashes of 788 drifted into the fog. Whirl! "Well, that was fun," Kent muttered, dusting off his jacket. "I wonder how much SP I made off that guy." Ding! SP Balance: 1,531,760 SP. "Over a million SP now! Sweet!" he exclaimed, punching the air in celebration. "This system is practically printing money for me!" As his excitement waned, Kent took a deep breath and scanned his surroundings. The rocky terrain stretched into the distance, broken only by patches of jagged cliffs and the occasional withered tree. The air buzzed faintly with spiritual energy, a clear sign that this place still held secrets. "I''ve got time to kill and treasures to find," Kent said with a grin. "Let''s see what else this ruin is hiding." Wandering aimlessly, Kent kicked at rocks and dirt, hoping to stumble upon something valuable. After a while, his eyes caught a faint glimmer peeking out from beneath a pile of rubble. "Huh? What''s that?" he murmured, crouching down. He brushed away the dirt, revealing a small shard of a broken spiritual tool. It looked like the blade of a sword, its surface cracked but faintly glowing with spiritual energy. "Broken junk, huh?" Kent said, turning the shard over in his hand. "Not exactly what I was hoping for." Ding! System Notification: Detected proximity to a spiritual ore deposit. Host''s Architect Skill can be activated to repair broken tools using Hellfire. Kent blinked. "Wait, what? I can fix this junk with my new skill?" Ding! Architect Skill Activation Conditions Met: Material Detected: Spiritual Ore Fragments. Tool Detected: Broken Spiritual Tool. Energy Source: Hellfire. "Sweet! Finally, my Architect skill is useful other than creating stinky bombs!" Kent said, grinning. "Alright, let''s see what I can do." As Kent inspected the shard, he noticed a faint trail of glimmering ore fragments leading further into the ruins. Curiosity piqued, and he followed the trail until he reached a small cave hidden behind a crumbling wall of stone. "Bingo!" Kent whispered, peeking inside. The cave was dimly lit, but the walls sparkled with veins of spiritual ore. Scattered across the ground were broken toolsswords with shattered blades, shields missing chunks, and fragments of various spiritual tools. "This must''ve been some kind of workshop," Kent muttered, stepping inside. "And now it''s all mine!" He rubbed his hands together, his mind racing with ideas. "If I fix these tools, I can sell them to those students. They''ll pay a fortune for spiritual gear in this place!" Ding! New Quest Unlocked: Master of Repairs Objective: Use the Architect skill to repair at least 10 spiritual tools. Reward: +5,000 SP and a random spiritual blueprint. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Challenge accepted," Kent said, cracking his knuckles. Kent grabbed a broken sword hilt and a shard of its blade, placing them on the ground in front of him. "Alright, system, let''s do this," he said, summoning his hellfire in his hands. The black flames ignited in his palm, flickering ominously as he focused his energy. "Architect Skill, activate!" The hellfire spread over the broken pieces, wrapping around them like molten metal. Sparks flew as the shards fused together, their cracks disappearing. WHOOSH! The flames died down, revealing a fully restored spiritual sword. Its blade gleamed with a faint golden glow, and its hilt was polished to perfection. Kent picked it up, giving it a few experimental swings. "Not bad! It feels brand new." Ding! Repaired: Spiritual Sword (Grade E) SP Reward: +500 "Easy money," Kent said, grinning. "Let''s fix some more." I can earn a lot of money. ???? Kent spent hours rummaging through the cave, gathering every broken tool he could find. His backpack quickly filled with fragments, forcing him to use his system storage for extra space. Piece by piece, he repaired each tool, his hellfire fusing the materials with precision. WHOOSH! CLANG! Another sword was restored. CRACKLE! SHING! A broken shield became whole again. Each successful repair brought a satisfying Ding! from the system, along with a steady stream of SP. Ding! +1,000 SP. Ding! +750 SP. Ding! +500 SP. By the time he was done, Kent had restored over a dozen spiritual tools, ranging from swords to daggers to small spiritual tools. "Man, I''m on fire today!" Kent said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Literally." As Kent admired his handiwork, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "These students are desperate for gear. If I sell this stuff, I''ll be swimming in money!" He held up a shield, inspecting its craftsmanship. "And if anyone asks where I got these, I''ll just say I found them. No one needs to know about my Architect skills." Kent stuffed the repaired tools into his bag and system storage, already imagining the piles of cash he''d make. But just as he was about to leave the cave, the system chimed again. Ding! System Notification: Detected rare spiritual ore deeper within the cave. Would you like to investigate? Kent''s eyes lit up. "Rare ore? Don''t mind if I do!" Venturing deeper into the cave, Kent followed the glowing veins of spiritual ore. The air grew thicker with energy, and the faint hum of power echoed through the chamber. Finally, he reached a hidden alcove where a cluster of rare, glowing blue ore protruded from the wall. "This this is the good stuff," Kent whispered, his eyes sparkling. "With this, I can make some top-tier gear!" He summoned his hellfire, carefully chiselling the ore from the wall without damaging it. CRACKLE! CLINK! Piece by piece, he collected the rare ore and stored it safely. Ding! Collected: Azure Vein Ore (Rare). As he stood back, admiring the now-empty alcove, Kent felt a surge of pride. "I''m really killing it out here." With his loot secured, Kent left the cave and stepped back into the foggy ruins. The eerie silence returned, but he couldn''t stop grinning. "Let''s see I''ve got rare ore, repaired tools, and a ton of SP. Not a bad day at all!" he said, patting his bag. He glanced at the repaired sword hanging from his belt. "Now I just need to find some customers or maybe some more evolved animals to farm SP. Either way, I''m ready." Kent wandered deeper into the ruins, his mind filled with visions of wealth and victory. Little did he know, the challenges ahead would test his newfound skills like never before. I need to create a ruin shop. I am already a pro salesman. I have been selling eggs for over three years now. ???? Ding! Master of Repairs mission complete. Reward: 5000 SP and a blank blueprint. Low-Level Blank Blueprint: The host can create a blueprint which the host wants. Tools Size can''t be more than 8 inches. Chapter 64 - 64: A Marketplace in the Making --- Kent ambled through the dense ruins, and his thoughts fixated on one thing: selling this weapon and spiritual tools. He had been wandering for what felt like hours after his cave venture, his bag now brimming with spiritual tools and rare ores. The heavy mist around him seemed to grow thicker, distorting the sounds and sights in the distance. I can''t find any students. Where did they go? Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There are supposed to be thousands of students. If I can''t find any people, then heavenly luck, please let me see some good treasure. After some time wandering around, Kent only finds more broken weapons and tools. He says I don''t have enough space for this thing. Kent starts complaining to himself. "Man, these ruins are huge," Kent grumbled, kicking a loose rock. "I keep finding broken stuff, but where''s the real jackpot? I need something shiny that screams, ''I''m worth millions!'' Or at least something good enough to sell to those desperate students." Rustle! ????? Rustle! Kent froze, his sharp ears catching faint sounds of a struggle. He crouched low, creeping toward the source of the noise. The distant clash of metal on metal echoed through the ruins, mixed with shouts and bursts of spiritual energy. "Looks like someone''s having a bad day," Kent muttered, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "Let''s see what''s going on. Maybe I can... ''help'' them and earn some SP." As Kent approached the scene, he spotted Ethan, Mia, and a group of teachers from other schools locked in combat with several different people. Kent quickly realised that they were fighting Dark Alliance members. Otherwise, why would they fight each other instead of fighting the monster? These rogue cultivators were clad in dark robes, their faces obscured by masks marked only with crude symbols of their organization. "Ethan and Mia? Figures they''d get mixed up in this," Kent murmured, hiding behind a boulder to watch. The Tier-3 Watcher, a burly man named Marcus, led the charge. His massive glaive whirled through the air, carving through the Dark Alliance members like a hot knife through butter. "Stay focused!" Marcus barked, his voice booming. "These Level-E and D cultivators are dangerous in groups. Don''t let them surround you!" Mia darted between the enemies with the grace of a shadow, her dagger slicing tendons and spiritual energy shields with precision. Ethan, meanwhile, was hurling explosive spiritual attacks, each one detonating with a loud BOOM! "I see you, Ethan!" Kent whispered, stifling a laugh. "Always trying to show off, huh?" The Dark Alliance members were relentless, their attacks coordinated and fierce. One of them, a Level-D cultivator wielding twin blades, lunged at Ethan with deadly speed. "Watch out, Ethan!" Mia shouted, intercepting the attack with her dagger. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the force of the blow pushing Mia back a step. Ethan retaliated with a counterattack aimed at the attacker''s chest, sending him sprawling into a nearby pillar. CRACK! The pillar shattered, and the Dark Alliance member slumped to the ground, unconscious. Kent couldn''t resist the urge to mess around. As the fight raged on, he casually plucked a spiritual fruit (regular fruit with spiritual energy) from a nearby tree. The fruit glowed faintly, its aura radiating pure energy. [Note: These fruits are just regular fruits. A single fruit can make people''s hunger disappear. No cultivation value.] Ethan sees Kent. He yelled, Kent, a little help would be great. Why are you standing there? "Don''t mind me, just here to... observe," Kent said to Ethan, biting into the fruit. The juicy, sweet flavour made his eyes light up. Ding! +100 SP Copied from Ethan (Frustration). "What''s he frustrated about now?" Kent muttered with a chuckle. As he leaned against the boulder, munching on the fruit, Kent noticed a cluster of spiritual fruits hanging from nearby trees. There were oranges, berries, and even some odd-looking blue bananas. "Jackpot!" Kent whispered, his grin widening. "These''ll sell like hotcakes to those students. They''ll eat up anything with a faint glow on it!" He activated Flashing Step, zipping between the trees and picking as many fruits as his pouch could hold. Back at the battlefield, Marcus delivered a devastating blow to the remaining Dark Alliance members, his glaive releasing a shockwave that knocked them off their feet. "This is your last warning!" Marcus roared. "Surrender or face annihilation!" The remaining rogues hesitated, their spiritual energy flickering weakly. One by one, they dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing around. "Is that all of them?" "Looks like it," Mia replied, her voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. As the Watchers and teachers began securing the prisoners, Ethan''s gaze wandered to Kent. Where is he? He spotted Kent casually leaning against a tree, juggling glowing fruits with one hand. "KENT?!" Ethan shouted, his voice echoing across the clearing. What''s wrong with you? You always act weird! Kent froze mid-juggle, a guilty smile plastered on his face. "Oh, hey there, Ethan! Fancy seeing you here." Ding! +200 SP Copied from Ethan (Annoyance). Ethan stormed over his spiritual energy flaring. "What are you doing here?! We were fighting for our lives, and you''re... you''re picking fruit?!" "Hey, hey, calm down," Kent said, holding up his hands defensively. "I was just... uh... ensuring we had enough provisions for the journey. You know, being proactive." Ding! +150 SP Copied from Ethan (Irritation). +250 SP Copied from Ethan(frustration). Mia walked up, her dagger still in hand. She raised an eyebrow at Kent''s stuffed pouch. "Provisions? Looks more like you''re stocking up for a fruit stand." "Exactly!" Kent said, snapping his fingers. "A fruit stand! Think about itspiritual fruits, freshly picked, reasonably priced. I''m practically a hero for providing this service." Ding! +300 SP Copied from Mia (Exasperation). Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kent... I don''t even know what to say anymore." "Then don''t say anything," Kent replied, tossing him a glowing orange. "Here, have a fruit. On the house." As the group prepared to move on, Kent lagged behind, sorting through his loot. His system storage was nearly bursting with spiritual fruits and repaired tools. "This is perfect," Kent murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming. "Once we''re out of this area, I''ll set up shop. Those students will be lining up to buy my stuff. I''ll be rich in no time!" His mind raced with ideas. He envisioned a bustling marketplace, with students clamouring for his wares. He''d sell fruits, tools, and maybe even some of the seeds he''d found earlier. "But first," Kent said, adjusting his bag, "I need to find more treasures. The more I have, the more I can sell. And the more I sell, the more people I annoy, the more SP I can collect!" As the group moved deeper into the ruins, Kent''s thoughts were consumed by his grand plans. Little did he know, the ruins still had plenty of surprises in store. "Time to make some money," Kent said with a smirk, his eyes scanning the foggy landscape for his next big find. "And maybe cause a little chaos along the way." Chapter 65 - 65: Kent’s “Brilliant” Marketplace Plan --- Ethan and Mia, you guys go ahead. I have some work to do. I will catch up with you in the middle area of the ruin. See you later. Before any one of them could respond to Kent, he just vanished into the fog using his flashing steps. Whoosh! [A new area] The ancient battlefield ruins were as eerie as ever. The fog was thick, the air was heavy with spiritual energy, and the occasional screeches of ghouls echoed in the distance. But for Kent, it was the perfect backdrop for what he considered a "genius" idea.????! With his bag brimming with spiritual fruits, vegetables, and repaired tools, Kent decided it was time to turn his loot into profit. The students scattered across the ruins were desperate, hungry, and scaredprime customers in Kent''s eyes. "Alright, system," Kent muttered, rubbing his hands together like a scheming villain. "Time to turn this place into the first-ever Battlefield Bazaar. I''ll be the richest cultivator in no time!" Ding! System Notification: "Host''s idea is questionable but approved. SP farming potential: high." Kent grinned. "Questionable, huh? We''ll see about that." Kent found a small clearing surrounded by broken pillars and shattered statues, the perfect spot for his "shop." He grabbed a few flat stones and arranged them into a makeshift table. Next, he pulled out his treasures: glowing spiritual fruits, shiny (but mostly useless) spiritual tools, and even a few bags of spiritual vegetables from the farm. To add flair, Kent took a spiritual orange and balanced it on top of a dagger, like a beacon. "Perfect!" he said, stepping back to admire his work. "Now all I need are some customers." Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the ruins weren''t precisely bustling with foot traffic. Kent scratched his head, thinking. "How do I get people to come here?" he muttered. Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across his face. Kent climbed onto one of the broken pillars, cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted: "Attention, cultivators! Tired of fighting ghouls? Hungry? Injured? BROKE?!" His voice echoed through the ruins, catching the attention of a few nearby students who were cautiously sneaking through the fog. "Well, worry no more!" Kent continued, pointing dramatically at his makeshift shop. "The Battlefield Bazaar is open for business! Come one, come all, and get the best fruits, tools, weapons and vegetables moneyor ''SP''can buy!" From the shadows, a small group of students cautiously approached, their faces mixed with curiosity and scepticism. "What... what is this?" one of them asked, eyeing the makeshift rock table. "This," Kent said, gesturing grandly, "is salvation. Look at these spiritual fruits! They''ll restore your energy, boost your cultivation, and maybe even make you smarter!" Ding! +99 SP Copied from Students (Curiosity). One of the students picked up a glowing blueberry. "How much for this?" Kent tapped his chin, pretending to calculate. "For you, my friend, just 500 dollars!" "500 dollars?!" the student exclaimed. "That''s outrageous!" "Outrageous?" Kent gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Do you know how rare that berry is? I risked my life-fighting ghouls and dodging traps to get it! Five hundred dollars is a steal!" Ding! +150 SP Copied from Student (Annoyance). Another student picked up a repaired dagger. "This looks decent. How much?" "For you," Kent said, leaning in with a sly grin, "only 10,000 dollars." "10,000 dollars?!" the student shouted. "It''s covered in cracks!" "Those aren''t cracks," Kent said confidently. "They''re... battle scars. This dagger has a history. It''s not just a weapon; it''s a story waiting to be told!" Ding! +200 SP Copied from Student (Frustration). How do I pay you? I don''t have that much cash on me. And the mobile phone doesn''t have a network here. I can''t bank transfer the money. Kent said don''t worry. I have a solution. Just give me your bank card. I have a spiritual tool that works inside the ruins. Kent had already created a spiritual card swipe machine using a small fragment of azure vain ore. (?) He carried his egg shop''s currently stinky momo''s shop card swipe machine with him. He knew that the students would give this excuse. He is already prepared for that. Using his architect skills and the blank blueprint, Kent came up with this design. (Many readers will ask why he didn''t create that or that. For Kent, now money is the most important thing. When it comes to money, he loses his mind.) Seriously!! The student rolled his eyes but reluctantly handed over the money. As more students arrived, Kent''s confidence grew. "Step right up!" he shouted. "Don''t let hunger or weak tools be the reason you fail in these ruins! Buy now and survive tomorrow!" One student pointed at a bag of vegetables. "What are these?" "Ah, excellent question!" Kent said, holding up the bag like a prized artifact. "These are spiritual vegetables. I Plant them, water them, and watch them grow into the most nutritious vegetables you''ve ever seen!" "Dude, stop lying?" We just came inside four days ago. How did you grow them so quickly, the student asked. "Here, spiritual energy is thick. It only took two days to grow these!" Kent lied smoothly. "In fact, they grow so fast, you''ll have a hard time just watering them!" Seriously. Then give me some seed. The student said. Kent replied, I only bought a mixed packet of vegetable seeds. Otherwise, I can sell you the seeds. Why don''t you buy the vegetables? I will give you a discount. Ding! +300 SP Copied from Student (Skepticism). The student hesitated but eventually handed over his bank card to Kent. Just as Kent was basking in his success, a loud growl interrupted the scene. From the shadows emerged a pack of ghouls, their glowing eyes fixed on the gathering of students. "Ghouls!" someone shouted, panic spreading through the crowd. The students scrambled, some drawing weapons while others hid behind Kent''s makeshift table. Kent sighed, rolling up his sleeves. "Looks like I''ve got to save my customers. Again." He grabbed a glowing fruit, infused it with his hellfire, and then hurled it at one of the ghouls. THWACK! The fruit exploded on impact, disintegrating the ghoul''s head. "See? Multi-purpose products!" Kent shouted. "Buy now and fight back!" Ding! +500 SP Copied from Students (Relief). He activated Flashing Step, zipping between the ghouls and dispatching them quickly. His hellfire-coated punches and kicks left trails of black flames, turning the monsters into ash. Within minutes, the threat was neutralized. As the dust settled, the students stared at Kent with a mix of awe and gratitude. "You''re amazing!" one of them said. "Yeah," Kent replied, brushing ash off his shoulder. "I know." He gestured to his table. "Now, about those purchases..." Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Students (Gratitude). Just as Kent was about to close up shop, he noticed a familiar figure approaching through the fog. It was Mia, her expression unreadable as she took in the scene. "Kent," she said, crossing her arms. "What... is this?" "Oh, hey, Mia!" Kent said, grinning nervously. "This? Just a little side hustle to support my cultivation journey." Mia raised an eyebrow. "You''re selling fruits and tools to scared students in the middle of a ruin?" "Hey, they need it!" Kent defended. "I''m providing a service. Besides, I''m giving them a good deal!" Why are you alone here? Where are Ethan and the others? Mia sighed, "Only you, Kent. Only you can do something unpredictable." Ding! +500 SP Copied from Mia (Exasperation). Why am I alone? You asked. Some horse-riding monsters attacked us. They were very strong. We toss the dark alliance members at the beast, and then we run separate ways. Those horse-riding monsters target groups. So I advise you to be careful by the looks of your business. It won''t be long before they come after you. Thanks for your advice, Mia. I will be careful. Here, take this fruit you can pay me later. I am moving to a different location. Bye! As night fell over the ruins, Kent packed up his remaining wares, his bag, and system storage, which were significantly lighter, but his bank balance and SP were substantially higher. "That was a good day," he said, patting his pouch. "I should do this more often." With a grin, he set off into the fog, ready for whatever chaos the ruins would throw at him next. Unbeknownst to him, his antics had caught the attention of more than just the students and ghouls. Horse-riding monsters moved in the distance, watching and waiting. But for Kent, the only thing on his mind was his next big sale. Next day.. Kent wandered deeper into the ancient battlefield graveyard ruins, his eyes scanning the foggy terrain for more treasures or, as he liked to think of them, "SP farming opportunities." His storage was half empty, the rest of the spiritual fruits, vegetables, and broken tools waiting to be sold or repaired, but the glint of ancient weapons and armour in ruins tempted him to explore further. Chapter 66 - 66: Skeleton Knight Cavalry Showdown --- "Alright, system," Kent murmured, cracking his knuckles. "Where''s my next big adventure? Could you give me something exciting? And, of course, something with lots of SP opportunities." In response to Kent''s demand. System, give him a notification. Ding! System Notification: "Host, incoming enemies detected. Cultivation levels: Level-D (Elite Skeleton Knight Captain) Level-C (Skeleton Knight Leader)." Kent''s eyes widened, and he immediately grinned. "A Level-C Skeleton? Finally, someone who might actually make me break a sweat! Let''s see what they''ve got." Kent jumps right and left to relax his joints. The sound of hooves echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. ????? The wind howled through the ruins, carrying the faint rattling of bones. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. From the fog emerged a group of skeleton Knight cavalry, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie blue flames. Each skeleton Knight rider sat atop a skeletal horse, the creatures'' bones creaking with every movement. At the front of the group rode the Skeleton Knight Captain, its skeletal frame draped in ancient, rusted armour. A tattered black cape fluttered behind it, and in its bony hand, it wielded a menacing lance that glowed with a faint spiritual energy. Behind the captain was the Skeleton Knights Leader, towering over the rest of the group. Its armour was polished and adorned with dark rune carving, and it carried a massive two-handed sword that seemed too heavy for its skeletal frame. "Whoa," Kent muttered, taking a step back. "Now that''s what I call an entrance. You guys really know how to set the mood." The Skeleton Captain raised its lance, pointing it at Kent. The blue flames in its eyes flared brighter, and it let out a bone-chilling screech. SKREEEEE! "Oh, that''s cute," Kent said, smirking. "You''re trying to intimidate me. Newsflash, boney: I''ve fought ghouls, monsters, and even people. You''re just another SP pi?ata to me." Clip-clop. Clip-clop. The Skeleton Knight Captain charged first, its lance aimed straight at Kent''s chest. The skeletal horse''s hooves pounded against the ground, leaving cracks in the earth. "Let''s see what you''ve got!" Kent yelled, summoning his hellfire. Black flames erupted around his fists, crackling with power. The lance thrust forward, but Kent sidestepped at the last second, activating Flashing Step to appear behind the captain. WHOOSH! ???? "Surprise!" Kent shouted, delivering a fiery uppercut to the Skeleton Captain''s back. ???? BOOM! ???? The captain was sent flying off its horse, crashing into a pile of rubble. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Captain (Frustration). The other skeleton cavalry charged at Kent, their glowing eyes locking onto him as their horses reared back. "Alright, let''s make this fun," Kent said, grabbing a broken sword from his bag. He twirled it in his hand like a baton. "En garde, you walking bone racks!" One of the skeleton riders swung its sword at him, but Kent ducked, spinning around to slap the skeleton''s skull with the flat side of the broken sword. THWACK! The skull popped off and rolled on the ground, its glowing eyes blinking in confusion. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Skeleton Rider (Embarrassment). Kent laughed, kicking the skull back toward the rider. "Oops, dropped something!" While Kent was busy toying with the riders, the Skeleton Knight Leader dismounted its horse, its glowing blue eyes fixed on him. "Uh-oh," Kent said, noticing the leader''s massive sword. "Looks like the boss is joining the party." The leader swung its sword, sending a wave of spiritual energy slashing toward Kent. "Whoa!" Kent yelled, activating Flashing Step to dodge the attack. The energy wave struck a nearby pillar, splitting it in half. "Okay, that was close," Kent muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Time to get serious." He coated his Soul Slasher dagger in hellfire, the black flames making the blade glow ominously. "Alright, Mr. Big Bones," Kent said, pointing the dagger at the leader. "Let''s see how tough you really are." The leader charged at him, its movements surprisingly fast for its size. It swung its massive sword in a wide arc, but Kent ducked under the blade, slashing at the leader''s ribs with his dagger. CLANG! The dagger struck the leader''s armour, leaving a scorched mark but failing to penetrate. "Guess I''ll have to aim for the joints," Kent muttered, dodging another swing. As the fight continued, Kent noticed that every time he landed a hit or dodged an attack, he earned SP from the skeletons'' frustration or surprise. "Wait a minute," Kent said, grinning. "I can farm SP from these guys just by annoying them." He began taunting the Skeleton Leader, dodging its attacks with exaggerated movements. "Missed me!" Kent said, sticking out his tongue. The leader growled, its glowing eyes flaring brighter as it swung its sword again. Kent jumped over the blade, doing a mid-air somersault before landing behind the leader. "Too slow!" he shouted, smacking the leader''s helmet with the flat side of his dagger. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (Frustration). +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (anger). +1,500 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight Leader (Embracement). Many more SP copied notifications. Kent''s mind just flooded with the system window and Ding sound. After farming enough SP to satisfy himself, Kent decided to end the fight. He activated Flashing Step, appearing in front of the Skeleton Leader in an instant. With a roar, he plunged his hellfire-coated dagger into the leader''s chest, the black flames erupting and consuming the skeleton from the inside out. BOOM! The leader let out a final, bone-chilling screech before collapsing into a pile of ash. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Leader (Defeat/ Death). ?? The remaining riders, seeing their leader defeated, fled into the fog. "Yeah, you better run!" Kent shouted, shaking his fist. Kent walked over to the remains of the Skeleton Knight Leader, rummaging through the ash until he found a set of armour and the massive sword. "Jackpot," he said, holding up the items. "These are definitely going to sell for a fortune." He quickly packed the armour and sword into his system storage, a satisfied grin on his face. Just as Kent was about to leave, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. "KENT!" He turned to see Miss Elena and a group of students running toward him. "Well, well," Kent said, smirking. "Looks like the cavalry''s here. Too bad I already handled the hard part." Miss Elena crossed her arms, glaring at him. "What have you been up to?" Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, you know," Kent said casually. "Just saving lives, doing good deeds, and defeating skeleton bosses. The usual." Miss Elena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let''s regroup with the others before you cause more trouble." Kent grinned, falling in step with the group. "Trouble? Me? Never." As they walked away, Kent couldn''t help but think about selling some items to Miss Elena. With his new loot and a pocket full of SP, he was more than ready for whatever the ruins had in store next. Meanwhile, Miss Elena thinks about how Kent trounced the skeleton Knight leader. She isn''t sure enough if she could fight the entire team alone. I am a Level-C cultivator, yet I feel like I am not as strong as Kent. Kent did something impossible. I will report this to the Nexus and Watcher, and Kent will get many contribution points. For now, let''s regroup with others. Chapter 67 - 67: A Sparrows Journey to look for his benefactor. - [ Somewhere inside the graveyard ruins.] The ruins stretched endlessly before him, a labyrinth of broken stones and eerie silence. Shadows danced along the jagged walls as Emberling Sparrow perched atop a crumbling column, his red eyes scanning the horizon. He had been flying, hopping, and hiding for days now, his small body battered and weak from the journey. But at last, he saw himKent. The human was far off, crouched near a glowing structure, his figure bathed in a faint blue light. Emberling Sparrow''s heart thudded in his tiny chest. Relief, joy, and longing swirled together in a confusing storm. He chirped softly, too afraid to call out. What if Kent didn''t want him? Emberling Sparrow flapped his wings once, hesitating. His black feathers glinted faintly under the night light, their stark contrast to the golden glow of the ruins a reminder of his past. Memories came flooding back, and the sparrow couldn''t help but recall everything that had led him to this moment. From the moment he had hatched, Emberling Sparrow knew he was different. His siblings were beautifuleach one adorned with soft, red feathers that shimmered under the sunlight. But Emberling Sparrow''s feathers were black as night, a stark anomaly among his family. His parents had stared at him with thinly veiled disappointment, their gazes cold and unyielding. "He''s defective," his father had muttered, turning away. "No phoenix bloodline could look like that." His mother had tried to feed him at first, but each time, his siblings pecked at him, shoving him aside to claim the food. The sparrow had cried out, but his tiny chirps were ignored. One day, his father made the decision. "Get out," he growled, his fiery eyes glaring down at the trembling chick. Emberling Sparrow had looked up at him, confused and terrified. "But why?" "You''re not one of us. You''re a stain on our nest," his father replied coldly. Other birds make fun of me, saying I am the father of an abomination like you. I had suffered enough, and I can''t pretend anymore. "GET OUT NOW." His siblings jeered as his father nudged him toward the edge of the nest. One particularly cruel brother gave him a sharp peck, sending him tumbling over the edge. Emberling Sparrow flapped his tiny wings frantically, barely managing to break his fall. As he lay on the cold ground, his heart shattered. He was too young to fend for himself, but he had no choice. The Sparrow wandered aimlessly for days, his weak body barely sustaining him. He learned to survive by scavenging scraps and hiding from predators. The world was harsh, and his black feathers made him a target. One day, he stumbled upon a small, abandoned farm. The place was quiet, with no monsters in sight. He crept into a rickety wooden shed, finding shelter among the hay bales. For years, the farm became his home. He scavenged seeds from the fields and drank water from a cracked trough. But the loneliness was unbearable. Each night, he would stare at the sky, watching flocks of birds fly together. "Why can''t I have that?" he thought, his chest aching. "Why am I always alone?" Everything changed the day Kent arrived. Emberling Sparrow had been perched on a fence post, watching the strange human as he rummaged through the farm. At first, he was wary, hiding in the shadows. But when a peculiar human found him out, Kent did something unexpected. He taught the sparrow how to whistle appropriately. The sound was soft and melodic, unlike anything Emberling Sparrow had ever heard. Intrigued, the sparrow stepped out of its comfort zone, hopping closer. Kent showed him kindness immediately. "Hey, little guy," he said, crouching down. Give him some food. Emberling Sparrow tilted his head, curious but cautious. Kent laughed. "You look like you''ve been through a lot." Over the next few hours, Kent became a constant presence. He brought scraps of food and even tried to teach Kazoo how to chirp properly. The sparrow struggled at first, his broken sounds making Kent burst into laughter. But he didn''t mind. For the first time, someone was paying attention to him, not mocking or hurting him. Emberling Sparrow began to see Kent as more than just a human. In his eyes, Kent was another strange birdone who understood what it meant to be different. "I want to stay with him," Emberling Sparrow had thought, his heart swelling with hope. But Kent was a wanderer who came looking for treasures. A few hours later, he left, leaving him a warning and disappearing into the ruins. Emberling Sparrow had been devastated, searching the farm for days, calling out with his awkward chirps. Now, perched high above the ruins, the sparrow knew he couldn''t let history repeat itself. He couldn''t lose the one connection he had found. But the journey had been brutal. He remembered narrowly escaping a pack of ghouls, their twisted forms chasing him through the crumbling halls. He had hidden in the shadows, trembling as they sniffed the air, searching for him. When they finally left, Emberling Sparrow had collapsed, too exhausted to move. "I''m not strong enough," he had thought bitterly, his red eyes filled with tears. "I''ll never be like the others." But the thought of Kent gave him strength. Emberling Sparrow had forced himself to continue, ignoring the pain in his wings and the gnawing hunger in his stomach. And now, after days of struggle, he had found Kent again. The human looked as confident and capable as ever, his movements precise as he examined the ruins. Sparrow''s chest tightened. "He''s so strong he defeats those skeleton monsters so easily," he thought, envy and admiration mixing in his heart. The sparrow flapped his wings, hovering for a moment before landing on a nearby ledge. He wanted to call out and let Kent know he was there. But doubt crept in. "What if he doesn''t want me?" Emberling Sparrow thought, his heart sinking. "What if I''m just a burden?" Tears welled up in his red eyes as he stared at the human, the one being who had shown him kindness. "Maybe it''s better this way," he thought, his tiny body trembling with emotion. I can''t stay with him. Emberling Sparrow watched as Kent finished his talk with Miss Elena, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the ruins. The sparrow stayed perched on the ledge, his heart aching with a mix of longing and sorrow. He wanted to follow, but something held him back. I can''t help him in any way. Why would he want me? The sparrow cried. No! "I''ll prove myself," Emberling Sparrow thought, his resolve hardening. "One day, I''ll be strong enough to stand by his side." With a final, soft chirp, the sparrow spread his wings and flew away, disappearing into the ruins. For now, he would wait. But in his heart, he knew he wouldn''t give up. For Emberling Sparrow, Kent was his flockand one day, he would find his place by his side. Ding! sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +99 sp copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Sad) Kent notices the system notifications. What the why am I getting notifications from that weird bird who doesn''t know how to chirp!! I only get SP from someone when they are close by and an emotion triggered by me. This fat bird actually came all this way. The farm distance is at least a couple of days'' journey. The road is full of danger. How did that Level-F bird manage to get here? Is it looking for me? That bird wanted to follow. That fat bird is definitely here for me. I need to find that sparrow. Kent says Miss Elena, can you wait a moment, please. I forgot something. Give me a few minutes, and I will get back to you soon. Chapter 68 - 68: Miss Elena’s suspicions --- Before Miss Elena could ask Kent what he had forgotten or any other questions, Kent used his flashing steps, disappearing from her sight. Kent didn''t think before he used his flashing steps. Miss Elena, watching Kent''s footwork technique, instantly recognised it. It''s the same movement as that unknown Level-C cultivator who killed the robber and potentially became a dark alliance member. Miss Elena''s mind raises a ton of questions. Does it mean Kent is from the Dark Alliance? But he isn''t a Level-C cultivator. I can clearly feel his cultivation at Level-E peak. [Note: Kent used his system to hide his Level-D cultivation.] What if Kent has a spiritual sense-blocking artifact? If he is really that Level-C cultivator and dark alliance member, it could be terrible. I need to test him as soon as he comes back. Meanwhile, Kent gives the system a command to find out where Emberling Sparrow is. Hey! System, did you find out the location of that fat bird? Ding! System notifications Emberling Sparrow''s location is detected. Location: 60 meters away in the northeast. Kent, using his flashing steps, jumps in rocks and small hills and quickly finds the fat sparrow. The fat bird is flying in the fog. Its speed is very slow. Kent yelled, hey, tiny fella, what are you doing here? Come down. Hey, do you hear me? Emberling Sparrow''s heart just started to beat faster. " He is looking for me. He is calling me. What should I do? How did he find out I am here? Does he want me? Kent yelled again. Are you coming down or not? Hey! Come down. I am waiting for you. Without thinking anything, the Emberling Sparrow came down where Kent was standing. The bird is so happy. He couldn''t hold himself. He jumped into Kent''s hand. +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) The bird''s size was very small; it perfectly fits into Kent''s hand. Kent patted the bird on his head, saying. You, little guy, you are very brave to come this far alone. The bird just nods his head. Kent is thinking about "what I should do with you. SIGH! Let''s think about that later. Kent said out loud- come on, let''s go, little sparrow." +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) +999 SP copied from Emberling Sparrow. (Joy) The Emberling sparrow flaps his wings in happiness. "This human wants me. I am not alone anymore. I am so happy." System, is there any way I can take this little bird out of ruin with me? Ding! The host can take out this Emberling sparrow if the host forms a contract with the bird. SIGH! Why didn''t you tell me earlier? If you said it earlier, I could have taken him with me from the start. [Ding! The host didn''t ask. The system can''t do anything if the host doesn''t give the command to do so.] Alright alright system. From now on, inform me about this type of thing and also give me solutions to all the problems which you know the answer to. [Ding! Command taken. Giving the host the answer to the current problem. To form a contract with an Emberling sparrow, the host needs to drop blood on the bird''s head. ] "Oh! I need to drop my blood. System, why can''t you give me a contract paper or something? Whatever, I will sign the contract later. I need to go. Miss Elena must be waiting for me." Ding! +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) +999 SP copied from Elena. (Suspicions) .... There are many more notifications. What the Fuck is happening. Why am I getting so many SPs from Miss Elena? What is she suspicious of? What did I do? Suddenly, Kent released, oh no! Damn it .. Damn it .. I used flashing steps in front of her. "What should I do? Should I avoid her and go to a different place? Nah! After getting out of the ruin, I have to face her sooner or later." If she asks me anything, I have to think of something, some excuse to avoid her. Or I could tell her the truth. I will face her. There''s no need to think about it. Let''s see what she does. Then Kent makes his way back using flashing steps. He landed softly on a jagged rock near the foggy hill, Emberling Sparrow perched securely on his shoulder. The bird chirped contentedly, and Kent couldn''t help but smile at the small creature''s apparent joy. "Alright, little guy," Kent muttered, patting the sparrow''s head. "You''ve caused me enough trouble for one day. Let''s get out of here before" Suddenly, A voice echoed through the fog. "Kent," Miss Elena called, her tone sharp and measured, "are you finished with your... errand?" Kent froze. She was closer than he had expected. His mind raced. Did she see him use the flashing steps again? Was she already suspicious? He glanced at Emberling Sparrow, who tilted his head innocently, utterly unaware of the brewing tension. "Yeah, Miss Elena!" Kent shouted back, trying to sound casual. "Just found what I was looking for." Miss Elena stepped out from the fog, her sharp gaze locking onto Kent. Her presence was commanding, her spiritual aura subtle but suffocating. She looked at the sparrow in his hand, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That bird," she said, her voice calm but probing, "is it yours?" Kent shrugged, feigning indifference. "Not really. Just a little guy who followed me here. He''s harmless." Miss Elena''s eyes flickered with suspicion. She was still debating internally whether to confront Kent about his footwork technique or not. The boy''s cultivation level was undeniably Level-E peak, but his technique was far too advanced for someone at his rank. And now, this sparrowa seemingly insignificant creaturewas exuding faint traces of spiritual energy. "Let me see it," Miss Elena said, extending her hand. Kent hesitated, clutching the sparrow protectively. "Why? He''s just a bird." "Humor me," she replied, her voice firm. Kent glanced down at Emberling Sparrow, who chirped nervously. He could feel the bird trembling slightly in his hand. "It''s okay," Kent whispered to the sparrow before reluctantly stepping forward and placing him in Miss Elena''s outstretched palm. Miss Elena held the sparrow gently but carefully, her spiritual sense flaring subtly as she examined it. Emberling Sparrow chirped softly, his red eyes darting between her and Kent. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This bird," Miss Elena said after a moment, her tone unreadable, "looks like it has been through a lot. You said it followed you?" "Yeah," Kent said quickly, his mind racing for a believable explanation. "I found him a while back on a farm. He''s just been tagging along ever since." Miss Elena studied Kent''s expression, searching for any sign of deceit. Then she smileda disarming but calculated smile. "You seem to attract the strangest companions, Kent." Kent forced a laugh. "Yeah, I guess I do." But the moment was short-lived. Miss Elena''s smile faded, replaced by her usual stern demeanour. "We should head back," she said, handing Emberling Sparrow back to Kent. "The ruins aren''t safe at night, even for a Level-E cultivator." Kent nodded, grateful for the opportunity to leave. As they walked back, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Miss Elena''s suspicion hadn''t waned. Meanwhile, Miss Elena''s thoughts were a storm of doubt and unease. "That bird has spiritual energy, faint but distinct. Could it be tied to Kent''s unusual abilities?" She remembered the sparrow''s nervous chirps and how it had seemed unusually intelligent, even responsive to Kent''s commands. "And Kent... that footwork technique. It''s the same technique as the dark cultivator who killed the robber. Could he be connected to the Dark Alliance?" Miss Elena''s fingers twitched as she suppressed the urge to confront him outright. She needed more evidencesomething definitive. But one thing was sure: she couldn''t let her guard down around Kent. As they neared the exit of the foggy ground, Kent opened a private dialogue with his system. "System," he whispered under his breath, "can you analyze Miss Elena''s aura? Is she suspicious of me?" Ding! Analyzing... Result: Miss Elena is highly suspicious. Probability of confrontation: 78%. Kent grimaced. "Fantastic. Just what I needed." Ding! Advice: Minimize the use of footwork techniques in front of Miss Elena. Consider forming an ally or diversion to reduce suspicion. Kent glanced at Emberling Sparrow, who chirped contentedly in his shoulder. "Guess I''ll have to be extra careful, huh, little guy?" The sparrow tilted his head and chirped again, utterly oblivious to the growing tension around them. A few minutes later, they reached the place where Miss Elena had made a temporary resting place for the students. Kent sees there are hundreds plus students. Some are sacred, some murmur about something, and some look normal. There were a lot of presents for his class too. Some watchers, too. "Great, there are lots of students here. This is the perfect place to set up shop. Kent said with a smirk." Chapter 69 - 69: I Clear up a little bit of suspicion without knowing it. All this time, Kent kept his loot from the skeleton Knights tied to his back. Now, he puts everything down on the ground, including some fruit and vegetables from his bag. Then he arranged everything and started to. Treasure! Treasure! You will find treasure here. Come and grab it. Treasure from the ruins. Fruits and vegetables, too. No need to look for food in danger! You can buy from me. Come quickly. Stock is limited. Many students and some Watchers gather around Kent. Miss Elena asked what are you doing? You just came here and started to act like a salesperson. I heard from another group that someone is selling things inside the ruins. "It turns out to be you." Kent says, of course, I am selling. Who else will have this much loot if it isn''t me? I bleed for these loots, Miss Elena. Now, I can sell them to earn some hospital bills. Kent said with a funny expression. +999 SP copied from Elena. (Speechless) Hey Kent! She raised her voice in frustration. Then where''s your wound? I can''t see any injuries on you. What hospital bill? +999 SP copied from Elena. (Frustration) I meant my heart bleeds! Miss Elena. Are you buying or not? I don''t have much stock. Look at this sword from the skeleton. It''s almost three feet long. It''s so sharp. It''s an E-rank item for sure. Look!! Wishh! Whosh! Kent shows some sword moves. Dust is spreading all over the place. Students are looking at him in wonder. One student: Wow, cool moves. So cool! Another student: I want to learn those moves. Kent''s classmates are talking to each other. When did he learn how to use sword techniques? Wasn''t he an orphan? Who taught him? Did he join any organization? Meanwhile, with the dust cover, Kent switches the skeleton Knight sword with the low-level rusty swords, which he fixes using his SSS-Rank Architect of creation skill. "I need to sell this rusty one first." Miss Elena comes forward. Alright alright, you have done enough marketing. I will buy the sword. How much is it? FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!! +999 SP copied from Elena. (Anger) Are you kidding me? It''s an old, rusty sword. You hide the good ones behind that small rock I saw everything. Kent''s body gives a chill. "Fuck!" She saw me. Her senses are very sharp. Alright, I will provide you with one from the back. Could you give me the money? She hands Kent some banknotes. This is all the cash I have right now. 20 thousand dollars! Take it, or I will take one sword for freeyour choice. Kent jumps and quickly takes the money from her hands. Hand her one sword from the skeleton. "Thank you for ordering, Miss Elena" he turns back, counting money with a happy look. "I just joke about the price. I would have given her one for free to make a good relationship with her." She is suspicious of me. But I can''t say no to money. One by one, other students also came to buy. They fight with each other to grab the best one. Kent sold (his fix once) weapons and tools to the students. Kent used the same payment method as last time. Many try to cheat, saying they have no money or bank cards with them. Kent didn''t sell them anything. Watcher members buy all the fruits and vegetables for all the students. Kent gives them a discount of one per cent. He earns hundreds of thousands of dollars, and SP points from everyone. All this time, the Emberling sparrow was watching Kent with shiny eyes. However, the sparrow doesn''t know what money is. But he understands one thing: money is something useful, and Kent becomes happy receiving money. "The bird takes a vow that one day he will collect as much of this money thing as possible to earn Kent''s respect." Ding! System notifications: Enemy incoming. Skeleton Knights: Level- D Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Before Kent could read the system notifications, suddenly, a group of skeleton Knights arrived behind the group. All the students panicked and started to yell. RUN!... RUN!... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! They will kill everyone. AHHHRRGGG! Student one: Hey, run in different locations. Don''t run in my direction. Student two: We just bought weapons so that we can fight! Why are you guys running? Student three: Are you strong enough to fight with the skeleton monsters? We can fight with the Ghouls. These skeletons are much stronger than us. Kent quickly packs up his shop. These students are hopeless. Then said to the Emberling sparrow, look after my loots. I will go gather some more. Miss Elena and other watcher members are ready to fight. They take a defensive position. Miss Elena yelled don''t let any of them harm students. Protect the students with your life! Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. "I have to hurry; otherwise, they will collect all the lots. There is a rule inside the ruins: you keep what you kill. I can''t let them defeat all the skeleton Knights." These are all Level-D skeletons, and Miss Elena and Watcher can defeat them quickly. The only problem is their numbers are too high. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whoosh! Kent rushed at the skeleton Knights with his Soul Slasher in his hand. Please wait for me, my loot. Come to Papa!! Don''t go after the weak students. Watcher members are impressed by Kent''s bravery. What an upright guy. He rushed at the enemy without any hesitation. He is a role model. Let''s go! We can''t let him fight alone. He is a true hero. Let''s cover him up. We can''t be shadowed by a student. Kent yelled! Don''t come here! I got this. I don''t need your help. Hey, skeleton monsters, it''s time to go to hell or heaven, whatever you deserve. CLANK! CLANK! Kent swings his dagger. In the first move, he severed a skeleton Knight''s head. In the second move, he cuts a skeleton Knight''s body in half. THUD! THUD! Both skeleton Knights'' bodies fell to the ground. Some skeleton Knights recognize Kent. They are from the previous group, who fled from Kent when Kent killed their leader. SHOCKED! Ding! +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). +1999 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Fear). Kent then charged at other skeleton Knights. Meanwhile, The ones who recognize him are falling back. They made some weird sounds and started to run from Kent. SKGR! SKGR! Miss Elena and some Watchers were protecting the students. Behind them, the students were watching everything. Their jaws drop on the ground, seeing Skelton knights running from Kent. What the Hell! How did he scare them off? Student one: Hey, can you pinch me? Student two: punch him in the face. Student one: holding his face. Hey, I said pinch. Why did you punch me? Student two: sorry! I didn''t hear properly. My mind isn''t working anymore. Miss Elena comes thinking. He rushes at the Skeleton Knights without any hesitation. He can''t be a Dark Alliance member. If he was a dark alliance member, he should just hide like other students and take advantage, and maybe kill some of us. But to be safe. I will test him once we are out of the ruin. There is an artifact called the mirror of the true self. It will reveal if he is a Dark Alliance member or not. Meanwhile, Kent killed two more Skeleton Knights. Watchers are also fighting with the skeleton Knights. Chapter 70 - 70: Heading towards the ruin Center Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) A Tier-3 Watcher sword clashes with one skeleton Knight. A CLUNK sound spread across the battlefield. Another Watcher fighting with a Level-D skeleton. Both of them are equally matched with the monster. Before they could finish the fight, Kent stepped in. He throws a fireball at one of the skeleton Knights, and the monster''s body is caught in black flames. It burns like dry wood. Sizzle! Sizzle! Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Kent charges at the other skeleton Knights holding his Soul Slasher dagger. He first punches into the skeleton''s chest bones. Then he stabs his dagger into the monster''s head. It cracked first, and then its skeleton skull broke like glass into tiny pieces. CRACK! BREAK! Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Meanwhile, the three remaining skeleton Knights'' bodies started to glow with dark death spiritual energy. They are running in the student''s direction. Miss Elena was guarding the students. She throws a talisman paper towards the three ruining skeleton monsters. When the talisman paper comes into contact with one of Skelton a loud blast echoes in the battlefield. BOOM! BLAST! One skeleton Knights head fell from its body, rolling onto the ground. The other two bodies broke into pieces. But they are not dead yet. Still crawling like a caterpillar. Kent, taking the chance to his advantage, steps onto the fallen head. The other two Watchers rushed and killed the remaining two skeleton Knights. Ding! +2000 SP Copied from Skeleton Knight. (Death) Meanwhile, the Rest of the skeleton Knights have already run away, seeing from Kent. There were around ten skeletons who ran. They all run toward the ruin centre where the ruin''s core and the core guardian are. Kent, without wasting any time, declared I killed seven of the skeleton monsters. You all killed only three. So, SEVENTY per cent of the loot is mine. With a happy face, Kent goes one after another to Skelton Knight''s body to collect his loot. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Miss Elena. (amazed) +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (amazed) Students were gossiping about Kent and how he was able to kill the monster so quickly, which he could never dream of fighting. His classes, on the other hand, were very jealous and envious of him. They couldn''t believe what they had witnessed just now. Ding! +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (Jealous) +999 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx. (Envy) Kent is busy collecting his loot. He didn''t care about what other students were thinking of him as long as he SPs from them. It''s okay for him. It doesn''t matter to him what they think about him. "Keep it coming. Keep it coming." I am getting SP and Loots. Both my bank balance and system balance are increasing. Ha Ha Ha. A trip to ruin is the way to achieve success in life. Maybe I should write a book or something. "Kent said jokingly." Miss Elena comes forward thinking. All right now, the battle is over, and no one has been harmed. We have done a good job. Kent rests for a few hours, and then we will go to the location of Ruins core. Alright, students listen to me. Stop gossiping. Rest as much as you can. We will move forward after an hour. Our leader and your principal, Nexus Jade Monroe, had already gone to the core location. We will join him soon. Our only job will be killing some low-level monster while he defeats the Ruin guardian. As many of you already know, dark alliance members are inside this ruin. Some are pretending to be students, others hiding in the shadows, looking for a chance to attack. We have to look after our backs. After collecting the loot, Kent goes to Emberling Sparrow. He was guarding Kent''s tools, weapons, fruit, and vegetables for him. Kent said you have done a good job. You didn''t run away; also, watch over my treasure. You didn''t let anyone steal anything. I am proud of you. The Emberling sparrow chirped with a happy face. He never heard kind words like that. I am proud of you, and you did a good job ringing into his head multiple times. He was constantly bullied by his siblings and father and ignored by his mother. The bird''s heart just melted. Its eyes are covered with water. Tears started falling. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Emberling sparrow. (Happy) +999 SP Copied from Emberling sparrow. (Gratitude) Kent, seeing the system notifications, realized the bird must have suffered a lot. His simple words make it cry. Kent picked up the bird into his hand and gently patted his head. Don''t cry, little fella, don''t cry. I don''t know what happened in the past, but from now on, you belong to me. You have to be tough like me. The bird stopped his crying. Then it chirps in a low voice, I will be like him. "I will look for treasures and collect that thing called money. Then I guess I will be happy like him." CHIRP! CHIRP! Good, you stop crying. From now on, never cry again. Remember now you belong to me. I will sign a contract with you, don''t worry. "I hope one day, with system help, I will be able to make this tiny fella big. Then I will fly riding on his back. Like how cultivators ride their beast in novels and manga." One or two hours later, the exact time is unknown. Miss Elena stood up. Alright, you had Enough rest. It''s time to move forward. Let''s go!! They all start their journey to the centre of the ruin. First, they cross one mountain ally, and then they walk on open land for some time. They face some Ghouls in the open lands. Who comes out of the ground? They easily defeat them. After some time, they finally reach their destination. A long Twenty or Twenty-five feet long gate was at the centre of the open land. Around the gate, many more groups gather there. Almost a thousand people were there. Kent! You are finally here. From the crowd, a voice comes. It was Ethan and Mia. They both come close to Kent. Ethan asked what took you so long? Wait, don''t answer. Let me guess: you were busy selling. He said jokingly. Kent replied you are really my friend. You know me very well. I was busy doing business. Don''t worry, I will give you a good discount. You are my friend. Kent pointed at his back where his treasurer, the swords, shield, and a couple of spares were tied. Ding! +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Shocked) +999 SP copied from Mia. (Speechless) When Kent pointed at his back, Ethan saw the Emberling sparrow. He asked what are you doing with a bird? Don''t tell me you are selling mea....! Before Ethan could finish, Kent stopped him. This is my pet beast. Could you not joke about him? He is very sensitive. One day, he will become stronger than you. Then he will beat the crap out of you. Don''t expect me to save you then. +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Frustration) +999 SP copied from Ethan. (Shock) Miss jumps into the conversation. Both of you stop throwing your lame jokes. This is a serious situation right now. But I must say. This bird looks so cute. Can I pet it? Emberling Sparrow turns his head to the other side. "I won''t let you pet me. Only Kent can pet me." He hides under the Kent shirt. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent said. I guess he is tired. Let him rest for a while. You can pet him later. What serious situation were you talking about? Tell me about that. Chapter 71 - 71: A plan to find Dark Alliance members. Wait, we can''t talk here. We need to find a less populated place. Mia replied. A secure place where no one will be able to hear us. Before they could move to different locations, a Tier-4 Nexus and Watcher members came to the group. He asked, who among you is Kent? Kent steps in. I am Kent why are you looking for me? "He has a Level-C cultivator just like Miss Elena." Teacher Elena and other watchers told me about your contribution. My name is Tyler Stone, and I am a commander at Nexus and Watcher. I am in charge here now. You have great potential coke with me. We will discuss our next move. Your friend can also come. Teacher Elena told me about them too. Without any questions, three of them follow him. They arrived at a place full of government officials. Tyler Stone brings out an artifact from his pocket. An iron whistle with some rune patterns. He blows the whistle, and a transparent barrier surrounds them. Tyler says this is a soundproof barrier, and no one will be able to hear us. As many of you know, many Dark Alliance members are present in this area. We need to find them before we go inside the gate. Pointing at the tall stone gate, he says that inside this gate are the ruins'' core and the guardian. Suppose we enter and battle with the guardian at that time, and dark alliance members attack us. It won''t be good. We want everyone to find as many Dark Alliance members as possible before entering the gate. Mia said. I was about to say the same thing to you guys. See, I found this bracelet on a dark alliance member I defeated. Ethan also brings out one bracelet. I found one as well. Let''s catch everyone who has this bracelet. Kent said I also have one. I kept it because I wanted to give it the Nexus Jade. Tyler said yes, we all found out about this bracelet. We all know they use this bracelet. But we can''t catch everyone who has this type of bracelet. Like you, Ethan, many people collected the bracelet from Dark Alliance members'' corpses. We need a good plan. Kent, seeing the opportunity, jumps in with a solution. I have an idea. I have some treasures to sell. Ahem! I mean, I have collected some treasures, why don''t I set up a shop and ask for something valuable? We will tell them to show everything they have collected. We will trade with them for equal value. In this way, We can collect all the bracelets from people. People who are dark alliance members won''t give their bracelets. What do you think? Kent asked. Tyler Stone says that''s a good idea, but at least thousands of people here will trade with all these people. I can see you only have 10-15 weapons on your back. Don''t worry. I have some fruit and vegetables inside my bag, too. We need the enemy indefinitely. I don''t have to sell to everyone. Okay, I get it. Let''s proceed with your plan for now. We will spread around the area. You need to point to me who might be a Dark Alliance member. Then, one of my men will follow him all the time. Once we find any evidence, we will take action. A few minutes later..... Kent steps up his shop. Come come It''s the best weapon for sale. The best nutritional value is in fruit and vegetables for sale. No need for Hunger. Very cheap price. If you don''t have money, you can trade for items toolimited stock. One by one, Kent checks everyone. He can find out who the dark alliance members are, one by one, but it will take a long time. Kent''s main plan was to trigger an emotion and discover who the Dark Alliance members were. They will all have numbers instead of names. They only sold fruit and vegetables. He demanded 500 thousand dollars for each weapon. All weapons were from the Skeleton Knights, so they are all ranked E. He doesn''t want to sell them for a cheap price. This way, he can also earn a lot of SP. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent finds out about fifty dark alliance members from thousands of people. The watchers follow them all. Ready to strike at any time. Kent, meanwhile, is thinking about his mission. "If somehow he can find out where the Ruin core is, he will get a big reward from the system. He plans to sneak in when everyone is busy fighting with the guardian. I am not strong enough to fight the guardian yet. So I can complete the system mission." Suddenly, with a loud noise, someone landed in front of him. "BRO I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU." WHOOSH! SLAM! THUD! Bro, I know from the start you are my bro. I heard you started a business inside the ruin. I envy you so much. You are a true legend. Let''s be best friends from now on. I am a high-ranking official. You know that, right? I will give you all the access to our country''s ruins. When I go outside the country on a mission, I will take you with me, too. Let''s become partners. What you will sell inside those ruins, I will take 90 per cent, and you take 10 per cent. Kent oh! Finally, someone who speaks my language (money language). "But he is so cheeky, he wants to give me only 10 per cent." Kent replied, sorry, no deal. I do business alone, and I don''t want a partner. Definitely not a partner who takes 90 per cent. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Meanwhile, everyone was looking at them with weird expressions. WATCHER: this is one of our leaders trying to make a deal with a student. I am feeling so cringe just looking at him. Jade Monroe says, How about 60-40? Kent says no. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Jade: Then how about 50-50? It''s a good deal. Kent: No. 20-80. You take 20 percent, I take 80. +999 SP copied Jade. +999 SP copied Jade. Jade: Without me, you can''t enter any ruins. 60-40. I can''t go any lower. Kent: Deal. You have to give me two people''s access. +999 SP copied Jade. (Happy) They both exchanged their information. Both of them walked together, shoulder to shoulder like they were long-lost brothers or something. Happy! Happy! +999 SP copied Jade. (Happy) Sigh! Tyler Stone says, sir, you''ve been missing for quite some time now. When you come back, you don''t even talk to us. You quickly go for your weird thing. Come, I need to report everything to you. You can do business later. Jade Monroe, scratching his back with an embarrassed face, says. You sound like I am not a reliable person. Don''t embarrass me in front of my new bro. I have made a plan. Kill all the low-level dark alliance members. After that, we will camp here for one or two days. Then we will enter the gate. Butbut why? We made a different plan, sir. Why do we have to wait for two days? I don''t understand anything. Jade Monroe says. Once we kill or capture all the low-level members. The strongest ones will feel like they will get caught soon. We might have found out about them. They will sneak inside to collect the core. Once they enter the gate, we will follow them when they are about to kill the guardian or get killed by the guardian. We will step in, or we will defeat the remaining party and collect the core. Saving everyone. Kent says Bro, listen. I fought with one of the Dark Alliance members. He said there is a Level-B cultivator among them. You must be careful. Here, I have collected some bracelets from Dark Alliance. I will give you them as the next ruin advance payment. You can sell them to take the next ruined money in advance. It will be my loss if I don''t find any good treasure in the next ruin. But you are my bro, and I can take some loss for you. Jade''s eyes are full of tears for his new brother. You are so kind, bro. I don''t worry if you have any loss. We can Settle it with another ruin. There are a lot of them, you know. Jade is happy getting money in advance. Kent is happy fooling Jade with some bracelets. He will get permission to enter the next ruin. He can keep all the loot for himself. He can also take Nima with him. This is a win-win situation for him. Jade Monroe Says goodbye to Kent. Alright, bro, I have to go now. I have a lot of work to do. Tyler, tonight we will kill or catch them all when everyone sleeps. Chapter 72 - 72: Night of the Hunt – Eliminating the Dark Alliance. ---- As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield ruins, Kent stood with his arms crossed, looking at Jade Monroe. Bro, Kent said, nodding thoughtfully. "We''re about to do something big." Jade Monroe grinned, adjusting his gauntlets. Yeah, bro. Tonight, we will make history. Today, we will catch the highest number of Dark Alliance members in one go. Nearby, Tyler Stone rolled his eyes. "Can you two stop acting like lifelong friends? You are a student, Kent, and you are a principal, sir." Ding! +500 SP Copied from Tyler (Annoyance). Kent smirked. SP farming was already starting. Alright, focus, Tyler said. We''re taking out all the low-level Dark Alliance members first. The stronger ones will panic and rush inside the ruins, where we''ll deal with them later. No mistakes. Everyone nodded. The night air was thick with tension. Watchers and Nexus operatives spread out through the area, hidden in the shadows. The Dark Alliance members had no idea they were being hunted. Kent, of course, was utterly ready to cause problems. Step one: Trigger emotions to farm SP. He activated the Spiritual Clock, cloaking himself, then snuck near a group of Dark Alliance members. SNAP! Kent broke a branch behind them. One of the Dark Alliance members turned around. "What was that?" "I don''t know" another muttered. Kent grinned. It was time for the next phase. He picked up a handful of dirt, crept behind the nearest one, and!!! PLOP! Threw it directly into the guy''s face. ACK!!! The Dark Alliance member stumbled back, coughing. "Who the hell just threw dirt in my mouth?!" "I-It wasn''t me!" another member stammered. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Confusion & Rage). Kent snickered in the shadows. "Too easy." THWACK! Before the guy could recover, a Nexus operative slammed him with a staff, knocking him out. One down. Forty-nine to go. Kent repeated his ''dirt attack'' strategy a few more times, each time causing panic. Some Dark Alliance members started arguing. WHAT THE FUCK WHO KEEPS THROWING DIRT?! one of them shouted. "I SWEAR IT WASN''T ME!" "WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME?!" Ding! +999 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Members (Suspicion & Frustration). Meanwhile, the Watchers took advantage of the confusion, striking fast and knocking out enemies left and right. Kent leaned against a tree, enjoying the show. Man, who knew dirt was so effective? Just then, one Dark Alliance member spotted something moving in the darkness. "THERE! IT''S A WATCHER! ATTACK!!" Suddenly, all hell broke loose. Seeing that the fight had started, Kent decided it was time to join in and farm more SP. He activated Flashing Step and appeared in the middle of the battlefield. WHOOSH! Yo, boys! Kent said, grinning. "Guess who''s here to ruin your day? One of the Dark Alliance members growled, swinging a dagger at him. Kent caught the guy''s wrist mid-swing, twisted it, and slapped him across the face. SLAP! ???? NO VIOLENCE IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN! Kent scolded mockingly. The guy looked too shocked even to react. Ding! +888 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Humiliation). Kent then punched him straight into another Dark Alliance member, knocking them both out. While Kent was busy farming SP, Jade Monroe was on a completely different level. One Dark Alliance member charged at him with a sword!! CLANG! Jade caught the blade between his fingers. "Pathetic," Jade muttered. Then, with a flick of his wrist||| CRACK! The sword shattered. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Member (Terror). Jade casually kicked the guy in the chest, sending him flying backwards into a rock. Kent, watching from a distance, nodded approvingly. "Okay, Jade''s got style. Gotta admit." Kent noticed a group of Dark Alliance members huddling together, trying to regroup. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out A Regular SPIRITUAL FRUIT. ???? A very, very smelly one. "Hehehe time for the ''Fruit Grenade Special''." Kent chucked the fruit into the middle of the group. PLOP. A second later BOOOOOOOOM! ???????? A horrific, nose-burning stench filled the air. "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!" one of them screamed, gagging. "I CAN''T BREATHE!!!" another shouted. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Members (Disgust & Horror). Tyler Stone, who had just arrived, pinched his nose and glared at Kent. What. The. Hell. Did you throw? Rotten spiritual fruit, Kent said proudly. The smell alone can kill. "YOU JUST CREATED A GAS ATTACK?!" Kent shrugged. "Hey, whatever works." Within an hour, all fifty Dark Alliance members were either captured or knocked out. The camp fell silent. Jade wiped the dust off his shirt and nodded. Good job, everyone. Now we wait. Kent sat on a rock, counting his SP earnings. [SP Balance: 1,784,000 SP] "Oh yeah," Kent whispered. "I''m rich." Tyler Stone approached him, shaking his head. I don''t know whether to call you a genius or a menace. Ding! +600 SP Copied from Tyler (Conflicted Emotions). Kent smirked. "Both work." The next morning, the ruins were still sealed. Kent, Ethan, and Mia were bored out of their minds. Why are we just waiting? Kent groaned. Let''s break the gate open. Are you insane? Ethan snapped. That would kill us all. Ding! +500 SP Copied from Ethan (Fear). Kent laughed, easy SP. Relax, I was joking. Jade Monroe walked up to them. Be ready. We''ll move when the strong batch of Dark Alliance members enters. Late into the night A massive explosion rocked the area. BOOOOOM! ???????? Kent''s eyes shot open. "What the" Ten Level-C cultivators and one Level-B cultivator emerged from the shadows. They''re finally here, Jade muttered. The Dark Alliance members didn''t hesitate. They charged straight into the stone gate. Jade turned to Kent. You know the plan. We wait until they''re fighting the guardian, then we strike. Kent smirked. "Yeah about that." Jade raised an eyebrow. "What now?" Kent stretched his arms. "I''m going in now." Jade''s eyes widened. "You WHAT?!" "I''ll sneak in and pretend to be one of them," Kent said, grinning. "Gotta farm more SP." ...You''re insane. I can''t let you go alone. Jade said. Kent says, don''t worry, bro. I have a sneaking technique. I can handle it. If there are multiple paths, then I will leave a mark on the walls. That way, you all can come on the right path. Before Jade could say anything, he entered the stone gate and ran after the Dark Alliance members. Jade sighed. He gets inside without listening to me. I wanted to tell him that we both can go together. My men will follow later. Jade shrugged. My bro will make money. Jade nodded. Yeah, probably. But, sir, you can''t leave us. You are our leader. You have to act like it. Kent is your student. Stop calling him, bro. sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jade Monroe says. When we get out of here, he will be given an official position in the watcher rank. When he gets the position, we will be bro. Nothing to worry about. It''s not embarrassing. I can''t appoint him as a Tier-3 member at any time based on his contribution to this ruin. SIGH!! Sir, he will be a student. He needs to graduate before he can join us full-time. He can work as a trainee before he enters college. Chapter 73 - 73: Kent’s Next Adventure – Spying on the Dark Alliance. --- Jade Monroe replied I can bend the rules for my bro. I have the power to do so. Now, Tyler, go and prepare everyone. We will enter the stone gate within one hour. The camp was quiet after the chaotic battle that had unfolded earlier. The Watchers and Nexus operatives sat around in small groups, some cleaning their weapons, others tending to minor wounds. The captured Dark Alliance members had been rounded up and bound in a heavily guarded area, their sinister communication bracelets removed. The atmosphere in the Watcher and Nexus camp was tense yet orderly. Everyone gathered around in front of Jade. Jade Monroe stood in the middle of the camp, his eyes scanning his subordinates'' weary yet determined faces. They were ready, but the challenge before them was not an easy one. Jade turned to Tyler Stone, one of the Tier-4 Watchers and his trusted second-in-command. My bro, Kent, went in alone, Jade muttered, rubbing his temples. "Of course, he did." Tyler sighed. Sir, he doesn''t listen to orders. He''s reckless. "He''s efficient," Jade corrected, crossing his arms. My bro is a wild card, but that''s exactly why I sent him in first. He''ll get us the perfect opportunity to strike. Tyler murmurs to himself. You didn''t let him go. He just informed you before going in. Tyler says out loud. Sir. "what if he gets caught?" He is just a student, after all. He didn''t receive any proper training. Jade chuckled. "Caught? My bro is a true business genius. He''ll slip through cracks no one even knows exist." I trust him. After that, he didn''t let anyone say anything. Enough with the chit-chat. Listen to me carefully. The Watchers listened carefully as Jade formulated a battle plan. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kent promised to leave marks on the walls if there were multiple paths inside the ruins," Jade explained. "Once we enter, our first priority is to find those marks and take the most efficient route." Tyler nodded. "Understood. But what if the marks get erased or tampered with?" Jade smirked. "Then we adapt. We''ll send small scouting teams ahead to confirm the safest routes while the main force moves in carefully." A young Watcher raised his hand. "Sir, what if Kent gets too far ahead? He could get himself killed before we even reach him." Jade''s smirk widened. "Oh, don''t worry. Kent''s main priority is making money just like me. Ahem.. ahem He won''t get himself killed before he collects every piece of loot in that ruin." Tyler sighed again. "That''s actually a fair point." "Our biggest advantage?" Jade continued. "The Dark Alliance doesn''t know we''re onto them." He tapped the makeshift table. "They''re going straight for the core, which means they''ll have to fight the Guardian." Tyler''s eyes lit up with realization. "So instead of fighting them head-on" "We let them weaken each other first." Jade nodded. "The Guardian will be strong, and these Dark Alliance members aren''t invincible. If we time it right, we''ll attack when both sides are already exhausted." A murmur of approval spread through the ranks. "This means we wait." Jade declared. "No one rushes in blindly. We give them time to struggle, lose numbers, and wear themselves out. Then we strike." Jade turned to his elite team. "Once we''re inside, Tier-4 Watchers and I will position ourselves near the Guardian''s chamber. We will remain hidden until the perfect moment." Tyler spoke up. "And what about the rest of the team?" "They will secure the outer corridors and block any reinforcements. We can''t let the Dark Alliance escape once we engage. If we take out this group, their entire operation in this ruin collapses." A Watcher asked, "What about civilians? There are still students here." What about the prisoner? Jade''s expression darkened. "Anyone caught assisting the Dark Alliance will be treated as an enemy. No exceptions." Miss Elena will be in charge of the team. Her job is to look after the prisoners. Go inform her. I already told her to look after them. Tell her if anyone tries anything, kill them without hesitation. Give temporary guard roles to some of the excellent students. Tyler clenched his fist. "Understood, sir." With the plan in place, the Watchers and Nexus operatives began preparing for- 1. Weapons were checked and sharpened. 2. Energy was conserved for the battle ahead. 3. Scouting teams reviewed formations and contingency plans. Jade walked among them, observing their preparations. This was going to be one of the biggest fights they had faced in this ruin. After some time, Tyler approached Jade again. "Sir, there''s just one thing that concerns me." Jade looked at him curiously. "Go on." "It''s Kent." Jade smirked. "What about him?" Tyler exhaled. "You''re really trusting a single student to be the foundation of this operation?" Jade shrugged. "Kent is unpredictable, but that''s what makes him dangerousto both sides. The Dark Alliance won''t see him coming." Tyler groaned. "And if Kent just runs off to chase loot instead of following the plan?" Jade grinned. "Then we adjust. That''s what makes this fun." Tyler stared at him in disbelief. "Sir, this is a military operation, not a gambling match!" Jade laughed. "Oh, Tyler, everything in life is a gamble. You just have to know when to go all in." As the time to act drew near, the Watchers and Nexus members gathered at the entrance of the stone gate. Jade took one last deep breath, his expression turning serious. "Alright, everyone. This is it. Stick to the plan, and we win this without losing a single person. Understood?" A chorus of determined voices rang out. "Understood, sir!" Jade nodded. "Then let''s go." With that, the Watchers and Nexus forces stepped into the darknessfollowing the trail Kent had left behind. . . . . Back to the time when Dark Alliance members entered the stone gate. Kent activates the Spiritual Clock and snuck after the Dark Alliance group as they enter the gate. The gate creaked open, revealing a swirling vortex of energy. WHOOSH! ???? Kent slipped through the gate just before it closed, following the group from a safe distance. The Dark Alliance members moved in formation, their leadera tall man with a scar running down his cheekbarking orders. "Stay sharp!" the leader growled. "These core areas are filled with traps and monsters. No mistakes!" Kent watched from behind a crumbling pillar, grinning. "This is going to be fun." After observing them for a while, Kent decided it was time to make his move. He deactivated the Spiritual Clock and stepped out of the shadows, waving cheerfully. "Yo, guys!" The entire group froze, turning to look at him. "Who the hell are you?!" the leader demanded, drawing his sword. "Relax, relax," Kent said, holding up his hands. "I''m one of you! Code number uh 888." The leader narrowed his eyes. "888? I don''t remember you." "I was sent as backup," Kent lied smoothly. "You know how it isorders from above." My duty was to gather information about Nexus. They don''t know my identity, that''s why I wasn''t caught. When I saw you guys enter the gate I thought I can help you guys. Ding! +499 SP Copied from Leader (Suspicion). This kid is so young. Nexus won''t send a school kid. He might be one of us. The leader hesitated, then grunted. "Fine. But stay out of my way." you guard the back!! Kent grinned. "You got it, boss." Over the next hour, Kent expertly sabotaged the Dark Alliance group while pretending to help them. Trap #1: The Slippery Slope As they climbed a steep slope, Kent "accidentally" loosened some rocks, sending half the group sliding back down on dirt. "WHO DID THAT?!" one of them shouted, covered in dirt. "Oops," Kent said innocently. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx(Frustration). Trap #2: The Mysterious Noise While passing through a narrow corridor, Kent used his fire to create a faint crackling sound, making it seem like the walls were about to collapse. "RUN!" one of them screamed, bolting forward. The entire group panicked, trampling over each other in their haste to escape. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Panic). +1,500 SP Copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Panic). Trap #3: The Surprise Attack When a group of skeleton knights ambushed them, Kent conveniently "forgot" to warn the others until the last second. "Uh, guys? You might want to turn around" "WHAT?!" CLANG! ???? The Dark Alliance members barely managed to fend off the knights, glaring at Kent the entire time. Ding! +999 SP Copied from Leader (Annoyance). +999 SP Copied from Leader (Annoyance). By the time they reached the chamber, the leader glared daggers at Kent. "You''re acting suspicious," he growled. "Are you really one of us?" Kent grinned nervously. "Of course! Why would I lie?" Ding! +800 SP Copied from Leader (Distrust). The leader didn''t look convinced, but a loud roar echoed through the chamber before he could say anything. ROOOOOAAAARRRRR!!! Chapter 74 - 74: A Perfectly "Looks like we''ve got company," Kent said, drawing his dagger. Ding! System notifications: enemy incoming Name: A skeleton dragon of ancient times. Cultivation: in between Level-C and Level-B Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A massive skeleton dragon emerged from the shadows, its bony wings spreading wide as it roared again. The Dark Alliance members immediately went on the defensive, charging at the dragon with their weapons. Kent hung back, watching them struggle. "This should be good." One of the members turned to him. "What are you waiting for?! Join the fight!" "Alright, alright," Kent said, rolling his eyes. You want me to help you. He activated Flashing Step, instantly appearing on the dragon''s back. WHOOSH! "Surprise, big guy!" Kent said, stabbing his hellfire-coated dagger into the dragon''s spine. BOOOOM! The dragon roared in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off. Meanwhile, the Dark Alliance members were too busy fighting to notice Kent''s antics. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dragon (Anger). "Man, I love this kind of job," Kent said, laughing. The skeleton dragon roared, its bony wings beating against the air as it struggled against Kent''s hellfire-coated dagger. The Dark Alliance Level-C members were shouting and swinging their weapons, but none of their attacks seemed to work. Meanwhile, Kent? Oh, he was having the time of his life. Ding! +1,200 SP Copied from Dark Alliance members xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx (Frustration). Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Skeleton Dragon (Pain). "Hah! This thing gives SP, too?! I should ride more skeleton dragons!" Kent cackled, holding onto the dragon''s bony spine like it was a rodeo show. The Ember ling sparrow was sleeping inside his jacket. Kent was very careful not to harm the little bird. His movements were restricted for that reason. The leader of the Dark Alliance, still unaware of Kent''s true identity, gritted his teeth. "Enough of this! We need to bring it down before it wipes out my team!" "Good plan, boss!" Kent shouted from the dragon''s back. "I''ll help!" ThenHe let go. Whoosh! Kent let himself fall off the dragon''s back, twisting mid-air as he descended. He made sure to position himself right behind a few Dark Alliance members. "INCOMING!" Kent yelled, flailing his arms. CRASH! He landed directly on two Dark Alliance members, flattening them into the dirt. Ding! +1,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain & anger). +1,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain & anger). "Ow! You idiot!" one of them groaned. Kent stood up and dusted himself off. "Oops. My bad, guys. That landing could have been better." The leader glared at him. "You''re making things worse!" "Oh? I thought I was helping!" Kent grinned. Ding! +800 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Leader (Suspicion). The dragon swung its tail, sending another group of Dark Alliance members flying like bowling pins. THWACK! Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). The remaining Dark Alliance fighters stumbled back, fear now creeping into their eyes. The leader clenched his fists. "This thing is too strong! We need to retreat and regroup!" Kent''s eyes widened. Oh, hell no. He didn''t sabotage these idiots so that they could escape. "Oh no, boss," Kent said dramatically, stepping in front of the retreating Dark Alliance members. "You said we needed to fight, so we should fight!" The leader scowled. "What are you doing, 888?! Move!" "Move?" Kent gasped, placing a fake offended hand on his chest. "After everything we''ve been through? I can''t let you leave! Here, let me help!" And then!! Kent grabbed one of their own weapons (a massive great sword) and swung it wildlyaccidentally knocking three of them back toward the dragon. BOOM! "NOOO!" The dragon stomped on them instantly. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). Kent winced. "Damn. That looked like it hurt." The leader''s face turned red with fury. "YOU''RE SABOTAGING US, AREN''T YOU?!" Kent grinned. "Oh, you finally figured it out?" FWOOSH! ???? Kent activated Hellfire, his flames bursting to life around him. His casual smirk turned into something much more sinister. "You guys were fun to mess with," he admitted, "but playtime''s over." The remaining Dark Alliance members suddenly realized they were in serious trouble. "You you''re not one of us?" one of them stammered. Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Fear). Kent cracked his knuckles. "Nope. But thanks for the SP donations." The Dark Alliance Leader growled, spiritual energy flaring around him. His aura turned jet black, an oppressive force filling the air. "You''ve ruined my mission, brat." "Hey, in my defense, it was ruined from the start," Kent said. The leader lunged forward, his fists covered in shadow energy. Kent activated the Flashing Step WHOOSH! ???? The leader swungbut Kent was already gone. Kent appeared behind him, dagger in hand. "Surprise." SLASH! The Soul Slasher dagger, coated in Hellfire, cut through the leader''s spiritual defenses like butter. The dark alliance leader froze. Ding! Frozen skill is active. The effect lasts for 1.5 seconds. The leader stumbled, clutching his side, eyes wide. "W-What kind of fire is that?" he gasped. Kent spun his dagger, the flames flickering menacingly. "The kind that sends you straight to the afterlife." The leader roared in fury, frozen effects disappeared, charging forward againbut he was too slow. Kent sidestepped, then delivered one final flaming stab! BOOM! The leader was thrown back near the Skeleton dragon. Skeleton dragon attacks the dark alliance leader. Kent says have fun. I have to go. My treasures are waiting for me. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance Leader (anger). The skeleton dragon and Dark Alliance leader start to fight each other, the dark alliance leader commands the rest of his team members to fight with him they need to defeat the skeleton dragon first. After that, they will deal with Kent. Kent got out of the chamber and searched the area, looking for anything valuable. His eyes landed on something shimmering in the dim ruins light. "Wait a second" Kent approached a small crack in the wall. He bent down, running his fingers across the glowing blue stones embedded inside. Ding! System Notification: Spiritual Ore Mine Discovered! Kent grinned. "Now this this is good loot." He quickly activated Appraisal on the broken tools scattered nearby. Ding! Many Broken Spiritual Tools Detected. The host can use Architect Skill + Hellfire to Repair Them. Kent grinned even wider. "Jackpot." With his newfound Ore mine and the ability to repair weapons, Kent''s next plan was clear. Step 1: Collect as many broken weapons and tools as possible. Step 2: Use his SSS-Rank Architect of creation Skill to fix them. Step 3: Sell them when he goes outside the ruin. "This is better than robbing rich cultivators!" Kent laughed. I am also getting SP from Dark Alliance members, they are fighting the skeleton dragon. Ha Ha Ha!!! He stuffed his bag with as many broken weapons as he could carry, then made a mental note to return for the ore later. "Once I sell these," he murmured, rubbing his hands together, "I''ll be the richest student in this whole damn ruin." As he walked away, a bag full of broken tools and mind full of business ideas, he had no idea that things were about to get way more chaotic on the other side. Meanwhile, The Dark Alliance members stood in a tight formation, their bloodied weapons clutched tightly as they watched the massive Skeleton Dragon before them. The rage undead beast was at least twenty meters long, its hollow eye sockets burning with eerie blue flames. Its bony wings spread wide, and its jaw unhinged, letting out a deep, echoing roar that made the air itself tremble. ROOOOOAAAARRRR! The Dark Alliance Leader narrowed his eyes. "Prepare for battle." The remaining seven Level-C members instantly surrounded the dragon, their spiritual energy flaring as they prepared to engage. The dragon, seeing them as intruders, didn''t hesitate. It swung its tail like a wrecking ball, aiming to crush it in one move. WHOOSH! "DODGE!" the leader bellowed. The fighters scattered, just in time to avoid the massive tail that slammed into the ground. The shockwave sent rocks and debris flying, causing the weaker members to stumble. But one wasn''t fast enough. A Level-C fighter was too slowthe dragon''s tail clipped him before he could escape. CRACK! The unfortunate cultivator''s ribs shattered, and he was sent flying across the battlefield before slamming into a boulder. BOOM! "ARGH!!" He screamed in pain. Blood dripped from his mouth as he clutched his chest. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain). The leader didn''t even look at him. Forget him, he barked. "The weak are just stepping stones for the strong." Knowing the Dark Alliance''s brutal philosophy, the others didn''t protest. They tightened their grips on their weapons, steeling themselves for what came next. Chapter 75 - 75: Dark alliance fights and Nexus watches from the shadows. "Split into two teams!" the leader commanded. "One distracts it; the other aims for weak points!" The Dark Alliance members moved with precision, years of ruthless training kicking in. The first team rushed forward, launching a flurry of attacks at the dragon''s legs to limit its mobility. "FLAME STRIKE!" one of them yelled, slashing his fire-infused sword across the dragon''s shinbone. WHOOSH! But!! The flames barely left a mark on the dragon''s enchanted bones. The beast snarled, stomping the ground in retaliation. BOOOOOM! The shockwave sent three of them flying. One landed on his face. SPLAT! Ding! +1,500 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Pain). The second team saw an opening. One of the strongest Level-C members leapt onto the dragon''s spine, activating his shadow-infused spear technique. "DIE, BEAST!" His spearhead glowed black, vibrating with condensed spiritual energy. With a battle cry, he plunged the weapon into the dragon''s spine! STAB! For a momentthere was silence. Then BOOOOOOOOOOM! The dragon erupted with dark energy, its spinal bones twisting unnaturally. The fighter on its back let out a bloodcurdling scream as his own attack was reflected back at him. CRACK! His body turned into ashes before it even hit the ground. Ding! +2,000 SP Copied from Dark Alliance (Death). "ENOUGH!" the Dark Alliance Leader roared, stepping forward. His spiritual aura exploded, revealing his true power as a Level-B cultivator. His shadow energy expanded, forming dark claws around his hands. He vanished from sight, only reappearing on top of the dragon''s skull. With one powerful motion, he slammed both of his fists down. BOOM! The impact cracked the dragon''s skull, forcing it to stumble. The other Level-C fighters seized the chance and attacked in unison, their weapons piercing through the dragon''s joints. The combined force was too much. The Skeleton Dragon let out one final, echoing roar before its body collapsed into a heap of bones. As the dust settled, the survivors of the Dark Alliance stood in silence, panting heavily. Out of the ten who started, only five remained standing. The leader wiped the sweat from his forehead, gazing at the defeated beast. He smirked. "The strongest always win." Still catching his breath, one of his men asked, "What now, boss?" The leader stepped forwardhis eyes locked onto something floating in the air. It was a massive, glowing ballthis must be the Ruin core. His smirk widened. "Now we take what''s ours." The air was still thick with battle energy. The once-mighty Skeleton Dragon now lay in ruins, its massive bones scattered across the battlefield. The Dark Alliance had won the fightbut not without casualties. Their forces were weakened, and their leader, the powerful Level-B cultivator, was visibly exhausted. The prolonged battle had drained him, and his subordinates weren''t faring any better. The Dark Alliance''s remaining fighters, all Level-C cultivators, stood near their fallen comrades, catching their breath. Their weapons were covered in bone dust; some had deep wounds from the Skeleton Dragon''s final attacks. The leader wiped blood from his mouth, his red eyes burning with determination. "This was just an obstacle," he muttered. "The real prize is ahead." He turned to his surviving men. "We move now. The Ruin Core is close." His voice was cold, decisive. They had no time to waste. They had to reach the glowing ball (they think it''s the Ruin core) before Nexus and the Watchers arrived. But what the leader didn''t know Jade Monroe was already three steps ahead. Not far behind, hidden in the shadows, Jade Monroe and his elite Watchers observed the Dark Alliance''s movements. Jade crouched near a half-broken pillar, his sharp eyes following their leader''s every move. Tyler Stone stood beside him, whispering, "They''re moving toward the Ruin Core. Do we attack now?" Jade smirked. "Not yet." His golden eyes gleamed with strategy. "The Dark Alliance just fought the Skeleton Dragon. They''re weak. They''re running on fumes. And they''re still heading into another battle inside the Core Chamber." He tapped his sword hilt. "Why should we fight them now when we can let them fight someone else first?" Tyler raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Ruin Guardian?" Jade nodded. "Exactly. Every ruin has a final Guardian protecting its Core. It''s their last line of defense." Tyler''s eyes widened with realization. "So we let the Dark Alliance waste their strength fighting the Guardian then we move in and finish off whoever survives?" Jade grinned. "Now you''re thinking like me." Nexus Jade turned to his squad of Watchers. "Everyone, listen up. We''re following them, but we don''t engage until I give the signal." He raised a communication artifact, a small crystal that allowed him to send silent spiritual messages to his entire team. "Move in formation. Stay hidden. If anyone is spotted, retreat immediately. No fights until I say so." The Watchers nodded in unison, their expressions serious. One of them, a young scout who didn''t listen to what Jade was saying, whispered, "Sir, what if they notice us?" Jade smirked. "Then we''ll give them a reason to run faster." I just said what to do. Are you nervous? The silent hunt had begun. The Dark Alliance leader moved quickly, leading his men through the narrow corridors of the ruin. The passage was dimly lit, torches flickering against ancient stone walls lined with carvings of forgotten battles. Despite their injuries, they pushed forward. They knew, sooner or later, that Nexus and the Watchers would come. They had to reach the Ruin Core first. One of the Level-C members panted. "Sir, should we set up traps behind us? Slow them down?" The leader shook his head. "No. That wastes time. We keep moving." They didn''t know how close Jade and his men were. As they neared the massive stone statue of the Ruin Core Chamber, the Dark Alliance leader raised his hand and signalled his men to stop. "We''re here." Before them stood two gigantic stone figures covered in ancient runes. These pulsed with faint, ominous energy unlike anything they had ever seen. The leader turned to his men. "This is it. The Core Chamber." Jade Monroe smirked from the shadows. "Walk right in, idiots." As soon as the Dark Alliance crossed the stone statues, a wave of thick spiritual energy flooded the air. The chamber started to shake, with towering pillars and a raised altar at the center, where the Ruin Core pulsed with a deep red glow. Something big started to materialize in front of them. ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRR!!! A monstrous growl echoed through the chamber as a shadowy figure moved in the darkness. The Dark Alliance members froze. The leader narrowed his eyes. "So this is the final test" From the shadows, two massive glowing eyes flickered to life. A colossal beast, shrouded in black mist, stepped forward, its claws scraping against the stone. Its body shifted between physical and ethereal as if it existed in multiple planes of existence at once. "The Ruin Guardian had awakened." Outside the chamber, Jade smiled in satisfaction. Tyler whispered, "Now what?" Jade''s fingers tapped against the hilt of his sword. "We wait." The Dark Alliance was about to fight for their lives And when they are at their weakest we will strike. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Kent rubbed his hands together as he stood before a pile of broken spiritual tools, weapons, and rusted armor pieces. His storage and bag were already overflowing with loot, but there was no way he was leaving behind valuable materials. Ding! System Notification: Architect Skill Activated! Hellfire can now be used to refine and restore spiritual tools. Kent''s eyes widened. "Hell yeah!" Kent grinned, cracking his knuckles. First he grabs an Ore. Then. FWOOSH! He summoned his Hellfire, the black flames crackling ominously around his hands. He grabbed a broken spiritual sword, its once sharp blade now chipped and covered in rust. "Time for some crafting magic!" Holding the weapon firmly, Kent channeled his flames into it. SIZZLE! The rust melted away instantly, revealing a polished silver blade beneath. Cracks and dents vanished as if time had reversed. The sword glowed faintly, the inscription on its hilt reappearing. Ding! +1 Restored Spiritual Sword (Rank-E) Added to Inventory. Kent whistled. "Now that''s what I''m talking about! These things will sell for a fortune!" With renewed excitement, he continued fixing dozens of weapons at lightning speed. CLANG! CRACKLE! WHOOSH! Ding! Restored Spiritual Tools (Rank-E) Added to Inventory. Spiritual Armors (Rank-D) Added to Inventory. Kent chuckled, stuffing the items into his storage. "Alright, time to head back and make some serious money!" The energy radiating from the guardian was dense and suffocating as if the very essence of the battlefield''s past wars had been compressed into this one place. But the Core wasn''t unguarded. ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!! A bone-chilling roar echoed through the chamber, making the ground tremble beneath their feet. Then the shadows moved. It was unlike anything the Dark Alliance had faced before. It stood on four jagged legs, its claws sharp enough to carve through stone. Chapter 76 - 76: A Three-way Battle happened, while Kent Gets the Benefits. --- The guardian eyesfour of them, burning like molten emberslocked onto the intruders. Most terrifying of all was the aura it radiated. A corrupting force, twisting and warping the very air around it. The Dark Alliance leader''s eyes narrowed. "So this is the final challenge." The Ruin Guardian lunged forward, moving faster than something its size should be capable of. BOOM! Its claws slammed down, cracking the stone beneath it as the Dark Alliance barely dodged in time. "SPREAD OUT!" the leader barked, already forming hand seals. The Level-C cultivators leaped away, drawing their weapons as they circled the beast. One of them778rushed in first. "I''ll slow it down!" His hands ignited with dark energy, and he thrust them forward. "Shadow Chains!" Dark chains shot from his hands, wrapping around the Guardian''s front leg! For a moment, it looked like it worked. Then CRACK! The Guardian ripped through the chains as if they were paper, the backlash sending 778 flying into a pillar. BOOOOOM! The leader clicked his tongue. "It''s resistant to spirit-based attacks. Use direct force!" Another Level-C dark alliance fighter charged forward, swinging a massive war axe at the Guardian''s leg. CLANG! The blade struck, sparks flying! But instead of cutting through, the axe shattered on impact. "WHAT?!" The fighter''s eyes widened in horror. The Guardian swung its hands. WHOOOOSH! It slammed into the fighter, sending him flying on the ground. CRASH! He hit the ground, slumping forward. Unconscious. The leader growled. "This thing is stronger than the Skeleton Dragon" He gritted his teeth, then shouted: "We need to cut off its energy source!" The leader turned his attention to the stone statues. I think it is the source of the Guardian''s power, he barked. If we could damage it, the beast might weaken or even stop functioning. He pointed to two of his men. "You! Attack the statues!" The two Level-C cultivators nodded and dashed toward the pulsating statues. Just as they raised their weapons ROOOOAAARRRR! The Guardian reacted instantly. A massive shadow tendril shot from its body, slamming into the first cultivator. BOOM! The second barely dodged, rolling to the side. "DAMN IT!" he cursed, trying to regroup. The leader''s expression darkened. "We can''t get close to the Core until this thing is dead." He took a deep breath. Then, his aura exploded. Dark spiritual energy engulfed his body, his cultivation surging as he activated his full power. "ALL UNITS, ATTACK!" His entire force charged forward, surrounding the Guardian. Dark spiritual energy rained down upon it. The Guardian howled in fury, its form shifting and distorting! It began to lash out wildly, claws and tendrils tearing through the battlefield. The Dark Alliance fought with everything they had. But for every attack, they landed The Guardian barely flinched. Outside the chamber, Jade Monroe watched the battle unfold. His fingers tapped against the hilt of his sword, his mind calculating. "They''re struggling." Tyler Stone, standing next to him, smirked. "You called it perfectly, sir." Jade''s lips curled into a smile. "They''re too busy fighting the Guardian. Now''s our chance." He turned to his Watchers. "Everyone, get ready. We enter the moment they show weakness." His golden eyes burned with anticipation. "This ruin is ours. We will get to the core." After collecting loots and repairing them. Kent comes to the core chamber. Kent peeked from behind a crumbling wall, watching as the dark alliance fighters engaged the Shadow Beast. Nexus and Watchers waiting to attack them. "Alright, boys, you keep each other busy while I go treasure hunting," he whispered. Ding! System Notification: Ruin Core Located. 100 meters north, beneath the ancient altar. "Sweet! System, you really know how to make my life easy!" Kent activated Flashing Step, dashing toward the altar. He arrived at the site within seconds, finding a large stone platform covered in ancient carvings. Is it this huge ball? How am I supposed to get it? Ding! System notifications: This isn''t the Ruin core. It''s a void fragment. A vast space of nothing. "What then where''s the core?" He scanned the altar, looking for anything unusual. His eyes locked onto a small crack in the stone, a faint golden glow seeping out. It''s a hidden chamber. Bingo!!! Kent grinned, so the core was under the altar, inside this hidden chamber, rubbing his hands together. "Time to get rich!" Just as he enters the hidden chamber beneath the altar! RUMBLE! The altar shook violently, cracks spreading across its surface. On the battlefield. A few seconds earlier. Jade Monroe''s golden eyes gleamed as he signaled to his Watchers. The Dark Alliance was fully occupied with the Ruin Guardian, their attacks barely making a dent against its monstrous form. This was the moment. With a single motion of his hand, the Watchers moved. WHOOSH! Dozens of figures emerged from hiding, their weapons coated in spiritual energy as they descended upon the battlefield. The Dark Alliance barely had time to react. "WATCHERS?! HERE?!" a Level-C Dark Alliance member shouted, his face twisted in shock. SHING! A Watcher''s blade tore through his back before he could even raise his weapon. Blood sprayed into the air as he collapsed. Tyler Stone charged in first, his greatsword gleaming with raw power. "NO MERCY!" he roared, swinging his weapon at the nearest enemy. SWING! His blade crashed down, slicing through a Level-C enemy''s spiritual shield like paper and sending the man slamming into a stone pillar. "GAAAAHHH!" The rest of the Watchers followed, engaging the Dark Alliance forces in brutal combat. While his men fought, Jade Monroe had one target in mind. His eyes locked onto the Dark Alliance Leader, the Level-B cultivator still battling the Ruin Guardian. The leader''s back was turned. Jade smirked. You back open, it''s like you''re begging me to end your suffering. Don''t worry, I am a generous person. I will help you. WHOOSH! He vanished, reappearing directly behind the Dark Alliance Leader "Surprise." SLASH! Jade''s sword, coated in golden flames, sliced toward his enemy''s neck. But!! The leader spun around, barely blocking in time with his dagger. CLANG! Sparks exploded as their weapons clashed, shaking the ground beneath them. Kent felt that shaking under the altar. The leader''s red eyes burned with fury. "Monroe YOU!" Jade grinned. "Missed me?" While Jade engaged the leader, Tyler led the charge against the remaining Dark Alliance forces. Two Level-C Dark Alliance members lunged at him, their weapons glowing with dark energy. "DIE, WATCHER!" one screamed, slashing at his side. Tyler sidestepped, his greatsword already moving SHIIING! He decapitated the first enemy in a single swing. The second hesitated Too slow. Tyler grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. CRACK! He snapped his neck and tossed the corpse aside. "KEEP PRESSING!" Tyler roared, his men surging forward with renewed fury. The Dark Alliance, already weakened by the Ruin Guardian''s attacks, began to fall apart. ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!! The Ruin Guardian, still fighting, sensed the battle shifting. Its form twisted, growing larger, the shadows around it surging like a raging storm. Its power spiked. With a mighty leap, it crashed into the battlefield, sending both Watchers and Dark Alliance members flying. BOOOOOOOM! Jade and the Dark Alliance Leader barely dodged as the beast''s massive claws slammed into the ground between them. The leader growled, eyes narrowing. "This thing is getting stronger." Let''s not fight. First, we kill this guardian then we fight. What do say, Monroe? No. Jade adjusted his grip on his sword. " Whoever is stronger wins. I don''t want to be an ally of you sick Bastard." The Guardian lunged at them, its four glowing eyes burning with ancient fury. Jade charged forward, sword flaring with a golden dragon formed by spiritual energy. The Dark Alliance Leader did the same, his black energy swirling around his dagger. At the last second They both vanished. WHOOSH! Reappearing above the Guardian''s head, their weapons aimed at its core. "DIE!" they roared in unison. SLASH! Their combined strike pierced through the beast''s skull, cutting straight into its core. The Guardian let out a final, ear-piercing shriek Then It collapsed. BOOOOOOM! The entire chamber shook, the beast''s body dissolving into dust. Kent also felt that shaking. The battlefield fell silent. The Dark Alliance members that remained looked around in horror. The Guardian was gone. Their leader was injured. The Watchers were still standing. And Jade Monroe was grinning. "Well, that was fun." The Dark Alliance Leader staggered backward, clutching his wounded shoulder. His eyes darted to the Ruin altarthen back at the Watchers. Jade saw it. "Trying to run?" Not Happening! The leader gritted his teeth. Then WHOOSH! Jade launches an attack on the Dark Alliance group leader. The Ruin chamber trembled, dust falling from the cracked ceiling as the Shadow Beast''s remains faded into nothingness. The Dark Alliance Leaderthe last threat standingstaggered, blood trickling down his arm from the wound Jade had inflicted. His once-powerful aura was now unstable, flickering like a dying flame. Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 77 - 77:The Final Battle & A Contract with Fire ---- His red eyes darted between the Watchers and the Ruin Altar, calculating his next move. He knew he couldn''t win against all of them. But Jade Monroe wasn''t about to let him escape. "You can''t run. Death is your only option." The leader gritted his teeth. Then WHOOSH! He vanished into the shadows. CLANK! sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jade vanished too, his sword slicing through the air where the leader had stood. Thendark energy erupted behind him. "DIE, MONROE!" The leader reappeared, a dagger aimed at Jade''s spine. But SLASH! Jade had already countered. With blinding speed, he twisted mid-air, his golden sword slashing across the leader''s chest. "GRAAAHHH!" The Dark Alliance Leader was sent flying, crashing through a ruined pillar. BOOM! Jade landed lightly, flicking blood off his blade. "Tch. You''re too slow." The Dark Alliance group Leader staggered to his feet, his hand clutching his bleeding chest. His breaths came in ragged gasps. He was losing. But he refused to die here. With a roar, his spiritual energy erupted, his body covered in a swirling black aura. "IF I DIE, I''M TAKING YOU ALL WITH ME!" The air around him darkened, shadows gathering at his fingertips. Jade''s eyes narrowed. "Tch. He''s going to self-destruct." The Watchers took a step back, preparing to counter or flee. But Jade Monroe was already moving. WHOOSH! In a blur, he appeared in front of the leader. The Dark Alliance Leader''s eyes widened. "WHAT?!" Jade''s hand shot forward, gripping the leader''s face. "Die quietly." Then THUD! Jade slammed the leader''s head into the ground, his golden energy erupting through the man''s skull. The force of the impact cracked the stone floor, sending shockwaves rippling through the chamber. A second later The Dark Alliance Leader stopped moving. His body twitched oncethen went still. The one remaining Dark Alliance members froze, watching their leader''s lifeless body. Thenpanic. "H-He''s dead!" "I NEED TO ESCAPE!" The last Dark Alliance member fell to his knees, dropping his weapons in surrender. Don''t kill me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Jade Monroe exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Finally." Tyler Stone walked up, kicking the dead leader''s body. "Damn, that was brutal." Jade wiped the sweat from his brow. "He was annoying." Then, his eyes shifted to the Ruin Altar, still pulsing with ancient energy. "Now where the hell is my bro?" I don''t see him anywhere Kent was nowhere near the battlefield. While everyone was fighting for their lives, Kent had sneaked away, following the system''s guidance to the Ruin''s true treasure. Meanwhile, When the dark alliance leader and Jade Monroe were fighting. Kent was busy collecting the most valuable treasure of this ruin. Ding! System Notification: The host has reached the Ruin Core Chamber. Primary Treasure Detected: Void Fragment. The system advises the host to take the void fragment. Most valuable treasure here. Kent''s eyes lit up. "Void Fragment? That sounds expensive." System, how do I take it? Tell me quickly. I don''t have much time. I can feel the battle is about to end soon. Ding! The host needs to refine the void fragment. After refining the host will have a void as a storage. It will merge with the host soul and system. He approached the ancient pedestal in the center of the chamber. A shiny, floating ball hovered above it, radiating immense power. The moment he stepped closer FWOOSH! A surge of pure void energy erupted, pushing Kent back. "Whoa, chill!" Ding! System Notification: Warning: The Void Fragment is too powerful for the host. Refining it will require a significant amount of system energy to refine it. A temporary system shutdown will occur after refining is done. Kent froze. "Wait. You''re telling me if I take this thing, the system will shut down?!" Ding! Correct. Kent frowned. No system meant no abilities, no Appraisal, no SP tracking But it also meant A massive power boost. His grip tightened. "Screw it. I''m taking it." He reached forward, placing his hand on the Void Fragment. SHINY! An explosion of VOID energy engulfed the room. Kent''s body trembled as the void energy merged with his soul. Ding! System Notification: The Refinement Process started. 1% 10% . 50%..... 80%.... 100% Congratulations host. Refining is complete. System entering sleep mode Warning: Because the host took the void fragment. This ruin became unstable. The ruin was inside the void fragment. Now the ruin will disappear within a few minutes. All living things will be sent to the real world. Including animals who lived here. Good luck, Host. Thensilence. Kent blinked. The system is gone. System you are telling me everything will go outside. Although, these animals aren''t that strong. It will be hard for Nexus and Watcher to handle everything. As the chaos settled, a soft chirping sound came from Kent''s jacket. He looked down. His Emberling Sparrow, the tiny firebird that had followed him, was staring at Kent curiously. It tilted its head. Kent says. Ohh! I forgot to make a contract with you. Then Kent bites his finger, blood comes out and he drops blood on Emberling''s sparrow head. Then, suddenly FWOOSH! The bird''s body ignited, flames flickering around its feathers. Kent''s eyes widened. Ding! System Offline. Emergency Contract Ritual Activated. A strange, glowing rune circle appeared beneath Kent and the bird. A voice echoed in his mindthe system''s final automated function before shutting down. Contract Formation: Emberling Sparrow. A firebird has chosen you as its master. Do you accept it? Kent smirked. "Hell yeah, I accept!" The moment he spoke BOOOOOOOM! A fiery explosion erupted around them. The Emberling Sparrow let out a joyful cry, its body glowing brighter as the contract was completed. Kent sees the memory of the Emberling Sparrow''s full life in a flash. He sees how he was bullied by his siblings, how his parents didn''t care about him, how his mother ignored him, and how his father threw him out of the family for his unusual color. How the little bird survived alone on the farm. How It finds Kent with a big risk. When the flames died down Kent felt a new connection in his soul. The bird head where Kent dropped his blood, a golden star mark appeared. It shines for a few seconds. Then the star becomes part of the bird''s body. As if the mark was always there in his head. The sparrow hopped onto his shoulder, looking proud of itself. Kent grinned. "Welcome to the team, little guy." Don''t worry, you are not alone anymore. From now on, you will be my Family. You have parents but you live the life of an orphan just like me. You know I have a little sister, I think she will be happy when she sees you. Suddenly RUMBLE RUMBLE The entire ruin shook violently. A massive crack formed across the ceiling, and stone debris began falling. Kent''s smile dropped. "Shit." He grabbed the Ruin core, shoved it into his pocket, and ran toward the exit. The entire ruin was collapsing or rather it was disappearing. Back at the battlefield, Jade Monroe had just finished his battle with the Dark Alliance group leader. Tyler stretched. "Finally, it''s over." Then RUMBLE RUMBLE The entire ruin started shaking. Jade''s eyes widened. "WAIT what happened? Where is the Ruin core?" ( Here he meant the ball above the altar. The void fragment. They thought the void fragment was the Ruin core.) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) +999 so copied from Jade. ( Frustration) Then BOOOOOM! The main chamber doors EXPLODED. And Kent came running out of nowhere at full speed, a panicked look on his face. Jade stared at him. Where were you, bro? I was looking for you. Kent stopped running. Then he says, I was just looking around, trying to find some treasures. But my luck is very bad. See, pointing at his back, I only got some low-level broken spiritual tools. Jade said, don''t worry bro, when the next ruin opens we will look for treasures together. Tyler Stone angrily says, Why are you two talking so calmly in a situation like this? We all need to run. Sir, You two can talk when you get outside. It looks like everyone is going to break. Kent said. He is right. We should get out of this chamber. Let''s go. Jade said, wait bro I need to find the core. Give me a minute. It suddenly disappeared. I think we missed a Dark Alliance member. He might have taken the core. I need to find him. Suddenly, a Twister-like spiritual energy sucked everything out: living and dead bodies of people who died inside like they were turning into ashes. Including the animals of the ruin. Outside the stone gate, in the center area, Ethan says, what is happening? Everyone panicked at the camp. Miss Elena said to look after the prisoners we are getting out. I guess Nexus Jade must have secured the core. Once we get out don''t let any of the Dark Alliance members run. Chapter 78 - 78: Returning to the real world after One week. Outside the ruin, there are thousands of people gathering around the graveyard mountains. Many people were there waiting for their children, brothers, nephews, etc. Some parents have been waiting on the graveyard mountains since the ruin opened. The Military and Watchers are guarding the graveyard mountain ruin. Many parents want to go inside to save their children. But the military is holding them back. They created a safe zone. No one is allowed to cross this safe zone. Otherwise, they will be charged as a criminal. People are very angry. It''s getting hard to control the crowd. One of the parents started to yell at a military officer. When will you let me go? I want to go inside the ruin. I need to save my kid. It''s been over a week since you are holding us here. I can''t wait anymore. Another father says, Let me in, I will go and save my boy. My boy is very dull, he will be taken advantage of, and maybe other people will leave him in danger. I need to go, please I beg you to let me in. The Military officer can''t hold the crowd. A Tier-3 Watcher comes. Please calm down. There are more than hundreds of our members inside the ruin, also a Nexus is there. They will save your children. Keep a little more patient. I am sure they will be back soon. Suddenly, From the crowd someone says, look look at the mountains it''s glowing. Something is happening there. As soon as the lights fade, thousands of people land on the ground. Some land on their feet, some fall on their butt, some on their faces. Shine! Faded! Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Many lifeless and bloody bodies were around the area. Parents started to panic seeing hundreds of dead bodies. They wanted to run to the mountains to look for their children. Everyone is busy controlling them. Please stop. We will call for you. You can''t rush there. No one listens. Suddenly LOGAN, the leader of NEXUS and WATCHER uses spiritual pressure. Everyone please listen to me, we will first give medical treatment to everyone. After that, we will call you guys. If you rush in now many more people might die. Because of interference,e we won''t be able to give medical care properly. We can''t let you guys go in. Meanwhile, when everyone is busy with students and parents. All the animals who lived inside the ruins came out. Nobody has time to pay attention to them. All evolved animals go in different ways. Beside the mountain was a forest. Then a broader country. A forest hundreds of thousands of kilometers long. Most of the animals go into the forest. Kent and others come out. The Emberling sparrow sitting on Kent''s shoulder. The sparrow is very shocked to see all kinds of strange things. (Lights, cars, tanks, long watch towers, camps, etc) Kent says, don''t be scared, it''s all normal things in this world. I will teach you everything about the real world soon. Ethan and Mia come close to Kent. You are okay Kent, Ethan says. Mia just nods silently, I am glad you didn''t get hurt. Other students started to cry. I can''t believe this, I am back. I am alive. Can someone pinch me, please? I don''t know if I am dreaming or not. Oh, you want to get pinched. I will fulfill your request. Kent goes near the students then he pulls his checks. The student''s face became red in pain. He yelled please let go. +999 SP copied from xxx. +999 sp from Jade. (Frustration) +999 sp from Jade. (Angry) +999 sp from Jade. (Sad) The system has gone offline, but I can collect SP from others. That''s great. I am getting so much SP from Jade. It''s not my fault, bro. Kent says to himself. My system made me do this. Jade standing like a fool on the graveyard mountain peak. I plan so hard. But the core went missing. Who took the core? I will be embarrassed by others'' Nexus. Miss Elena comes and says. People who are wounded and injured will receive treatment. Everyone listen, everything you gathered in the ruins needs to be recorded. So go this way. After everything he completed, we will calm your parents and relatives, people who live in other cities we will take you home if your parents aren''t present. Miss Elena says, Kent please come with me. I need you for something important. Kent follows Miss Elena into a tent. Kent could feel there is immense spiritual energy coming from the tent. He says to himself, where the hell is she taking me? Why do I feel like I am a sheep entering a Tiger''s cave? Kent goes inside the tent with Miss Elena. Kent sees Jade Monroe was there and Logan and another guy Liam. All of them are Nexus. Before coming here Kent gave his weapon bag to Ethan. Most of the good ones are in Kent system storage. He came here with empty hands. Miss Elena says I have noticed your footwork technique inside the ruin. I saw the same footwork technique used by a person who defeated the robber. I guess you know about that. We have suspicions that that guy is a Dark Alliance member. I am not accusing you of something. I just want to know if you are that person or not. Kent is very silent, he doesn''t know what to say now. Kent is thinking of some kind of excuse. Kent says. I bleed for my country inside the ruins. I help students with weapons and food. This is how I get repaid. +999 SP copied from Elena (guilt) +999 SP copied from Elena (regret) Miss Elena says, please stop. I am sorry, but this is a serious issue. You just need to stand in front of a mirror. Afterward, you can go and register your loot. Jace steps in, bro don''t get angry it''s really a serious issue, it will take only a few seconds. I know you''re not a Dark Alliance member. Logan and Liam only observe everything. Kent says fine. Where''s the mirror? I don''t have much time. I have been away from home for a long time. I need to go home. Chapter 79 - 79: Going Home after one week. Miss Elena points at a mirror inside the camp. It has silver carvings of some kind of ancient patterns. The glass looks as white as milk. It doesn''t show any reflection when Kent stands in front of the mirror. Miss Elena says this mirror is an ancient artifact. It is called a true self-mirror. You just need to touch it with your spiritual energy. It will show your true self hidden inside your heart. Please do it. Without wasting any Kent gathered some spiritual energy in his hands. Then he gently touches the mirror. Kent also wants to know what his true self looks like. He thinks it will be something cool. At Kent''s touch, the mirror gives a shiny glow blinding everyone. Once the lights fade Kent sees money on the mirror. What the hell? Miss Elena and all three Nexus get shocked. Jade says you are truly by bro. Kent stares at the mirror like a stone. Miss Elena says alright you can go now Kent. I am sorry about everything. Jade said alright bro come with me. I have something to tell you. Let''s go. They both go outside. In the mirror, suddenly the image changed, from money, it became a sharp sword. Logan and Liam noticed it. Logan, I thought there was something wrong. How could someone''s true self show as money? It was a glitch. So his true self is a sword. He must be practicing a sword technique. Elena, you are wrong about him. He isn''t a Dark Alliance member. Miss Elena says. I am very glad that he isn''t. But my instinct tells me he is the same person who killed the robber. Liam says, if he is the same person, then he must have some reason to hide it from us. One thing is sure. He isn''t a member of the Dark Alliance. Logan says, Jade told me he wants to make this kid an official. What do you think of Elena? Miss Elena says He is very strong. He might be one the best of his generation. He contributed a lot to clear this ruin. He only has one problem: he acts weird from time to time. Otherwise, he is the best student I have. Outside the tent, Jade says to Kent. You weren''t in danger, right? What happened can''t tell me, bro. Did you see the core? Who took it? Kent says, I was following them but suddenly a dragon attacked, I hid there, I was too afraid to do anything. That''s why I couldn''t find anything. I only find some low-level spiritual tools. I came out when I felt the chamber was about to break down. Here I will give you half of the loot as promised. Ethan was outside waiting for Kent. He gives Kent his loot back. From there Kent gives jade half. After that Kent says. Bro you know I have a little sister. She is home alone. I never leave her alone for a day. But this time it''s over one week. I have to go home. She might be very angry. Okay, you go home. I will find you later in school. Jade replied. Two hours later, Kent goes home. Kent was sneaking from the window to see Nima''s mood. What Kent found made him dumbfounded. Nima was watching an anime called Tokyo Ghouls on the new TV. The anime''s opening song was playing. Nima was doing something Kent never imagined. On TV- Song: Oh, can you tell me? Can you tell me? The way that this should work? Nima singing back: My brother should cook for me. This is how things should work. But he is missing. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Song: Just who''s inside of my heart? Nima singing back: an ugly bear and a robber. Nima singing and dancing turns around. Her eyes look at the window. She sees Kent is looking at her like a pig, his face stuck to the window glass. ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! Nima yelled in embarrassment. She froze for a second. Then she makes a serious face. What are you, big brother? You finally remember you have a cute little sister who is waiting for you at home. Why are you sneaking into your own house like a robber? Come inside!!!!! She says with an angry face. +999 so copied from Nima. (Relief) +999 so copied from Nima. (Happy) +999 so copied from Nima. (Love) Meanwhile in the camp of graveyard mountains. Three Nexus are talking to each other. Logan says to Jade Monroe, you lost the Ruin core. What happened, can you tell me? How did you mess up? Jade replied, believe me, Logan Core was in front of me when I killed the Dark Alliance team captain. I just turned my eyes for a few seconds and suddenly it disappeared. I didn''t find any other presents there. I think there must have been another Level-B cultivator from the Dark Alliance. He had some kind of artifact to hide his presence. Liam tapping on a tea cup says, I knew you would mess up in some way. But this is beyond my imagination. A Ruin core is a precious artifact. We don''t even know what type of artifact it is. If it''s something dangerous then the dark alliance can cause a huge problem. They continue their talk, embarrassing Jade. On the other side of the camp. The true self mirror is shining bright in a dark tent. Nobody is around. The mirror shows a white burning flame, then it starts to get cover crack marks. CRACKING! Note: The white flame in Kent''s heart fire. It is far more superior to the mirror. That''s why it took so long to reveal it. The flame was so powerful the true self-mirror lost its power. It goes black. Logan, Liam, and Jade felt a disturbance but they couldn''t pinpoint the location. One of the Watcher members came running. Sir, we have a problem. The True self mirror is broken. It became dark and there were many cracks in it. Three of them go to the tent. They observed the mirror for a long time. Liam is an expert in spiritual tools and ancient knowledge. He says the mirror lost its spiritual powers. We find this mirror inside a ruin as a core. It was there for who knows how many thousands of years without any spiritual energy. This must be the reason it lost spiritual power. We can recharge it with spiritual stones. But we need hundreds of thousands of stones for that. Or we can let it recover naturally, the process will be slow but cost-effective. Logan says, right now we don''t need this mirror so much. We can''t use that many spiritual stones. We will fix it when we need it. Now the main priority is to cultivate young people. Location change, Back to Kent''s house... Chapter 80 - 80: Naming the pets and giving gifts. Back at Kent Home- Kent thinks she is pretending to be angry. But I can see with the system''s help that she isn''t that angry with me. Kent walked towards the door. Suddenly, Xian Yu and Aunty Zhou came running, they heard Nima''s screaming. Xian Yu says, Nima , are you okay? What''s wrong? Why are you screaming? Aunty Zhou says don''t be afraid, Nima. We are here. sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xian Yu sees Kent in the front yard. He says, kid, you are back from the ruins. What happened, are you injured? Why is Nima screaming? What is going on here? Kent replied Grandpa Xian Yu, don''t worry. Nothing happened. I was just peeking through the windows to see Nima''s mood. She got scared by me. That''s why she screamed. Xian Yu nods. Aunty Zhou says we were very worried about hearing her screaming. We told Nima to sleep with us. But she refused. She says she will stay in her own house. She doesn''t want you to come to an empty house. She wants to receive you when you come back. That child is very stubborn. Kent thought I wanted to help Grandpa Xian Yu for a long time with his broken physique. I heard from Nima that Grandpa Xian Yu can''t cultivate anyone because of his broken physique. Before, I couldn''t give him the physique enhancement fruit. It would raise many questions. Where did I get this fruit? Bla Bla But now that I came from the ruins I can just say I found it inside the ruin. Let''s give him some physique enhancement fruits. Kent tries to look for the fruit inside his system storage. He found out he only had two fruits there. He wanted to give him at least 5 fruits. Kent tries to buy some from the system shop. But he finds out he can''t use the system shop because of the system going offline. What the Hell! I can''t use the system lottery and system shop. I can only use storage and collect SP. Damn it, I don''t know how long it will take the system to recover. I guess I have given Grandpa Xian Yu the two physique enhancement fruits that I have right now. Kent says out loud, Grandpa I found something useful inside the graveyard mountain''s ruin. Take this. He handed him two fruits. Kent says these fruits are very useful. I found three of them. I ate one, it boosted my physique. Eat these, it will help you fix your physique. Listening to Kent''s description of the fruits, Xian Yu is very shocked. He thought he would never be able to fix his physique. Before he dies he wants to pass his legacy to Kent. But Kent gave him a second chance. He couldn''t believe that he was holding something so valuable. Xian Yu says, Kent these fruits are very valuable, I can''t take them. You and Nima should eat them. It will help you young people more. I lived my life. I am old. I don''t need them. Kent stops Xian Yu from saying anything more. He says, take it as my tuition fee for learning from you. Nima and I don''t need them. I already ate one. Nima''s physique is already good enough. I am not giving you these fruits for free. Once you recover your physique, give me a good treasure from one of the ruins. Hurry up and eat it already. Its spiritual power is disappearing. Xian Yu doesn''t know what to do. His wife says don''t think too much. Take it. If you get better you can look after them for more time. I know you become very attached to them just like me. As Kent said you have to find him some good treasure. Don''t turn down his care for you. Xian Yu makes up his mind. He eats the physique enhancement fruits. His body started to glow bright. Inside his body, all his meridians and veins are recovering. His physique is rebuilding. He can now cultivate again. Now, he doesn''t have to use his life force each time he uses spiritual energy. His body and face change. His looks became younger than before. Aunty Zhou seeing her husband couldn''t believe he became so young. She blushes and then says Honey you look very handsome, you look back to the time when we got married. Kent hearing them flirting chough, Ahem I will go inside. Nima is waiting for me. I will talk with you two later, bye. Kent goes inside his home. Xian Yu and Zhou go back to their house. Inside Kent''s house, Nima is waiting at the dining table with some fried rice. Nima says, come eat first. I cooked it today. Kent without any delay started to eat. Meanwhile, Nima is looking around Kent from right and left. Kent asks what are you looking for? Nims says I am checking to see if you have any injuries or not, then she says, Kent what have you brought for me? You came home after eight days with empty hands. I thought you would bring some gifts for me. Just like in TV dramas. Big brothers always bring gifts for their little sister. Kent says I bought many things. First Kent pulls out his bag and shows Nima some weapons. Nima doesn''t care about those. Then Kent pulled out fruits and vegetables from the ruin. Nima''s eyes just lit up. Three look so delicious. Give me. I want to eat them. Kent hands her everything. Then Kent shows Nima all the seeds. He says to Nima we will plant these seeds and grow vegetables and ginseng then we will sell them. These spiritual vegetables and ginseng will make us rich. Ha Ha Ha! Money is raining down on him in his thoughts. Suddenly, The Emberling sparrow comes out of Kent''s jacket. Nima, seeing the little fat bird, jumps out of excitement. She couldn''t hold her excitement. She grabs the little fat bird. Then she says did you bring this chicken to eat? Let''s cook it. The Emberling Sparrow is shocked after hearing that Nima wants to eat him. He tries to break free from Nima''s hand. But Nima Level-E cultivator, little bird Level-F is no match for her. It chirps louder. Let me go. I don''t want to die. (Bird language.) Kent says. It''s not chicken, it''s our new family member. He is a sparrow. From now on he will live with us. He is our pet. You have to take care of him when I go to school and work. Nima says really, we have a pet now. I was joking Kent. It''s very cute. Then Nima brings a bottle of mango juice from the fridge. Then she says little bird drink. You will like it. If you follow my command I will give you delicious food. With a smirk, Nima says, You will be my third underling. Then smelling the sweet aroma, the bird drinks some juice. Its eyes are glowing. It likes the juice very much. Nima asks Kent what his name is. Kent says I haven''t named him yet. But I thought of a name. Listen Emberling sparrow, from now on your name will be AURI. The bird chirped in acknowledgment. It''s like his name. Then Kent says to Nima I still have something very useful for you. With its help, you can make one of your servants very powerful. It''s a soul fragment of an ancient cultivator who died thousands of years ago. Kent pulls out the soul fragment from system storage. He says summon your servants. It will give your servant some intelligence and help him to become stronger. Nima summons the soul bear and Raka the robber. Then she says, let''s use it on the ugly bear. Its Level is lower than the Raka. Kent says no, use it in Raka it might make Raka Level-C. Nima says no, I want to use it on the soul bear. I can feel that the soul fragment wouldn''t help Raka to level up. But it will help the soul bear. Nima takes the soul fragment from Kent''s hands. Before Kent could say anything more she fed the fragment to Soul Bear. The bear, Started to glow. Its huge and massive body is changing. Nima says I can control the bear size, Kent. I can feel the bear is changing. It''s becoming alive again. Suddenly the black form of the bear changes into white and its soul form changes into a physical form. It became a cute white bear. Its body is covered with a flower-like pattern. Nima says finally, the ugly look changes. It became so cute. I could feel that something good would happen if I fed the fragment to the bear. The bear makes a soft roar. Nima commands the bear saying change your form. The bear changes its small look and turns into a huge 8-foot-tall body. Its body patterns are glowing. Kent without saying anything just observes everything. Then he says how did you make it change its form? How did you know it would transform? Nima says I could feel it when you showed me the fragment. I can tell which servant needs it. Then Nima says the bear now become a spiritual pet. It has its own consciousness and spiritual body. It levels up too. Now it''s the same as Raka. The bear again makes a soft sound, looking at Nima. It changes form to small again. Nima says the bear is asking for a name. Hmmm. Oh, I know. You look so white and glow when you are big. I will call you LUMO. It means light. Chapter 81 - 81: The Ruin Core’s Secret The night outside was calm, but Kent''s mind was anything but. Nima you play with Auri and Lumo. I needed some rest and I wanted to take a bath. Inside Kent''s room, He leaned against the wooden wall, staring at the Ruin Core he had obtained from Graveyard Mountain''s ruins. It pulsed with a faint golden glow, a mystical presence radiating from within. But the real problem? The system was offline. Kent had tried everythingcalling up the shop, attempting to use the lottery, even checking his status panelbut nothing worked. The only functions that were still available were his storage space and SP collectionno crafting reward. No upgrades. No new abilities. He hadn''t received anything yet for completing the mission of collecting the Ruin core. He exhaled sharply. "Just great." For now, he had to figure out what this Ruin Core was. What types of artifacts is it and how it could help him? Kent sat cross-legged on his bed, holding the core in his hands. He focused his spiritual energy on it, hoping to activate somethinganything. At first, nothing happened. Then FWOOSH! A wave of ancient energy surged out of the core, engulfing Kent''s entire body. His vision went black. Suddenly, he was no longer in his house. Instead, he stood in a vast, empty space, surrounded by golden floating symbols. Ding! A voice echoed in his mind. [Ruin Core Detected. Beginning Synchronization] Kent''s heart pounded. "Waitwho''s talking?" [System Connection Unavailable. Entering Manual Override.] [Analyzing Host''s Spiritual Energy] Kent felt a rush of warmth course through him. A new screen appeared in his mind. [Ruin Core Analysis]Item: Ruin Core (Ancient Relic) State: Active Primary Function: Unknown Secondary Function: Energy Stabilization Synchronization Progress: 5% ,10%, 20%...50% Kent clenched his fists. So this thing wasn''t just a treasureit was an ancient relic with a deeper purpose. And more importantly It is somehow connecting to him. The golden symbols began to shift, merging into a figurean old man in a flowing robe, his body shimmering like mist. "You are the first to awaken me in over a thousand years," the figure spoke. Kent narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?" The man chuckled. "I am merely a fragment of consciousness within this Ruin Core. A record of history, if you will." I will vanish soon. Kent''s mind raced. "Then tell mewhat is this thing? Why did it react to me?" The figure lifted his hand, and images flashed before Kent''s eyes. Massive ruins. Towers stretching into the heavens. Ancient cultivators wielding forbidden powers. Then, a scene of wara battle so devastating that the land itself was shattered, leaving behind nothing but remnants of a forgotten era. "The Ruin Core was once the heart of an empire. It holds the knowledge of lost civilizations and the key to unlocking powers." I will give you all the knowledge I have, get ready for that young man. The old man says, after giving you all the knowledge I will disappear. I hope one day you will be able to uncover the truth of that ancient battle. Kent''s full body started to glow, he could now see the full battle. Thousands of people are fighting each other in a fight to the death. Suddenly a mysterious immortal waves his hands and the space cracks. From that broken space a piece of void fell into earth. The old man who came out of the Ruin core and all the ancient cultivators get sucked into the void fragment space including an area of the earth itself. Inside the void fragment, a battle lasts for months. When the earth''s cultivation is winning, the mysterious immortal gets angry. His servants were losing. We again make a move killing everyone including his servant. I DON''T NEED USELESS SERVANT. YOU ALL SHOULD DIE HERE FOR YOUR FAILURE. The mystery immortal locked the entire galaxy, and no spiritual energy will be able to enter here, saying from now on this galaxy will be known as wasteland. No one can cultivate here. How dare you defeat my servant. After that, the vision ended. Kent is back in his room. The old man disappeared into spiritual energy in front of Kent''s eyes. What was that fight? What am I supposed to do with this memory? What is the truth of that battle? What the Hell!! The old man disappeared without saying anything. A few seconds later, Does it mean the void fragment I refined with system help is the same as the vision? Let me check the core again. He focused his mind, channelling his energy into the Ruin Core. FWOOSH! A sudden shockwave erupted, engulfing him in darkness. Kent found himself floating in a vast empty space, pitch black, endless, and silent. Ding! A faint notification flickered in his mind, like an echo from the system''s fading voice. ...60%... 70%.... 90%..... 100% [Congratulations! The Ruin Core has merged with the host''s soul and the Void fragment. A VOID Domain has been created.] Kent''s breath hitched. "Void Domain?" He looked down and saw nothing. No ground. No sky. Just darkness stretching infinitely. His spiritual sense extended outward, mapping the space. It was massive, yet completely lifeless. Kent clenched his fists. "So, I have a personal space, but it''s just an empty wasteland?" This space is as big as the graveyard mountains Ruin. So inside the core was this entire place. That''s why the ruin disappears when I touch the core. Now it has become my Void Domain. Suddenly FWOOM! The Ruin Core pulsed, and a flat, barren land materialized beneath his feet. The darkness receded slightly, revealing a dull, grey terrain. Kent stomped the ground. Solid. But lifeless. No water. No sunlight. No trees. Just an empty land floating in the void. His heart sank. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" This looks like Asgard floating in space without any life. Then, an idea struck him. I can try too create a farm here with my new Skill. Maybe one day I can even put animals and people and other living things. Kent activated SSS-Rank Architect of Creation and reached into his storage, pulling out a handful of regular soil he had collected from the ruins. He sprinkled it over the ground. Nothing happened. "Damn it." He pulled out spiritual seeds from his loot, planting them in the soil. Still nothing. Kent frowned. "I need light. And water." without light and water into just a floating rock. But how the hell was he supposed to make light inside a void? Kent crossed his arms, thinking. "If this is my personal dimension maybe I can make a sun?" He gathered spiritual energy in his hands and tried compressing hellfire energy into a sphere. A small flame appeared, flickering weakly. Kent pushed more energy into it, forcing it to grow. It expandedthen shrank and died. Kent sighed. "Of course it doesn''t work." I need the system''s help. When will my system come back? Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Let''s try creating a water puddle. Next, he pulled out a water flask and poured some onto the ground. The moment it touched the dirt FSSSSHHH! It evaporated instantly, vanishing into the void. "Great," Kent muttered. "No water either. Guess I have to make that too." Kent stood in the middle of his brand-new Void Domain, hands on his hips, surveying the vast, lifeless wasteland. "This is absolute garbage." The so-called personal dimension he just got was nothing but a dark, barren desert. No trees, no water, no skyjust an endless stretch of useless dirt and rocks floating in a void. Kent bent down, grabbed a handful of the dry, lifeless soil, and let it crumble between his fingers. "...Yeah, this is definitely worse than my backyard." Since planting seeds and making a utopia was out of the question, Kent decided on a much simpler use for his new space. Storage. He began tossing everything he could find into the Void Domain. Weapons? Into the void. Spiritual herbs? Into the void. A chair from his room? Into the void. Nima''s emergency snack box? Wait, no. That would be suicidal. After ten minutes, his house was significantly emptier, and the Void Domain was significantly messier. Kent clapped his hands together, proud of his work. "Perfect. Now I have a massive storage space for all my loot." There was just one problem. The Void Domain had no organization. Everything was just floating around in a chaotic mess. His swords were bumping into each other. His seeds were spinning in midair. And somehow, his clothes were drifting away like ghosts in a horror movie. "Yeah, okay. I need to fix this later." Maybe I can try creating a house here. For now, he closed the Void Domain and headed outside. Kent found Nima sitting on the porch, happily munching on a plate of fried dumplings with Auri and Lumo. She glared at him suspiciously as he approached. "What do you want?" I don''t have enough food. Auri and Lumo eat a lot. I only have two dumplings left. I can only give you a bite. Chapter 82 - 82: A Farming plan and a meeting in the school. Kent smiled, putting on his best big-brother charm. "Nimaaa~" She immediately held her plate closer to her chest. "No. You''re not getting my food." Kent shook his head. "I don''t want your food this time. I have a business idea." Nima raised an eyebrow. "A business?" Kent sat down beside her and pulled out a handful of spiritual seeds he had obtained from the ruins. "We have all these rare vegetable and herb seeds, as I told you I want to sell them when they grow. So, why don''t we just buy the land behind our house and start growing them here?" You help me with that right? Nima blinked. "...You want me to be a farmer?" Kent sighed. "Not you. We''ll have your soul servants take care of the farm. Later, we can open a shop and make a ton of money selling spiritual vegetables and medicine." Nima narrowed her eyes. "That sounds like a lot of work." Kent grinned. "Not for us. The servants will do everything. You''ll just have to sit back and enjoy the profits." Once you level up you can get more soul servants. You only need a tiny bit of spiritual energy to control them. Nima was still unconvinced. "I don''t know farming sounds boring." I want to be a CEO, and a big boss, not a farmer. Kent expected this. So, he pulled out his ultimate weapon. He leaned in and whispered, "If you agree I''ll buy you unlimited snacks for a month." Nima''s chopsticks froze mid-air. Kent saw her resolve crumbling. "A-A month?" she stammered. "That''s right," Kent said, smiling evilly. "Meat buns, dumplings, spicy noodles mango juice." Whatever you want, as much as you can eat for an entire month. Nima gripped her plate tightly. "Two months," she countered. Kent pretended to hesitate, It''s a bad deal for me. But you are my one and only little sister. I can take some loss for you. "Hmm alright you got a Deal." Nima fist-pumped the air. "YES!" Hook, line, and sinker. With the great snack deal sealed, Nima was now completely on board with the plan. They would buy the land behind their house. Nima''s servants (including her previously ugly now cute bear Lumo) would manage the farm. In the future, they''d open a shop and sell their spiritual crops. Nima would be paid exclusively in snacks. "One last thing," Nima said, finishing the last dumpling. "If I''m the boss of the farm, I get to name it." Kent shrugged. "Fine. What do you want to name it?" She grinned mischievously. "Snack Land." Kent facepalmed. "...We''ll work on that." For now, you have to teach Auri how everything works here. He is like an old fossil who emerged in this world after thousands of years. Also, you can teach Lumo too. You know the soul language, so you will be able to understand everything. Nima says you don''t have to worry about that. I already have plans to teach my underlings. I will start by showing them TV. I learn most of the things from TV. So I know how to teach them. You go and prepare my snack money and buy the snack land. Alright alright. Now go to bed. It''s almost midnight. I have to attend a school meeting tomorrow. I will leave early in the morning. The next morning, Kent woke up early, stretching and yawning. He had no interest in school meetings, but today was different. It''s a really important meeting for his future. Kent gets ready for school. One hour later, Walking through the academy halls, he could feel the stares. Other students who entered Graveyard Mountain Ruin were called too. All special class students must attend today''s meeting. Miss Elena said on the group chat that this meeting would forge their future. Many students were talking about Kent when he entered the school grounds. Student one: "Is that Kent?" Student two: "I heard he killed many monsters." Student three: "Didn''t he enter the Ruin core area with Nexus and Watcher? Student four: That can''t be real." +999, +999, +999, +999, +999 SP copied from xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, ( jealous, Envy, admiration, .. .. ) Kent ignored them, but he was happy for the SP, Kent was heading straight for the classroom Inside, Nexus Jade Monroe sat behind a desk, and other students also entered. Miss Elena ordered everything to "Sit." Then she says we decided to give some of the students a trainee position in WATCHER. You can refuse your position or choose to take it. Kent slumped into the chair. "So, this is the topic of today''s meeting?" She folded her arms. "Normally, students have to prove themselves. But everyone''s contribution inside the Ruin we can''t ignore it." You all will be given a trainee rank based on your contribution. You guys also receive a salary, there''s a condition. You must take a mission assigned by the government. One by one everyone was called and given a trainee rank as a watcher. Finally, Kent''s turn is here. Jade Monroe says you have done a great job. Kent asks what my rank is. How much is the salary? Jade Monroe tapped the badge. "Tier-3 trainee Watcher." Right now everyone is a student so we will give a salary in spiritual stones. You will get three spiritual stones every month for your rank. This is your ID and batch. Kent picks up the batch and ID. " When will I get my salary? Kent smirked. Another source of income. I am getting rich. Jade Monroe says to everyone, that tier-1 trainee students will get one spiritual stone, tier-2 trainee two, and tier-3 trainee will get three spiritual stones as salary. Everyone''s salary will be given to them each month with the special class resources. In this class, there are a total of three tier-3 students. Kent, Ethan, and Mia. Kent doesn''t listen to anything, he is busy thinking about how much he will get after selling all the spiritual stones. Ethan says to Kent, "What are you thinking about? "Do you even understand the weight of a Tier-3 Watcher rank? You''re expected to take on real missions now." You might be sent overseas for a mission. Kent shrugged. "Great. More opportunities for SP." I can travel for free. This is great. Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You''re either fearless or an idiot." Overseas missions are very dangerous. "Both," Kent replied. Then Miss Elena gives everyone a registry document. "Sign this. It makes your promotion official." You can discuss it with your parents. Kent signed without reading. "Cool. Can I go now?" I have a lot of things to do today. "Dismissed." Miss Elena says. As Kent walked out, she muttered under her breath. That kid is going to be a problem. After school, Kent walked straight to meet an Old lady, the landowner behind his house. She was also the owner of their house. Garvey was a grumpy middle-aged woman with a reputation for being tough in negotiations. "I want to buy all the land behind my house," Kent said. Garvey raised an eyebrow. " Are you sure kid? That will cost a lot. That land is over fifty acres. Kent shrugged. "I have money." Don''t worry. How much is it? Garvey stroked her chin. "Alright. 500,000 dollars." I will give you a discount because you are an orphan. Kent smiled. "200,000." Garvey chuckled. "Kid, that''s not how haggling works." 450 thousand dollars. That''s my final price. Kent tilted his head. "100,000." Garvey choked. "Waitwhat?" 400 thousand is the last price. You can pay me in instalments. Keny says, I have money, I will pay in full. I am a cultivator now. If you have any problems, come to me. I will give a discount too. He transferred the money, and just like that, the land was his. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old lady, if I had known earlier, would have sold the land so cheaply. I am glad that your life changed. I hope you and your little sister live a happy life. Kent replied, Of course we will. I am planning to farm on the land. I will give you some vegetables for free. That evening, Kent and Nima stood in front of their newly bought land. Right now, it was just full of grass and old trees. But soon, it would be a farm filled with spiritual crops. Nima crossed her arms. "This is boring. It''s just dirt and grass." Kent grinned. "For now." Kent activated the Architect of Creation skill, his hand, and the land started to glow and change. He modified the soil, infusing it with spiritual energy. The ground shimmered faintly as his skill worked its magic, enriching the land instantly. Nima''s eyes widened. "Whoa." She tossed the first seed into the ground, ordering Raka to do the rest. Auri and Lumo standing beside her. Kent followed. The farming had begun. After a moment, Nima came holding a name board in her hands. Kent says, "What are you holding? Is it the farm name? She grinned mischievously. " Yes, the Snack Land board." Kent facepalmed. "Why can''t you come up with something else? There are other names besides food. Nima ignored Kent; she ordered Raka, to go place the board. Then she says, Snack Land is officially open for business. Ha Ha Ha!!! Tomorrow Kent will go back to his sword training with old man Xian Yu. He needs to find out how he can level up his sword intent. ---- Gift: The code can be redeemed by 10 different users with 10 FPs/user. The code number is and you can find the redeem center at Profile-Redeem. ---- Chapter 83 - 83: Leveling up my sword intent. That night Kent sat cross-legged on his bed. He is thinking about how to level up his sword intent. His current level is level one. Suddenly, Kent got an idea. His two SSS-RANK skills can help him level up. His first SSS-RANK copy spiritual energy sub-skills can let him copy others'' skills if he has an affinity for that. He only needs to find some cultivators who have sword intent, and then copy their intent. Although it sounds so easy, how will he find a sword-intent cultivator? Sword cultivators are easy to find but sword intent It''s like looking for a needle in a haystack. His second skill is SSS-RANK architect of creation. He can create anything as long as he has the blueprint, materials, or mental imagination or blueprint. He can fix anything or create anything. Kent murmurs to himself, I fixed many old swords in the ruins. Grandpa Xian Yu said, that if someone uses a sword for many years, that sword absorbs a tiny amount of sword intent from the user. It doesn''t matter if the user has sword intent or not. The intent gets created by repeated uses. Let me try if I can pull out that sword intent or not. Kent opened his void domain where he put everything. He pulls out all the swords. Then closed his eyes holding one sword in his hands. Kent focuses his spiritual sense on the sword, then he tries to feel the Sword''s intent. A few seconds later he found something with blue and white lines inside the sword, it was thin as if a hair was cut into thousands of slices. Kent widens his spiritual scene hands, he tries to pull that out. At first, nothing happened, but then those tiny thin lines started to gather around his hands. When Kent opens his eyes he sees some sword intent gather around his real hand. Kent without any delay makes a fist crushing the sword intent. The sword intent inter his body and veins making his sword intent grow a little. But Kent didn''t feel any chances. One by one Kent gathered all the sword''s sword intent. After that, a system default notification comes. Ding! Sword intent: Level- One Progress: 51% Note: Create(by training) or absorb 49% more sword intent to level up. After seeing the notification Kent gets angry. Damn it. After doing that much work my progress is only Fifty-one percent. I don''t have any sword left. I have to go back to training Xian Grandpa Xian Yu for level up. . . . Next day- . . . The morning sun had barely risen when Kent arrived at the backyard, yawning and stretching. Today was the day. Ever since he pulled out the sword intent from the old weapons, he could sleep the entire night. Progress: 51%. That number had been taunting him like an unfulfilled promise. But not for long. Standing in the yard was Xian Yu, the grumpy old sword master, already drinking tea like he had no mortal worries. His previously long grey beard now black and medium size swayed slightly in the morning breeze, and his sharp eyes glanced at Kent lazily. "You''re late," Xian Yu muttered. Kent yawned. "The sun''s barely up." "A true swordsman starts before the sun rises." Kent sighed. "Yeah? A true swordsman also needs sleep." Xian Yu flicked his wrist, and a single leaf floated from a tree nearby. Before Kent could react, the leaf shot toward him at insane speed, slicing the tip of his hair. Kent gulped. "Alright. Maybe less arguing, more training." The old man is different now. After his broken physique was fixed, he started to act more arrogantly. Kent picked up his wooden training sword, assuming a stance. His mind focused, his breathing steady. Sword intent wasn''t just about swinging hardit was about will. Xian Yu, watched as Kent closed his eyes, focusing deeply. The air around Kent shifted. A faint pressure formed, as if the world itself was responding to him. And thenboom. Kent''s wooden sword glowed faintly, surrounded by a sharp aura. The ground beneath him cracked slightly as a surge of energy pulsed outward. Xian Yu''s teacup slipped from his fingers and shattered. "What is the" Kent didn''t notice. His focus was entirely on the sensationhis sword intent was leveling up. Because last night he absorbed all that sword intent. His body gets the sensation to it, now creating sword intent at the speed of light (Temporary). The scattered fragments of sword intent he had absorbed resurfaced, merging into something stronger. Ding! Sword Intent: Level-2 Achieved! Next level-up progress: 1% Kent''s eyes snapped open. His training sword hummed with energy, vibrating like it had a will of its own. "Holy crap," Kent muttered, looking at his sword. He turned to Xian Yu, excited to show off. But the old man was gone. He could find the old man in the yard. Inside the house, Xian Yu stood in front of a mirror, gripping his beard and crying like a baby in frustration. "Unbelievable. UNBELIEVABLE." He had trained in the way of the sword for decades. As a child, he practised until his hands bled, swinging his blade thousands of times a day. Yet, he never awakened sword intent. And then this bratthis nonsense-spewing, money-hoarding, naughty bratcomes along and awakens sword intent in two months. Two Months Xian Yu yanked his hair in frustration. "What is the meaning of this?!" Outside, Kent was still training, clueless. But thenDing! +250, +550, +777, +888, +999, +999, +999.. SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration). Kent paused, blinking. "Wait, what?" Why was Xian Yu frustrated? Moments later, Xian Yu returned, looking perfectly calm. Kent narrowed his eyes. Suspicious. "Old man," Kent started, "Did something" "Nothing happened," Xian Yu cut in. "...You sure?" "Of course," Xian Yu said, face twitching slightly. He quickly changed the subject. "Anyway. I have something to teach you." Kent shrugged. "Alright." Xian Yu plucked two leaves from the nearby tree. He flicked his wrist, and the leaves floated effortlessly in the air. Kent watched, unimpressed. "Leaf bending? That''s your lesson?" Are you AVATAR? Xian Yu sighed. "Idiot. Watch closely." With a subtle movement of his fingers, the two leaves shot forward, cutting through a rock like hot knives through butter. Kent''s mouth fell open. "What the" Xian Yu smirked. "This is a principle of sword control. A master swordsman doesn''t need a weapon in his handshis will is the blade." He tossed a leaf to Kent. "Try it." Kent immediately sat cross-legged. Something clicked in his mind. Kent closed his eyes, replaying Xian Yu''s demonstration in his mind. He could feel the leaf in his hand. The way the old man manipulated it wasn''t just techniqueit was control over sword energy and aura itself. A spark ignited. The world seemed to slow. Kent inhaled, focusing every ounce of his newly levelled-up sword intent into the leaf. He flicked his fingersand the leaf floated. Kent''s heart raced. He could feel it. The leaf hovered in the air, following his will. This is it. This is the next step. And thenwhoosh! The leaf shot forward, cutting a deep line into a tree trunk. Ding! Sword Dao Technique step two learn: "Sword Control" level up from beginning To advance. Kent''s eyes snapped open. His entire being buzzed with excitement. He immediately grabbed his actual sword and lifted it slightly in the air. It worked. Kent sought. Then He moved his fingers slightlythe sword hovered. "No way" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He pointed forward. The sword shot ahead, slicing clean through a wooden dummy. He waved his handthe sword curved in midair, circling back like a guided missile. Kent laughed. "HAHAHA! This is awesome!" He played around for the next ten minutes, making his sword: -Spin in circles. -Do figure eights. -Hover behind him like a bodyguard. Then, he excitedly ran back to Xian Yu to show off. Kent burst into the house. "Old man! Look at this!" He demonstrated his new technique, making his sword hover. Xian Yu''s smile twitched. On the outside, he nodded. "Impressive." On the inside: IT TOOK ME 5 YEARS TO MASTER Sword Control! FIFTEEN Years of training yet no sword intent! AND THIS KID DID IT IN TWO MONTHS?! Xian Yu forced a smile. "Well done. Keep practising." Kent grinned. "Are you jealous?" Xian Yu drank his tea aggressively. "No." "Are you sure?" Sipppp!!!! Kent smirked and left to practice more. Xian Yu sat completely still, staring at the wall. "I''m going bald," From pulling my hair out. Just as Kent was preparing to try another trick with his flying sword, the door to the house slammed open. Nima stormed out, hair messy, eyes blazing with the fury of a sleep-deprived demon. "I CAN''T SLEEP!" she yelled. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Kent turned, then replied. "Training." Nima pointed an accusing finger. "You''re making the ground shake! And what''s with all the whooshing sounds? Are you summoning a storm?!" Xian Yu coughed into his fist. "Ahem. He levelled up his sword technique." Nima''s eyes narrowed at Kent. "Is that why you''re giggling like an idiot?" Nima stepped back. "Nope. I don''t like this. I''m going back to sleep. If you wake me up again, I''m feeding your sword to Lumo." Kent gasped. "You wouldn''t." Nima smirked. "Try me." And with that, she stomped back inside. Kent looked at Xian Yu. "She''s scary." Xian Yu nodded. "Terrifying." Kent grinned and made his sword spin again. "I''m still practising." Xian Yu sighed, already feeling another headache coming. Kent had done in two months what had taken him a lifetime. Life is so unfair to him. But Kent is his disciple and that gave him relief. Chapter 84 - 84: A Fancy Breakfast… or a Trap? Meanwhile, Auri is learning many things from TV about humans. However, Nima treated him like an underlinga fact he deeply resented but was powerless to change. Running away was always an option, but no... he had a dream. A grand dream. ^~_~^ He would conquer Nima ^~_~^ In his mind''s eye, he saw it: Auri sat atop a golden throne, wings spread wide, basking in his newfound supremacy. Nimayes, the mighty Nimawas serving him juice, bowing before his greatness. Lumo fanned him like a loyal attendant. Surrounding him were mountains of that precious "money thing." And there was Kent, eyes filled with admiration. "You did the impossible, Auri," Kent praised, shaking his head in disbelief. "I could never conquer Nima, but youYOU tamed her. A feat even I could not achieve." SLAM! His beautiful fantasy shattered as Nima stormed into the room, scowling. "A little girl can''t even sleep nowadays! The world really has changed." Her eyes landed on Auri, perched comfortably and fixated on the TV. "Hey, Auri, what are you watching?" "Chirp! Chirp!" (I''m learning how to get that money thing for Kent!) Nima rolled her eyes. "Don''t get obsessed with money like Kent. If you''re weak, you won''t even be able to protect it. You need strength first!" She smirked. "In fact, I''ll personally train you, Lumo, and Raka. You''re all my underlings now, and I need to make sure you''re strong enough." She grabbed the remote and played an episode of Narutothe infamous bell training session. Auri watched in horror as Kakashi-sensei tormented his student Naruto, delivering a devastating thousand years of pain technique. His feathers fluffed up in terror. What what is this human world?! His tiny bird brain spiralled. If you don''t listen to your master, you get poked in the butt?! The terrifying realization dawned upon himKakashi had done it to Naruto. What if what if Nima ordered that underwear-wearing man to do it to him?! Auri''s whole body trembled. I''m just a little bird! I haven''t even held a ladybird''s wing yet! SOB! SOB! SOB! I have to obey her. If I don''t, she might make that man poke my butt! And he''s stronger than me! I''m the weakest in this house! Will I be bullied again, just like in my old home? But waitKent. Kent was kind. Kent wouldn''t let anyone bully him, right? At that moment, Kent returned from training. Before he could even step inside, Auri launched himself onto Kent''s shoulder, gripping tightly. Kent blinked, sensing the distress in the little bird. "What''s wrong with you, Auri?" His sharp gaze turned to Nima. "What did you do?" Nima crossed her arms. "I didn''t do anything! I just showed him Naruto and told him he needed to train. He started acting weird all of a sudden. Hold on, let me ask him." She stands up from the sofa. "Auri, what''s wrong? I can understand your language, you know." Before Auri could respond, Kent sighed. "No need to ask. I can feel his emotions. He thinks he''s too weak." Kent gently patted the trembling bird. "Don''t worry, little guy. I''ll make you strong soon." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. " He murmurs to himself, as soon as my system comes online." One hour later... The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Kent leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Nima with a smirk. She was sprawled out on the couch, wrapped in a blanket like a lazy caterpillar refusing to evolve into a butterfly. "Nima," Kent called out. No response. "Nimaaaa," he stretched her name, trying to sound as annoying as possible. Still nothing. Kent sighed. "Alright, fine. I was going to take you to a fancy restaurant, but if you don''t want" Nima was off the couch in an instant. "You should have said that earlier!" she huffed, rubbing her eyes. "Why are you wasting my time? Let me go get dressed!" Kent chuckled as she vanished into her room at lightning speed. I am such a genius;- Hook, line, and sinker. Ha! Ha! Ha! Fifteen minutes later, Nima reappeared, dressed in a new outfit, her hair neatly brushed. She even wore a small pendant around her neck, something she only did when she wanted to look "respectable." Kent raised an eyebrow. Wow! You actually dressed up. You are looking very good. "I guess my guest will like that. Kent said to himself with an evil smile." "Of course! A fancy restaurant means good food," Nima said, adjusting her sleeves. "Where are we going?" Kent grabbed his jacket. "You''ll see." The two made their way through the bustling streets of Metro City, passing by merchants shouting about their wares and children running through the alleys. After ten minutes, they reached their destination. A high-end restaurant with golden lanterns, elegantly dressed waiters, and the faint scent of expensive spices lingering in the air. Nima''s eyes sparkled. "Okay, I approve." Kent smiled and led her inside. They were immediately guided to a private table. As they sat down, a third person was already waiting for them. Jade Monroe. Nima blinked. "Wait why is he(fatso) here?" Jade casually picked up a menu. "Oh? Didn''t Kent tell you? He invited me." Nima''s smile twitched. "For what reason?" Kent cleared his throat. "We are here to discuss your school admission." Silence. The temperature at the table dropped. Nima slowly turned her head toward Kent, her expression neutral. "You lied to me." Kent tried to look innocent. "I didn''t lie! I said we were going to a fancy restaurant, and here we are!" "You made it sound like we were coming to eat," Nima growled. Kent coughed. "Well we are eating." Nima clenched her chopsticks with enough force to break them in half. Before Nima could explode, the food arrived. And before Nima could grab anything Jade Monroe stole the first plate. Then the second. And the third. Mostly all the meats. With the speed of a seasoned warrior, Jade expertly snatched dish after dish, stacking them on her side of the table while maintaining a completely straight face. Taking to Kent and eating without a worry. Nima stared in horror. Even Kent was stunned. "Uh Jade? That''s a lot of food." Jade, already eating, nodded. "Yeah." Kent blinked. "You uh, you going to share?" Jade casually lifted a dumpling with his chopsticks. "No." Nima''s hands shook. She wanted to flip the entire table, but Jade was an important person and she didn''t want to embarrass Kent. So she swallowed her rage. Her eye twitched violently as she watched Jade munch through an entire roasted duck like it was a snack. Kent, seeing the signs of imminent disaster, cleared his throat. "So, about Nima''s admission" I can only pay this much money. Showing a hand sign. Jade wiped his mouth with a napkin and waved a hand. "No need to pay, bro." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" "You were going to donate to help with her admission, right? No need. Just do two things for me." Kent leaned back. "I''m listening." Jade put down his chopsticks and held up two fingers. First request: "When we were in the ruins, I got a report about a mysterious black guy wearing only underwear." Kent almost choked on his drink. Jade continued, unbothered. "Apparently, he''s been spotted multiple times, buying snacks like chips, juice, and chocolate." Kent slowly put his cup down. "Let me get this straight. You''re asking me to help find a half-naked snack buyer?" Jade nodded. "You live in the market district, right? He''s mostly seen there. It should be easy." Kent rubbed his temples. "This is a hard job." Jade smirked. "But not difficult for you, Bro." Nima, who had been silently fuming over her lack of food, suddenly perked up. She wanted to embarrass Jade for eating all that food. "Wait. If he''s only wearing underwear how does he carry the snacks?" Jade paused. Kent and Nima stared at her. Kent signals her to keep silent. Jade narrowed her eyes. "I don''t know. That''s why you need to find him." Second request: "A princess from the Northern County is coming to study in our Dragon Country. Logan told me to take care of her, but her family is very powerful in the north, so I don''t want to mess it up." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I have some personal work to do. I''m really busy right now. She will be your classmate, so.. Kent already had a bad feeling. "Let me guess. You want me to babysit her?" Jade nodded. "Show her around town. Make sure she doesn''t get lost or cause trouble." Kent groaned. "Do I look like a tour guide?" Jade ignored him. "Help me with these two tasks, and I''ll personally take care of Nima''s college admission." Kent leaned back, crossing his arms. "So, let me get this straight. You want me to hunt down Underwear Man and babysit a noble princess. In exchange, you''ll handle everything for Nima''s college admission?" Chapter 85 - 85: Perverts, Problem, and a Master Plan ---- Jade nodded. Yes. She is still too young for a college admission. Kent sighed. "Sounds annoying." I guess I have no choice. Jade shrugged. "Sounds easier than paying a giant donation." You know when the cultivation college opens. All rich and big families, clans and other organizations will send their kids with huge donations. The government will choose the benefits option first. Kent tapped the table. "Damn, he''s got a point." He glanced at Nima. Nima, who had been quietly boiling in rage, suddenly spoke up. "I. Don''t. Want. To. Go. To. College." Kent sighed. "Too bad. It''s happening." "You tricked me into coming here!" Kent nodded. "And I''ll trick you again if I have to." Nima opened her mouth to argue Jade stole another plate of dumplings. Nima snapped. She slammed her hands on the table. "Fine! I''ll go to a stupid college! But only because I refuse to let this fatso eat all the food while I suffer!" Jade: Why is she so angry with me? Women!!! It''s hard to understand them. I can''t even understand a little girl. How will I manage when I get married? Bro, can you tell me why she is so angry? Kent chuckled. "Bro, she is just a rebel child. Don''t focus on her. Eat eat eat some more." Jade wiped his mouth and stood up. "Good talk. I''ll be expecting results soon." Then he patted Kent''s shoulder before leaving. He thinks while walking, I made a good deal. I don''t have time for this princess work, I will take over the black market of the metro city. I will be rich!! My bro Kent, once I take over the black market I will let you open a shop there for free. Kent sighed and leaned back in his chair. Nima glared at him. "I hate you." Kent grinned. "You''ll thank me later." Nima crossed her arms. "Doubt it." A waiter arrived with more food. Nima snatched a plate before Kent could blink. Kent frowned. "Now you''re stealing food too?" "Shut up. I deserve this." Kent laughed and shook his head. With the deal set, he now had two ridiculous missions ahead of him. The first mission He had to find the Underwear Man. Kent knows who caused this problem. Kent slapped on the table, "Nima!" he yelled. Nima is busy with eating, She lazily turns her head towards Kent. "What?" Kent stomped over and pointed a finger at her. "You caused the underwear pervert problem, didn''t you?!" Nima blinked. Almost choked. "Huh?" "Don''t ''huh'' me! Who did you send to buy snacks while I was in the ruins?!" You even argue with Jade saying how an underwear man can carry snacks. Nima froze mid-bite. Kent crossed his arms. Nima slowly turned to look at her surroundings, then back at Kent. "...It was Raka," she muttered. Kent slapped his forehead. "I KNEW IT!" Raka was one of Nima''s soul servants. A giant, muscular warrior with more brawn than brains. And, unfortunately, since Nima controlled his soul Raka wore whatever Nima thought him to wear. Kent dragged a hand down his face. "Nima. Why? Was. He. Only. Wearing. Underwear?" I told you to make him wear clothes. See, now you cause a big problem. Nima fidgeted. "Uh I thought it was funny?" I want a WWE servant. Why can''t I do whatever I want? This world is so cruel to a little girl like me. SOB SOB SOB (Acting) Kent stared at her. Stop that, you can''t fool me. I know you very well. You need to give Raka some clothes. Nima looked away, whistling. "Let me get this straight," Kent said slowly. "You sent a huge, half-naked warrior to buy snacks, and now everyone thinks he''s a pervert." Nima nodded. SIGH!! Kent rubbed his temples thinking. "Why are you like this? Why can''t my little sister be a cute child?" "I am sorry!" Nima pouted. Kent sighed again. "Nima, you don''t understand. Once you have power you have to use your power to help others not cause trouble for them. Nima snorted. "Okay, I got it." Let me eat now, I am hungry. That fat guy ''Jade'' ate all the food, I couldn''t eat anything. Kent groaned. "This is a disaster." You are still thinking about eating. "I can fix it!" Nima waved her hand. "I''ll just tell Raka to wear clothes now." Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent shook his head. "No. That''s not enough. We need to make sure no one thinks he''ll come back." Nima frowned. "How?" Kent took a deep breath. And then, the dumbest, most genius plan popped into his head. A slow, evil grin spread across his face. Nima stepped back. "Oh no. I don''t like that look." Kent cracked his knuckles. "We''re going to out-perform the pervert." Nima blinked. "Excuse mewhat?!" Kent''s grin widened. "It''s time," he said dramatically, "for me to become the ultimate pervert catcher." Nima stared at him in horror. What are you planning, big brother? Kent sighed. "Alright, enough talking. We need to fix this before the watcher starts a hunt for him." Nima tilted her head. "What''s the plan, General?" Kent leaned forward. "Simple plan:- Raka''s too dumb to realize he''s causing a problem, so we need to make him leave on his own. We do that by giving him a fight he''ll never forget. When he loses, his warrior pride won''t let him stay." This will be the plan and story I will tell Jade. Nima perked up. "Ooooh, that sounds fun. So you''re going to challenge him in public?" Kent smirked. "No, you are." Nima''s smile froze. "Wait, what?" Kent stood up. " It will make you look good, it will help you with your college admissions file. You will become a hero of the market." Think about it, Nima, just like in anime, you will be a hero who saves people from a pervert. Nima crossed her arms. This this sounds good. Some wild thoughts later, I agree. Ha Ha Ha. Nima giggled. "I like it. Alright, give me a second" I will summon Raka and send him to a market shop. She closed her eyes, focusing on her connection with Raka. A few moments later, she opened them with a mischievous glint. "He''s in the right place." Kent stretched his arms. "Perfect. Let''s go knock some sense into him." A Few minutes later, Kent has done some publicity in the market, a battle will happen with the pervert snack buyer. The Market was unusually crowded. Word had spread that a great battle was about to take place, and eager spectators filled every available space, standing on crates, leaning over stalls, and even climbing rooftops for a better view. Vendors had momentarily abandoned their businesses (all the uncle and aunty who sell beside Kent), while the usual chatter of bargaining and haggling had been replaced by excited murmurs. At the centre of attention stood Nima, hands on her hips, chin raised with exaggerated confidence. Her long ponytail swayed as she took a deep breath and pointed dramatically at her opponent. "Pervert snack buyer!" she called out, her voice carrying across the market. "Your days of terrorizing innocent shoppers are over! I, Nima the Magnificent, challenge you to battle!" A collective gasp ran through the crowd. Some people whispered among themselves, while others clapped in anticipation. On the other side, standing in front of a stall filled with roasted peanuts and dried fruit, was Raka aka the pervert. The massive warrior spirit, clad only in his undergarments, blinked in confusion before looking down at himself. Raka: "But I have done nothing wrong," he said, tilting his head. "I merely came to buy snacks." "Silence!" Nima declared, cutting him off with a dramatic wave of her hand. "You have dishonored this marketplace with your shamelessness! If you are truly a warrior, you will accept my challenge. If not, then leave this place and never return!" The crowd erupted in murmurs. "She''s right," someone muttered. "It''s about time someone stood up to him!" "I can''t even bring my kids here without them asking why a half-naked man is buying candy!" "Finally, justice!" Kent stood at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. The whole thing was an act, but the way people were reacting made it even funnier. Meanwhile, Raka furrowed his brows and sighed deeply, as if contemplating some great moral dilemma. After a long pause, he finally looked up at Nima, clenching his fists. "Very well," he said solemnly. "If it is a battle you seek, then battle you shall have!" (Nima was controlling Raka''s dialogues. He doesn''t have intelligence now.) Another wave of gasps filled the air. Nima smirked. "Prepare yourself, warrior, for I will not hold back!" The two stood still for a moment, as if sizing each other up. The tension in the air grew thick. A stray gust of wind blew through the market, carrying dust and fallen leaves, making it feel like the opening scene of an epic duel. Then, Raka suddenly let out a deep war cry and began charging forward. ARHHHHHHH! Chapter 86 - 86: The Battle and A Tale of AURI. --- Each of his footsteps made an exaggerated thud! as if the ground itself trembled beneath his strength. His arms were pumping, his muscles flexing, his face twisted in an overly dramatic expression of determination. "Prepare yourself, young cultivator!" he bellowed, voice shaking the very stalls around him. Nima stood completely still, watching him approach. She waited until he was closeso close that people were holding their breath, expecting an earth-shattering clash. Then, just as Raka raised his fist, ready to unleash a mighty blow!!! Nima lifted her hand and gently tapped him on the forehead with her finger. TAP!!! Raka''s eyes widened in exaggerated shock. His entire body seemed to freeze for a split second. Then, in the most over-the-top display of defeat imaginable, he flailed his arms and stumbled backwards. "Noooo! She''s too powerful!" he shouted as he spun through the air, as if he had been hit by a divine force. The acting was so convincing that everyone believed it. He crashed straight into a pile of cabbage carts. The sound of vegetables scattering in all directions filled the air, followed by the horrified scream of a vendor. "My cabbages!" Silence fell over the market. Every single person stared at the aftermath. The dust settled around the fallen warrior, who lay dramatically sprawled over the ruined cabbages. Then, suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers. "She did it!" "The perverted warrior has fallen!" "Nima is a true hero!" People clapped and shouted, some even lifting their arms in triumph. The energy was contagious, and soon the entire market was celebrating. Kent ran a hand over his face, barely able to contain himself. He hadn''t expected the act to go this far, but now that it had, he wasn''t about to ruin the moment. But his heart was bleeding because he needed to pay for cabbages. Meanwhile, Nima adjusted her sleeves, looking completely unbothered. "Hmph. All too easy." She walked over to Raka, who groaned dramatically as he shifted among the cabbages. "As promised," she said, standing over him, "you must now honour your word." Raka let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes. "If if that is what the people demand then I shall comply." A hush fell over the market. Then, in a sudden burst of magical energy, a pair of pants materialized onto Raka''s legs. After that Raka jumps on a rooftop. Then he says, I will leave this city. I can''t take this humiliation. A proud warrior like me was defeated by a kid!! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a single moment, time seemed to stand still. And then, The crowd exploded into celebration. "Justice has been served!" "The market is safe once more!" "All hail Nima!" People cheered and clapped, some even wiping tears from their eyes as if they had just witnessed the birth of a true legend. A stall owner says, Kent your little sister is a true hero. She is so strong. I hope my kids can learn something from her. Nima, basking in the attention, placed her hands on her hips. "I expect free snacks for life," she muttered to Kent. Kent shook his head. "Let''s just go home, Nima." You have your hero moment. Auri is alone at home. Later that night, Auri was talking to himself. He was saying what happened to him this afternoon. He describes his achievements like a tale in his thoughts. Once upon a time, in a quiet backyard, lived a small, Emberling sparrow named Auri. He had survived flying shoes from a mean girl named Nima, the dreaded Vacuum of Devastation, and Kent''s weird training sessions. But despite his struggles, Auri had no respect in the bird world. Other birds bullied him because of his colour, his family had shoved him aside, and even the squirrels of Ruin looked down on him. But one day, everything changed. It all started with Nima, the human girl Auri has to obey. Auri looks up to her as family. But she had eaten a creamy and chocolatey piece of bread. An entire packet of chips and juice bottle alone instead of sharing it with him. The betrayal cut deep. He asked her to share some with him. But she replied, you need to lose weight. You are becoming more and more fat. If you eat more you won''t be able to fly. From now on I will only feed you vegetables. Auri chirped in outrage, this is wrong. I want to eat yummy food, give me a bite. But the heartless Nima didn''t care about AURI''s feelings. She ate everything alone. Auri in anger flapped his wings, and flew away, vowing to find a place where he could earn that money thing and buy his own food. After flying for what felt like forever (but was actually five minutes, fat body problem), Auri found himself in Kent''s backyard field, where a gang of crows gathered. They were big, loud, and obviously important. Their leader, a massive crow named Brutus, strutted forward. Brutus squinted at Auri. "Oi. You''re small. What are you?" Auri puffed up his chest. "I''m Auri. The strongest bird in this land." I am also the owner of this field. This field belongs to my family. The crows cackled. "You!! Strong!! Owner!!! You''re just a tiny feather ball." Auri smirked. "I have seen things. I have survived things. I have fought battles you wouldn''t believe." Brutus flapped his wings. "Oh yeah? Prove it." He picked up a shiny coin. "If you can move this without touching it, we''ll acknowledge your strength." Auri looked at the coin. He is an evolved bird but his level is very low. He doesn''t have enough power to move the coin without touching it. He can break the coin or throw it hundreds of meters away. But moving it without touching it is impossible for him right now. If there was one thing Auri had mastered watching TV, it was acting tough. He dramatically walked over to the coin, pretended to use spiritual energy to move it, flexed his little wings, and screamed. "SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" The crows jumped in shock. ThenAuri kicked the coin when no one was looking, making it roll away. He immediately chased after it, flapping like a maniac. "LOOK! I AM MOVING IT WITH MY POWER!!" The crows lost their minds. "HE''S SO STRONG!" "NO WAY, HE MOVED IT WITH JUST HIS AURA!" Brutus, utterly convinced, nodded. "You are indeed powerful." Just as Auri was about to claim his victory, a massive evolved seagull landed nearby. Seagulls were the true gangsters of the skyloud, fearless, and willing to steal from anyone. The seagull flapped its wings. "This farm field is mine now. Get lost." I can feel the spiritual energy from olants. The crows panicked. "BOSS! WHAT DO WE DO?!" Auri''s survival instincts screamed RUN, YOU IDIOT!!! I will go and call Kent. He will beat the shit out of him. But then, he saw a baby crow trip, trying to escape. The seagull''s eyes locked onto the little one. And Auri felt something snap inside him. No, I can''t rely on Kent. I have become stronger. I came out of the house with one purpose, that is to become an independent bird. I have to solve my own problems. I am also an evolved bird. I survived living with many powerful monsters inside the Ruin. Auri flapped onto the fence and yelled in his most intimidating chirp: "HEY, FEATHER FACE! YOU THINK YOU''RE TOUGH? TRY ME!" The seagull paused mid-air. Did a tiny fat crow just challenge me?! The crows gasped. What is he doing? That seagull is ten times bigger than him. He will get beaten very badly. What should we do? The seagull snarled and dove at Auri, talons ready. Auri''s heart pounded. His brain screamed WHAT THE HELL AM I WAITING FOR?! I have to attack. I can beat this white feather with one punch. But his feet slipped, and he accidentally launched himself straight at the seagull butthole. To everyone watching, looking at Auri like they were seeing the fight of a legend, how Auri fearlessly charged the enemy head-on. The seagull panicked but it was too late. Auri''s punch landed on the seagull butthole. It screams in pain. Then the seagull runs away crying, his butthole swollen. The crows erupted in cheers. "WOW! YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!!" Why don''t you become our new leader? "THE BLACK-WINGED BOSS!!" Brutus, bowed before Auri. "I see now. You are not just strong you are terrifying." I am willing to give you the leader position. Please become our leader. From that day forward, Auri became the leader of crows in the area around Kent''s House. First time in his life Auri felt this much respect from other bird''s. He didn''t feel so useless anymore. A sensation of happiness jolt''s all over his body. Now he has his own underling''s. A few moments later, Auri returned home as a king. Nima was surprised to see him so happy, but Auri ignored her and simply perched on his favourite spot near the kitchen, acting as if he had never left. But things had changed. Outside, in Kent''s backyard, his army of crows stood guard. Auri ordered every crows under him to inform him immediately if anything happens or some other bird or animal comes looking for a beating. The crows were building their nests near Kent house, in the farm''s backyard, and other nearby places watching over their leader''s kingdom. Auri was no longer a nobody. He is now Auri, the Black-Winged Boss. And his legend was just beginning. Suddenly Auri''s thoughts were interrupted by Kent''s voice. He snapped out of it. He sees Kent is calling him for dinner. Auri, what are you doing on the tree? Come home. Dinner time!! Hurry up!! I have to sleep early today. "Kent murmurs to himself," Tomorrow, I have to meet a princess. I want to look fresh. Who knows if I could make a deal with her and sell her my spiritual vegetables at a high price. --- Note: This bird group is important in the future story. I didn''t want to publish this chapter. But, In some arc''s they will be Kent biggest helpers. That''s why I add the story. Chapter 87 - 87: The Princess, The Cheap Tour, and Unexpected Feelings --- After having dinner with Nima and Auri, Kent goes to bed early. Auri is no longer angry with Nima. At the dinner table, Nima gave him a piece of meat, which calmed Auri''s anger. Auri even slept with Nima that night. The next morning, The bustling streets of Metro l City were livelier than usual as Kent walked toward the designated meeting spot. Jade had texted him the location where he needed to meet with the princess. Kent needs to revive the princess from Metro City Airport. This is the first time in Kent''s life going to the airport. Kent was thinking, He had solved the underwear pervert problem, scolded Nima, and was looking forward to some peace after the princess task was complete. But Jade Monroe had thrown another work at him. Now he has to complete two tasks. Task one: "A princess from the Northern County is coming to study here. Show her around town, make sure she doesn''t get lost." Task two: ...??? It''s a hard task for Kent. Kent needs to find a suitable way to finish this task. But for his focus on task one. Showing around the city to a foreign exchange student sounded simple. Too simple. But Kent had a bad feeling about this. And as soon as he arrived at the meeting place, the airport, he realized He was completely unprepared. He was too busy thinking about how he could earn money from the princess by selling his spiritual vegetables. He totally forgot to plan what place and things he should show the princess. He didn''t even ask the princess''s name or what she liked. Where should Kent take her? Kent didn''t even know how she looked. He has no way of finding her. Suddenly, an idea comes to Kent''s mind. He started to write something on a paper. Then he holds the paper in his hand and waits at the airport gate. I AM LOOKING FOR NORTHERN PRINCESS WHO IS A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT. A few minutes later a girl came in front of him. Standing in front of him was a tall, breathtakingly beautiful girl with long silver hair, deep sapphire-blue eyes, and an aura of nobility so strong it could probably pay taxes on its own. Her dress was eleganttoo elegant for a place like Metro City. She looked like she had walked out of a painting. Kent blinked. Jade Monroe, standing beside her, smirked. "Kent, meet Louis Vernsdale. She''s the princess of the Northern County of Vernsdale and will be studying here." Then Jade says, Bro why are holding this in your hands? Didn''t I tell you to come to the airport gate? I will meet you there. Kent snapped in anger, " This stupid fasto. He didn''t tell me you will meet me at the airport. Now I look like a fool in front of my future customer." He murmurs to himself. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Keeping his sanity, Kent says, bro, you didn''t mention we will meet here in your text. Jade Monroe laughed like an idiot rubbing his hair. Bro, I guess I forgot to type about that. I am busy doing something when I text you. Before Kent could say anything, Louis tilted her head slightly, examining Kent with curiosity. "So," she said in a soft but confident voice, "you''re my guide?" She felt something seeing Kent. Her heart started to beat a little faster. Kent snapped out of his daze and replied. "Yeah. Name''s Kent." She nodded. "I see." Inside her mind, what is this feeling? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why do I feel like my body is getting warmer? Silence! She started at Kent for a few seconds. Kent coughed feeling awkward. "Uh welcome to Dragon Country." Louis smiled. "Thank you. I look forward to" "Alright, alright," Jade interrupted, clapping Kent on the back. "Kent will take great care of you. You two have fun. I have work to do." And before Kent could ask him about the second task, he was gone saying, Bye Bro. Kent exhaled. Great. Now he was alone with a literal princess who was staring at him like he was some kind of art piece or something. He glanced at Louis. She was studying him with an unreadable expression. "Well," Kent said, forcing a smile, "since we have all day, let''s start the tour." Louis nodded. "I leave myself in your care." Kent internally winced. Kent: "Why does she sound so formal? This is going to be a long day." Kent had exactly zero experience of taking a princess to fancy places. He doesn''t want to say, which could ruin his business opportunity. Alright, your highness let''s move. Louis says call by my name. We are going to be classmates. No need to act so formally. Okay! Louis. Kent replied. After that, Kent started the city tour. Let''s eat first, I guess you might be Hungry. His first stop Old Man Chang''s Noodle Stall. Kent led Louis through the streets to a small, slightly rundown noodle stall. The scent of broth and spices filled the air as customers sat on wooden benches, slurping noodles loudly. Louis blinked. "This is where we''re eating?" "Yep," Kent said, grabbing a seat. "Best noodles in town." Louis hesitated before gracefully sitting beside him. She looked extremely out of place. The noodle stall owner, Old Man Chang, waddled over. "Oi, Kent! Haven''t seen you in a while." "Been busy," Kent said. "Two bowls of your best noodle uncle." Chang nodded and eyed Louis. "And who''s this young lady?" "Princess Louis Vernsdale," Kent said casually. Old Man Chang blinked. Then he laughed. "Good one, kid. Who is she really?" Kent grinned. "I just told you, old man." Give me the food. Hurry up! I am very hungry. Louis, instead of getting offended, simply smiled. "It is an honour to meet you Mr." Chang squinted. "Huh. You sound like you have noble manners, that''s for sure." You don''t need to join with Kent pranks young lady. This boy is already very naughty. Don''t encourage him. A few minutes later, steaming bowls of hot, fragrant noodles arrived. Louis stared at hers. Kent dug in immediately, slurping loudly. Louis slowly picked up the chopsticks and hesitated. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What''s wrong?" Louis looked at him. "I''ve never used chopsticks before." Kent almost choked. "You''re telling me," he said, wiping his mouth, "you''ve never had noodles with chopsticks?" Louis shook her head. "We use forks in Vernsdale and we call it Pasta." Kent gasped in fake horror. "No forks allowed here. Time to learn." Let me teach you. Louis looked uncertain. "Is it difficult?" "Depends," Kent smirked. "How good is your swordsmanship?" Louis narrowed her eyes. "Flawless." "Then you can handle this." Try holding it like this with your fingers. Then grab the noodles. Louis sighed and picked up the chopsticks. She clumsily attempted to grab the noodles but failed. "Kent grinned. This was hilarious." He almost burst out of laughter. But he controlled himself from laughing. Louis pouted slightly. She notices Kent is holding his laugh. She also felt shy. "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?" she muttered. Kent shrugged. "A little." Louis huffed and kept trying. Eventually, she managed to eat a few noodles and looked extremely proud of herself. Kent chuckled. "See? Not so hard." Louis smiled. And for the first time since they met, her noble presence seemed to soften. She is getting more and more attracted to Kent. After eating, Kent took her through Metro City''s market district. Louis was fascinated by everything. She stopped at a small stand selling handmade trinkets and carefully examined a wooden bracelet. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What, you''ve never seen cheap stuff before?" Louis shook her head. "Where I come from, jewelry is always made from gold or silver. This has charm." Kent smirked. "You''re seriously impressed by a five dollar bracelet?" Louis nodded. "It feels more personal than something made by a jeweler." Kent chuckled. "You''re easier to please than I thought, Princess." Louis brushed her silver hair behind her ear. I told you earlier, "You can just call me Louis." Kent paused. I forgot about that. "He thinks most nobles insisted on titles. But she doesn''t behave like a Novel supposed to behave with the common people." He looked at her again, really looked at her. Her elegant features, the way her sapphire eyes lit up when she discovered new things. For a moment, Kent also felt something strange. Then he shoved it away. Nope. Not happening. She''s a princess. Keep it moving. "Alright, Louis," Kent said casually. "Let''s keep going." At some point, they reached an old, broken water fountain in the center of the city. Louis tilted her head. "Is it supposed to be like that?" Kent sighed. "Nah. Some kids broke it. No one''s fixed it yet." Louis frowned. "That''s sad." Kent shrugged. "That''s life in the small city." Louis walked forward and knelt down. Kent watched in confusion as she gently touched the broken stone. Then, she closed her eyes. --- Author''s Note: Dear readers, I need your support. I am just a tiny fish swimming among the whales. If you are enjoying the story, I request everyone to gift a castle. It will help me a lot. I will upload 5 extra chapters. Chapter 88 - 88: The Princess, Street Food, and an Unwanted Duel A faint, golden energy pulsed from her fingertips. The cracks in the stone slowly began mending. Kent''s eyes widened. She just repaired it with pure willpower? This must be her awakened superpower. A few seconds later, the fountain was fully restored. Water flowed once more. People nearby gasped in surprise. Kent crossed his arms. "Show-off." Louis smiled softly. "If I have the power to fix things (earth-type awakeners), I should use it." Kent stared at her for a moment. Maybe she wasn''t just another spoiled noble. Maybe she is actually the type of person I. And that thought scared him. "Let''s keep moving," Kent muttered. Louis nodded as Kent walked ahead, but she was watching him from behind and she seemed truly interested in Kent. Anyone can see she was looking at Kent like no other person matters to her anymore. The streets of Metro City bustled with energy as Kent led Louis Vernsdale through the marketplace. She had seen a candy seller on the side of the road. She goes to buy candy. ''She had already experienced her first cheap mealstruggling with chopsticks at Old Man Chang''s noodle stall. Now, she is fully immersed in the world of common folk.'' And she loved it. Kent, on the other hand, was still recovering from the shock. A noble princess, raised in wealth and luxury, was smiling like a kid in a candy shop over the most ordinary things. And for some reason, that made him uneasy. "Why is she acting like this is the best day of her life?" S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent sighed. "You''re too excited. It''s suspicious." You are a princess. You shouldn''t be this amazed by common things. What''s going on here? Louis tilted her head. "Am I not allowed to enjoy myself?" Kent rubbed his temples. "No, it''s justforget it. Let''s go." And so, the cheap tour continued. Their next stop was a small street vendor selling skewers of grilled meat and vegetables. Kent wanted to see how she reacted to vegetables. The smell alone was heavenly. Kent grabbed two skewers and handed one to Louis. She examined it. "There''s no silverware?" Kent groaned. "No, Princess. You just eat it." Louis hesitated, then took a careful bite. Her eyes widened. "This is" She took another bite, chewing slowly. "This is delicious!" Kent smirked. "Told you." Louis nodded, finishing her skewer surprisingly fast. Kent raised an eyebrow. "You sure you''re a noble?" Louis wiped her lips with a napkin. "Why?" "You''re enjoying this a little too much." Louis smiled. "Perhaps I just have good taste." Kent scoffed. "Or maybe you''ve been missing out your whole life." I have some spiritual vegetables, if you want I can give you some. Louis didn''t deny it. Okay! I will receive your gift. Then, she glanced around the busy market, watching merchants and customers haggle over prices. "Back home," she murmured, "everything is planned. Ordered. Structured." Kent finished his skewer. "Sounds boring." Louis chuckled. "It is." She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "That''s why today is special." She says, with a beautiful smile. Kent felt something weird in his chest seeing her heavenly smile. He immediately ignored it just like before. "Yeah, yeah. Let''s keep moving," he muttered. Louis just smiled, following him. Kent was about to take Louis to the city''s arcade when trouble found him first. A foreigner man in flashy golden robes suddenly stepped in front of them, arms crossed, chin raised high. Behind him, a group of similarly dressed men stood like wannabe bodyguards. Kent immediately hated him. The man looked at Louis and smiled. "Ah, Princess Louis! What a coincidence!" Louis frowned. "Do I know you?" The man laughed dramatically. "Of course! I am Victor Farrow, third son of Duke Farrow! A noble from Vernsdale, like yourself!" We met at your coming-of-age ceremony last year. Louis blinked. "Oh. I see." I am sorry, I didn''t recognize you. ''She thinks that party was my first public appearance, father never let me out of the castle.'' Victor clearly expected a bigger reaction. He coughed awkwardly before turning to Kent. "And you are?" Kent smiled. "Just a guide trying to get through his day without problems." Victor sneered. "A peasant guide, then." Kent''s smile twitched. "Buddy, do you want to get punched?" Louis sighed. "Sir Victor, what do you want?" Victor dramatically flipped his golden cape. "I simply must askwhy are you walking around with this commoner? A princess should have better company!" Louis crossed her arms. "I''m here because I want to be." Victor looked physically pained. "Surely you jest." Kent snorted. "She doesn''t." Victor narrowed his eyes. "You. Peasant. You dare think yourself worthy of accompanying a noblewoman?" Kent tilted his head. "What century are you from?" Don''t you know about equality? Victor''s vein popped. "A noble should not mix with commoners!" Kent nodded. "Cool. Then leave." Why are you wasting my time? Victor turned red. "You are insolent!" He pointed at Kent. "Throwing his gloves on the ground he says, I challenge you to a duel!" Kent blinked. "A what?" Victor''s lackeys cheered. "Yes! A duel! Teach him a lesson, young master!" Kent sighed. "Do I get a say in this?" Victor scoffed. "Are you afraid?" Kent sighed again, rubbing his face. "Louis," he muttered, "is every noble kid from my country this dramatic?" Louis looked at Victor, then back at Kent. "I am sorry for my countryman''s behaviour Kent." You don''t need to fight him. I will talk to my father about this matter. Kent replied, don''t worry Princess Louis, I don''t care about the idiots'' words. Meanwhile, Victor''s goons quickly cleared a space in the street. Spectators gathered around. Victor pulled out a fancy-looking rapier from his spatial treasure and did three unnecessary flourishes before pointing it at Kent. "Draw your weapon, peasant!" Kent yawned. "I really don''t want to do this." Victor smirked. "I see! You surrender!" Kent snorted. "You wish." Victor lunged forward. Kent sidestepped effortlessly. Victor''s attack hit nothing but air. Kent stretched lazily. "I thought nobles trained in swordsmanship?" Victor growled. "You!" He attacked again. Kent dodged effortlessly. Victor attacked five more times. Kent dodged all five times. The crowd laughed. Victor panted, sweating. "Fight back, coward!" Kent smiled. "Okay." He flicked his finger. A tiny wave of sword intent blasted Victor''s rapier out of his hands. It clattered onto the ground. The crowd cheered. Victor''s face turned pale. Kent picked up the rapier and handed it back. "Here. You dropped this." Victor''s hands shook. "YouYou!" I won''t forget this. Then, he ran away. His goons scrambled after him. The crowd erupted into laughter. After the commotion, Kent and Louis walked away. Louis watched him curiously. "You could''ve beaten him easily," she said. Kent shrugged. "Yeah, but why bother? He embarrassed himself just fine." Louis smiled. "You''re different from the men I know," she murmured. (Here she means her cousins.) Kent raised an eyebrow. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Louis glanced at the street around herthe people, the small shops, the normal life. "I was born into a world of luxury," she said softly. "Everything was given to me. Structured. Expected." Kent listened quietly. Louis met his eyes. "I''ve never had a day like this before. No schedules. No formalities. Just fun." Kent shrugged. "Glad you''re enjoying the cheap life." Louis laughed. "Maybe this is what I''ve been missing." Kent scratched his cheek. "You''re a weird princess." Louis smiled. "And you''re an odd guide." For a moment, they just looked at each other. Then, Kent coughed and looked away. "Alright, we''re done here. I still need to take you to the arcade in town." Louis laughed again. "Lead the way." And so, the cheap tour continued. But now, something was different. Something had changed. For Louis, the day was more than just a simple tour. It was the day she realized she had fallen in love. A few hours later outside the arcade, Kent says, the tour is over. Now time to take you to your residence. The sun is about to set. Louis says, don''t worry about that, I can go by myself. She signals something waving her hands in the air. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two grey robe-wearing men land in front of them. Kent is shocked by that. He was with her the entire day but he didn''t notice these two men. They were following Louis the entire day from the shadows. Kent gets frustrated, damn it. If they were my enemy I could have died multiple times. I didn''t feel their spiritual energy. These guys must be practising some kind of assassination technique. If I had the system online my system could inform me about them. When will the system come back online? Kent realized something, wait a minute. Today I didn''t receive any SP notifications. What''s going on? Before Kent could go deep in thought. Louis says time to say goodbye. I will look forward to meeting you in the cultivation college. A luxury car comes, and she leaves with her two bodyguards. Chapter 89 - 89: The Vacation Battle and the Suitcase Disaster Kent started to head back home. Thinking, today he didn''t receive any SP. There is definitely something wrong. He tries to use the system multiple times but nothing happens. As if the system didn''t exist. Kent gets scared by that, did I lose my cultivator power? Then quickly check if he could use spiritual energy or not. He focuses on creating a fireball in his hands. The results are positive. He can use spiritual energy. The problem is his SSS-RANK skill copy spiritual energy isn''t working with the system. Kent doesn''t know what''s happening. What should be his next step? How can he get his skills and system back? Then Kent had an idea. Let me check my void domain, my void domain is linked to my soul and system. If I can''t use my void domain then no all my treasures, my money. Kent closed his eyes and sent his spiritual consciousness into the void domain. He can use his void domain. He sighed in relief. The system is still there. I need to wait for the system to come back online to find the answers. "Let''s go home. I can''t do anything but wait." Kent stretched his arms and yawned as he walked through the front door of his house. Yesterday, After spending the whole day showing Louis around the city, all he wanted was to collapse on his bed and sleep for a week. But as soon as he stepped inside BAM! A pillow smacked him straight in the face. Kent stumbled back. "What the?!" Standing in the living room, arms crossed, was Nima. Her eyes were burning with determination. "We need to talk," she said. Kent sighed. "Can it wait? I just got back from" "No. I want a vacation." Kent blinked. "A what?" "A vacation!" Nima stomped her foot. "Soon it will be summer break time, and I want to go somewhere fun!" We never go on vacation like other kids. I saw it on TV. Vacation is the most fun thing. Children need it, otherwise they will get mad from all the homework. Grandpa Xian Yu made me do a ton of homework. I will go mad if you don''t take me on a summer vacation. Kent sighed and started walking past her. "Not happening." "Kent." She called in frustration. Kent kept walking. "Kent." She called again. "Still no." "Ken" WHAP! Another pillow to the face. Kent groaned. "Nima, stop throwing pillows" "I WANT A VACATION!" Kent rubbed his temples. "Do I look like a travel agent?" Nima puffed up her cheeks and stared at him with her best ''angry little sister'' face. "You always have time for your dumb training, your dumb farm, and for some reason, you always make people angry!" she shouted. "But you never have time for your amazing, lovable, and beautiful little sister!" YOU YOU HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE SISTER ELSEWHERE. SOB! SOB! SOB! Kent stared blankly. "First of all, stop your dramatic crying. I know it''s all acting. Second, tone down the self-praise." Let me think about it. Give me a few minutes. Kent remembers task two, He didn''t get a chance to ask Nexus Jade Monroe about this. His task was a mission, The first mission as an official member of Watcher. Now that he has become a tier-3 trainee, he needs to complete this mission. Kent checks on his phone, where he received the mission details. New Watcher Mission Received! Task: Investigate reports of strange energy readings near the coastal town of Azure Bay. Reward: 10,000 dollars + bonus for extra findings Kent''s eyes lit up. He got an idea. The government will pay for all expenses of the mission. The location is near the beach too. Kent can take Nima with him. I can complete my first mission and give Nima a vacation with the government Money. "I am such a genius." Kent turned to Nima, who was grinning smugly. "So?" she asked sweetly. Kent sighed. "Fine. But I have some work. As an official trainer Watcher, I received a mission. I will take you with me. It''s in the Bay Area. We will have a vacation and do my mission at the same time." Nima fist-pumped the air. "YES!" "On one condition," Kent added. "You''re in charge of packing." Nima beamed. "Leave it to me!" By the way Nima, where is Auri? I can''t see him anywhere. Is he in the other room or the kitchen? Nima sighed! Your fat bird is outside. When I was doing homework in the afternoon I saw him hang around with some crows. He is a sparrow. Why is he hanging with the crows? Kent asked that question to Nima. I heard them talking, they were calling Auri, Boss. His feathers are black. I guess those stupid crows took him as a crow and made him their boss for some reason. Kent says, Alright, let him do what he likes. Help me with cooking dinner. I am very tired today. The next day early morning, Kent was working on the farm, making sure everything worked properly before the trip. Nima comes to the field and tells Kent, we don''t have a suitcase to pack our clothes. We need to buy a suitcase. Kent, you are a big girl now. You can go to the market mall and buy a suitcase there. I have to finish all the work on the farm. Kent gives her one thousand dollars for a suitcase and an extra one thousand dollars to buy anything else they might need. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima, I have sent you some money in your mobile wallet. Don''t buy snacks, only buy what we need for the trip. Text me if you''re short on money. Nima went on a shopping spree. Kent had given her money for travel essentials. Instead, she returned with the single dumbest thing he had ever seen. A massive, bright pink Barbie suitcase. Kent stared at it in horror. "Nima," he said slowly, "what the hell is that?" She grinned proudly and patted the suitcase. "This? This is our new travel buddy!" Kent pointed at it. "It''s pink. It has Barbie''s face on it. It has sparkles." Nima nodded. "It''s perfect." Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "We''re going on a serious Watcher mission. I have to carry the suitcase, can''t you pick something normal? I refuse to be seen carrying that thing." Nima blinked innocently. "Oh? If you love your little sister, then you have to carry it." What will other people think if you let me carry this big suitcase? You will be charged with a child abuse case. I will be alone in this world while you are put in jail. Kent froze. Stop that. Let''s go change this suitcase into a normal one. Nima smirked. Then she says, I don''t remember the shop. I lost the receipt. Why can''t a girl like girly things? I like this one. It''s final, no more discussion. Kent gritted his teeth. The world has changed, they are both cultivators now. Kent wanted to give her a normal life as long as possible. "You planned this." "Of course!" Nima giggled. "Now, say it." Kent groaned. "Say what?" Nima held up the Barbie suitcase and shook it teasingly. Kent closed his eyes. This was the worst day of his life. He took a deep breath and muttered, "I will carry the Barbie suitcase." "Louder." Kent growled. "I will carry the Barbie suitcase." "Louder!" "FINE! I''LL CARRY THE DAMN BARBIE SUITCASE!" Nima laughed like a villain. And Kent knewthis was only the beginning of his suffering. Later that day Kent had talked with Jade Monroe about the mission. Jade sends him a government bank card which will be used in the mission. Jade says, bro, the budget for trainee members is limited. So you need to take the train. Don''t forget to inform me. If you find a business opportunity. "Nima, Kent called for her after finishing his talking with Jade." We will take the train. This will be our first time travelling in and our first time riding a train aren''t you excited? Nima says, but I thought we would ride the newly created airship boat for cultivators. You are going on a mission. Why do we have to use trains? All big-shot cultivators use the airship. I have never ridden an airship before. Airship: A boat or ship that can fly like an aeroplane. Many organizations found that old techniques. They use spiritual energy and spiritual stones to create the airboat for cultivators. It''s much faster than a plane. I will take you to the airship one day. You have never ridden a train before either. The same goes for me. Did you pack everything? We will leave this evening, we will take the night train to Azure City. I talked with Grandpa Xian Yu and Aunty Zhou. He will check on the farm from time to time. They will also come to see us off at the train station. I packed almost everything, I need to pack some snacks. After that, I am ready to leave anytime. Nima replied. But Auri didn''t come back home. He left this morning after breakfast. I guess he is playing with the crows again. Kent says I will go look for him. You finished your work. Kent starts to look for Auri in the neighbourhood. Kent thinks if only my system was online I could find out Auri''s location instantly. Suddenly a familiar sound rings in Kent''s mind. Ding! System notifications: The system is back online. There are important things the host needs to know about the system. Chapter 90 - 90: The Missing Fragment & A Sun for the Void Ding! System Notification: The system is back online. Kent stopped mid-step, his breath hitching. That voiceafter all this time, the system had finally returned? His heart pounded as another notification appeared before his eyes. System Notification: Critical Information Detected. Host, there is something important you must know. A holographic screen expanded in front of Kent eyes, glowing with lines of unfamiliar code. He furrowed his brows, stepping away from the main street into a quieter alley. He exhaled slowly. "Alright, tell me." System Message: "One part of the system is missing. The host currently possesses only three fragments out of four." "The missing fragment holds the system''s main memorythe reason for its creation." Kent''s eyes widened, his mind racing. "The system was created for something? Then why did it attach to me?" Why was I chosen as the system host? What is the real purpose of creating a system? Who is so powerful enough to create a system like this? System Message: "The lost fragment is not in this universe. Its exact location is unknown." "Host must grow stronger to locate and retrieve the missing piece." "Due to the missing fragment, the system was in recovery mode, which is why your skills were previously inaccessible." System needed more power to come back online. "Now that enough energy has been gathered, the system has restored most of its functions." Kent clenched his fists. So that''s why my abilities weren''t working beforethe system was trying to come back online. Because a fragment is missing, it stops my skill functioning. A surge of frustration and curiosity filled him. What was this system? Why him? And what would happen if he found that missing fragment? Ding! System Update: Congratulations, Host! -You have successfully refined the Ruin Core without system help. And created A Barren Land within the Void Domain. - The System Store has been updated. Because of the void domain. - The Void Domain tools are now accessible in the system store. Kent stared at the notifications, his mind still catching up. "Void Domain tools? Store update? Wait, waitone thing at a time!" Ding! New Feature Unlocked: The Host can now purchase many items for the Void Domain. Kent took a deep breath. "A missing fragment a secret purpose and now a Void Domain tools? This system is a lot more complicated than I thought." But one thing was clearhe needed to get stronger. Fast. Kent shook off his thoughts. First, he had a more immediate task. There''s not much time left. He needs to find Auri. "I''ll go look for him. I have to finish my work," Kent said, waving off the floating notifications. He turned down a side street, scanning for any sign of Auri. Ding! System Notification: Host tracking functions are now available. Kent smirked. "Now that''s more like it." He closed his eyes, activating the system''s scan. A glowing holographic map appeared before him, marking a blinking icon just a few streets away. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without wasting a second, he sprinted toward the location. As Kent turned a corner, he slowed down. A strange noise filled the air. Caw! Caw! A flock of crows circled above a narrow alleyway, their black feathers casting eerie shadows on the ground. Kent frowned. "Why are so many birds in one place?" He moved closer, peeking into the alleyand there, in the middle, stood Auri. The bird was on the ground, wings stretched toward the sky, laughing as the crows swooped around him. But these birds weren''t just flying randomly. They were listening to him. Every time Auri moved his hands, the crows mirrored his motion, gliding in perfect sync. It was almost like a dance. Kent''s instincts screamed at him. "This isn''t normal." He stepped forward, calling out, "Auri!" Auri turned, his bright eyes filled with excitement. "CHIRP! Kent! Look! The crows like me! I am the new boss of this area" One of the crows perched near Auri''s right side, tilting its head. Another landed on the left side, completely unafraid. Kent approached cautiously. "How are you doing that?" Auri shrugged. "I dunno. They just came to me!" I help them, the next thing I know is that they make me their leader. Kent narrowed his eyes. "That''s not how birds work." Auri wasn''t the same species of the crows. More importantlythe crows weren''t bothered by that. It was as if they were drawn to his presence. Kent sighed, pating Auri''s head. "Come on, let''s get you home before you start summoning an entire army of birds." Auri chipped, flying ahead happily. Kent followed, his mind deep in thought. As they walked, Kent''s system chimed again. Ding! System Notification: Host has cleared the Ruin. Calculating Rewards Kent halted mid-step. Finally you remember about the mission. Now give me something good. Something useful. System Reward: "Congratulations, Host! You have received a Blueprint: Lesser Sun Creation." Kent''s eyes widened. "A sun?!" This is this really something what I am thinking? He quickly opened the blueprint details. Blueprint: Lesser Sun Creation -Effect: Allows the Host to create a small sun using spiritual fire. -Requires Two Types of Fire. -The sun will provide heat and light to the Void Domain. -Once completed, the Void Domain can sustain life and evolve into a livable world. Kent ran a hand through his hair. My guess is right. The system gave me a way to create a sun with my SSS rank Architect Skill. But, "I do have two types of fire I only have Hellfire. I need a second type." His Hellfire was not normal. It burned without fuel, devoured energy from the enemy in an instant, and consumed souls. It was eternal and destructive. But for creation? Hellfire alone wasn''t enough. Ding! System Message: "Host, once the Lesser Sun is created, the Void Domain will transform into a sustainable world. You will gain the ability to store and nurture living beings inside it." You need a water source too. "Currently, the Void Domain is barren. Without the sun, and water, no life can exist there." Kent let out a slow breath. "A world of my own A place where life can grow. A place under my control." But before thathe needed that second fire. He clenched his fists. "Where do I even start?" The system didn''t answer his question. But Kent knew one thing. He wasn''t going to stop until he found it. Kent looked up at the sky. Auri was still playing and flying ahead, laughing as the crows followed him. A small smile tugged at Kent''s lips. "First, I''ll figure out what''s wrong with Azure bay then, I''ll find my second fire." His journey was far from over. And for the first timehe was excited for what came next. When he returns home with Auri. They find out Nima is ready for the vacation. Everything is packed. She was waiting for them sitting on the sofa watching TV. Ohh! You guys are back. I am ready. When do we leave, big brother? Auri I packed some juice for you. You should be grateful. Stop playing with the crows all the time. You need to train and become stronger. Auri flies on Nima''s shoulder. Chirping happily. Kent says, I will go take a shower. After that we will leave. Nima, you can inform grandpa Xian Yu and aunty Zhou. They will drop us off at the rail station in their car. Nima leaves the house, after taking a bath Kent is ready. Wearing all black clothes and jackets. He looked very stylish. Kent Krause himself in the mirror. Then, he goes to pick up the luggage. All his looks and man pride shattered. He has to carry the Barbie suitcase. His face almost became red in anger and shyness. Kent stepped out of the house carrying the Barbie suitcase. First he locks everything properly. Then He sees Nima and others waiting for him at the main gate. Kent slowly approaches them, hiding the suitcase behind him. But the old man Xian Yu noticed the suitcase. He started at Kent for a few seconds. Then he says, Kent I didn''t know you like this type of thing. As your master I don''t care about what you like. Tell me the truth, are you LGB Kent''s face became red like a cherry or tomato. Before the old man could make more fun of him. He yelled, hey old man don''t joke with me. You know I am a man. I like girls. Nima bought it. She blackmails me to carry it. The old man Xian Yu holds his laughter, he says rubbing his beard. I was serious. I need to know about my disciple''s preference. If you want I will find a good husband for you. After saying that, Xian Yu couldn''t hold his laugh anymore. She burst out with loud laughter. Kid you made my day. I can''t describe how ridiculous you look with black clothes carrying a pink Barbie suitcase. Aunty Zhou steps in. Honey, stop that. They will miss their train. Let''s go. They need to buy the tickets too. Meanwhile, Nima knows something like this will happen. She is already inside the car with Auri eating a packet of chips. Laughing on Kent. Chapter 91 - 91: The Train Ride, and Nima’s Wrath. The old man, Xian Yu, sighed and crossed his arms. "Alright, kid, time to go. If anything unacceptable happens, you inform me immediately. Your number one priorityboth you and Nimais to stay safe. If danger comes your way, you run. I''ll take care of everything else." Kent let out a short laugh. "Grandpa Yu, we''re going on a vacation, not marching into battle. This is the first time Nima and I have ever taken a proper trip. And it''s our first time leaving Metro City. We''ll be carefulI''m not an idiot." Xian Yu narrowed his eyes. "Kid, I know about your trainee mission. Strange things have been happening, and even if there''s no immediate danger, you never know when something might go wrong. Call this number if you need help. Someone will come right away." Kent took the slip of paper and nodded. "Got it, Grandpa. Bye, Aunt Zhou!" With that, he turned and cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached the train station ticket counter. Today, he had one mission: get the lowest price possible. A new rule had recently been put in placeanyone bringing a pet had to pay full price for an extra ticket. And according to Jade, the government budget only covered two people for this mission. No exceptions. The problem? There were three of them. Auri, of course, didn''t count as just a pet, but the railway officials wouldn''t care about that. Which meant Kent had to buy one ticket out of his own pocket. Nima and Auri stood behind him, watching in silent horror as he mentally prepared for battle. The ticket seller, an old woman with a kind face, smiled. "Hello, sir. How many tickets?" Kent leaned on the counter. "Three tickets. But let''s talk about that price, huh?" The old woman blinked. "The price is fixed, young man." +99 SP copied from counter lady. Kent grinned. "No price is truly fixed. Life is a negotiation." I am a government officer. Give me a discount. Look at this, this tiny bird. He will fit in my hands. Why do I have to pay full price for him? Nima groaned. "Oh no." Auri chipped. "It''s happening again." Kent is arguing with this old lady for that money thing. He looks so cool. I want to be like him. Kent rolled up his sleeves. "Let''s break it down, ma''am. The train is not full, which means empty seats. Empty seats mean lost revenue. Now, I am generously offering to fill those seats, ensuring a 100% train efficiency rate. Shouldn''t that come with a discount?" My bird won''t need a seat. He will just sit on my shoulder or lap. The old woman stared at him. "It does not." +999 SP copied from counter lady. +999 SP copied from counter lady. Kent wasn''t giving up. He says,"Let''s talk about bulk purchasing! I''m not buying one ticketI''m buying three. A smart business would reward loyal customers, don''t you think?" "That''s not how tickets work." Is this your first time travelling? Trains tickets are fixed priced. You can take a cabin if you want. That way you won''t have to pay Extra. A cabin is for four people. Kent placed a hand on his chest, looking deeply wounded. "So what you''re saying is, there is no loyalty in this world?" Nima facepalmed. Auri''s eyes glowing in awe. He wants to like Kent. Saving money and earning a lot of money. The old woman sighed. "Fine. I''ll give you a ten percent discount if you stop talking." It''s an employee discount. Please stop talking now. Kent grinned. "Pleasure doing business!" Give the cabin. "He thinks, Government will pay for it. I can say this was my first time. I made a mistake. I am such a genius at saving money." Nima grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away. "Stop embarrassing us!" Why are you so stingy about money? You earned enough money inside the Ruin. "Ticket counter aunty, give us three tickets please." Nima buys the tickets. She pays with Kent''s mobile wallet. Kent says to Nima, that is for our future. Your wedding and your children''s education and many others important things. Nima''s face turned red, a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You stupid brother!" she yelled. I''m not going anywhere. I will always live with you. You are my only family. She bites Kent hands like a she is some kind of wild beast. OWWW! ITS HURTS, NIMA LET GO. Meanwhile, From a short distance away, Louis Vernsdale watched everything. She had been waiting for her own train when she witnessed the entire spectacle. She has never ridden a train before. She came for the experience. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound understanding of her crush. "So Kent loves money." She clenched her fist in determination. "I''ve finally found his weakness! If I appeal to his love for gold, I will win his heart!" I have a lot of money. I am sure I will win his heart. She smiled to herself. "Just wait, Kent. I''ll make you mine!" I need to change my train. I will ride with Kent. Unaware of the upcoming storm he had just created, Kent boarded the train with Nima and Auri. Kent settled into his seat, stretching out comfortably. Nima sat beside him, munching on a snack. Auri sat on the opposite side, half-asleep. A tiny bird taking an entire seat. Kent exhaled. "Finally. Peace and quiet." Then, he felt a presence. His heart skipped a beat. What the Why is my heart acting so weird? Slowly, he turned his head'' And there she was. Louis. Kent''s heart skipped a beathis instincts flaring, sensing a strong presence before even seeing her Sitting just a few seats away, smiling directly at him. Kent froze seeing her smile. Nima tells Kent to have some snacks. But Kent didn''t respond. She immediately noticed something was wrong. Why is he acting so weird? She followed Kent''s gaze, saw Louis, then slowly turned back to Kent. "Who is she?" Nima asked, shaking Kent''s entire body with her full power. Why are you acting like this? Kent gulped. "A princess." Don''t you remember jade told us about her on the restaurant. Nima squinted. "And why do you look like you just saw your ex-wife?" What''s going on? "I don''t!" Auri narrowed his eyes pointing his wings at Kent. Chirp!! "Kent, why are you acting weird?" Kent forced a laugh. "No reason! Just surprised, that''s all!" Louis stood up gracefully and walked toward them. Nima watched like a hawk. Louis smiled at Kent. "We meet again." Kent cleared his throat. "Yeah. Funny coincidence, huh?" Louis tilted her head. "Almost like fate." Nima''s eyes twitched. Auri started between Kent and Louis. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent quickly looked away. "So, uh, what brings you here?" Louis smiled. "I''m traveling to experience the train ride. And you?" Kent hesitated. "Uh just doing some work. Nothing more." Nima narrowed her eyes. Auri whispered, "Suspicious." Kent felt sweat forming on his forehead. Nima finally spoke. "Kent. Look me in the eyes. There''s nothing going on, right?" Like in the TV a beautiful girl comes to steal-little sister''s big brother. Kent snorted. "What?! No! She''s a princess! I''m just a normal guy!" Louis raised an eyebrow. "And what''s wrong with that?" Kent gulped. Nima crossed her arms. "I don''t like this thing called sister in law." They are the most evil creatures in the TV dramas. Louis smiled sweetly. "Oh? Why?" These are just fantasy stories. It''s not real. Nima glared. "I know people like you. You''re up to something." "You will steal my big brother. I can feel it. It''s my little sister''s instinct." Kent mentally screamed. "I just wanted to have a vacation Why is this happening to me?!" To Kent''s horror, Louis took Auri''s seat. Sit in front of Kent and Nima. She leaned in slightly, smiling. "It''s nice to travel together, don''t you think?" Kent felt his soul leave his body. Nima clenched her jaw. Auri watched everything like it was his favorite drama. Then he realized, wait.. that''s my seat. Then, the worst thing happened. Louis pulled out a glass bottle of mango juice and a bag of premium chocolates. She held them out to Nima and Auri. "Here. A gift." Auri started. "For me?" I like juice. Louis says to everyone. "Friends should share." Auri hesitated then took the snacks. CHAIP!! "Thanks, lady!" Nima gasped. "AURI. NO." Auri froze mid-air. "Huh?" Nima stood up dramatically. "HOW DARE YOU ACCEPT GIFTS FROM HER?!" Chip! Auri blinked. "But free snacks." Nima turned red with rage. "YOU TRAITOR!" Auri whimpered. Louis giggled. "Oh dear, did I cause a problem?" Nima snarled. "YES, YOU DID!" Kent buried his face in his hands. He says to himself, "This is a nightmare." Nima snatched Auri''s juice away. "HEY!" Auri protested. Nima held it high. "NO. YOU''RE ON MY TEAM. STOP ACCEPTING HER SNACKS!" Auri pouted. "But it looks good and tasty" Nima glared at Louis. "You''re trying to win us over with food, aren''t you?!" Louis smiled innocently. "Who, me?" Nima growled. Kent finally snapped. "BOTH OF YOU, STOP." Silence. Kent exhaled. "Can we please just have a normal trip?" Louis smirked. "Of course." Nima crossed her arms. "Fine. But I''m watching you, Princess." Don''t try any funny moves. She murmurs to herself, "You can''t become my sister in law. Not until I approve it." Louis just smiled. "I''d expect nothing less." Kent slumped in his seat. This was going to be the longest train ride of his life. Chapter 92 - 92: The Longest Train Ride of My Life Kent slumped in his seat, rubbing his temples. What was supposed to be a peaceful journey was quickly turning into a chaotic battlefield between Louis vs Nima. On one side, Nima was glaring daggers at Louis, arms crossed like a bodyguard protecting a national treasureexcept the treasure was him. On the other, Louis sat with a knowing smirk, completely unfazed by Nima''s hostility. She was acting like Kent is her property. Auri, the little traitor bird, was sipping on the mango juice he had accepted from Louis, blissfully unaware of the brewing war. Kent sighed. "It hasn''t even been five minutes. How am I already exhausted?" ''Right now, What should I do? Should I move to a different seat?'' After a while, the train conductor came by to check tickets. Kent handed them over with a practiced, professional smile, hoping to keep the peace for at least a few minutes. The conductor raised an eyebrow as he looked at their group. "Sir, you booked a cabin for four people. But I see only three." Nima immediately snapped her head toward Kent. "What? You booked a whole cabin? I thought we were saving money!" Kent coughed into his fist. "I didn''t book anything." You are the one who paid for the tickets. I was with you the entire time. Did you forget it? Nima narrowed her eyes. " Then How?" Why is this ticket checker uncle saying you book a cabin? Explain it to me. Louis leaned forward, it was me who booked a cabin. I booked it for Kent and all of us. I thought we could have some rest inside the cabin. Kent sighed, realizing there was no escape. "Louis had done something unexpected. Nima will be very angry." Auri chirped. Not understanding anything. "Kent, this human saying you bought an entire cabin?" Do you want to make babies? Kent groaned. "Hey Auri!! Watch your mouth. Who taught you this? You are becoming" Before Kent could complete his sentence. Nima buried her face in her hands. What babies? What are you talking about Auri? I will slap you in your butt if you say those nonsense things again. Do you want Thousands years of pain? (Kakashi''s technique from Naruto.) Chip! ''No, I don''t. I am sorry.'' The conductor cleared his throat. "Since a cabin is booked on your name , I have to ask you all to move to the cabin." Kent immediately shook his head. "Nope. We''re fine." Before the conductor could say anything else, Louis smiled. "Actually, I''d love to do that. We shouldn''t waste money, it''s only fair." Nima''s head snapped toward Louis. "EXCUSE ME?!" Kent nearly choked. "Wait, wait, waithold on, who said you could" The conductor nodded. "That actually works out well. Let me just take you to your cabin sir." And just like that, the damage was done. The conductor takes them to a VIP cabin. Kent says, Nima, let''s enjoy life. It''s not a big deal. It will be our first time inside a VIP cabin. Nima clenched her fists. "This. Is. A. NIGHTMARE." Auri took another sip of his juice, looking between them all. "This is the best drama I''ve ever watched." The moment the conductor left the VIP cabin, Nima slammed her hands on the table between the seats. "Listen here, Princess" Louis sipped her tea gracefully. "Yes, little sister?" Nima twitched. "I am not your little sister!" Kent facepalmed. "Can we please not start another fight?" Please, let''s just enjoy this journey by train. Louis smiled sweetly. "Oh, I wouldn''t dream of it." Kent slumped back in his seat. He just wanted a peaceful trip, but it was clear that was impossible. About an hour into the trip, a food cart arrived. The smell of freshly cooked meals filled the air. Kent''s stomach growled. "Finally. Let''s eat." He reached for his wallet, but before he could say anything, Louis stood up. "No need to pay." The VIP cabin provides free meals. It came with the cabin. Nima shot up. "Oh no, you won''t! I''ll pay for my brother''s meal!" I will give you the money. Give your bank account number. I will also give you the money for this VIP cabin. Once I sell my spiritual vegetables and ginseng from Snack lands, I will pay your money. Louis raised an eyebrow. "But I have enough money. I don''t need it." Nima gritted her teeth. "It''s not about money! It''s about principle!" Kent groaned. "Can''t we just eat without a competition?!" Kent murmurs in Nima''s ear. Nima, listen to me. This is very expensive. We don''t need to pay her. We will give her some spiritual vegetables. That will be the same as paying her. Auri looked between them. "If you two fight, can I have both of your meals?" The war had officially escalated. Nima didn''t agree with Kent''s offer but she didn''t protest either. As night fell, another problem arose. Kent lay on the bed in the cabin, stretching. "Finally. Some rest." But then he noticed something. Louis sat at the edge of the bed. His bed. Kent''s eye twitched. "Uh What are you doing?" Nima will kill me if she sees this. Louis tilted her head. "We have a cabin with two beds, but there''s three of us. I assumed we''d share." Kent nearly had a heart attack. "ARE YOU INSANE?!" Meanwhile, Nima was coming out of the toilet. She heard what Louis said. Nima''s voice boomed from across the room. "OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Auri, from his small nest in the corner, chirped. "I feel like I shouldn''t be here for this." Kent immediately sat up. "I''ll sleep on the floor." Louis pouted. "How ungentlemanly." Nima smirked. "Good job Kent." Then she says, "Know your place, Princess." Kent makes a bed on the floor for him. A few minutes later. Just as Kent thought things were finally calming down, he sensed something off. A strange energy. He sat up, eyes narrowing. "Something''s not right." Nima, half-asleep, grumbled. "Go back to bed." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Kent stood up and quietly opened the cabin door. In the dimly lit hallway, he spotted something. A shadow-like figurecloaked, moving suspiciously toward the cargo hold. Kent''s instincts screamed at him. This isn''t normal. Louis suddenly appeared behind him, whispering, "Trouble?" Kent nearly jumped. "WHY ARE YOU AWAKE?!" Louis smirked. "I was curious." Nima appeared next, rubbing her eyes. "What''s going on?" Auri sleepily chirped. "Is it time for snacks?" Kent sighed. "Stay here. I''ll check it out." "Of course, that meant everyone immediately followed him." As they were approaching the cargo hold, Kent''s heart pounded. This was supposed to be a simple trip. So why did it feel like something big was about to happen? Kent moved silently through the dimly lit train corridor, his footsteps barely making a sound against the wooden floor. Behind him, Nima, Louis, and Auri followed, their expressions ranging from curiosity to excitement. "This better not be another one of your dumb hunches," Nima whispered, rubbing her sleepy eyes. You disturbed my precious sleep. Kent shook his head. "I know what I felt. There''s something off." Louis smirked. "Ooo, are we solving a mystery? How thrilling." This is my first time solving a mystery. Train rides are so much fun. Auri flapped his wings, perching on Kent''s shoulder. "If it''s a ghost, I''m leaving." Nima is the ghost expert. They reached the door leading to the cargo hold. A small window allowed them to peek inside. The storage area was packed with crates, bags, and travel trunks. But theretoward the backwas a figure, draped in a tattered cloak, rummaging through the cargo. Kent narrowed his eyes. "Found you." The figure suddenly stopped. Slowly, the hooded head turned toward the window. Kent''s breath hitched. He knows we''re here. And then The hooded figure vanished. Not run. Not walking. Vanished. It just vanished like it wasn''t there. They all just imagine it. "Okay, yeah, that''s creepy," Auri muttered. It''s definitely a ghost. Nima, go beat that ghost. You are the Ghostbuster among us. Nima grabbed Kent''s hands. "We''re not going in there, right?" Kent smirked. "Of course, we are." Before she could argue, he slid the full door open and stepped inside. The moment Kent entered, the temperature seemed to drop. A strange energy lingered in the air. Louis hummed. "Spooky. I like it." It''s so exciting. I can''t wait to find out the truth. Nima says. "I don''t." Let''s leave. Kent motioned for them to stay quiet as he moved forward. He focused his senses, searching for any sign of movement. Thena shadow flickered. "Left!" Kent shouted, dashing forward. Nima and Louis followed as Auri soared overhead. The cloaked figure reappeared near the farthest crate, reaching into a box. Kent barely caught a glimpse of something metallic before it bolted toward the exit. "Oh no, you don''t!" Kent launched forward, his speed boosted by his flashing steps. He closed the gap, reaching out'' But the figure phased through the door. Kent skidded to a stop. "...What?" Nima blinked. "Did it just" Louis smirked. "Oh, now I''m really interested." Auri huffed. "We''re dealing with a ghost, I AM ????% SURE." Kent clenched his fists. "No. MAYBE Something else." Without hesitating, he pushed the door open and stepped into the next train cart. Chapter 93 - 93: Ghost Train Pursuit The next cart was dark, the only light coming from the occasional flash of passing street lamps outside. Kent took a cautious step forward. "I know you''re here." Silence!! No response at first. Then, a whisper"You''re different." Kent turned sharply. Behind him. The figure stood in the corner, partially obscured by shadows. This time, they didn''t run. Kent exhaled. "You''re the one who''s different. What are you?" A pause. Then, the hooded figure removed their cloak. A girl. Pale, silver hair, glowing violet eyes. Her skin had a strange luminescent quality, almost like moonlight. Nima gasped. "She''s not human." The girl smiled faintly. "Neither is he." Her gaze locked onto Kent. Kent''s eyes widened. What are you talking about? Louis chuckled. "Oh, this just got interesting." Chip! Auri tilted his head. "Okay, but can we talk about the phasing thing?" I don''t like ghosts. Kent focused back on the girl. He demanded, "Who are you?" She hesitated. Then, in a quiet voice"Eira." Nima crossed her arms. "Alright, Eira. Why are you sneaking around?" You feel like a phantom soul. [Phantom souls: They are not like normal souls. They are just memories and resentment of the person left behind, when they die.] Eira glanced at Kent. "I was looking for something." Kent frowned. "Something in the cargo?" Eira nodded, but her eyes flickered with caution. "Something taken from my people." Kent felt a strange pull in his chest. This girl There''s something about her. Before he could ask anything elseThe train jolted. The lights flickered. A strange, high-pitched sound echoed from the front of the train. Louis leaned toward Kent. "I don''t suppose this is normal?" Kent''s eyes darkened. "No. And I don''t think Eira is the only problem on this train." Outside, the sound of metal scraping against metal sent chills down his spine. Auri''s feathers puffed up. "Uhhh Kent I am scared of ghosts." Through the window, Kent saw it. Another train. Running alongside them. ExceptThere was no track beneath it. The unnatural train gilded beside them, hovering just above the darkened landscape, wheels spinning against nothing. Its metal frame looked oldrusted in some places, unnaturally polished in others. Pale blue flames flickered around its edges, casting eerie shadows through the night. Inside Kent''s train cart, silence hung thick. Nima broke it first. "Okay. I officially hate this." Auri fluttered to Kent''s shoulder, feathers puffed. "I''m with her. Trains are supposed to run on actual tracks." I saw and learnt it from TV. Louis, on the other hand, looked thrilled. "A floating train? This is fantastic." Kent didn''t share her enthusiasm. He locked eyes with Eira. "Is this connected to you?" Eira''s glowing violet eyes darkened. "Yes." Kent sighed. "Of course it is." ThenThe ghost train shifted. The front car split open, and figures began emerging, leaping across the gap between the two moving trains. Clang! Clang! Clang! Metal boots landed on the roof above them. Kent grabbed the nearest door handle and swung it open. "We need to get outside. Now." Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima groaned. "Do we have to?" But the decision was made for them when the ceiling buckled inward. A blade pierced through, narrowly missing Kent''s head. He was able to dodge it in time. "They''re already inside." Kent moved first. No hesitation. He grabbed Nima''s wrist and leapt out onto the side of the train, using his spiritual energy to balance himself against the wind. Louis followed, laughing like this was the most fun she''d had in years. Eira hesitated before stepping out, as if debating something, but then followed suit. Auri flew overhead, scouting. Above them, shadowy figures in tattered armor began dropping down onto the moving train. Kent narrowed his eyes. He says they don''t look like ghosts. Too solid for a ghost. One of them landed directly in front of him. A knight, clad in dark, worn armor with glowing blue symbols etched into the metal. His helmet obscured his face, but his eyes burned an unnatural shade of white. The knight slowly raised his sword. Kent cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let''s see what you got." ''The knight lunged.'' Kent twisted, barely dodging the impossibly fast strike. He countered with a punch to the chestonly to feel an icy resistance beneath the armor. The impact sent the knight skidding back but didn''t knock him down. Nima cursed. "They don''t go down easy, huh?" Louis smirked. "Then we just hit harder." She stepped forward, summoning a pair of golden daggers from her space tool and disappearing in a blur. She reappeared behind another knight and slashed The knight vanished into mist. Louis stumbled, eyes wide. "What the?" Before she could react, the knight reappeared behind her. Kent was already moving. He grabbed Louis on her hips like a prince charming holding her lover. Louis became very shy. Her cheeks look like a tomato. They were having a moment. Then suddenly Kent yanked her away before the knight''s sword could strike. "They''re teleporting," Eira called out. "It''s a technique from the old world." Kent scowled. "Yeah, that''s annoying." Another knight appeared near Eira. This time, before it could attack, she lifted a single hand. The knight froze. The runes on its armor flickered wildly before shattering into dust. The knight collapsed instantly. Nima stares. "Okay. That was cool." Eira exhaled. "I was one of them, once." Kent blinked. "Wait, what?" But before she could explainA loud horn blast shook the air. The ghost train was accelerating. Kent glanced ahead and saw the front cart opening. From inside, a tall figure stepped out. Unlike the knights, this one was different. His armor wasn''t broken or worn. It was pristine. "A general." The air around him crackled with energy. The blue flames surrounding the train burned brighter. And thenHe jumped. Right toward Kent. WHOOSH!! SLAM!! Kent barely had time to react before the general landed in front of him, shaking the entire train cart. The sheer pressure radiating off him was suffocating. Kent clenched his fists. "And you are?" The general slowly raised his great sword. When he spoke, his voice was layeredtwo voices speaking at once. "You are unworthy of knowing my name." Then he swung his sword at Kent. Kent blocked with both arms. The impact nearly sent him flying off the train. His arms burned from the force, his feet sliding across the metal roof. Louis grinned. "Ohh, now this is fun." She lunged, but before she could even get closeThe general twisted and swung his sword at her. Louis barely managed to dodge, but even the shockwave of the attack sent her spinning backward. Kent gritted his teeth. Fast. Strong. Dangerous. But alsonot invincible. Kent cracked his neck. "Alright. My turn." He surged forward, unleashing a spiritual energy-hellfire infused punch. The general caught it. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Boom! The entire train shook as a shockwave exploded from the impact. The ghost train beside them wavered, its form flickering. The general staggered back. Kent smirked. Gotcha. You are scared of my hellfire. But then, something changed. The general straightened. His armor began to glow. And suddenly, the sky itself darkened. Eira''s eyes widened. "He''s summoning something." Kent tensed. "Summoning what?" The ghost train roared with a loud whistle. And from within, a massive black claw reached out. The air trembled. Kent''s instincts screamed. Whatever was coming was something beyond anything he''d faced before. The black claw emerging from the ghost train twisted, curling against the wind. It wasn''t just massiveit was otherworldly, its surface flickering between solid and smoke, between the real and the unreal. The sheer presence of it sent waves of pressure crashing into the train, making the metal beneath Kent''s feet groan. Then, it roared. The sound wasn''t normal. It wasn''t even just loud. It was a collision of voices, layered screams and whispers, centuries of pain condensed into a single unholy cry. Kent clenched his fists. "Okay. Yeah. That''s not normal." He thinks my system didn''t give me any information about this. So that means Appraisal cost over ten thousand SP. I told the system that, don''t use Appraisal on anything over ten thousand SP unless I say ask for it. Eira''s glowing violet eyes dimmed. "It''s a Warden." Louis''s usual grin faded. "A what?" Eira didn''t take her eyes off the claw. "A Warden of the Forgotten Realm. A being left behind when worlds collapse, fused with the remnants of time itself." She exhaled. "It shouldn''t be here." Kent raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here it is." I don''t have time to use Appraisal now. I need to defeat this warden or whatever. The general standing before them showed no emotion, no hesitation. He simply raised his greatsword. "Consume." The Warden''s full form ripped out of the ghost train. A titanic, half-formed beast, its body a patchwork of shattered armor, spectral flesh, and shifting void. Its head was a floating mask, cracked and leaking dark mist. Kent cursed. "Of course it has a creepy mask." Chip! Auri fluttered above, eyes sharp. "Kent, this thing''s bad news." Kent rolled his shoulders. "Good. So am I." And then the Warden attacked. Chapter 94 - 94: Forgotten Warden and an Unaccepted Reward. The Warden roared first then moved in a way something that big shouldn''t. Its claw shot forward, ripping through the air toward Kentfast, like a whip. Kent barely dodged. He felt the heat of the attack pass inches from his face, and the train cargo cart behind him split in half. Nima shouted, "IT JUST CUT A TRAIN CART IN HALF?!" Thank God nobody was on that cart. If he attacked a passenger cartthen every passenger on that cart might get killed by him. Louis vanished in a flash of light, reappearing above the Warden''s arm. She slashed downward, her daggers glowing with spiritual energy. "The Warden shifted." Instead of dodging, it simply let the attack pass through. Its body turned momentarily to mist. Her attack landed on the train''s roof. A loud Clunk sound echoed on the impact. At that moment the warden body solidified again right before slamming a second claw toward Louis. WHOSH! Louis barely phased back in time. "Okay. That''s cheating." Kent grinned. "Then we just cheat harder." His body surged with spiritual energy. He pushed off the train and charged. The general stepped in his way. Meanwhile, Nima was standing out of the attack range. Raka and Lumo were standing in front of her. They were shielding Nima. She summons them in case Kent needs some help. She says to herself, "I want to contribute to the fight. But my cultivation level isn''t high enough to directly fight with the enemy. I need to look for an openingan opportunity to send Raka and Lumo to help Kent." Kent wasn''t surprised by the general. He swung a heavy firey punch, and the general blocked with his sword, sparks flying. Then the general did something Kent didn''t expect"He smiled." Kent barely had time to react before the general twisted, grabbing Kent''s wrist mid-attack. And thenHe threw Kent. Right into the Warden''s grasp. Kent tries to hit the Warden''s claw with full forcebut he passes right through it. What? One moment, he was in the battle. The nextDarkness. He was falling. No ground, no skyjust an endless void, swirling with memories that weren''t his. Faint whispers surrounded him. "the last one failed" "no escapeonly return" "consumeconsumeconsume" Kent''s heart pounded. He reached for his spiritual energybut it felt distant. He couldn''t feel his spiritual energy. Then, ahead of him, a mask appeared. Larger than his body. Massive. Floating in the void, its cracks glowing with blue fire. Kent gritted his teeth. Not good. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A voice-ancient, cold, layered in echoes-spoke directly into his mind. "You are unbound by fate. You have hell fire." Kent narrowed his eyes. "Yeah? And?" "That makes you a perfect offering." I will swallow you. Your hell fire will make me stronger. The mask split open. Kent dove forward. No way in hell was he getting eaten. Outside, Louis, Nima, and Eira watched in horror as Kent was swallowed by the Warden''s form. Nima grabbed Eira. "Do something!" Tell me how I can save my big brother? Hurry up!! Eira''s fingers trembled. "It''s it''s consuming him into the Forgotten Realm." Nima gets panicked and tries to attack the warden but she is stopped by the general. Nima first sends Raka to attack the general. Then she ordered Lumo to change into his battle form. Lumo turns into a eight feet giant bear. He joined Raka in the fight with the general. Both of them are not strong enough to defeat the general. But they were keeping him busy. Louis cracked her knuckles. "No.. not happening. As long as I am alive. I will never let any harm come close to Kent." She vanished in a blur, reappearing above the Warden''s body. This time, she didn''t aim for its flesh. She attacked the chains binding it to the ghost train. The moment her daggers severed the first chain, the Warden screamed. Its body flickered, like a glitching image. Inside the void, Kent felt it. A sudden lurch. His spiritual energy rushed back. The mask in front of him wavered. Kent grinned. "Bad move." He clenched his fistand punched straight through the mask with his hellfire. From the outside, it looked like an explosion of light. The mask inside the void shattered as Kent burst free from its body, landing back on the train. Nima was crying and punching the warden with all her might. Give me my big brother. Give him back to me. Kent comes out at exactly that moment. He says "Nima I am alright. Don''t cry. Move back I will beat the shit out of this warden." Nima, wiping her tears, says "Kent , are you hurt? I I was so scared. I thought I lost you." I am okay. You move back a little bit. I will deal with this warden. First he pulls out one energy recovery pill he got from the system lottery spin and swallows it. His energy fully recovered. Then he eats one physique enhancement fruit. + 50% Physical power boost. His body started to glow. Then he focuses all his spiritual energy on his hands. Kent summons the biggest size hellfire he ever created. A massive black flame shape of a ball floating above his head. It looks exactly like a spirit bomb, the only difference is it''s black. He murdered, "This should be enough to burn this Bastard ass. I will turn this warden into ashes." He throws the hellfire at the warden. Louis jumps back seeing Kent attack. Her instinct told her if she doesn''t move back she will be burned to death in an instant. The massive black hellfire ball covers the warden body. He was getting sucked inside the hellfire. The warden roared in pain. It''s body turning into nothingness. ARHGGHHHHHH! YOU WANTED TO EAT ME FOR MY HELLFIRE. I AM GIVING YOU MY HELLFIRE. NOW EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. Within a few seconds the warden was fully burned. Its body disappeared. It left a small BLUE flame behind. The ghost trainwithout the Wardenbegan losing form. [Ding! 2000 SP copied from warden. (Death)] [Ding! A new type of fire is detected.] The general stopped fighting and it started. Raka and Lumo fall back. Nima called them back by her side. Kent exhaled. "That was way too close." The general slowly lowered his sword. The blue flames around his armor dimmed. And then, without a word, he turnedand walked back into the ghost train. The train vanished. Just like that, the battle was over. Louis dusted herself off. "Well. That was dramatic." Nima sat down hard. "Can we have a NORMAL train ride now?!" Kent just laughed. "No promises." The last traces of the ghost train faded into nothing, leaving behind an eerie stillness. The train station, once filled with phantoms and echoes of the past, now looked abandonedsilent, save for the crackling of a broken light flickering above them. Kent exhaled, shaking off the last bit of void energy clinging to his skin. "Well. That was a thing." Louis stretched her arms. "You almost got erased from existence, and that''s all you have to say?" Nima threw up her hands. "I swear, every time I think things can''t get weirder, they do." Kent gave a half-smile. "You''ll get used to it." Auri was still in the air, and landed on Kent''s shoulder. "No, she won''t. None of us will." His feathers ruffled. "That thing was a Wardennot just a ghost, but a remnant of a collapsed world." Kent rubbed his chin. "And yet it didn''t kill me. Instead it got killed by me." The memory of the general''s smile still lingered in Kent''s mind. He murdered himself, why do I feel like I will meet him again." Nima crossed her arms. "Kent, you owe me an apology. I was very scared. I thought you would also leave like our parents." Kent says with a serious face, "Nima, I will never leave you alone in this world. Even if I die I will stay with you. I am sorry for scaring you." They both hug each other. They hold that position for a few seconds. Auri also joins them. Louis in the background says, how cute. Kent- Can I join? Nima quickly replied in anger, you you are not welcome in our family. Kent, tell her she is not welcome. "Cough! Cough! I need to check something. You girls talk to each other." Eira, however, was still staring at the spot where the train disappeared, her violet eyes deep in thought. She blinked, snapping out of it. "It left too easily." Louis raised an eyebrow. "I thought we forced it out?" Eira shook her head. "No that Warden wasn''t at full strength. Something was restraining it. I am glad you guys managed to beat him. But that general he didn''t fight seriously." That stopped everyone cold. Nima scowled. "You''re saying we weren''t even dealing with their full power?" Eira say''s I am sorry. "I can''t answer any more questions. My time is over. I hope we will meet again." "After saying that she disappears into the air." Meanwhile, Kent was busy with his newly found fire. He was observing the fire. [Ding! A new type of fire is detected.] Chapter 95 - 95: Two Fires, One Heart – The Double Blaze Escapadeb Hey system, what type of fire is this? Can I absorb it directly? Ding! Frostfire - Pale Blue (a cold, magical flame that burns with icy energy). [The host can refine and absorb the fire directly.] Ohh! Frost fire! It sounds so cool. Can I freeze my enemies into ice or something? System didn''t say anything about."I guess, I need to find it out by myself." Kent focused his gaze on the flickering flames before him. The fire wasn''t ordinary; it pulsed with an old, untamed energy, almost as if it had a life of its own. Taking a deep breath, he picks up the blue flames into his hands. Then he reached out with his spiritual senses, allowing the fire''s energy to flow into his body. As the fire entered his body, a burning sensation spread through his veins. It was agonizing at first, but Kent gritted his teeth, channeling his willpower to refine the energy. He guided it through his meridians, forcing it to merge seamlessly with his essence. Slowly, the flames converged toward his heart. A fiery glow enveloped his chest as the energy condensed, forming a molten core within him. His heartbeat grew stronger, steady like a war drum, each thud resonating with newfound power. Then, the fire fully integrated. A searing pain shot through his body, but within moments, it was replaced by an overwhelming sense of strength. His entire being felt lighter, stronger, more attuned to the primal energy of fire. Kent exhaled sharply, his breath carrying faint embers. He clenched his fist, feeling the heat thrumming just beneath his skin. He had succeededthe fire was now a part of him, residing in his heart, waiting to be unleashed at his command. [Ding! Congratulations host. You have successfully collected two types of fire.] Ultimate mission progress: 2/7 (collect seven types of fire.) He could feel it: his familiar, fierce hellfire still burning hot, now perfectly merged with that Frost fire-cool-blue flame he''d absorbed from the Warden''s final remnant. It was as if two very different types of fire were hosting a bizarre party inside his heart. "Great," Kent muttered to himself, wincing as he shifted his weight. "Now I''m a walking bonfire with a disco ball in my chest." Louis, ever the first to break the silence, sidled up with a raised eyebrow. "You look like you''re burning from the inside out. Need a hand?" Kent grinned, though a curious warmth radiated beneath his skin. "Nah, Louis I am fine. He thinks, "My heart''s now got a dual-fuel systemone part Hellfire, one part Frost fire.'' Kind of like having a spicy burrito with a side of cool salsa. It burns differently but it still packs a punch."" Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima, already recovered from her earlier tears and frantic punches, eyed him warily. "Are you sure you''re alright, Kent?" "I am fine, don''t worry Nima." A soft chime echoed from the edge of Kent''s consciousnessanother system notification. [Ding! Dual Heartfire Mode: Activated.] Please wait. A reward will be given to the host. The display vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Kent to muse. "Damn it system, explain everything properly." Nima says, Kent, let''s go inside back to our cabin. I am feeling hungry. Okay, Let''s go inside. "I will check the details later." In the dim light before dawn, the train''s metal roof gleamed under a scattering of stars. Atop the silent carriage, Kent, Louis, and Nima prepared to make their entrance. Raka and Lumo return to Nima''s black hole. Auri sitting on Nima''s shoulder. They moved with quiet purpose along the train''s narrow roof. The air was cool, the hum of distant wheels on rails a soft lullaby to the brave. Kent led the way saying, "Keep close," his voice low and determined. "We must enter without drawing attention." One by one, they climbed down the ladder that ran alongside the train. The climb was steep but steady, each step measured and quiet, so as not to disturb the slumbering routine of the other passengers. They moved silently along the passage, careful not to startle a sleeping child or disturb a weary merchant. Despite the bustle, there was an odd stillnessa calm that belied the mysterious events occurring only in whispers on the train''s surface. As they settled into their cabin. "It''s strange," he observed softly. "None of these passengers noticed the ghostly battle above, as if the train itself chose to keep that secret for us alone." Maybe there was some kind of barrier created by the ghost train. That''s why no one heard anything. Across from him, Nima rolled her eyes with a half-smile. "People live in their little worlds. They''d rather talk about the weather than notice a ghost train." A moment of comfortable silence passed before Kent''s tone turned inquisitive. "Louis, tell me trulywhat of your two bodyguards? They were always by your side the other day. Yet now, as you journey to another city they are absent." Louis''s smile faltered just slightly, then brightened with quiet mischief. "I left them behind. I needed to see this world unguarded, to explore with my own eyes and feel its heartbeat directly. I longed for the freedom to choose my path without the constant weight of protection." Nima''s expression grew stern. "You risk so much, venturing alone. How can you be sure you will be safe?" "I have to learn to rely on my own strength," Louis replied simply, her voice steady. "Sometimes, the greatest lessons are found when we are alone with the unknown." Their quiet conversation soon gave way to the familiar banter that marked their journey. Nima and Louis soon fell into their routine of playful, often heated exchanges over the smallest mattershow to fold the empty food package correctly, the best seat by the window, and even the proper way to enjoy a simple travel snack. Amid the mild disputes, Kent''s only wish was for the journey to end, to leave behind the endless back-and-forth as soon as possible. Time passed slowly as the train trundled steadily toward Azure Bay City. The ordinary chatter of the passengers filled the compartment, none the wiser to the secret they all unknowingly shared with the silent heroes among them. To them, the day would begin with mundane worrieslost belongings, the price of a warm meal, the promise of familiar comfortswhile the extraordinary still simmered quietly in the hearts of a few. At last, the train began to slow as it neared its final destination. Azure Bay City loomed ahead like a vibrant promise against the breaking dawn. Its skyline was punctuated by tall spires and broad avenues, all bathed in the soft light of early morning. Yet as the train rolled into the bustling station, a new mystery greeted them. Amid the lively hustle of arriving passengers and vendors setting up their stalls, murmurs of dismay spread through the crowd. A portly man in a crisp uniform was agitated, his voice rising above the murmurs. "It''s gone! One of our carts has vanished into thin air!" A woman clutched her hands, my suitcase, her face etched with disbelief. "My belongings! All my precious luggagegone without a trace!" Her cry echoed among the gathered throng. Kent exchanged a weary glance with Nima and Louis. The chaos of missing carts and lost luggage was the result of ethereal battles that had just been waged above. Yet, as usual, fate had a way of mixing the supernatural with the mundane. As the other passengers began to gather their scattered items and return to the station''s flow of routine life, the triounited by fate prepared to step into the unfolding day. With one final look at the flurry of activity around them, Kent murmured, "Come, let us collect our belongings and move forward. Azure Bay City awaits, and with it, new adventures, hidden dangers, and perhaps the next spark of destiny." Thus, as the early light bathed the station in soft gold and the crowd began to disperse into the city''s embrace, the police came to solve the mystery of the vanished cart. Kent adjusted the accursed pink Barbie suitcase on his hands and exhaled. "Alright. First things firstwe need to check into a hotel." Nima, bouncing with excitement, grabbed his sleeve. "No way! Let''s go explore first! Look at all the food stalls! And the glowing jellyfish in the sky!" Kent followed her gaze. High above, spiritual creatures drifted through the airazure-blue jellyfish, their tendrils flickering like ghostly flames. "Spirit Drifters," Kent muttered. "They''re drawn to high-energy places." "They''re so pretty" Nima''s eyes sparkled. Kent, however, kept his focus sharp. He had a mission here. Investigate strange energy readings near the coast. Find out why this jellyfish evolved. That meant the fun could wait. Just as he was about to drag Nima toward their lodging, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "You there! With the ah, unique suitcase!" Kent turned, already bracing himself for trouble. A young woman in a crisp navy-blue uniform approached, her piercing green eyes scanning him with suspicion. The insignia on her sleeve marked her as a City Enforcerthe local law enforcement for cultivators. She is also a member of Nexus and Watcher. Chapter 96 - 96: The City Trembles, The Sea Calls "Name?" she asked, her tone all business. Kent raised an eyebrow. "My name is Kent." "Kent what?" She asked again "Just Kent." The Enforcer scowled. "Traveler or resident?" "Traveler." Her gaze flicked to Nima, then to the suitcase, and then back to him. "Purpose of visit?" Nima says, "vacation." Kent says, "work." She gets suspicious of them. Both of you are saying different reasons. I need you to come with me. Your bird.. is it an evolved beast? Do you have a permit or licence to own a beast? Kent sighed. "Vacation and work Both. I have a Watcher business then we will have a vacation." He flashed his trainee badge. The Enforcer studied it for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. "Hmph." Looks legit. I am also a Watcher member. Do you know what happened on the train? How did a train cart disappear? Meanwhile, some black coat wearing guy and two strong cultivators were talking with Louis. She was a little upset. They exchanged her as soon as she came out of the train. "Princess you can''t just travel as you wish. There is a security protocol you must OBEY. It''s a decision made by your father." Another person joined the conversation, you told us you were going to the bathroom. We waited for you outside the public bathroom for hours. Later with Nexus help we checked the entire city''s CCTV and found out you took a train. I just wanted to have some freedom. You guys always follow me. I don''t like that. Did you inform my father about anything? Yes princess, he is very upset. He told us to take you home. He will send a female bodyguard to be with you 24/7. He also said he will visit you soon. She is very upset. She will be scolded by her father, that''s a guarantee. She thinks "I need to go back with them. If I don''t go, my father will know about Kent. I don''t know how he will react. I better be safe than sorry." Alright I will go with go. Just give me a minute. I need to say goodbye to someone. You all must stay here. Kent, she yelled. I need to go back to the metro city. Inform me, Once you are done with your vacation and come back to metro city. Nima didn''t let Kent reply to her. She says my brother is a busy man. Don''t disturb him. Once we go back he needs to do a lot of work. "He doesn''t have time to play with you. We are not rich like you. We have to work and earn money." Alright. You don''t need to inform me, Louis says. I will find out by myself. Bye Kent. I will see you soon. After she left. The law enforcement woman says. You haven''t answered my question. Do you know what happened on the train? Kent says, it''s a long story. I will tell you I''m short. This is what happened.. She says, We receive reports about a strange train many times. It appears all over the country. Whenever the ghost train comes, some people always go missing. We are still figuring out the mystery. I need to report the train incident to my higher ups. I will report about your hard work too. You have done a great job. You kept everyone safe from the ghost train. By the way, There was an incident at the coastal docks earlier today. Some strange energy fluctuations. I just saw your trainee mission is to investigate a nearby area, I suggest you stay alert." The Enforcer gave them one last look before striding off into the crowd. Kent''s expression sharpened. An incident? Already? Nima tugged on Kent''s sleeve. "That was intense. Do you think it''s related to your mission?" I don''t know, Kent replied, "Let''s have breakfast first then find a good hotel." That''s a great idea. I am very hungry. I want something with meat. Where do we eat? Kent was about to answer when a deep boom echoed through the city. The ground trembled beneath their feet. The sky flickered with unnatural light. And somewhere, in the direction of the sea, something massive roared. Azure City fell silent for just a moment. The deep boom that echoed across the coastline wasn''t just soundit was something more. A wave of spiritual pressure rolled through the streets, pressing down on every living being like the weight of the ocean itself. Kent immediately took a defensive stance, dropping Nima''s cursed pink suitcase without a second thought. His senses sharpened. *That wasn''t just a sound. It was a warning.* sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The air crackled with residual energy, an eerie blue light dancing across the sky like lightning trapped within invisible waves. From the direction of the sea, another distant roar rang out, distorted, almost otherworldly. The people of Azure City reacted in different ways. Experienced cultivators stopped in their tracks, eyes narrowing in caution, while ordinary civilians gasped and hurried for shelter. Some merchants frantically packed their stalls, as if they knew something dangerous had arrived. "Kent," Nima whispered, eyes wide, "what the hell was that?" Kent''s mind raced through possibilities. A sea beast? A failed summoning ritual? A spatial rift? Hundreds of things come into his mind. What could be the reason for this loud roar? The Watcher''s mission report had only mentioned "evolution cause," but this was far beyond a simple disturbance. Before he could answer, a squad of armored cultivators rushed down the main street. They wore the same navy-blue uniforms as the Enforcer from earlier, their insignias marked with golden waves. Azure Guard. "Everyone, clear the streets!" one of them barked. "Return to your homes immediately! This is an emergency!" More murmurs broke out among the crowd. People shuffled backward, torn between curiosity and fear. Kent grabbed Nima''s wrist. "Come on, we need to move." "But the breakfast" "Later!" Kent says in a strong voice. He pulled her into the nearest alley just as another explosion rocked the city. This time, the sound came from the harbor. Flames lit up the evening sky, a column of smoke rising where the docks should have been. The force of the blast sent a ripple through the ground. Windows shattered. The cries of panicked civilians filled the air. Kent''s heart pounded. Whatever was happening, it was escalating very fast. Kent didn''t stop moving until they reached a rooftop overlooking the harbor. From here, he had a full view of the chaos below. The docks were in ruins. Several ships had been torn apart as if something massive had risen from beneath the waves. The water churned unnaturally, glowing faintly with the same eerie blue light that had flickered through the sky earlier. And then Kent saw it. A form loomed beneath the surface, too large to be anything natural. Its outline rippled, shifting like a mirage. Dozens of eyes glowed beneath the waves, unblinking, inhuman. A beast. Nonot just a beast. A being. Kent clenched his fists. He could feel the remnants of his spiritual energy responding to whatever this thing was. Then, as if sensing his gaze, the creature moved. A single appendagea thick, dark tendrilrose from the water, slick with an unnatural sheen. It lashed out, crashing down onto the harbor with devastating force. Stone shattered like glass. Buildings crumbled into dust. "That''s not normal," Nima muttered. Kent exhaled slowly. "No kidding." They needed more information. This thing wasn''t attacking randomlyit was searching for something. But what? A voice interrupted his thoughts. "You''re a Watcher trainee, What are you doing standing here?" Kent turned sharply. The female Enforcer from earlier had landed on the rooftop beside him, her uniform slightly singed, her eyes blazing with urgency. "You''re here on assignment, right? To become an official member of Watcher. Our first first code is to protect the people. Stop standing like a civilian. Help us contain that thing before it levels the entire city!" Kent didn''t hesitate. He cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders. Finally, A Chance to test my new flame. Nima, you and Auri should stay here. Summon Raka and Lumo if something unexpected happens. Look after our luggage. No matter what happens, you must trust me. I will be back in a minute or two. Ohh! I almost forgot, Kent gives her his smartphone. Here take it Nima. "I don''t want to break my mobile in the action. My mobile isn''t even waterproof." "Promise me you won''t put yourself in danger like last time." Alright Kent, I will listen to you for now. Don''t make me wait for a long time. Make sure you come back as soon as possible. I am very hungry. I will take you to a good restaurant for breakfast. He smirked, then asked the police lady. "What''s the plan?" The enforcement lady says, first we will move the civilians as far as possible. Help me with that. Later we will do what the situation demands. Tell your sister to move to a different place. It''s very dangerous here. Don''t worry, my sister knows what to do. She may look young but she is very intelligent. Let''s go down first. Chapter 97 - 97: The World Between Worlds The moment Kent leapt down from the rooftop, ready to save the civilians and face the monstrous entity in the harbour, everything shifted. "Nima also came down with him. She wanted to go to a different location." The air twisted. A deep, unnatural pull seized him and Nima, yanking them backwards as if the universe itself had hooked them with an invisible thread. For a fraction of a second, Kent saw the world dissolve into nothing. The roaring sea, the crumbling harbour, the chaosall of it vanished, replaced by a cold, suffocating darkness. "And then, they fell." Kent crashed onto a hard, cracked surface, his body rolling with the impact. His instincts flaredthis wasn''t normal teleportation. The energy in the air was wrong. A choked gasp beside him made him turn. Nima had landed a few feet away, sprawled out but already pushing herself up. Her pink Barbie suitcase lay nearby, somehow still intact. Kent groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "That felt worse than getting drop-kicked by the skeleton dragon from the graveyard Ruin." "Where are we?" Nima''s voice faltered as she looked around. Kent followed her gaze. They were no longer in Azure Bay City. They stood in a ruined placean eerie, endless landscape of blackened stone and ghostly mist. Towering stone structures, half-collapsed and crumbling, stretched toward a sky filled with swirling grey fog. The ground beneath them was cracked, pulsing faintly with blue light, and the air itself felt thick, heavy, and wrong. Most unsettling of all, figures floated in the distance. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of shadows. Some were barely visible, mere wisps of darkness drifting like forgotten memories. Others had more defined formswarriors in rusted armour, scholars in tattered robes, and even creatures that had long since turned to bone and dust. Ghosts! Or Lost Souls! Kent murmurs. And all of them turned, their empty eyes locking onto Kent and Nima. "Ah," Kent exhaled. "I don''t suppose this is some friendly ghost town, is it?" Nima shot him a glare. "They''re hostile. All of them." I can feel it. Kent we need to move. As if confirmation of her words, the nearest spirits began to move. Slow at first, their movements unnatural, jerky. Then faster. Within seconds, the air filled with eerie, echoing wails as the ghostly horde surged forward. Kent grinned. "Well, at least it''s not boring." He cracked his knuckles. He still didn''t know where they were or why they had been pulled here, but if the local welcoming party wanted a fight.` They were getting one. Nima, wasting no time. With a sharp motion, she reached her black hole/ summon space inside her heart. "She called out to Raka and Lumo,". The moment she spoke, some black energy covered the area, and from the shadows, two figures emerged. Raka and Lumothe soul servant bound to Nimarose from the mist, his Aetherial frame covered in dark clothes and a furry spirit bear, their crimson eyes gleaming with spiritual power. The moment he materialized, the spirits reacted. The wailing intensified. The ghosts hated him. They surged forward with increased fury, clawed hands reaching for him. "You serve a human. What a shame." But Raka didn''t flinch. He just watched them like a mindless fool. Lumo Says, "A fine battlefield," his voice deep and rasping directly into Nima''s mind. "My lady, shall I harvest them?" Nima nodded. "Make it efficient." After that, she says, "Kent, did you see how cool I looked when I summed them? Take some photos for me. I will post it in Cultibook." Kent rolled his eyes, ''photos!''. "Yeah, yeah Nima you looked cool. Go kill some ghosts. I''ll handle the rest. Once we are done you can take your photos." Kent moved. The first spirit lunged, its skeletal hands clawing toward his throat. Kent sees these skeletons have some kind of core in the middle of the chest area. It glows like a black dim light. He ducked the attack, twisted it, and drove his fist into its core. A shockwave erupted from the impact, dispersing the ghost in a burst of blue light. Ding! System notifications. Ghost core detected. Description: The ghost core is created by thousands of ghosts. This core can control the skeleton. Note: This ghost core is very helpful for Soulbinder Nima. The system recommends collecting the core. Kent didn''t get time to think about the pros and cons of the system notifications. Two more came at him. Kent sidestepped, grabbed one by the arm, and threw it into the other, sending them both tumbling back. His movements were sharp and efficient, and his body knew how to fight. Raka and Lumo, meanwhile, were a blur of destruction. They cut through the spirits with ruthless precision, Lumos claws slicing through ethereal flesh. Nima quickly took advantage of the situation. She absorbs their fragmented souls into her soul refinement Orb. Each time they struck down an enemy, dark energy coiled around them, strengthening the soul refinement orb. Nima stood behind them, hands weaving in the air, forming intricate symbols of power. Each defeated spirit sent a ripple through her body, her cultivation surging faster than ever. Kent sensed it immediately. She was levelling up very fast. Her aura shifted, spiritual energy growing more refined, more potent. The stagnant energy that she previously had was cracked apart like a dam finally breaking. "From Kent''s point of view, it feels like a cocoon breaks its slumber and becomes a butterfly." ThenA pulse. "A shockwave of power erupted from Nima as her cultivation jumped." Ding! Congratulations host. The host sister levels up. Name: Nima Cultivation: Level D. Skill: Soulbinder SSS Servant: 2/3 Her eyes snapped open, glowing with dark energy. And for the first time, the ghosts hesitated. Low-level ghosts were very scared of Nima. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The battle slowed. The ghosts that had once attacked relentlessly now hovered, uncertain. Even the swirling fog in the sky seemed to dim. ThenA deep, guttural laugh. Kent stiffened. The laughter wasn''t coming from the ghosts. It wasn''t coming from Nima. It wasn''t even coming from this dimension. It came from everywhere. A cold wind swept through the ruins. The fog overhead flickered. And thenWHOSH! A door appeared. A massive, iron-wrought gate materialized in the distance, its surface covered in ancient symbols that pulsed with ominous energy. Beyond it, Kent could feel something waiting. Watching Amused "Well," Kent muttered, exhaling slowly. "That''s not ominous at all." Nima didn''t answer. She was staring at the door, her expression unreadable. Kent could tell. Whatever was behind that gateIt wasn''t done with them yet. A heavy silence settled over the battlefield. The ghosts that had once lunged at them with mindless fury now hung back, their hollow eyes locked onto the door. It loomed in the distance, massive and ancient, its iron surface carved with pulsating runes. The energy it radiated was wrongnot just eerie, but something deeper. Something hungry. Kent wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. "So, do we, uh, knock? Or just pretend we don''t see the horrifying death gate and walk away?" Nima didn''t answer immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the symbols, her breathing slow and measured. She was feeling some kind of connection with the strange gate. "Seeing Nima''s face Kent could tellshe was processing something." Kent says to the System, Use appraisal! And tell me, Where are we? I am willing to use 100k SP. Ding! Deducted 100,000 SP for the appraisal fee. Location: A pocket dimension. Description: Thousands of years old Sect of the demonic cult. Kent says out loud. Nima, we are inside a pocket dimension. This belongs to an old demonic Sect. Stay by my side. Hearing that, Nima exhaled sharply. "This place isn''t just a pocket dimension." Kent arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Did you figure that out just now? The sky being foggy wasn''t enough of a hint?" Nima ignored him. "This is a prison." I can hear many souls begging for forgiveness. They are saying they will never do any evil. Let them be reincarnated. Kent frowned. "What a prison?" Instead of answering, Nima took a step forward. And the door moved. With a groaning creak, the iron gate began to open. Inside Kent''s mind, Why didn''t my system give me that information? What the hell system!!! What''s wrong with you? Ding! The host said he is willing to spend 100k SP. The system can only give basic information. To know the details, the host needs 1 million SP. Do you want to use Appraisal again? Yes/No One million SP!!! Seriously. Right now, How much SP do I have? Ding! SP balance: 3.3 million. I need FIVE million SP to level up my cultivation. I can''t use one million SP. With three million I can now leave up my cultivation to level-D middle. Nima is already ''Level D.'' She has two servants Raka and Lumo both of them also Level D. I can''t fall behind. "It''s hard for me to earn SP. When I get back home I need to find a sustainable way to farm SP." Nima can tell me about the details. She can communicate with all souls. So, I don''t need to waste my SP. I will catch a small fry ghost and make him reveal everything about this place. I MIGHT NEED TO LEVEL UP MY CULTIVATION SOON. THIS PLACE IS VERY DANGEROUS. Chapter 98 - 98: The Forsaken Path --- The iron gate opens, A gust of frigid air burst from the widening entrance, swirling past them like icy fingers. Kent instinctively stepped in front of Nima, his body tensing. The mist inside the gate thickened, then parted. And some ghost stepped out. Spectral figures wrapped in faded cloaks, their bodies barely solid. But there was something different about these ones. They weren''t mindless like skeleton ghosts. Their eyes glowed. A deep, pulsing blue light shines within their skulls, and the moment they saw Kent and Nima, a low, raspy whisper echoed through the air. "New blood finally." Kent clenched his fists. "You know, I really hate it when creepy things talk in unison." The figures didn''t attack, at least not yet. They watched. Their eyes flicked from Kent to Nima, lingering on her for a moment longer before one of them stepped forward. Unlike the others, this one wore armor. Rusted, cracked, and ancient, but still intact. It was holding a sword in his hands. System, use appraisal. [Ding! Demonic soul: ''Fifty'' level D Demonic sect disciple.] [Ding! Demonic soul: One Elite disciple Cultivation Level C] [Description: Trapped for Thousands of years. Most of the Cultivation lost. Trying to regain their cultivation with human sacrifice/blood. Status: weak and recovering.] "So, the sword holding one is an elite disciple. They want human sacrifice. They think we are easy targets. Bunch of fools." It spoke to Nima ''elite disciple''. "You do not belong here." Its voice was deep, weighted with centuries. "Yet you stand before the Gate of the Forsaken." (soul language.) "Why can''t I understand what this sword holder disciple is saying? Hey system, translate everything for me. I want to know what this skeleton is talking about." [Ding! Translating the soul language. Good news host. It will be a low cost ''SP'' translation. Because the host has a bloodline connection with the Soulbinder Nima.] Nima straightened, her own dark aura pulsing around her. She replies to the elite disciple "We didn''t come here willingly. We were forcefully pulled here. Show us the way. We will leave." "Few do," the elite disciple said. "And fewer leave. Give you blood for our freedom." Kent exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, figured that part out. So, what''s the deal? You guys just hang around, waiting for unlucky travelers to drop in? Or did you forcefully pull us?" The elite disciple tilted its head. This place is a threshold. A broken space between life and death in a prison. We were trapped here for a long time. "Few months ago we started to feel spiritual energy again. It took a toll on us to open this prison. We need blood sacrifice to break this prison. Give us your life." Nima frowned. "what? You Want to Kill people? First tell me, who prisoned you here?" sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The elite disciple turned its glowing eyes toward her." We are prisoned By the one who built the gate." A deep, inhuman voice spoke. "Stop your chit-chat. Finish them. Don''t waste my time you foolish disciples." A ripple passed through the other demonic souls. The very air seemed to tighten, like the world itself was reacting to the words. And then"You have come far" The pocket dimension shook. Kent''s breath caught as something massive moved beyond the gate. A presenceone that felt too large, too ancient that belonged here. The demonic souls immediately dropped to one knee and the elite disciple followed too. Nima''s fingers curled at her sides. "Kent." "Yeah?" "My black hole is reacting to the voice. I can feel this one''s soul is very strong." Before Kent could answer. The mist parted further. And something stepped through. At first, it was just shadows. A towering silhouette, shifting like liquid darkness, its form never quite solidifying. Theneyes..Four of them like spider eyes. Glowing, spiraling, blinking in and out of existence across its shifting body. A massive, clawed hand emerged next. Kent swallowed. Okay, This is bad. It looks like we are in a tough situation. This guy has very strong spiritual fluctuations. System use appraisal. [Ding! Cost 500 thousand SP.] [Yes/No] Damn it, I can''t waste SP. This must be a Level-B. After losing the cultivation If he is now this strong. How strong he was in his peak form. System, open the shop. Kent quickly buys three Cultivation fruits and puts them inside his mouth. GLUP! The creature spoken, its voice a mix of echoes and whispers. "You are not meant for this place yet here you stand." Nima gritted her teeth. " Didn''t I already answer that question? We didn''t ask to be here. Are a stupid Boss? Didn''t you hear what I said?" The thing laughed. A low, bone-rattling sound that sent shivers through the air. Girl, You are fearless. I heard everything. "That does not matter. Only one thing matters" Nima says, tell us how can we leave? I will give a chance to be my third servant. You are strong. I will help you to change your ugly look. You know I had a ugly servant but now it looks very decent and cute. It raised a massive claw saying "you want me, the demonic Sect ''sect leader'' to be a servant of a little kid?" " Do you know who you are talking to? Prove your worth if you want to be my master or die." Kent sighed. "Yeah, I really should''ve seen this coming. Nima can''t you just keep quiet. Why are you acting like you are some big shot cultivator?" One Day, this girl will be the reason for my death. [Ding! Congratulations host for leveling up. Cultivation: Level-D (middle)] [Soul Slasher dagger power increasing. Please wait. The dagger is unavailable for now.] My weapon went out of commission when I needed it most... system you screw me over. Why am I always getting into this kind of situation? The moment the demonic leader moved, the entire realm reacted. The swirling sky turned black. The ruins trembled. The demonic souls watching from the sidelines vanished, retreating into the mist as the ground beneath Kent''s feet cracked. ThenA shockwave. Rocks crumble on the grounds. Old structures were shaking like they were put on a vibrating machine. The leader swung its massive arm. The very air around them split from the force, sending a wave of destruction straight at them. Kent''s instincts kicked in. He grabbed Nima and jumped. Please, Next time keep your mouth shut. The blast tore through the ground where they''d been standing, reducing it to dust. Kent landed hard, skidding back. His pulse pounded. This thing is fast. Nima was already moving, weaving spiritual energy in the air. Dark energy gathered around her. "I''ll slow it down," she said. "You hit it big brother." My soul binder powers are the perfect nemesis of him. Then she says, you ugly ghost, My big brother will show you who''s the boss. Once I capture you, I will make you clean the ''poop'' toilet. Kent grinned. "Damn it Nima, you are taking big again. I am not sure if I can beat him or not." I can feel this guy''s cultivation is at least Level-B right now. Nima, be careful. Don''t do anything dangerous. Nima released her soul chains. A wave of black chains erupted from the ground, lashing toward the creature. They wrapped around its arms, its torso, its legstightening, holding. For a second, it stilled. Kent didn''t hesitate. He lunged forward, clocking his fist with with Flames. Right hand with Hellfire and left hand with Frost flame. He wanted to see which fire is best to deal more damage. Kent punched the demonic leader with Frost fire first. The impact cracked the air itself. The leader reeled, stumbling backward as Kent''s fist connected with its solid body. Kent could see some ice around the leader''s chest. For a brief moment, the swirling shadows around it wavered, revealing something solid beneath frozen in ice. But thenThe chains shattered. And it countered with the massive clawed hand slammed into Kent, sending him flying. He crashed into the ruins'' stone walls, stone shattering around him. Pain exploded through his body. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. This doesn''t feel like a Level-B cultivator full power. What''s going on? This thing wasn''t that strong. It it''s"Incomplete." The word echoed through his mind. Kent''s eyes narrowed. It wasn''t fully formed. Its power seemed to distribute among the other demonic ghosts. Which meantI had a chance to defeat it. But I have to do it quickly. He wiped the blood from his lip and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, big guy. Let''s see who breaks first. It''s time for you to taste my hellfire." The leader charged. And the battle truly began. Kent barely had time to react as the demonic leader charging at him, its massive claw cutting through the air like a guillotine. He twisted his body, barely dodging as the force of the strike shattered the ground beneath him. Damn, this thing is fast. Chapter 99 - 99: Lord of the Forsaken Nima didn''t hesitate. She raises her hands and focuses all her spiritual powers to summon as many soul chains as possible. "Kent, hang in there for ten seconds! I have a plan." "Ten?! I will try. But you must match all that big talking with your next attack. Don''t embarrass me." Before he could say further, the demonic leader''s shadows writhed and surged toward him. Kent gritted his teeth, pushing off the crumbling floor to dodge. He had no time to think, no time to strategizeonly time to move. His fists glowing with fire, shattering tendrils of darkness as he lashed toward him. Each punch he delivered sent a ripple through the leader''s form, but it was like punching smokethe damage barely stuck. The leader''s glowing eyes fixed on him. Its mount opened, revealing a spiralling abyss within. "ENOUGH. The demonic leader Barked." A shockwave exploded from its core. Kent was launched backwards, his body smashing into a broken pillar. His vision blurred. His muscles screamed. But he saw it through the haze of painNima was ready to do something. A ring of black chains beneath her body, spirals of dark energy twisting into the shape of a massive sigil. She raised her hand. CONSUME. "She gave a command to her soul chains." The ground collapsed. Over ten chains exploded upward, engulfing the leader in a vortex of shadows. The demonic leader roared, its form twisting violently as the chains sank into its semi-transparent body. Its shadows wavered, flickering between solid and ethereal. Kent didn''t waste a second. Make it soul-solid again, Nima. I got this. [Ding! Congratulations host. Upgrade complete. SOUL Slasher Power: 20%] He pushed off the rubble. "Finally, my weapon is back." Then he pulls out his soul Slasher dagger blazing with both hellfire and Frost fire. "Alright, big guy. Time for round two." And he charged. Kent managed to land a slash to its Soul. ARGH! The demonic leader growls in pain. Its body gets frozen for a few seconds. Kent lands multiple cuts on the demonic leader''s body. Then Kent yelled ''EMBER SLASH'', Charging at the heart of the demonic leader. A sword aura comes out of his dagger, aiming at the leader''s chest. It''s already passed three/four seconds, and the frozen effects have worn off. Kent didn''t get a chance to see the duration of the soul-slash effect. "Shit! This guy is able to move." The demonic leader managed to move his body. The Ember Slash cuts one of the arms of the enemy along with the Nima''s soul chains. The demonic leader got free from the binding of soul chains. "YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS." Saying that, the demonic leader raises his other hand. Sucking all the demonic souls who were watching from the sidelines. Its body started to glow. Its hand started to regenerate. In the blink of an eye, it sucked almost all the disciples who were hiding and watching from the sidelines. The Demonic Sect leader says, "Come back to me. Return my powers to me, you useless disciples. I have given you my powers to open the prison gate and find me some sacrifice. But all of you are useless." A powerful force gets created by the sucking. Kent falls back. Nima yelled at Kent. What have you done? I had him. Kent you you stupid brother. Can''t you aim properly? "What did Grandpa Xian Yu teach you all this time? It looks like all those early morning training sessions are for nothing. I need to give him a piece of my mind when we return back ''home''." Kent replied, Nima, please stop your nagging. Focus on the battle. Do it again. Don''t let it heal. It''ll be hard for us if we let it heal. We might get killed here if he is able to heal himself. Ding! +999 SP copied from Nima. Big brother, why are you yelling at me? You are the one who cut him loose. SIGH! I can only summon four chains now. This time, don''t miss it. I can''t hold it much longer. Go, soul chains bind my enemies. CLANK! CLANK! Four soul chains bind the demonic Sect leader again. The battle raged. Kent kept up the pressure, repeatedly striking the leader as Nima''s spell weakened it. The chains of darkness wrapped tighter around its limbs, slowing its movements. But it wasn''t enough. The demonic leader refused to fall. Even as its form flickered, it still fought back with one hand, lashing out with massive, sweeping strikes. Kent barely avoided one as the claw carved through the air inches from his face. And thenNima screamed, "You toilet cleaner." Her body shuddered. Her aura erupted, sending waves of dark energy spiralling outward. The ground cracked beneath her as her power surged. And Kent felt it. Something was changing. The darkness around Nima shifted, warping into something stronger. Her presence expanded, the very air humming with raw energy. Her cultivation was rapidly rising. Kent''s eyes widened. "Nima" She lifted her gaze. And at that moment, the demonic Sect leader stopped moving. For the first time since the battle beganIt hesitated. It looked scared of Nima. Face full of tension. It scared the shit out of the demonic leader. The glowing eyes across its almost transparent body blinked, flickering uncertainty. Kent saw his chance. He poured every ounce of strength into his next attack. His spiritual energy ignited the fire, spiralling around his dagger like a Twister. And he Slash straight through the demonic Sect leader''s heart. ''EMBER SLASH!'' The impact shattered the air. The leader''s body convulsed, its shadows breaking apart as the force of the blow ripped through it. For a momentjust a momenteverything was still. And thenThe demonic leader collapsed. Its form shattered, dissolving into spiralling wisps of dark mist. The entire pocket dimension trembled, the prison realm reacting to its guardian''s defeat. And just like thatIt was over. The soul chains of Nima pulled the remaining of the demonic leader''s soul. Kent stood panting over the remains of the demonic leader. His Soul Slasher dagger disappeared from his hand and went back to system storage, and his hands clenched into fists. He could barely feel his arms. Every muscle burned. He turned his gaze at Nima. She was glowing. Dark energy rippled around her, shifting and settling as her body adjusted to the surge of power. The oppressive force of D-Rank cultivation radiated from her, raw and untamed. Kent exhaled. "Well congrats on the level-up and getting your new soul servant." Nima blinked, then grinned. "That was amazing." Kent gave her a flat look. "You almost died. Next time, don''t talk recklessly. Even if you are much stronger than the enemy or you have an advantage. You must act with caution." "Yes, I understand, but I have a new servant. When we go back, I will definitely make him clear our toilet." "Unbelievable, you are still holding onto your trash talk." Before Kent could argue more, the elite disciple spectre from earlier stepped forward. "You have proven your worth," it said solemnly. "The Gate of the Forsaken and the pocket dimension is yours to command." Kent blinked. "Waitwhat? I have to take care of the gate." The spectre knelt. The other ghosts who survived followed. And in unison, they spoke: "We serve you now, Master." Kent felt his brain short-circuit. What the F?k!! I can''t control ghosts. Right now, what should I do? He stared at the kneeling ghosts, their spectral forms flickering with eerie blue light. Hundreds of new ghosts came out of the gate. Some looked like ancient warriors, others like common folk who had perished long ago. All were kneeling in front of him and Nima. "We serve you now, Master." Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys do realize I just punched a giant shadow monster into oblivion, right? I''m not your leader." The elite disciple level-c, clearly the highest-ranking among them, bowed its head lower. " The demonic Sect leader was our eternal jailor. Because of him, we were imprisoned here. He made us do all kinds of evil things. You have broken our chains. By the laws of this realm, you now wield the authority of the Forsaken Gate." Nima tilted her head. "So, we own this place now?" The spectre nodded. Kent exhaled. "Great. That''s exactly what I wanted. A haunted house filled with dead people." Nima smirked. "Sounds like a real estate goldmine. If you don''t want them, then it''s alright. I will take them all as my underlings." Kent turned to her. "You''re enjoying this way too much. You can''t control these many ghosts." "I did just level up, Kent. This whole pocket dimension nonsense turned out to be a blessing." She lifted her hand, and a ripple of power surged through her aura. It was darker and heavier than beforelike a storm cloud before it unleashed a downpour. The energy radiating from her was undeniable. She had fully stepped into Level-D (mid) cultivation. Chapter 100 - 100: The Throne of the Forsaken Kent raised a brow, and you levelled up again. She is progressing very fast. Now, she is at the same level as me. At this rate, I will be left behind. I need to find a way to earn more SP. He says out loud, "Nima, How do you feel?" Nima flexed her fingers, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Stronger. Like I could take on a whole army of ghosts." I can even break a mountain in half with one punch. A ghost warrior nearby flinched. He was scared that Nima would test her powers on them. If she starts a killing spree, no one will be able to stop her. They just got freedom from the demonic Sect leader after thousands of years. Now, they all might die here. sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent sighed. "Please don''t test that theory. No need to take out the entire army of ghosts." Nima waved him off. I know; I am just saying I can do it if I want to. There''s no need to be so serious about it. She turned to the kneeling elite disciple. "Alright, tell me, if we own this place now what can it do for us?" The elite disciple ghost''s form flickered as it answered. "The Forsaken Gate is a realm between life and death. A prison, a battlefield, and a sanctuary for lost souls. You may command us to guard, to fight, or to search for knowledge within the remnants of those who perished here." We will follow your commands. Kent rubbed his chin. "So, basically, we''ve inherited a haunted fortress." "Yes," the elite disciple said solemnly. Nima''s eyes gleamed. "And that means" Kent saw it coming a mile away. She is trying to do something crazy. She turned to him with a wicked smile. "I can use this place to level up my servant. Show me the fragments of mindless ghosts needing a beating." This way, master, there aren''t many left. It will be best to finish them. Let them return to the circle of reincarnation. Kent groaned. "Why am I not surprised?" Nima wasted zero time. The moment she realized the mindless ghosts could be used for training, she went full drill sergeant mode. She summoned her servants, Raka the robber and Lumo the spirit petan eerie, robed figure with sunken eyes and a sinister presence came out (Raka), and a furry small bear''s solid form roared when it materialized. The mindless ghosts immediately recoiled as if sensing a death aura. "Good," Nima mused. "That means you guys will be perfect training dummies. I will let my servant practice with you. Listen, my new underling''s ghosts, go and join the fight with Raka and Lumo." Kent watched, arms crossed, as she commanded her servants to engage the mindless ghost warriors. The other ghosts who submitted to Kent and Nima were hesitant at first, but after the elite disciple gave the order, they obeyed. He is the only Level C ghost at this moment. The strongest among all the Souls. Although they lost their true cultivation due to thousands of years of imprisonment, their battle experience is still very useful. The air filled with flashes of spectral energy as the servants Raka and Lumo clashed against the mindless ghosts. Nima''s power thrived on absorbing dark spiritual energy and refining souls with the soul refinement Orb, and she had just been given an entire pocket dimension of souls. This is gonna get out of hand real fast, Kent thought. He turned to the elite disciple ghost. Their eyes meet each other. The elite disciple asked, " Master, How long do you think she''ll be at this?" Kent paused for a second before answering. "Until she is satisfied." Then, he groaned and said to himself. "What I am afraid of is... She is absorbing too much dark spiritual energy. I hope nothing bad happens." System, can you tell me if there are any problems with absorbing too much dark spiritual energy? [Ding! System notifications: The host doesn''t need to worry about that. The host''s little sister has an affinity with dark energy. The excessive dark spiritual energy will grow her black hole power. She will be able to gain more control over her servant.] That''s a relief. But why do I feel like something bad will happen in the future because of her dark Abilities? SIGH! Let''s look around a bit. While Nima gleefully trained her servant, Kent explored. The Forsaken Gate was massive. The realm stretched beyond the battlefield where they had fought the Demonic sect leadertowering, ruined structures jutted from the mist, remnants of an ancient civilization long forgotten by the modern world. [Ding! System notifications: Ghost core detected.] Ohh! I almost forgot about that. The system did notify me about a ghost core. Where is it? He looks around right and left for the ghost core. Kent found a very tiny black marvel at the place where the demonic Sect leader was defeated. Kent picks up the ghost core. This must have been inside the demonic leader. This was the thing I saw inside the demonic Sect leader''s heart when I used my Frost fire. I need to make sure there''s no problem with the ghost core. He commands, "system use appraisal on the ghost core. What is the use of this thing? And are there any side effects?" [Ding! System notifications: Ten Thousand SP deducted.] [Item: Ghost core. Use: Direct consumption like food. There are no side effects for a Soul Cultivator. If normal cultivators use it, they will lose their minds and become ferocious ghosts.] [Description: An item/tool created by thousands of souls or ghosts. It can upgrade a soul''s level and give a spiritual sense to a mindless soul. This tool helps cultivate a soul cultivator.] Note: The system advises to use it on the soul Raka. It will give soul servant Raka spiritual intelligence. It might help from a spirit body like the soul bear. The sole owner, Nima, will also get a boost in her Cultivation Level. After collecting the ghost core, Kent murmurs, "I will give this to Nima later. She just levels up her cultivation. She needs to stabilize her Cultivation first." Then Kent ran a hand over one of the cold stone walls nearby. Strange, unreadable symbols were carved into the surface. Kent narrowed his eyes. His natural instincts buzzed. "Something about this place felt important." He activated his spiritual sight. Immediately, faint threads of energy glowed in the air, crisscrossing through the ruins like an intricate web. They all seemed to converge toward a central point deeper within the realm. Kent cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let''s see where this leads." He followed the energy threads through the ruins of old buildings, moving deeper into the heart of the pocket dimension. And thenHe saw it. A massive stone throne stood at the centre of an ancient courtyard, surrounded by swirling phantoms and eerie, flickering torches. The throne itself was cracked and worn, but its presence was undeniable. Kent stepped forward. A voice echoed. "Who dares approach the Throne of the Forsaken?" The air shook. Shadows coiled around the seat, and a figure rosea tall, regal ghost, its body wreathed in chains. Kent narrowed his eyes. "I''m guessing you''re important." The elite disciple studied him. The Throne ghost says, "You are the one who defeated the demonic Sect leader. The new lord of this domain." "Still not used to that title. Kent replied, scratching his head." The ghost''s voice lowered. "Then let me ask, mortalwill you wield this throne''s power, or will you abandon it?" Kent hesitated. He wasn''t interested in ruling some ghost dimension. He just wanted to get out of here, finish his mission, and maybe take a nap before Nima demanded to explore the Azure Bay city. But something tugged at his instincts. The Forsaken Gate was connected to something bigger. The energy running through these ruins the lingering traces of dark power This place was important and dangerous. And if he left it alone, someone else might seize control. They might use this dark power to harm innocent people. He can''t let that happen. Now, he is a government official in training. He will get a salary from the government. He can''t just take money for free. His consciousness won''t allow him. Kent exhaled. "I don''t do the whole ''dark overlord'' thing. But if this place has power I''ll take it." He thinks, "This will be very useful for Nima." The ghost grinned. "Then sit upon the throne, Lord of the Forsaken. Refine the Forsaken Thorne." I am the guard of this throne. A phantom ghost who is here to guide the lord. Kent stepped forward. Alright, "I will take the throne and then make Nima the owner of this Forsaken gate. She always wanted to be some big boss. As a big brother, I will fulfil her dreams. I will make her the big boss of these souls." He placed a hand on the cold stone. Ready to sit on the throne to refine it. And the realm itself trembled. Chapter 101 - 101: : The Throne’s Burden sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Ding! System Notification: Good news for the host! This pocket dimension can be fused with your Void Domain, increasing the land within it. Do you want to refine this pocket dimension?] [Yes/No] System Note: The system advises that the host should grant control of the Forsaken Gate to his little sister. So, the system also wants me to give this ghost army to Nima. Alright, system, I want to refine this pocket dimension. But how can I transfer control of the gate to Nima? [Ding! The host simply needs to sit on the Stone Throne and focus his spiritual power on the throne. The system will handle the rest.] [For now, the Forsaken gate will be placed in the Void Domain along with the pocket dimension. However, the host''s little sister, Nima, cannot control the gate yet. She must reach at least Level-B cultivation. That said, she can still command all the ghosts who have already pledged their loyalty.] Alright, I understand. I''ll refine the pocket dimension now and grant her control of the Forsaken Gate once she reaches Level-B cultivation. Kent sat on the cold stone throne, the weight of ancient power pressing against him. He focused all his spiritual powers on the throne. At first, it felt like nothing. He was simply sitting in a chairalbeit a chair that looked like it belonged in a nightmare. But then, slowly, the energy around him shifted. The phantom ghostly figure who had guided him here remained standing in the shadows, watching silently. The air seemed to hum, the very ground vibrating with the ancient force which was now awakening. Kent''s eyes glowed faintly as he reached out with his senses, trying to grasp the power now flowing into him. It was as if the entire dimension was alive, breathing, and it was all focusing on him. "What''s happening?" he muttered to himself. The elite disciple stepped forward. "The Throne of the Forsaken binds its power to the one who claims it. You are now its Warden, its ruler, its master." Kent''s pulse quickened as the energy surged through him. It wasn''t like anything he had ever felt beforeit was neither spiritual energy nor divine. It was something older, darker, a force that seemed to transcend the realms of life and death. He clenched his fists. The sensation was overwhelming. But then, something clicked. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire His vision flashed with images of the throne''s ancient historythe rise and fall of empires, the suffering of countless souls trapped within this forsaken realm, and the power of the Warden passed down through the ages. Each ruler used the throne to extend their will across the pocket dimension and bend it to their desires. "And nowIt was his turn." Kent stood abruptly, shaking off the eerie weight pressing on his shoulders. He couldn''t let this power consume him, not like it had with the past rulers. But he knew one thing: this place could be a weapon. "I don''t want to be a ruler," Kent said, his voice resolute. "I''m here for a mission. I''m not going to be some overlord of the dead. It will be my little sister." The phantom spectre didn''t move but spoke with a deep, rumbling voice. "The Throne of the Forsaken does not accept refusal. You are bound to it, and it to you." Kent exhaled sharply, his thoughts racing. "Great. It''s just what I need. A cursed chair that won''t let go." As if in response, the ground beneath him rumbled, and a deep voice echoed from the throne, "You have claimed the power of the Forsaken. Use it wisely, or face its wrath." Kent clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. "I''m not looking for power, but I will use it to get what I need. My system can transfer this power to Nima. I don''t need to worry about this warning." The phantom ghost stepped forward, its ethereal face twisting into something resembling a grin. "Then use it, Lord Kent. Command us. We shall obey." [Ding! System Notification: The pocket Dimension refinement was successfully completed. Merging with Void Domain] A deep hum resonated through the air as the throne beneath Kent pulsed with energy. The surrounding darkness seemed to ripple, stretching outward as if the dimension itself was unravelling. He felt itthe shift, the pull, the sheer weight of space itself being rewritten. Then, all at once, the sensation stopped. [Ding! Pocket Dimension successfully merged with Void Domain. The land within the Void Domain has expanded significantly. New structures and functions have been unlocked.] Kent exhaled as the throne''s oppressive presence faded slightly. He reached out with his senses and could feel ithis Void Domain had changed. It wasn''t just an empty expanse anymore; it had grown, taking on the characteristics of the forsaken realm, reshaping itself to accommodate the power he had just absorbed. Images flashed through his minda ruined citadel now standing at the heart of his domain, dark mountains rising along the horizon, a swirling abyss where the Forsaken Gate resided. It was no longer just a void. It was becoming something more. The only thing missing is light. He needs to create a sun and a water source to accommodate living things. [Ding! New functions unlocked: Warden''s Citadel: A fortress serving as the Void Domain''s command centre. Forsaken Gate Control: The host can transfer partial command once a suitable wielder reaches the required level. Phantom Army Summoning: The host can now call upon spectral warriors within the Void Domain. Their strength depends on the host''s power. ''System advice not to use this function.'' Dimensional Stability: The Void Domain can now maintain its form more efficiently.] Kent''s brows furrowed. This was more than he expected. He wasn''t just expanding his domainhe was building a stronghold, an actual realm of his own. "So the system really wasn''t joking about me becoming a ruler," he muttered. Will I become a god if I put living things here?.... For now, let''s not think about that. I need to take one step at a time. The phantom spectre bowed deeply. "It is as it should be, Warden. The Forsaken never die; they merely wait. And now, they wait for your command." Kent crossed his arms, exhaling. "I told you, I''m not here to rule over the dead." [Ding! Reminder: The Forsaken Gate remains in the Void Domain. Host''s little sister cannot take full control yet but can command the ghosts who have already sworn loyalty.] Kent rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So basically, I need to babysit the ghosts who are present here." The system, of course, remained silent. "Well, whatever," he said, shaking off the unease creeping up his spine. "If I have to control this power for now, I might as well use it properly." His gaze turned toward the Forsaken Gate, now towering ominously within his Void Domain. It was no longer just a relic of the past. It was his to command, his to wield. And soon, it would belong to Nima. But until then Suddenly, a swirling vortex of light appeared before him, and the phantom spectre bowed deeply. "The souls of the Forsaken are at your command, Master." Kent stood tall, his confidence building. He wasn''t going to let the throne control him. He would use it to gain what he neededfreedom. He reached out, and the ghosts began to move as one, their forms flickering and shifting. They were his and Nima''s army now. He could feel their energy flowing through him, a vast network of lost souls willing to do his bidding. "Alright," Kent muttered. "Let''s see how far we can take this. I have great ideas for earning SP with this ghost squad." Meanwhile, Nima had been busy training her servants, commanding them to battle the mindless ghost warriors who continued to appear. Her servants grew more powerful with every battle, absorbing the souls of the fallen enemies. But Nima had an idea. "If I can level up my servant, maybe we can leave this place sooner," she murmured to herself. She was determined. She didn''t know that they could leave anytime. Kent just needs to think about it. Raka and Lumo were growing stronger with each battle, and she could feel the momentum building within her. Her cultivation had reached Rank-D (mid), and it was a massive leap forward. With the spirits'' help, she could refine herself further. But the question was: could she surpass even the strongest in this forsaken gate dimension? Nima''s servants launched a powerful attack, slashing through several of the ghosts. The energy pulsed with each strike, the spirits slowly merging with her servant''s aura. But then, a peculiar energy caught her attention. It was faint at firsta whisper of power. It was coming from the direction of the throne. Her eyes narrowed. Something was happening there. "Kent is he in danger?" I need to check on him. I need to go and save my big brother. Kent wait... I am comming to save you." Chapter 102 - 102: Return to Azure Bay City sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Back to Kent-" The moment he stood and commanded the souls, "come here" the energy that surged through him altered his very being. It wasn''t just his physical form that had been enhancedit was his spiritual essence. The powers of the Forsaken Gate were now his to wield, but the question was: what exactly could he do with them other than using them to earn some SP? The phantom ghost says, its voice low and haunting. "Lord Kent, you have unlocked the first tier of the Throne''s power. Now, you may draw upon the souls of the Forsaken to enhance your abilities." Kent raised a brow. "You mean I can use them like spiritual energy?" "Yes," the ghost replied. "The souls are bound to the Forsaken gate, and as you control the gate, you may absorb their power. They are yours to command." Kent clenched his fists, testing the power. It felt strange. It was as if he could feel the weight of every soul trapped here. It wasn''t an easy energy to controlit was raw, dark, violent, unpredictable. But he knew he could use it to his advantage. "I don''t need to absorb the soul," Kent muttered. "I will just control them to get what I want." [Ding! The system advises you not to use the Souls as energy. You don''t have the right skills. It will be harmful to you. You might lose your mind.] Kent sighed! Alright, I won''t use it. I already know about that. Now tell me how we can leave. What will happen to the ghosts once we (Nima and Kent) leave? [Ding! The ghosts will remain here until they get summoned by the host. Once they get out, they can''t enter the Forsaken gate. The host should summon them with caution.] Before Kent can ask anything about why the ghost can''t return, Nima comes yelling. "Kent big brother Are you okay? I felt a strange disturbance just now. What''s going on? Did any ghost bully you?" Nima''s voice rang out, trembling with both concern and a fierce determination to protect her elder brother. Kent slowly turned toward her, the residual echoes of spectral energy still humming in his ears. His eyes, still faintly aglow from the power of the Forsaken gate, met Nima''s worried gaze. For a long, weighted moment, he simply exhaled as if expelling not just breath but the tumultuous energies of the Void Domain itself. "I''m fine, Nima," he answered at length, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "It was just a ripplea minor disturbance in the ghost energy. I took control over this gate." He paused, his mind racing with recollections of that overwhelming surge from the Forsaken. "I sensed a shifta faint echo that reminded me of the inherent chaos of this power. But there''s no harm done. The system''s warnings are clear: I must exercise caution, and I will." Nima''s eyes softened slightly, relief mingling with her natural impatience. "Kent, let''s go and beat all the ghosts. We need to find a way out. Auri must be looking for us." ... Wait, I forgot about Auri. He was with us when we jumped from the building and landed on the ground. But when we were forcefully sucked inside this pocket dimension. Auri didn''t come with us. He is outsidein the real world. Nima replied, "That''s why I want to hurry. I bet Auri is scared. He is my underling, I need to take care of him. Now, let''s go. Once we defeat all the ghosts, I think we can go outside." Kent managed a slight smile, though his gaze remained distant as he continued. "Don''t worry, we can go outside anytime we want. You don''t need to beat everyone. These ghosts will be your servants in future." I have full control now. Give me a second, and I will create the exit. Before Nima could press further, a familiar chime resonated through the expanse of the pocket dimension, echoing off the dark, newly-formed walls of the merged realm. [Ding! System Notification: Initiating Return Sequence. The portal to Azure Bay City is now available. Destination coordinates: Azure Bay City.] A ripple of relief passed over both siblings as they prepared to leave the dark clutches of the pocket dimension. Kent closed his eyes, gathering his spiritual energy one final time. With a measured motion, he raised his hand and conjured a swirling portala shimmering gateway of iridescent blues and purples, edged with flickering ghostly light. The portal pulsed steadily, beckoning them back to the world they knew. "Time to go," Kent said firmly, turning to Nima. "We''ve controlled the chaos here; now, let''s return. Auri''s waiting." Hand in hand, they stepped toward the portal. The last vestiges of the forsaken realm receded behind them, swallowed by the vortex as they crossed the threshold. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced by the familiar sights and sounds of the real world. Emerging from the portal, Kent and Nima found themselves on a rooftop overlooking Azure Bay Citya city that, despite its scars, still pulsed with life and determination. The distant rumble of the sea, the clamour of street vendors, and the subtle hum of everyday resilience greeted them like an old friend. The air was thick with salt and the lingering scent of impending chaos. Yet, even as the city''s comforting tumult embraced them, a new disturbance made itself known. From the direction of the harbour, a deep, resonant bellow cut through the aira sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the hardiest citizens. Kent''s eyes narrowed as he recognized the familiar threat: the sea monster they had encountered before. Down at the harbour, the beast was still there. Massive, sinewy tentacles emerged from the churning waters, and its eyes glowed with an unearthly light. The creature''s presence was a dire omena reminder that while one chaos had been tamed, another lurked in the depths. On the front lines of this unexpected aquatic assault were two defenders led by a scrappy tier-4 officerCaptain "Crusty", and the ever-determined Enforcement Lady, Sergeant Sparkle. Captain Crusty, who looked as if he''d been forged from discarded beach chairs, bellowed, "Alright, maggots, let''s show this blob that our city isn''t for squishy-eating!" Sergeant Sparkle, whose uniform shone with the kind of pristine brilliance that would make a freshly polished trophy weep, added, "Remember, team: if you get slimed, wipe it off and keep fighting! This isn''t a mud-wrestling contest!" The roar of the sea and the crash of splintered docks still echoed through Azure Bay City''s battered harbour. Despite the earlier assault, the monstrous sea creature had not yet been vanquishedit still thrashed its massive, sinewy tentacles in the churning waters like a beast determined to wreak havoc. Amid this chaotic scene, Kent''s voice cut through the tumult: "Alright, Nimathe sea blob''s still out there. But first, let''s find Auri. I can''t go help the watchers until our feathered friend is safe!" With that, Kent broke away from the fray. He weaved his way along the narrow, salt-sprayed lanes near the port, dodging overturned crates and splashes of seawater. His mind raced not only with battle tactics but also with worry for the little bird who''d been missing since the sudden, tumultuous jump from the building. After a few tense minutes of scouring the debris-strewn docks, Kent finally heard ita tiny, unmistakable chirp amid the clamour of crashing waves and distant shouts. He followed the sound until he reached a quiet corner near an abandoned warehouse. There, perched on a rusted railing and looking both indignant and heroic, was Auri. "Chip chip!" the little bird squawked, his tone a mixture of relief and reproach. "I thought you guys left me! Where were you? I was looking for you for hours! You know I don''t have that money thingygetting stuck in a city I''ve never been before is downright terrifying!" Kent knelt beside the railing and gently extended his hand. "Hey, Auri, I''m sorry, little buddy. We got so caught up in a situation and fighting that we lost track of you." His voice softened as he carefully petted the tiny bird''s head. Auri tilted his head, then let out another small chirp to say, "I''m glad you''re here now." Not far behind, Nima hurried over, her eyes wide with both concern and relief. "Auri, you rascal! I was worried sick. Come here, let me give you a proper cuddle." She scooped the little bird into her arms and ruffled his feathers, murmuring soothingly. "It''s alright nowyou''re safe with us." Auri, still a bit indignant but comforted by Nima''s warmth, snuggled against her. For a brief moment, the chaos of the harbour faded into the background as the trio shared a tender reunion. Brushing a stray hair from his forehead, Kent surveyed the distant battle. "Listen, Nima," he said, his tone firm yet gentle as he looked down at his sister cradling Auri. "I''ve got to go help the watcher forces out there. The sea creature isn''t done yet, and they need every bit of help we can muster." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire Nima gave him a playful nudge. "So I get babysitting duty for Auri while you go off and play with a giant sea blob? Fine, you go. Holding her, she says, I need some snack money. I am very hungry. Kent chuckled, shaking his head. "Deal. Just promise me you both won''t cause any trouble, alright?" With one last affectionate pat on Nima and Auri''s heads, Kent took a deep breath and dashed back toward the harbour, where the battle raged on. Chapter 103 - 103: A fight with the sea creature. --- Down at the harbour, chaos reigned. The monstrous sea creature continued its wild thrashingits dark, undulating tentacles splintering concrete and sending spray high into the air. Amid the tumult, many Azure Guards manned the front lines. The defenders were led by the drunken tier-4 officer, Captain "Crusty," and the ever-determined law Enforcement Lady, Sergeant Sparkle. "Alright, maggots!" bellowed Captain Crusty, his voice gravelly as he swung a battered baton. "Let''s show this slimy blob that our city isn''t for squishy-eating!" Sergeant Sparkle, standing prim and ready with her sidearm, added, "Remember if you get all gooey from that monster, wipe it off and keep fighting! This isn''t a mud-wrestling contest, people! It''s a do-or-die situation." The defendersa motley crew of streetwise local cultivators and seasoned watcherslaunched their assault. With her sword raised high, Sergeant Sparkle fired dazzling beams of light that cut through the dark, angry water. Her quips rang out even as she parried the creature''s wild swipes: "Eat your heart out, sea slime!" The battle was long and gruelling. The beast bellowed in rage, its many eyes blinking in disarray as it lashed out with flailing tentacles. Each heavy blow from the monster sent shockwaves through the battered docks, yet the determined defenders pressed on. As the tide of combat ebbed and flowed, the monster''s strength began to falter. Its tentacles, once wildly unfettered, slowed in their furious assault. The combined efforts of Captain Crusty''s fervent strikes, Sergeant Sparkle''s crackling blasts and piercing beams, and unyielding determination steadily pushed the beast back into the dark embrace of the sea. Amid the clamour of battle, Captain Crusty roared with glee, "That''s it, teamshow this creature who''s boss!" Sergeant Sparkle''s own laughter mingled with her orders as she continued to provide well-timed, electrifying support. Standing on the now quieter docks, Kent took a moment to catch his breath before glancing back toward the makeshift base where Nima and Auri waited. His eyes softened with a mixture of relief and pride at the sight of his little sister cradling their pet, Auri. "Alright, Nimastay here with Auri. Don''t come any further," Kent called out, his tone both commanding and caring. "I''ve got to go join the watcher forces and help secure the harbour. You two keep this base safe until I get back." Nima grinned, giving Auri one last playful ruffle. "You got it, big brother. I''ll make sure our feathered friend doesn''t cause any trouble. Just don''t take too longI want to eat breakfast." "I am not worried about Auri; I have a weird feeling that you will cause trouble." With a final nod and a wry smile, Kent dashed back into the fray, determined to see the battle through. As the defenders of Azure Bay City regrouped and began to tend to their wounded, the quiet promise of a reunionand a well-deserved breakhung in the salty air. For now, the monster had been driven back into the water, and the harbour was safe, but they needed to defeat this sea creature as soon as possible. The morning light had begun to rise above their heads and over Azure Bay City when Kent dashed toward the harbour. The echoes of his parting words"Stay here, Auri and Nima. I''ll be right back", still lingered in his ears as he sprinted down the salt-crusted alleys. The scarred yet unyielding city was already stirring in the sun''s light. But all was not peaceful on the sea. The monstrous sea creature still reigned supreme at the harboura behemoth of sinewy flesh. Despite its cultivation level of only C, its immense size and uncanny regenerative abilities had made it a foe worthy of myth. Kent reached the edge of the dock and paused, catching his breath for a moment. The briny air stung his lungs as he surveyed the scene: splintered wood littered the ground, and waves crashed repeatedly against what remained of the once-proud docks. In the distant sea, the battle raged ondefenders led by the irreverent Captain "Crusty" and Sergeant Sparkle clashed with the creature''s thrashing appendages. But Kent knew that his part was not yet done. Drawing deeply, Kent set his jaw and stepped forward into the fray. Today, his arsenal was formidable: he would unleash the full fury of his flame frost fire, the blistering torment of his hellfire, and, when the moment demanded it, the precise, soul-searing strike of his soul Slasher dagger. With a controlled exhale Kent raised his hand and summoned the flames that had become his trademark. His eyes, alight with a fierce inner rage, scanned the monstrous creature, a hulking mass that undulated with each powerful swipe of its tentacles. "Let''s see if you can withstand the kiss of winter''s flame!" he roared. A torrent of flame frost fire burst forth from his hand in response. It was a paradox of nature: scorching, bluish-blue flames interlaced with icy tendrils that hissed as they met the humid air. The inferno slammed into one of the creature''s thick tentacles, searing its surface and leaving behind a chaotic mosaic of charred scales intermingled with crystalline frost. The beast bellowed in a deep, resonant cry as its hide began to sizzle and crack. Yet, as always, its regenerative powers stirred immediatelythe wounded flesh knitted together with unnerving speed as if the creature''s very biology were bent on self-preservation. Unperturbed, Kent shifted his focus. "Now, let''s turn up the heat!" he shouted, summoning the power of hellfire. Dark, almost obsidian flamestinged with an infernal crimsonerupted from his palms. These were no ordinary flames; they were the flames of torment, burning with the intensity of a soul condemned to endless damnation. The hellfire surged forward, landing at the creature''s raw wounds and melting through its regenerative barrier for a brief, glorious moment. The air around him shimmered with heat as patches of molten debris glowed like drops of liquid gold on the charred dock. Even as the creature writhed, its regenerative fury threatening to undo his earlier strikes, Kent knew that the flame alone would not end this monstrous threat. It was time to bring out the acethe soul Slasher dagger, an instrument of his will honed by many battles. With a swift, almost ceremonial motion, Kent unsheathed the soul Slasher dagger. The blade caught the nascent sunlight and reflected it in a cascade of ethereal glimmers. Its edge, honed to a near-miraculous sharpness, pulsed with an inner light as if the very souls it had were whispering their silent encouragement. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "By the fires of destiny and the chill of winter''s edge," Kent murmured, his voice low and resolute, "let fate decide." He darted forward into the midst of the chaos, each step measured yet swift. The monstrous sea creature roared, its many eyes wide in a mixture of fury and pain, as one of its gargantuan tentacles recoiled from the combined onslaught of elemental assault. Kent''s target was clear: the pulsating core at the creature''s midsectiona strange, organic orb that appeared to govern its incredible regenerative power. As if propelled by destiny itself, Kent leapt and plunged the soul Slasher dagger deep into the beast''s body. For an instant, time seemed to fractureeach second stretching into eternity as the dagger''s blade cleaved through layers of fleshy regeneration and raw, pulsing tissue. A burst of blinding light erupted from the wound as if the very essence of the souls had been unleashed in that singular, defiant strike. Hellfire sizzled around the wound, its searing heat preventing the creature''s rapid healing, while the flame frost fire cascaded over the incision in a chaotic dance of freezing and burning energy. In an almost impossible union, the two elemental forces created a volatile reaction that sent shockwaves through the creature''s body. The pulsating core convulsed violently, its regenerative cycle thrown into disarray. For what felt like an eternity, the harbour bore witness to a clash of titanic forces. Kent, his body trembling with exertion, maintained his stance as the flames'' energies spiralled around him in a brilliant display of fire and frost. The monstrous sea creature writhed in agonyits once-impenetrable regenerative powers now fighting a losing battle against the precise strike of the soul Slasher dagger and the relentless elemental barrage. Around him, the chaotic symphony of battle continued. Tier-4 Watcher Captain raucous battle crieshalf-motivational shouts, half-drunk exclamationsrang out as he and his team pummeled the creature''s flailing tentacles. "That blob''s gonna wish it never came to our port!" he hollered, his voice booming over the din. Sergeant Sparkle''s crisp, enthusiastic orders followed: "Keep those tentacles at bayif you get slimed, remember, a quick wipe, and you''re back in the fight!" The absurdity of the defenders'' banter amid such peril did nothing to lessen the tension; it lent the battle a surreal qualitya reminder that even in the darkest moments, humour could be a defiant act of hope. The defenders'' relentless attacks, their jokes and jibes mingling with the sound of clashing metal and elemental fury, provided a backdrop against which Kent''s solitary struggle shone with even greater intensity. In that maelstrom of conflict, Kent''s focus never wavered. Each swing of his dagger, each flicker of flame frost fire and hellfire, was executed with the precision of a master and the passion of a warrior. His eyes, alight with fierce determination, tracked every quiver in the creature''s massive form. He could see the regeneration falteringa slow, almost imperceptible lag that signalled hope. "By all that binds me to this fate," Kent roared, his voice echoing like a battle hymn, "I command you to yield!" He poured every ounce of his remaining spiritual energy into his final assault, merging both flames into a single, devastating strike. Kent thinks, "I already use my main attack move multiple times in the pocket dimension against the demonic Sect leader. I need to make my attack count. I have to give my hundred per cent in this attack." Kent yelled, charging at the sea creature''s core/ Heart"EMBER SLASH". The air around him exploded into a conflagration of incandescent light and bitter cold a sword aura came out of his Soul Slasher dagger, a paradoxical burst that defied the natural order, a manifestation of his unyielding will. Chapter 104 - 104: After Maths and The Call of the Second Wave S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a heartbeat, the entire harbour was bathed in blinding radiance. The monstrous creature''s core, that pulsating orb of regenerative power, shuddered violently under the onslaught. Its tentacles slowed, and the furious energy that had sustained it began to wane. The combined assault of Ember slash and flames, frost fire, hellfire, and the soul Slasher dagger''s precise incursion proved too much for the beast''s unyielding regenerative might. As the Flames converged, the creature let out one final, earth-shattering bellowa sound that resonates deep within the hearts of all who fought to protect their city. With a violent shudder, its massive form convulsed, and the regenerative glow of its core dimmed. Slowly, inexorably, the beast''s hulking bulk body began to collapse. Tentacle by tentacle, it receded into the seawater, churning the abyss from which it had emerged, its final roars fading into a mournful echo carried away by the wind. [Ding! System notifications: Sea creature defeat. Reward: An evolved sea Beast core. (Collect) The host can collect the sea creature''s soul for the Soul Slasher dagger. Or give it to Nima the Soulbinder.] [Do you want to collect the soul?] [YES/NO] "Yes. Collect the soul. I decided later about the fate of this sea beast''s soul." For several long, excruciating moments, silence fell over the harbour. The only sounds were battle-weary defenders'' laboured breathing and waves'' gentle lapping against the scarred docks. In that moment of stillness, the magnitude of what had been accomplishedand the cost of the struggleseemed to hang suspended in the cool morning air. Then, as if on cue, a ripple of triumphant cheers began to rise from the assembled ranks of Azure Bay City''s defenders. The surreal amalgam of battle cries, humorous banter, and earnest gratitude filled the harbour. Yet, there was no room for lingering darkness in that triumphant clamouronly the fierce, unyielding light of victory. Kent, his arms trembling with both exhaustion and exhilaration, lowered his soul Slasher dagger. Though rimmed with sweat and streaked with the remnants of fury, his eyes burned with quiet satisfaction. The monstrous sea creatureonce a seemingly invincible force of naturewas finally defeated. Its threat had been staved off, if only for now, by the indomitable will and unconventional might of a single warrior and his allies. The harbour fell silent as the last vestiges of the creature''s agonized roars faded into the gentle murmur of the receding tide. And in that silence, the victory was absolute, the battle complete. Though battered and exhausted, the Watchers and Azure Guard exchanged glances of grim satisfaction. They had faced a nightmare from the deep and, for now, held it at bay. The law enforcement lady, Sergeant Sparkle, looks at Kent, her armour dented and eyes burning with determined gratitude. "Your arrival turned the tide. We owe you a debt of gratitude," she said respectfully and resolutely. Kent offered a modest nod. "I did what I had to. But there''s no time to rest the city needs us now. There are many who didn''t make it. Many were injured. I have to go find my little sister." "Time to head back," Kent said, his voice resolute as he surveyed the recovering harbour. "We need to consolidate our forces and tend to the wounded. Our work isn''t done here." The sun had climbed higher in the sky(noon) by the time the battle with the monstrous sea creature had subsided, leaving the harbour eerily quiet in its wake. Though the fight had been fierce, the aftermath felt strangely hollow as his mind shifted from the chaos to the next task at hand: finding Nima and Auri. With the city''s citizens beginning to regroup after the storm of chaos, Kent''s steps were swift as he made his way through the town, a strange sense of dread creeping into his chest. "Where could they be? They are supposed to be at the makeshift camp." As he passed by shops and vendors, his eyes scanned every corner, finally catching sight of a familiar pink flash from inside a supermarket. Inside the supermarket, Nima and Auri were thoroughly immersed in a frenzy of eating. The bright neon sign overhead declared: FREE SAMPLES - EAT YOUR FILL! and both of them were shamelessly taking full advantage of the offer. Nima had an arm full of skewered meats, tiny cups of salad, and freshly sliced fruits piled high. She was engrossed in her gluttonous feast, completely oblivious to the shocked expressions of the other people who were hiding inside because of the sea monster attack. Auri, on the other hand, was busy devouring every type of soft drink and a slice of cheese and cracker he could find. His face lit up with glee as if he had discovered a hidden treasure chest. The storekeeper, an elderly man with wide eyes and a tremble in his voice stood frozen behind the counter, unable to take his gaze off them. His face was a portrait of confusion as if trying to come to terms with the spectacle before him. "Kid! A monster is attacking the city!" he finally managed, his voice desperate. "We need to leave now!" Without looking up, Nima waved her hand dismissively, a piece of fruit hanging from her mouth as she spoke around it. "My big brother is fighting the sea monster, and he is a national hero! Don''t worry about it. Just give me that free sample, please!" Other people make many comments- One: She is eating like she has been hungry for years. Two: I think it''s her guardian''s faultnot teaching her manners. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire Three: Look at that fat bird. I have never seen a fat crow like this. Four: I think this girl is panic-eating because of the sea monster. Kent stood in the doorway, stunned for a moment, before shaking his head in exasperation. His gaze narrowed as he walked in, his footsteps sounding louder than usual in the otherwise quiet shop. With a quick stride, he approached the two of them, his arms crossed, a look of annoyance crossing his face. Without a word, Kent grabbed both of their ears (Auri''s butt feather), tugging them sharply. "What do you two think you''re doing? I told you to stay there and not cause any problems!" He scolds them, his voice firm but filled with a mix of disbelief and frustration. Nima let out a muffled protest, her cheeks puffed out from all the food she had stuffed into her mouth. "Ow! Big brother that hurts! We''re fine! It''s just some monster. You''re here, so we''re safe! I was very hungry. I told you to come back soon. But you took so long. We got bored." Auri, her cheeks now full like a chipmunk, tried to give Kent an innocent look. Chirp! "Yeah, we were hungry, and we found free food!" he grinned, his voice muffled by the crackers he was still chewing. Kent sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Seriously, Nima, Auridon''t trouble the storekeeper. The city''s in turmoil, and here you are eating everything in sight. Come on, we need to find a hotel." I AM SORRY EVERYONE. IF MY LITTLE SISTER CAUSE YOU ANY TROUBLE. The sea monster has been defeated. You all can go out. With one last tug on their ears, Kent started guiding them out of the store, though both continued to glance longingly at the free samples table. The storekeeper let out a relieved sigh, wiping his forehead as if he''d narrowly avoided a catastrophe. Other people sighed in relief. We can go home. The monster is defeated. As they stepped outside, Kent led them toward the hotel for check-in, still shaking his head in disbelief at their behavior. The pink Barbie suitcasea rather glaring sight in the midst of the chaosclinked against the ground as they walked. Just as they were about to enter the hotel, Kent''s phone buzzed. He pulled it out to find an incoming call from none other than Jade Monroe. With a raised eyebrow, Kent answered the call, the tension in his body still evident from the fierce battle. "What now, Jade?" he asked, his tone tinged with the frustration and exhaustion of the day''s events. A familiar voice crackled through the line. "Bro, I''m sorryI heard what went down at Azure Bay City. You really helped a lot. Your mission here is over. We''ve finally pinpointed the problem behind that strange evolution of sea life." Kent''s interest sharpened as he leaned against the hotel wall near the azure beach. "What''s the cause? What''s going on? Now I can have a peaceful vaccination," he replied, half-joking, half-serious. "Bro, it''s the second spiritual wave. That''s what''s causing everything," Jade explained quickly. "The sea monster you faced? It''s a product of the second wave." Kent paused, his mind churning as he processed the unexpected news. "What the a spiritual wave? It''s happened twice? Explain it to me properly, man." There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then Jade''s tone turned both apologetic and brisk. "Ohright, I forgot you just joined Nexus and Watcher. Listen, I don''t have much time, I will tell you in short." Chapter 105 - 105: A Sun and Water for the void Domain Five years ago, when everyone able to feel the overwhelming surge of spiritual energy, we called it the first spiritual wave. Out of nowhere, about 30% of the world''s spiritual energy was restored. Everyone was able to Cultivate. The path of Cultivation began for everyone from that point. After that, the past five years of spiritual energy recovery were slow as a turtle. But a few days ago, suddenly that number skyrocketed to 60%. Now, that recovery level of 60% is what we''re experiencingwe call it the second wave." Jade''s voice grew more intense as he continued, "In the ocean, this second wave triggered the appearance of a new land or you could say a new continent. It might be a ruin or a pocket dimension that suddenly opened up. Along with it, hundreds of Level-B creatures emerged, turning that area into a red zone. We simply don''t have enough manpower to secure it. That sea monster you encountered? It fled from that area, terrified of the new continent''s unknown forces." Kent listened intently, feeling the weight of Jade''s words settle in. The idea that the world''s spiritual energy had surged twiceand that a mysterious new land in the ocean could spawn such monstrous lifewas almost too surreal even for him. "So you''re saying that the sea monsterand maybe many other bizarre creatures we might faceare all products of this second wave?" "Exactly," Jade confirmed. "The second wave has shifted the balance of spiritual energy across the world. In the ocean, it''s opened gateways we didn''t even know existed. We''re now dealing with anomalies that are beyond our current capabilities, and our forces are stretched thin. All normal animals, insects, even bacteria started showing signs of evolution." Kent exhaled slowly, a mix of relief that his current mission was complete and a growing resolve for what lay ahead. "Understood, Jade. I''ll report back and prepare for the next steps. Thanks, bro for explaining the waves. I will be back in a week." "Stay sharp, Kent. Give me a call when you are back," Jade replied before the call ended. Kent stood silently for a moment, letting the information sink in. The revelation of the second spiritual energy wave and the mysterious new land it had birthedadded a whole new layer of danger in everyone''s life. His mind buzzed with thoughts of impending challenges and the strange fate that had befallen the world. Kent glanced over at Nima and Auri, both of whom were already distracted by the hotel lobby''s decorations, and he let out a long sigh. "Alright, let''s check-in," Kent said, his voice barely above a mutter as he rubbed the back of his neck. "But let''s make it quick." A few moments later the check-in was done. All the luggage was in the room. Kent led Nima and Auri out of the hotel. The city was already stirring in the bright light of noon, its scars and battle wounds softened by the gentle caress of the rising sun. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire Despite the earlier chaos at the harbour, a sense of calm began to settle over Azure Bay City, and the three of them decided to spend the day at the beach, hoping that a little rest might clear their minds before the next crisis struck. Kent, though still carrying the exhaustion of battle in his bones, allowed himself a rare moment of reprieve. The beach was a wide stretch of soft sand, fringed by a placid sea that shimmered under the midday sun. Children laughed in the distance, and the gentle murmur of waves provided a soothing counterpoint to the harsh memories of combat. It was a stark contrast to the tumult of the harboura brief oasis where the harsh realities of life could be momentarily forgotten. Nima, ever the free spirit, wasted no time in joining the revelry. With Auri perched on her shoulder, she dashed toward a colourful beachside market. "Big brother," she called playfully, "let''s enjoy some downtime before the next monster shows up!" Her voice carried the promise of carefree moments even in troubled times. Reluctantly, Kent allowed himself a small smile as he watched his sister. He spread a towel on the warm sand and sat down, his mind still partly in the realm of battle strategy. But for now, his thoughts turned to another pressing matter: the Void Domain, a realm of nothing but barren land that he had painstakingly expanded, now needed a source of sun and water to sustain life within its borders. Now he can create a sun with two types of fires and the sun blueprint. A water source was the missing elementa counter balance to the blazing energy of the sun. Without water no tree will glow, and no life can live inside the void domain. As the day progressed, Kent retreated to a quiet corner of the beach, away from the lively chatter and the distant sounds of families enjoying a day out. Here, on a small, secluded sandbank, he set to work. His Void Domain had grown vast after merging with the pocket dimension, but it was still an empty expanse, lacking the warmth and nourishment of a sun. Using the volatile elements he had mastered in battle, Kent began to craft his own miniature sun for the domain. First he pulls out the blueprint. [Blueprint: Lesser Sun Creation -Effect: Allows the Host to create a small sun using spiritual fire. -Requires Two Types of Fire. -The sun will provide heat and light to the Void Domain. -Once completed, the Void Domain can sustain life and evolve into a livable world.] S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With his SSS-Rank skill "Architect of creation," he started by channelling his hellfirea searing, almost malevolent flame that burned with the intensity of eternal torment. With a few controlled gestures, he summoned deep crimson flames that leapt upward, dancing in the air with raw, untamed energy. But hellfire alone was not enough; it needed balance. Kent then drew upon the power of his flame frost firea paradoxical element that fused blazing heat with the biting chill of frost. The result was astonishing: swirling spheres of light and cold, radiant orbs that glowed with an ethereal blue-white brilliance. As he combined these forces, Kent envisioned a sun that would provide a gentle yet powerful radiance for his Void Domain. The elemental energies coalesced, forming a steadily glowing orb that pulsed with life. Its surface flickered with both the heat of hellfire and the chill of frosta celestial body that defied simple explanation, much like the enigmatic forces that governed his world. [Ding! Congratulations host for creating a lesser sun. You can now put this sun inside your void domain. Both fires will reside in the Void domain. You can summon your flames like before there is no problem with it.] For a long while, Kent marvelled at his creation. In his mind, the miniature sun was the perfect symbol of his journey: a blend of opposites, forged in adversity and destined to shine even in the darkest of voids. Yet, amid this quiet triumph, one critical problem remained unsolveda water source was still needed to truly sustain the life he envisioned within his domain. As he thought about the missing element, a familiar chime cut through the quiet. The system''s notification appeared again in his mind, crisp and unyielding. [Ding! System Notification: "Host, check the Void Domain shop. Water supply available: ''A Sea for Sale'' at a price of 50 million SP.] Kent yelled at the system, "What Fifty million SP? Are you joking with me? I don''t even have one million SP. Where am I supposed to get Fifty million? It will take months to collect that much SP." [Ding! A one-time SP loan is available with a 50% interest rate. Loan cap: 100 million SP."] System Note: The System advises the host to take the load. This is a one-time offer. You won''t get a golden chance like this. SP will be deducted automatically by the system when the host collects SP. System example: Suppose the host collects Ten Thousand SP a day. The system will take five thousand SP from that. The rest of the five thousand SP points will be stored as usual. Kent''s eyes widened. "Sea for sale?" he muttered incredulously, half amused and half frustrated by the absurdity. The notion that one could buy an entire seaor enough water to sustain a vast domainat 50 million SP was surreal. Yet, the system was clear, and the water was the missing link for his Void Domain''s survival. He took a deep breath and rechecked the notification. The system had even offered a one-time SP loan with a 50% interest rate, noting that the loan could not exceed 100 million SP. It was a lifeline he couldn''t ignore. "Looks like I''ll have to take the loan," Kent decided aloud. "I can''t let the Void Domain remain a barren wasteland. If I put some intelligent life in the void domain I can earn many SP. I also have some ghosts who can help me earn some SP. Let''s do it." He quickly activated the loan function, and a series of digital numbers danced before his eyes. Chapter 106 - 106: A plan for void domain and a day of exploration. "System, give me a loan of 100 million SP. I can only take a one-time loan. I might as well take the highest numbers I can get. Who knows if I might need SP for some other use." [Ding! System notifications. Congratulations, Host +100,000,000 SP Loan Granted at 50% Interest. Total SP now: 100.07 million. ] Kent tapped a few commands to confirm the transaction. The funds flowed into his system account, and a holographic receipt materialized in his vision. He could almost feel the weight of the SP balancea tangible reminder that economics still played a role, even in a world of mysticism and spiritual fury. "Alright, let''s buy some water," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. With the SP loan secured, Kent navigated through the system shop interface. The item "A Sea for Sale" glittered on the screen, its price unyielding at 50 million SP. He clicked the purchase confirmation and watched as the system processed the transaction. In a cascade of digital and holographic confirmations, the deal was sealed. With the purchase complete, Kent leaned back and allowed himself a moment to breathe. The day on the beach had been a welcome respite from the chaos of battle, and now his Void Domain was one step closer to becoming a self-sustaining realm. The newly acquired water source would provide nourishment and balance to the harsh, elemental forces he had harnessed. "System, I have an idea. Can I divide this land into four parts?" [Ding! Yes, the host can do anything he wants in the void domain. With the SSS-Rank Architect of creation, the host can make changes however he desires.] "That''s great." Kent focuses on his spiritual scene and manifests himself inside the void domain. "Alright, now I will divide this land into four parts." He activates his Architect of Creation skills. The land began to crack. The void domain started to shake. The land is divided into four parts with a blinding light and dust storm. Kent gives order to the system, "Place the sea in the middle. The sea will separate all four lands. Disturb the water evenly among the lands." The sea materialized in front of him. The water started to flow from the centre. Within a minute, the seawater flows evenly across the land. Many rivers are created inside the four lands. After that, he throws the sun up in the void. " System, place the sun in the middle for now. I need sunlight to cover the entire land. Later, I will find some seeds and plant them." [Ding! Sun has been placed. The seawater has been evenly distributed.] As he looked out over the shimmering expanse of the sea and the gentle lapping of waves on the sandy shore, a sense of calm settled over him. The sound of the ocean, so familiar and eternal, filled him with quiet resolve. His Void Domaina realm where darkness and light danced together in eternal balancenow bathed in the nurturing power of water, with its newly created sun overhead. For a few blissful moments, Kent simply stared at the horizon, letting the serenity of the sea wash over him. The warmth of the sun mingled with the crisp tang of salt in the air, and even the memories of battle began to fade into the background. In that fleeting moment of peace, he allowed himself a small smile. "This is what I need," he whispered as if speaking to the sea itself. "A new beginning for the Void Domain." Then, a new system notification comes. [Ding! Dear host, you can drop your sea monster core in the sea. If you are lucky you can get a life from the core.] "I can get a life if that happens, it will be an amazing reward." Kent dropped the sea monster''s core into the sea. Slowly, the core goes deep into the sea, vanishing from Kent''s eyesight. Kent''s eyes glowed with a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. With water secured, his next steps would focus on fortifying his realm and preparing for the uncertainties of the second spiritual wave. But for now, a day of rest and recovery on the beach was well spent. He comes out of the void domain. Vroot! Vroot! Kent''s phone vibrates when his spiritual scene comes back to his body. A message has come. He pulled out his phone, glancing briefly at a message reminding him to report back to Nexus. He needs to give a report. However, that could wait until tomorrow or maybe the day after that. Today, he would enjoy the gentle rhythm of the ocean and the simple pleasures of lifea quiet day on the beach with the promise of renewal in his Void Domain. And so, as the sun sets, welcoming the evening, Kent puts his phone aside. In the distance not far from him, Nima and Auri are laughing and playing with sand. Kent yelled, "Nima, let''s go back to our hotel. It''s almost dinner time." The next day dawned bright and clear, with the sun climbing high in the sky, casting its warm rays over Azure Bay. The city was vibrant, alive with the hum of its daily activities. Kent, Auri and Nima, after a leisurely breakfast by the bay, decided to venture into the heart of the city. Today they will explore the city. Azure City was a mix of old architecture and modern innovation, with towering spires reaching up into the heavens and streets lined with colourful market stalls. It was a place where cultures collided, where technology and magic merged, creating a unique blend of old and new. They walked through the crowded streets, the sights and sounds of the city stimulating their senses. Nima marvelled at the wide variety of goods on displayvibrant fabrics, rare souvenirs, and spiritual crystal jewellery that seemed to pulse with an energy all their own. "Look at that," Nima said, pointing to a stall piled high with strange crystals that glimmered in the sunlight. "Do you think those are enchanted?" Kent''s eyes narrowed as he studied the crystals. "Possibly. But who knows? It could just be a sales pitch." Nima grinned. "We should find out. Come on, let''s go." They approached the stall, and the merchant, a cheerful woman with a wide smile, greeted them warmly. She recognises them as tourists by their flashy beach clothes. Of course, they were bought by Nima. "Ah, visitors from afar! Welcome to Azure City. Looking for something special?" Kent raised an eyebrow but smiled back. "We were wondering about these crystals. They seem... interesting." The merchant lady chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Ah, you''ve got an eye for the good stuff. These crystals are enchanted, yes, though not in the way most people think. They''ve been created with the knowledge of the ancientsperfect for those seeking to find some good gifts." Nima''s interest was piqued. "Knowledge of the ancients? What does that mean?" The merchant leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This crystal jewellery is created by the long-lost knowledgeknowledge from those who lived thousands of years ago. It''s said that if you attune yourself to one, you might even get a glimpse of the past if you''re lucky." Kent''s eyebrows shot up. "Is that even safe?" The merchant grinned. "Safe? Well, that depends on how well you can handle the memories. They''re not all pleasant, but they''re certainly... enlightening." Nima looked at Kent, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "What do you think? Want to try it?" Kent hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? A little extra knowledge couldn''t hurt." They buy two from the lady. Kent bargains a lot to lower the price. He also earns some SP from the shop lady. Later that afternoon, Kent, Nima and Auri found themselves sitting in a quiet park, the crystal in Kent''s hand glowing softly. Nima had already tried hers, but Kent had opted to wait, his curiosity gnawing at him. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire Nima had closed her eyes as the crystal''s glow intensified, and she had been engulfed in a soft, otherworldly light. As her mind drifted into the depths of the crystal, she saw flashes of ancient battles, mysterious creatures, and arcane ritualsglimpses of a long-forgotten world. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was filled with wonder. "It''s incredible," she murmured, her voice breathless. "I saw things I can''t even describethings were like anime." Kent had watched with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. But now, as he held his own crystal, he found himself intrigued. He took a deep breath, then placed the crystal to his temple. Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The world around him faded, and for a brief moment, he was somewhere else. In an ancient city, its streets winding and narrow, the air thick with magic and mystery. He saw towering spires made of stone, covered in symbols that danced with an energy of their own. He saw figures of people, yes, but not like any he had encountered before. They were beings of light and shadow, of solid and ethereal, their forms shifting in the air like smoke. Chapter 107 - 107: The Azure Bay Black Market He felt a surge of knowledge fill himfragments of an ancient past, moments of power, and the stories of those who had shaped the world long before them. It was overwhelming, exhilarating, and frightening all at once. But just as quickly as it had come, the vision faded, leaving Kent with a sense of awe and confusion. He opened his eyes to find Nima watching him, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What did you see?" Auri was sitting on Kent''s head. Kent''s voice was hoarse, as if he had just woken from a dream. "I don''t even know how to explain it. It was like I saw everything but nothing all at once. The vision was very weird." As the day turned to dusk and the sun''s dying rays bathed the Azure Bay city in hues of tangerine and magenta, Kent, Nima, and Auri set off. Kent had a destination and a purposeto explore the hidden black market of the city. Jade had given him a personal task. His message had been brief but urgent find out how many shops there were and what type of tools and peculiar treasures they sold. With that task weighing on his mind, Kent led Nima and Auri through the labyrinth-like back alleys of the city. A few turns later, the streets came alive with a kaleidoscope of neon signs mingling with the ancient charm of stone buildings and narrow lanes. Vendors shouted from their makeshift stalls, offering everything from enchanted trinkets to bizarre-looking tools and multicoloured, peculiar liquids. The atmosphere of the black market was both chaotic and whimsicala fitting backdrop for a night of exploration. According to a text message from Jade Monroe, this market should have at least fifty different shops. But Kent saw over 200 makeshift shopsthe actual number might be even higher. Most shops sold common items like recovery potions, low-level spiritual tools, and basic cultivation techniques. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima jumped in excitement, hopping her arms through Kent''s. "Kent, you brought me shopping! You''re such a good big brother. Give me some moneyI can''t wait to see what this market can offer." Auri chirped excitedly from Nima''s shoulder, "I want good food. I want to taste all the colourful juice. They look so yummy." Kent didn''t tell Nima they were in a black market. "First, let''s explore a little. If we find something useful, we''ll buy it. Don''t wander far from me. Stay close." They turned a corner and entered an open corridor lit by strings of flickering fairy lights. Stalls of every shape and colour lined the narrow passageway. A wizened vendor with a shock of unruly white hair and a long beard was selling exotic, evolved birds at one booth. At another, a burly man claimed he had a mushroom that could make men''s private parts grow. He was forcing a customer to take off his pants to try it, while curious crowds egged the buyer on. The entire scene was hilarious. Kent''s attention, however, was laser-focused. He had a special goalto find something useful for them. With his appraisal skill, he could easily discern quality; no one could cheat him. He had already given a command to the system to inform him if there was something useful for him, Nima, and Auri. After aimlessly wandering through the maze-like black market, they came upon a small, inconspicuous stall with a sign reading "STONE & SPARK: RICKS WITH MYSTERY." Behind the makeshift counter, a bespectacled, lanky old man in a threadbare lan coat busied himself sorting through various stones. His fingers danced over each specimen as if they were priceless gems. The old man noticed Kent and the others approaching his stall. "Ah, young customer, welcome, welcome!" the man exclaimed in a singsong voice as Kent approached. "Young customer, are you looking for something extraordinary and rare? Then you have come to the right stall. I have stones that are rare, rocks that can make you rich. There are hidden treasures, spiritual tools, and cultivation techniques inside these rocks. Want to try your luck?" Kent''s eyes lit up when he saw a floating screen in front of him. "I hit the jackpot. I found something that could make me rich. If others find out about this, there''s a possibility that a bloody battle will break out just to take this item." [Ding! System notifications: A spiritual stone mine core detected. Note: To pinpoint the exact rock, it will take ten million SP.] {Do you want to pinpoint the location?} [Yes/No] Kent said to the system, "Ten million No, there are only twelve stones. I will buy them all. I don''t want to waste my SPI have a one hundred million SP loan to pay." "Mr. Stall Owner, do you have other stones in the back? If you do, bring them out. I will give you good business. I will buy a lot, but I want to choose from everything you have. Most stall owners keep their good stuff in the back and sell the defective ones first." "You are a cautious young customer," the old man replied. Then he grinned broadly and reached beneath the worn velvet tablecloth. He pulled out a big box with some stones. At first glance, it looked entirely ordinarythe stones were covered with dust and mud, and their colour had faded to grey. In total, there were twenty stones. Kent said to the vendor, "I knew ityou have other stones. You hide the good stuff. These rocks have potential. Tell me about the price. Don''t try to overcharge me; I am also a seller. I know all the tricks." The vendor leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. "I won''t cheat you. One stone costs ten thousand dollars. This is my regular price. I''ll give you a discount today because you said you would buy many. Give me eight thousand, and it''s yours, young frienda discounted price only for you." Kent replied, "Hey, don''t give me that bull I will give you one thousand dollars for everything. What do you say? Is it a deal or not?" Ding! +999, +999, +999, SP copied from the vendor. (Shock) Ding! +999, +999, +999, SP copied from the vendor. (Speechless) The vendor''s face twitched as if he had just swallowed a particularly sour lemon. "One thousand? For everything? Are you serious? Young man, are you trying to rob me? These stones are rareancient! Do you know how hard it was for me to get my hands on these stones? This stone came from one of the first ruins. If you are lucky, they are life-changing stones." Nima stepped in with a look like an old grandmother. "Mister, listen, you just said that if someone is lucky, then it''s a life-changing stone. What if there is nothing inside? Our money will be wasted. My big brother was very generoushe could have offered you five hundred dollars. Because he respects elderly people, he offered you double the price. It''s a blessing for you." Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire The vendor choked at hearing Nima''s praise for her big brother. "A blessing? You call this robbery a blessing!? Both of you siblings are like gangsters trying to rob me. At least be reasonable! I already gave you a discounteight thousand per stone." Kent waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, I don''t want you to charge me over the odds. I''ll give you a final offer: two thousand for everything. You can go home early and have some rest." +999 SP copied from the vendor (anger). +999 SP copied from the vendor (frustration). +999 SP copied from the vendor (anger). The vendor sputtered, ready to explode at any moment. His face turned a mix of red and blue, and it looked as if smoke were coming out of his ears and headas if he were a pressure cooker. But before he could protest, Nima leaned in, her eyes twinkling. "Old sir, let''s be honest. This is a street market. You probably got these for dirt cheap, if not for free. And look at themI saw you clearing dust! No one else even glanced at your stall. We are the only ones showing interest. You should be thanking us!" Auri flapped his wings dramatically from Kent''s shoulder. "Yes! Yes! Be grateful! And also, do you have snacks? I want to buy some snacksI''m getting hungry from all this intense negotiation." The vendor looked like he was about to collapse. His mind raced with thoughts: "Now their pet bird is also talking to me. They aren''t young kids; they''re devils." He rubbed his temples, sighed deeply, and then groaned, "Fine, twenty thousand for the lot. That''s as low as I will go. Take it or leave me alone." Kent grinned. "Now we''re talking business. Nima, pay the man. You took my mobile earlier to go shopping." Nima gasped, "That''s a lot of money. I think two thousand dollars was a good price." After receiving the payment, the vendor handed over all the stones with a defeated sigh. "You two young ones are the hardest customers I''ve had in my life." Chapter 108 - 108: Buying Seeds and The Soul Situation. Kent didn''t respond to the vendor''s comments. He took the box with a victorious grin, already thinking and imagining the potential treasure he just bought. Auri peered down at the stones and chirped, "If none of this stone has any treasures inside, I will be very disappointed." With their prize secured, the trio left the stall, Nima still grumbling about her lost shopping spree and Kent smugly thinking about the fortune that awaited them. Auri, however, remained focused on his true priority. "Now, where is that juice stand? I demand a drink!" As they wandered deeper into the market, Kent''s gaze was drawn to another section where many vendors displayed an array of seeds, grasses, and small plants. [Ding! System notifications: low-level spiritual herbs! low-level monster breeding grass! low-level spiritual tree!] His appraisal skill kicked in, and among the mundane offerings, he spotted rare spiritual herbs, monster-attracting grasses, and even a few evolution-enhancing seeds. These are all useful things for his void domain. Kent says to himself, "I hit the jackpot again. I was planning on buying some trees and other stuff for the void domain." He approached a stall, rubbing his hand with a smirk. A frail-looking woman with dirt-covered hands runs the stall. "How much for everything on this table?" Kent asked. The woman blinked, surprised. "Everything? That''s at least fifty different species. Are you sure?" The woman thinks, "What will he do with all these trees and seeds? Is he a farmer? But he doesn''t look like a farmer." Kent nodded. "Absolutely. Aunty, Name your price." Before the vendor could respond, Nima reappeared with a calculating expression. "Oh no, no, no. Miss shop owner, Don''t try to cheat me. These plants look half-dead. The seeds are probably old. I''d say two hundred for everything." The vendor gasped. "Two hundred?! Do you know how rare some of these are?! Who let this kid lose? Who''s child is that?" Ding! +999 SP copied from the vendor lady (Annoyance). Ding! +999 SP copied from the vendor lady (Anger). Kent sighed. "Aunty, this is my little sister. Don''t get angry. I will give you five hundred dollars. What do you think?" Nima tugged at his sleeve and whispered in Kent''s ears. " Big brother, let''s give her Six hundred dollars!" "Six hundred dollars, final offer," Kent corrected, shooting Nima a determined look. The vendor lady looked as if she wanted to throw dirt at them but finally relented. " Five thousand. That''s my final price. Do you want to buy it?" Kent replied, "Aunty, I am just a student. I have a small farm behind my home. Don''t overcharge me. How about this? I will give you Two thousand dollars. I can''t give you more." The woman says, "Fine! Take them. Just don''t come back to bargain ever again!" Ding! +999 SP copied from the vendor lady (Annoyance). Ding! +999 SP was copied from the vendor lady (Frustration). Kent paid the women her money and carefully collected the various seeds, grasses, and plants, stowing them away as if they were priceless. Meanwhile, Nima and Auri had found their way into a livelier shopping section in the same alley. Nima excitedly examined enchanted jewellery while Auri dragged her toward a stall selling roasted spiritual fruits. Chip! Chip,! "Nima! Buy me the biggest one. Make sure to choose the brighter and juicier one. It''s the best!" Auri chirped, flapping his wings impatiently. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima first rolled her eyes but later gave in, purchasing a large, glowing fruit. Auri immediately began pecking at it with pure joy. As Kent walked back toward them, he sighed at the sight. "I leave you two alone for ten seconds, and you''re already raiding the food stalls. Where do you put all those foods? Both of your bodies are small. But you two eat like an elephant." "It''s called retail therapy, Kent. You should try it sometime," Nima teased. "Come, eat with us, big brother." "Best decision ever!" Auri added between bites. While eating, Kent asked, "Nima, what happened to the demonic leader''s soul? Can you summon it? After catching him, you didn''t summon him. Something wrong with it?" "That''s a good question, big brother." Nima replied, "I can''t summon him right now. His soul body didn''t materialize. The last time I checked, he was still a black ball inside my heart''s black hole. I think I need more time before I can summon that spider face." Kent nodded, " So, that''s how it is. By the way, I have a ghost core. You can feed it to Raka. It will make him like Lumoan intelligent soul." "Really," Nima jumps with excitement. " Can he talk after eating the ghost core? You don''t know how hard it is for me to send him to buy some snacks. I had to write everything on paper before sending it to him. If he can talk, it will be easy to buy snacks." Kent sighed while thinking, "This girl always thinks about food. Even after getting an intelligent servant, she thinks about buying snacks. But I can make Raka sell and be in charge of my vegetable shops." "If you two are finished eating, then let''s go back. It''s getting late. I have some work to do. Hurry up!" The trio left the black market with a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion, the weight of their purchases making their steps slightly heavier. Kent carried the stones and small trees, and Nima carried the seeds and some personal items she bought. Auri joyfully flew above their head, holding only one seed in his mouth. Chip! Chip! "I am helping Kent and Nima with carrying stuff. I am so happy. My tummy is also full." The city streets buzzed with nightlife as they made their way back to the hotel, neon lights reflecting off the glass windows of towering buildings. The contrast between the black market''s wild energy and the structured, modern district was striking. "I can''t believe we spent that much time in there," Nima muttered, stretching her arms. "I barely even got to shop for myself!" Kent rolled his eyes. "You say that, but your hands were full of bags. Let''s not forget Auri here, who spent half her time demanding food." Auri, perched smugly on Nima''s shoulder, chirped. "CorrectionI was conducting taste tests. How else am I supposed to know which spiritual fruits are the best? My standards are very high." Nima scoffed. "Your standards are expensive. What are you doing carrying only one seed? Now you are even resting on my shoulder. Shu! Shu! go fly. Lose some weight." "Nima, don''t act like a queen; you are not the boss," Auri added dramatically. "What did you say? Do you wantthousand years of pain on your butt?" Nima and Auri both started arguing with each other and saying weird stuff to each other. Kent ignored their banter as they entered the hotel lobby. Every time, the grand marble floors and chandelier-lit ceilings made it feel like they had stepped into an entirely different world. The receptionists gave them polite nods, accustomed to the presence of travellers who carried strange artifacts or weapons. This was, after all, a city where the supernatural was a daily occurrence. Kent Nima carrying stones, seeds and trees to their room was very normal. After taking the elevator up to their floor, they finally entered their room. Nima flopped onto the couch, dramatically sighing. "Finally! My feet are killing me." Auri landed on the coffee table, inspecting the fruit he couldn''t finish in the black market. "I have exercised a lot by flying my way back. Rest? There is no rest when there are still snacks to be eaten." Kent, however, had other things on his mind. He carefully sat down and retrieved the box of stones he had won from the black market''s gambling stall. He placed them on the coffee table, his fingers tracing over the cool, smooth surfaces of the stones. Each one held the potential for either incredible wealth or absolute disappointment. Nima peeked at him from the couch. "So, are you gonna open them now, or just stare at them dramatically?" Kent smirked. "Patience, little sister. This is art. Watch me!" Auri flapped his wings. " Kent, If none of them contain treasure, will you cry?" "Shut up, Auri." Taking a deep breath, Kent opened the stones with his dagger coated with sword intent. His sword intent creates a thick layer of sword Auri on the soul slash dagger. It was smooth, like cutting butter. A faint glow shimmered over his eyes as he examined the stones one by one. Most of them were worthlessordinary rocks with no special properties. However, his heart skipped a beat as he reached the last two. One of them holds the spiritual mine core. He opened the last two stones with a face full of excitement. [Ding! Hidden Spirit Core detected! Name: "Heart of Aether" Special Property: Catalyst for Spiritual Stone Genesis.] [Ding! Infernal Crystal detected!] Kent''s grin widened. "Jackpot. Two Jackpot. My ticket to be rich is here. Ha Ha Ha!!!" Nima sat up. "Did you find something good?" Chapter 109 - 109: Receiving permission for Second Ruins --- Kent held up the Infernal Crystal, a faint reddish glow pulsing from within. "Oh, more than good. This is an Infernal Crystal. It can be used to forge powerful fire-based weapons or refine abilities for fire users." Nima whistled, impressed. "Not bad. And the other one?" Kent lifted the Hidden Spirit Core, a faintly translucent stone with a swirling mist trapped inside. "This is a Hidden Spirit Core. If used correctly, it can create a spiritual stone mine." Auri tilted his head, his eyes shining with curiosity. "Chip Chip! More power, more destruction, and more money?" "Exactly," Kent smirked. Nima sighed in frustration. "I hate how lucky you are. Big brother, I want a share of the money for my snacks. I helped you lower the stone price." Kent shrugged. "It''s a gift from heaven. Ha Ha Ha!. Don''t worry, I will give you some snack money. Now, You two go to bed. I have work to do. Goodnight." With his successful gamble secured, Kent turned his focus to the next taskpreparing his Void Domain. He retrieved the seeds, plants, and the Heart of Aether, carefully laying them out in front of him. "Time to get to work." Closing his eyes, Kent summoned his connection to the Void Domain. A strange, pulling sensation filled his chest, and in an instant, his consciousness shifted. The empty, endless expanse of his domain stretched before himvast, silent, and waiting. He took a deep breath. "Let''s change that." Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With careful precision and his SSS-Rank skillArchitect of Creation, Kent planted the seeds one by one equally in four areas, embedding them into the dark soil of his Void Domain. The evolution-enhancing seeds, spiritual herbs, monster-attracting grasses, and small spiritual trees were carefully arranged in specific locations. He placed the Heart of Aether at the very centre of the water on an island in the middle of the sea, positioning it near the Forsaken Gate Cave. This would be the control centre of his domaina hub of power and transformation. The moment the Heart of Aether touched the ground, a pulse of energy radiated outward. The soil trembled, and a soft cerulean glow spread across the landscape. Slowly, the first sprouts began to emerge, their tiny leaves unfurling as if reaching toward the sun. The once barren void was now teeming with the beginnings of life. Kent felt a surge of satisfaction. "This is only the beginning." His Architect of Creation skill activated, reinforcing the changes. The Heart of Aether would serve as the core of his domain, nurturing the land and accelerating growth. Over time, the trees would mature, herbs would spread, and what was once an empty void would become a thriving sanctuary. With the seeds planted, he turned his attention back to the Heart of Aether, watching as it pulsed gently, almost as if it were alive. Tiny sprouts continued to emerge, and the air filled with a sense of possibilitya promise of life flourishing even in the void. As the night deepened, Kent withdrew from the Void Domain, exhaling sharply as he returned to reality. He felt the lingering effects of his exertion but smiled in satisfaction. Nima peered at him. "You good? Why do you look so exhausted? We watched you for some time. You were sitting still with your eyes closed." Kent nodded. "Yeah. I''m just taking the first steps in building something big. Why didn''t you two go to bed?" Before she could answer, Kent''s phone buzzed. He picked it up and saw Jade Monroe''s name flashing on the screen. Curious, he answered. "Nexus Jade?" Jade''s voice came through, businesslike as always. "Kent, I have something you might be interested in." Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" "A new ruins site has just been discovered," Jade explained. "It''s an ancient structure that surfaced after the second wave. Nexus believes it could hold significant artifacts. But here''s the catchit''s dangerous, and I need someone capable of exploring it. I''m busy managing affairs on the new continent." Kent''s interest was piqued. "And you''re offering an entry pass to me?" "Yes!, You''re one of the few people who can handle this kind of job," Jade replied. "As per our agreement, I''ve secured two entry passes. If you take this on, we split the profits fifty-fifty. Do you remember our deal?" Kent considered it. The timing was almost too perfect. He had just started building his Void Domain and needed more resources to expand it. This could be exactly what he needed. If the ruins contained wild monsters, he might even capture them and bring them into his Void Domain. He grinned. "I''m in, bro! Where''s the location?" Jade''s tone held a hint of satisfaction. "Good. The ruins will open in two or three days, but you need to head there tomorrow. I''ll send you the location." As the call ended, Kent set his phone down, anticipation rising. A new adventure awaitedand he was more than ready for it. He glanced at Nima and Auri. "Looks like we have a new job." Nima groaned. "Please tell me it involves good food and not just more hard work like carrying seeds or stones." Kent smirked. "Both. There will be many treasures. Nima, we''re going to be rich. Whatever you and Auri find, that treasure will belong to you." Kent thought to himself, "This way, I can share less profit with Jade. Our deal is to split the profits of my loot for two entry passes. I''m not cheating with him. My little sister and my pet bird''s loot belong to themI don''t have to share those profits." Auri flapped his wings excitedly. "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s go find some ancient loot! I also want to earn a lot of money for my juices and snacks. Nima doesn''t share her snacks with me. She is very stingy." Kent chuckled. "We still have time. You two sleep now. Tomorrow morning, we leave for the ruins." Outside the hotel, the city glowed softly under the midnight sky, and the distant sound of ocean waves provided a gentle lullaby. As Kent lay back, he whispered with determination "My void domain is a place where even the darkest void can bloom with life." And with that, he drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring. A few hours later, The morning air was crisp as Kent, Nima, and Auri gathered their things, preparing for their journey to the newly discovered ruins. They check out of the hotel. "You sure we can''t take a private car?" Nima whined, shifting her pink Barbie suitcase into a more comfortable grip. "We could," Kent said, checking his Nexus and Watcher card balance, "but I''d rather not waste money on a luxury. We''re taking the bus. This way, we can enjoy and watch the scenery of the city''s rural area." Nima groaned in protest, but Kent ignored her and bought three bus tickets for their trip to the remote site near Azure Bay City. He argued with the ticket seller about the price. His goal was to earn SP. Once aboard the slightly rickety long-distance bus, they found seats near the window. The vehicle smelled faintly of old upholstery and instant noodles, but it wasn''t the worst Kent had endured. As the bus began its slow trek through the countryside, he leaned back and let his thoughts drift. Safety!! That was his primary concern. The ruins were bound to be dangerous, and while he trusted his skills, he couldn''t say the same for Nima or Auri. They will be teleported to different locations when they enter the Ruin. If Nima or Auri get teleported to a dangerous area that will be very bad. He needs to make sure they have enough power to protect themselves. Kent thinks, "Nima had Raka and Lumo both Level D. Nima is also Level-D. She will be fine. But she doesn''t have any weapons. The only spiritual tool or artifact she has is the soul refinement Orb. I need to find a weapon for Nima. Auri doesn''t have anything." "System, I need better equipment for them. Do you have something useful?" he asked. [Ding! Finally, host, you stop being cheap! There are plenty of useful things in the system shop!] Kent rolled his eyes. "Alright, show me what''s worth buying. I still have a lot of SP from the loan. I will make sure to spend it well." Ding! System shop window- A glowing list appeared before him, showcasing a range of items, some absurdly expensive, others relatively affordable. After a few moments of browsing, he made his choices. 1. Soul Scythe C Five million SP Description: A lightweight but deadly weapon that can cut through spirits and physical beings alike. Best weapon for a soul user. 2. Sharp claws- 3 million SP Description: A claws for pets. Comes in pairs. It can cut through anything like butter. The user level determines sharpness. According to the user''s body structure, it will automatically adjust its size. 3. Physique Enhancement Fruits C 1,000 SP. Description: Make physique stronger and boost strength. Chapter 110 - 110: Roadside Business & Stinky Momo Fortune "Nima," Kent said, tossing the sleek black scythe toward her. "Herea gift. This will keep you safe." Nima caught the weapon with wide eyes. "A scythe? What am I, the Grim Reaper? Where am I supposed to put this thing? You want me to carry it all the time?" Kent grinned. "WaitI have another surprise." He entered the system shop and quickly purchased a slender, intricately carved spatial bracelet. "This one''s for you. It''s not just a fancy accessory; it''s also a tool for a cultivator. With it, you can have a storage space. You can store many things inside it." Nima frowned playfully as she examined both the scythe and the bracelet. She says," This bracelet is it like the Doraemon pocket? Big brother, you are so cool. Where did you get this? Tell me the secret." "It''s just my superpower, and you can''t tell anyone about this," Kent replied. Nima nods and says, "They look cool and all, but how am I supposed to use them?" Kent winked. "That''s where you come in. A drop of your blood will do the trick, bonding the essence of your spirit to these tools." Rolling her eyes dramatically, Nima pricked her finger with her teeth and let a tiny drop fall onto the scythe''s hilt and the bracelet. Both items immediately glowed with a subtle inner light as if acknowledging her contribution. "Ohhh, I like this," she said, twirling the scythe experimentally. Meanwhile, Kent handed Auri a small pouch containing Physique Enhancement Fruits. The little bird pecked at them suspiciously before gulping them down in one swift motion. Suddenly, a faint golden light enveloped Auri. His feathers shimmered, his talons grew sharper, and his eyes gleamed with newfound power. [Ding! Auri has levelled up to Level E!] Auri flapped his wings excitedly. "Chip chip! I feel amazing!" Kent grinned broadly. "Great. Here''s something for you, too: a pair of special clawsdesigned to be refined with a drop of your blood. Give it a try and make them even sharper!" Auri tilted his head, then, with a determined peck, allowed a tiny droplet from his beak to fall onto the claw accessory. In a flash, his claws began to glisten with a refined, razor-sharp edge. Once their new gear was refined, the trio was ready to head to the remote rural site where the ruins would open. The bus was a motley collection of tired travellers. As the vehicle rumbled along the winding highway, Kent gazed out the window, "Nima and Auri''s safety is more secure now." He reviewed his recent purchases and noted with satisfaction that his new gear was what his team needed. Before long, however, the bus slowed to a crawl and then came to a complete stop. Kent peered out the window to see a massive traffic jam stretching for miles. Unknown to Kent. The reason for the traffic jam was that Watchers blocked the highway due to the ruins'' opening. "What''s going on?" Nima asked from her seat as she leaned forward, eyes scanning the chaotic scene. "I don''t know, but there is a huge traffic jam," Kent observed. "And that might mean a long wait." "Ugh, how long is this gonna take?" Nima groaned. Kent sighed. "Probably a while." Then, a mischievous smile spread across his face. "Actually this might be a golden opportunity." He stood up and rummaged through his backpack. "Where are you going?" Nima asked, half-amused and half-concerned. "To make money, of course," Kent replied with a glint in his eyes. He hopped off the bus and pulled out a small portable cooking stove and some boxes of stinky momos from his system storage. He put the momos on the stove and fry them. Soon, the unmistakable, horrendous stench of Stinky Momos wafted through the entire area. The effect was immediate. People began to reactsome gagged, others covered their noses, and a few even dry-heaved. A man near the front shouted, "What the hell is that?!" while another muttered, "It''s oddly appetising." Kent flashed his best salesman smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, are you stuck in traffic and starving? Feast your eyesand your stomachson the legendary Stinky Momos! A delicacy so potent, even the mightiest warrior would think twice before fighting hunger!" Nima facepalmed as a few passengers exchanged incredulous glances, but curiosity soon overpowered disgust. One by one, travellers began lining up for a taste. Kent sold steaming plates of the monos, applying his clever "highway congestion pricing strategy" and charging twice the standard rate. Ding! +999999 SP copied from Passenger Joy, 999999 SP copied from Passenger Disgust, 999999 SP copied from Passenger Satisfaction, 999999 SP copied from Passenger Amusement. Kent''s digital SP counter ticked upward as he racked up sales. "Easy money," he boasted to a grinning passenger who had just purchased a plate, earning extra SP with every transaction. Meanwhile, back on the bus, Nima and Auri were testing their new gear. Nima swung her newly refined scythe and spatial bracelet in playful arcs; the blade glowed faintly with mysterious energy. "I''m starting to feel like a badass reaper." She laughed while putting the scythe back and forth in the bracelet. "Ha Ha Ha! I can store a ton of snacks inside. I don''t need to buy snacks every day. I can buy a lot of snacks with the money I will earn from Ruin treasurers." Auri, now sporting sharply refined claws after consuming his Physique Enhancement Fruits, chirped proudly from Nima''s shoulder, "Chip chip! I''m ready to take on any foeeven if it''s just to peck them to pieces!" Kent regrouped with them after selling all the momos with a satisfied nod, already tallying the SP earned. "See, Nima? This is why you never complain about taking the busopportunities are everywhere!" Nima rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Just promise me you won''t start selling stinky momos every time we hit traffic," she teased. Kent laughed, ruffling Auri''s newly refined feathers. "No promises," he replied. "But for now, we''re loaded with money, our gear is upgraded, and we''re one step closer to exploring those ruins." Kent had been mulling over whether he needed a proper sword. The Soul Slasher dagger was his trump card. He needs an everyday sword a true warrior''s arsenal demands a weapon forged from fire and metal. With his Infernal Crystal in hand, pulsing with a faint, reddish glow, Kent decided it was time to craft a new weapon. "I will be entering the Ruin soon. I need a sword. Nima and Auri have new gearI also need one." Instead of visiting a physical shop, Kent logged into his system shop from the busstuck in heavy traffic due to the ruins openingand browsed for rare metals. The system displayed an array of glittering ingots and exotic ores. One particular item caught his eye: a slab of rare, obsidian-like metal known as Everburn Alloy, reputed to absorb and amplify elemental energies. The system shop''s interface read, Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Ding! This Everburn Alloy is perfect for your needsrare, durable, and it channels heat like no other.] Kent confirmed the purchase with 10 million, knowing it was a necessary investment, even though it cost him a tidy sum of SP. With the Everburn Alloy now in his digital inventory, Kent turned his attention back to forging his new weapon. In the cramped confines of the bus, amidst the sound of honking horns and murmurs from fellow passengers, he activated his SSS-Rank Architect of Creation skill. He envisioned his workshop within his Void Domaineven if his physical workspace was temporarily a bus seat. He laid out the Infernal Crystal beside the Everburn Alloy on his portable workbench and began the intricate process. "I''ve been learning the way of the sword," Kent mused aloud, "I need a swordone that carries the blazing mightyness of my flames." He focused intently, merging the raw energy of the Infernal Crystal with the molten Everburn Alloy. Sparks flew as his spiritual energy danced with the metal, forming a glowing stream that obeyed his every command. The process was both intricate and absurdly satisfyinga dance of creation that felt like painting with fire. Kent carved a sleek, curved blade with skilled hands and relentless determination. Its edge shimmered with a mix of hellfire and frostan elegant contradiction. Finally, with one final flourish of his Architect skill, he infused the blade with his own spirit. "I name this sword $," he declared, his voice resonating across his tiny makeshift workshop. The blade vibrated with life, its surface etched with intricate runes pulsing harmoniously with the Infernal Crystal''s glow. He stepped back to admire his handiwork. (I still haven''t decided on the sword name) was everything he had envisioneda cool, elegant fire sword burning with the intensity of hellfire yet retaining the biting chill of frost. It was both a weapon and a work of art, a symbol of his relentless determination to protect his realm. With a satisfied nod, Kent whispered, "My sword, may you carve our destiny in flames, frost, and other types of fires." At that moment, as the sound of the idling bus and distant traffic filled his ears, " Alright, I will leave you in Void Domain to cool down." Chapter 111 - 111: The Ruins of Approval --- As the bus limped along, Kent''s phone buzzed again. He answered without hesitation. "Hello, Kent, what are you doing? You should have reached the ruin by now. Where are you?" Jade''s voice came through, brisk and exasperated. Kent rubbed his temple. "I''m stuck on Highway 68. There''s a massive traffic jamWatchers and local defenders have blocked the highway because of the ruins'' opening. I don''t know how long this will take." "Stop wasting time, just run there! A level-E cultivator can get there in two hours. Just run there, think of it as some exercise. The Ruin is showing signs of opening; they might burst any moment," Jade instructed. Kent''s heart pounded. If I go later, my treasures might be taken by others. He glared at the phone. "Okay, Jade, I got it. I''ll head there immediately," he replied, his tone brisk with urgency before ending the call. He looked out the bus window. The vast grasslands and farmlands stretched endlessly alongside the highwayan open, empty landscape that would make any run feel like a marathon in a desert. He turned to his siblings, who were still lounging and playing with their newly refined gear. "Nima, Auri, come here. Gather our luggage. We''re leaving. The plan has changed; we need to run to the ruins," he announced. Kent couldn''t help but take in the surroundings as they gathered their belongings. The scent of freshly tilled soil mixed with the faint tang of sea salt carried on the breeze in the aira reminder that the distant ocean was never far away. "We''re really leaving the bus behind, huh?" Nima remarked with a half-smile, adjusting the straps on her bag while glancing at the sprawling countryside. "It''s so... peaceful out here. Almost too quiet." Kent nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon with quiet determination. "Quiet can be deceiving," he replied. "We''re approaching the ruins. Jade said the ruin might open anytime, and we must be prepared." His voice held a hint of both resolve and caution, the kind borne out of endless battles and the thrill of adventure. Nima frowned, clutching her pink Barbie suitcase and the scythe with the spatial bracelet at her side. "Big brother, I don''t want to run. Tell me the location, and I''ll take you there," she protested, half-teasing and half-serious. Kent raised an eyebrow. "How? Do you know how to fly or something?" Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Dumb big brother," Nima shot back with a laugh, "I have Lumo the Spirit/Soul Bear! I can transform him into his battle form. We can ride him like a mount. We''ll sit on his back while he carries us to the ruin." Kent''s pride took a hit as he stared, momentarily speechless. His heart sank at the playful jabhis little sister''s impish ingenuity was now hijacking his carefully planned expedition. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he cleared his throat. "Alright, let''s do it your way. This is the locationthrough the grassland and fields; that route is faster." Thus, with an unspoken pact, the trio abandoned the bus. They dashed across the open farmland, the wind whipping at their faces, until they finally reached the outskirts of the ruin location. They began running on Lumo back along a narrow, worn dirt road that led them toward the ruin site. The road was lined with tall, swaying grasses and occasional clusters of wildflowers that painted splashes of color against the monotone earth. In the distance, towering trees formed a natural border, their leaves rustling softly in the wind. As they ran, the sound of Lumos footsteps mingled with the rhythmic chirping of crickets and the occasional low moo from a grazing cow on a nearby farm. The further they ran, the more the landscape changed. The flat, open fields gave way to rugged terrainbroken, rocky outcroppings and scattered boulders that hinted at the ancient forces that had shaped this land. The vast canvas of pale blue sky was streaked with wisps of clouds, and the sun''s warmth grew stronger with every step. At last, they arrived. But as they approached, the scene that greeted them was unlike anything they''d expected. The highest level of military control secured the area. Thousands of soldiers manned a massive blockade and a towering gate barred entry at the centre. Groups of guards paraded in perfect formation, and digital displays flashed warnings in every language. A stern guard at the gate glared at them as they approached. "No entry without proper permission!" he barked, his voice echoing over the hushed murmurs of the gathered crowd. His eyes were cold and unyielding, scanning their faces for any sign of a forged document or a mistaken identity. Kent stepped forward and tried to explain, "I''m a tier-3 Watcher trainee. Nexus Jade told me to come here, but he forgot to give me the permission letters." His voice was steady, though his mind raced with frustration and disbelief. "Permission letters," Kent muttered under his breath. He knew they needed to show official clearance to pass through. Jade had given him verbal permission on the phonebut no written letters were in their possession. Kent tried calling Jade again, but the call went unanswered. Standing before the gate, a stern guard glared at them. "No entry without proper permission!" he barked. Kent grumbled, "Damn it, why didn''t Jade give me any permission letters?" His voice was low with frustration as he realised they were effectively stuck. Just then, a sudden surge of spiritual energy rippled from the clear blue sky. Kent looked upward, his eyes widening as he saw a flying boat descending toward the gate. Within moments, the ship landed with a thud near the blockade. A group of 30C40 Watchers disembarked, led by a distinguished figure. The man stepped forward with authority. "Listen up, everyone! Although I am a Nexus (Yang Li), I must obey the rules. All of you here must show your permission letters. I refuse to repeat Jade Monroe''s mistake at the Graveyard Mountains Ruins by letting dark alliance members in!" His voice boomed across the gathering crowd. As guards began checking permission letters with stern expressions, Yang Li turned his attention to the trio. For Yang Li, Nima looked like his long-lost granddaughter. He fixed his gaze on Nima and asked, "What is your name, young miss?" With a mischievous glint in her eye, Nima crossed her arms and retorted, "I don''t talk with strangers. My big brother said the majority of the older men are pervertslike Master Roshi from Dragon Ball. Shu! Shu! Get away from me!" The words struck Yang Li like a slap. His face turned crimson, and he froze in shock. This was the first time someone had dared to address him so bluntly. He glanced around, searching for support among his Watcher comrades, but everyone was busy showing their permission letters or waiting in line. Yang Li thinks, "How could she say that? I have fought in countless battles, commanded armies and now, I am just an old pervert to a little girl?" Yang Li cleared his throat and then asked Kent, "And you, who are you?" Kent took a deep breath. He was shocked by Nima''s statement. He thinks he must handle the situation well and speaks steadily, "I am Kenta tier-3 Watcher trainee. Nexus Jade told me to come here, but he forgot to give me the proper permission letters. I''m just waiting for him to call me back and give me the permission letter." Yang Li arched an eyebrow. "That greedy man," he muttered, though his tone softened as he continued, Ahem! "Alright, kid, I''ll confirm your information. Wait a minute" A few moments later, He tapped a device on his wrist. "You two now have permission. Don''t cause any trouble. And you, young misslisten carefullyI am not a pervert. I always wanted a granddaughter, but all I got was a weird grandson with bizarre superpowers." Nima''s eyes widened, and she rolled her eyes. "Hey, old man, I don''t talk with strangers! Sorry, But thank you for helping us." Yang Li''s face fell as he stood there, visibly shaken by her sharp retort. Finally, with a huff, Yang Li said, "Very well. Kent, you may proceed. Do not cause any trouble!" Kent nodded, his face a mixture of relief and exasperation. "Thank you, Nexus Yang Li. We won''t cause any trouble." With the formalities complete, the trio stepped past the massive gate and entered the ruin area. Inside, thousands of young cultivators gathered in a sprawling camp. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and nervous energy. Kent spotted Ethan and Mia among the crowd, surrounded by groups of adoring students who praised them like bootlicking dogs. The scene was both impressive and absurda riot of youthful energy and ambition under the watchful eyes of seasoned warriors. Kent''s heart pounded as he took in the chaotic yet organised camp. The ruins loomed ahead, ancient and mysterious, promising untold secrets and treasures. But for now, his focus shifted back to the mission and the challenges yet to come. Chapter 112 - 112: A Festive Meal and a Fiery Prank - As he surveyed the crowd, Nima tugged at his sleeve. "Big brother, let''s get moving! Why are you standing like a lost puppy?" Kent forced a smile, though his mind " Nima got a very sharp tongue. I need to do something. Alright, Nima. Let''s head out before the ruins open. I have a feeling we need to be there firstif we wait any longer, someone else might snag our treasures." Auri chirped in agreement, flapping his wings excitedly. Kent took one last look at the military blockade, then led his team through the guarded entrance. As they advanced toward the heart of the Ruin area, he couldn''t help but think about the strange blend of chaos, humour, and duty that defined their lives. Every moment was a balancing act between following orders and carving out their own destiny. "Alright, listen," Kent announced as they walked inside the camp, "Let''s keep our heads down and our eyes open. I''m counting on you two to watch my backand mine on yours." Nima rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You always have a way of making everything sound like an epic adventure," she said, half-joking, as she adjusted her spatial bracelet. Kent grinned, "That''s because it is an epic adventure." As he surveyed the crowd, Nima tugged at his sleeve. "Big brother, let''s get moving! Why are you standing like a lost puppy?" Kent forced a smile, though his mind " Nima got a very sharp tongue. I need to do something. Alright, Nima. Let''s head out before the ruins open. I have a feeling we need to be there firstif we wait any longer, someone else might snag our treasures." Auri chirped in agreement, flapping his wings excitedly. Kent took one last look at the military blockade, then led his team through the guarded entrance. As they advanced toward the heart of the Ruin area, he couldn''t help but think about the strange blend of chaos, humour, and duty that defined their lives. Every moment was a balancing act between following orders and carving out their own destiny. "Alright, listen," Kent announced as they walked inside the camp, "Let''s keep our heads down and our eyes open. I''m counting on you two to watch my backand mine on yours." Nima rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You always have a way of making everything sound like an epic adventure," she said, half-joking, as she adjusted her spatial bracelet. Kent grinned, "That''s because it is an epic adventure." The sun cast a golden hue over the bustling ruins grounds as Kent, Nima, and Auri walked through the camp, weaving past officials, cultivators, and eager onlookers. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, sizzling spices, and freshly baked bread. Laughter and chatter filled the space, blending with the occasional clash of weapons from the sparring grounds nearby. "Chirp! Chirp!" Auri suddenly flapped his wings, perching on Nima''s shoulder, his beady eyes locking onto a large tent in the distance. "Guys, stop! Look, there''s free food! It''s lunchtime, and these people are so generous they''re giving away free meals!" His excited voice cut through their conversation. "Stop talking, and let''s eatI''m starving!" Nima''s attention immediately snapped toward the tent. Under the vast canopy, a grand buffet was spread across several long tables. There were at least fifteen different dishes, each one piping hot, with clouds of steam rising into the air. The aroma of slow-roasted meat, spiced chicken, and buttery bread was so strong it felt like an invisible force pulling them in. The scent of curry, grilled fish, and fresh vegetables mixed together creates a mouthwatering temptation. Nima''s stomach responded with a deep, rumbling growl. "Groooor!" She placed a hand over her belly, trying to suppress the embarrassing sound, but her face was already lit up with excitement. "Kent, let''s go eat!" she declared, her eyes practically sparkling. "It smells amazing! And it''s free! I think I''m already starting to like this Nexus and Watcher thing. Maybe I''ll consider joining them and let them become my underlings!" Kent coughed, nearly choking on his own breath, and immediately covered Nima''s mouth with his hand. "Nima, please! What is wrong with you?" he hissed, glancing around nervously. "Why do you always have to speak your mind like that? If someone hears you, we might get in trouble! First, you insulted Nexus Yang Li, and now you''re saying you''ll make them your underlings?" He lowered his voice and leaned closer. "Do you want them to beat me up?! With the way you''ve been talking, they''d probably blame me and say I didn''t teach you any manners." Nima shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "Relax, big brother. Don''t be such a scaredy-cat. Once my third servant, the Demonic Sect Leader''s soul, materializes, I''ll have a Level-B cultivator as my personal servant. The highest cultivation of Nexus and Watcher members are also Level-B, so what''s the harm in working under me? They should be happy." Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Cough, cough Nima, don''t say things like that out loud. I told you to keep your soul power a secret. You''re a summoner, understand? No one needs to know the specifics." "Fine, fine," Nima grumbled, rolling her eyes. Kent shook his head and pointed toward the buffet. "Now, you and Auri go eat. I need to check in with some friends first, but I''ll join you soon. And pleasedon''t piss anyone off." As Kent walked away, he couldn''t help but shake his head at Nima''s reckless confidence. He thinks, "If she had the SP earrings technique and a system like mine, she''d probably be earning more SP than me. Kids these days are terrifying. I wonder how parents even handle early teenagers. Then again even though I''m technically still a teenager, I never had the luxury of being one. With Nima around, I have to be responsible and act like an adult." He let out a long sigh. Navigating through the dense crowd, Kent was shoved from the side by an impatient man. Then, another person accidentally poked him in the cheek while gesturing wildly. His irritation flared. "Damn bootlickers. I just want to meet my friends, but these guys are making it impossible." A mischievous grin spread across Kent''s face as an idea popped into his mind. He channelled his spiritual energy, summoning a flickering wisp of hellfire on his fingertips. The tiny, candle-like flame danced at the tip of his index finger, barely noticeable amid the bright daylight. He let a single spark fall to the ground with a casual flick. The reaction was immediate. The dry grass ignited, and within seconds, flames licked at the feet of the nearby bootlickers. Their expensive shoes caught fire, and panic erupted. "FIRE!" someone screamed. People jumped, yelping in shock as they stamped at the flames, desperately trying to put them out. Some ran in circles, flailing their arms, while others tripped over themselves in the commotion. Kent watched the chaos unfold, his grin widening as his system notifications flooded in. Ding! System notifications- +999 SP copied from xxx (Anger). +999 SP copied from xxx (Pain). +999 SP copied from xxx (Frustration). +999 SP copied from xxx (Fury). More and more notifications popped up, forming an endless cascade of rewards. Among the fleeing crowd, Ethan caught sight of Kent''s familiar smirk. Instantly, he knew. "Kent, you little prankster!" Ethan called out with a laugh. "I should''ve known this was your doing!" Kent chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Come on, Ethan, you know I can''t resist messing with bootlickers. It was them who poked me first." Ethan shook his head with amusement. "If I had known you were coming, I would have personally welcomed you. Mia and I arrived with our families. Regular students weren''t allowed to enter the ruins this time." sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent raised an eyebrow. "Then how did all these bootlickers get in?" "Oh, they all work for different organizations or clans that are part of the World Alliance," Ethan explained. "Only those affiliated with the World Alliance were granted entry this time. These guys are just here to suck up too rich young masters and powerful families. Just ignore them." Kent smirked. "So, does that mean you''re the young master of some big-shot family? Why don''t you Cough out your family name?" Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "Enough about me. My family name isn''t important. I''m your friend, not some young master. Now let''s get out of this crowdI know a quieter spot." Kent nodded. "Sounds good. But first, let me introduce you to my little sister. She''s over at the buffet and maybe stuffing her face right now." The two of them walked over to the tent, where the buffet was still in full swing. Nima and Auri were seated at a table, happily devouring their food. Around them, Mia and several other young masters had gathered at Ethan''s invitation. Among them was Ryan, the old bully who had once given Kent trouble. But the most striking figure was a massive man named Harper Li. Chapter 113 - 113: The Great Food Battle & The Offer He was a towering six feet tall, but his sheer size stood out mosthe had to weigh at least 150 kilos. His broad frame and round belly made it look like he had eaten an entire elephant. Despite his size, his presence was oddly cheerful, his face beaming with satisfaction as he tore into a giant drumstick. Kent, Ethan, and Mia grabbed their plates and joined the table while Harper eagerly followed them. The other young masters, rather than serving themselves, simply ordered their servants to bring them food. As Kent sat down, he couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight of Nima and Auri. The little bird fiercely protected a plate of grilled fish while Nima was halfway through a mountain of food, her cheeks puffing out like a squirrel''s. "Enjoying yourselves?" Kent asked with a smirk. Nima swallowed her food and grinned. "Big brother, this food is amazing! You should''ve come sooner!" Kent shook his head, watching as Harper reached for another plate of dumplings. Something told him that the real entertainment for the day was just getting started. The buffet table stood like a battlefield, steaming dishes lined up in neat rows, waiting for their ultimate fatebeing devoured by hungry warriors. The air was thick with the rich aroma of grilled meats, steaming dumplings, and sizzling stir-fries. An unspoken tension was in the air. In this warzone, three challengers stood ready: Harper Li, Nima, and Auri. Without saying a word to each other, they were competing over who could eat more. Harper, a six-foot-tall, 150-kilo giant, cracked his knuckles and grinned. His belly jiggled slightly as he rubbed it. "You think you two have what it takes to out-eat me?" Nima scoffed, rolling up her sleeves. "I once ate a whole roasted chicken by myself. I was still hungry after that. But my big brother didn''t let me eat more. You Harper or whatever you probably cry after finishing a single bowl of rice." Auri, a tiny and fat Emberling sparrow, fluttered her wings and landed on the table. "Chirp! You fools! You''re underestimating a foodie bird like me! This is not just a battle of stomachsit''s a battle of wills!" The three-way challenge was set. The First Course: Plates piled with crispy duck, honey-glazed pork, and steaming dumplings. Harper grabbed a whole duck with his bare hands, biting into it like a savage beast. Grease dripped down his chin, but he didn''t care. "Mmmm! Juicy!" Nima, refusing to lose, stuffed five dumplings into her mouth at once. Her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk''s, and she mumbled, "Thish isth nothingf! I canth do thish all dayf!" Auri, despite his small size, went for the most high-calorie option: vegetable soup and some fruit salad. The little bird tore through the food at an alarming speed, gulping it down like a vacuum cleaner. The Second Course: Bowls of noodles and rice, topped with thick, flavorful broth. Harper grabbed two massive bowls and poured them straight into his mouth like a waterfall. The broth splattered over his clothes, but he was too focused on victory to care. Nima, eyes burning with determination, dual-wielded chopsticks, shovelling rice into her mouth at the speed of light. Auri? he dove into a noodle bowl headfirst, swimming in the broth like it was a hot spring, slurping as she waded through it. The onlookers had gathered around, whispering amongst themselves. "Is that girl really human?" "Who''s that giant guy? He''s eating like a starving beast!" "Why is there a live crow in the soup? Is it some kind of new dish?" The competition continued, but Kent had his own problems across the table. While Kent and Ethan were getting their food, Ryan asked all the young masters to mock Kent. He told them Kent was a poor egg seller. He thinks, "Last time you mocked me in school. I felt so embarrassed. Now, I will give you the embarrassment of your life." Ryan, the ever-arrogant young master, smirked as he leaned back in his chair. "Look at this, everyone. Even a peasant can sneak into our ranks if he licks the right boots." sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The other young masters chuckled. One of them sneered, "Kent, do you even know which fork to use? Waityou probably eat with your hands like a poor peasant." Another added, "I heard he doesn''t belong to any big family. How did he even get in here?" Ryan leaned forward, his voice dripping with condescension. "You see, Kent, this table is for people with power, influence, and wealth. You? You''re just nobody trying to play in the big leagues." Kent, unfazed, calmly chewed his food. His lack of reaction only made Ryan angrier. "Look at him! Acting like he belongs here!" Ryan scoffed. "Let me guessdid you borrow your clothes? Otherwise, how can you wear new clothes? Or maybe you begged someone for entry?" The insults continued, but Harper Li slammed his massive fist onto the table before Kent could respond. Harper wiped his greasy hands on a napkin, his eyes narrowing at Ryan. "You have a lot to say for someone hiding behind their family name. What''s wrong? Scared to talk big without your daddy''s protection?" Ryan''s face turned red. "Watch your mouth, you fat" Harper grabbed Ryan''s plate and ate the rest of his food in front of him. "Mmm. Tastes like privilege and insecurity." The other young masters gasped. Ryan stood up, furious. "You dare" Still chewing a mouthful of dumplings, Nima pointed at Ryan and mumbled through her food, "Shhho shhuh uphh, yhou shoociallyh maladjusthedh phedasant!" Ryan blinked. "What, I can''t understand anything? Hey, poor egg seller, what is your little sister saying? Did you forget to teach her how to talk?" Nima swallowed, took a deep breath, and let loose. "You absolute donkey! You have the personality of a soggy cabbage. Your fashion sense? Tragic. Your breath? Smells like expired goat cheese. And let''s not even talk about your intelligence levelit''s so low, even an amoeba would look at you and say, ''Damn, that guy''s dumb.''" Ryan clenched his fists. "You little" Auri, still soaked in noodle broth, flapped his wings and chirped, "SILENCE, FOOL! Do you dare challenge MY master? If you had half a brain cell, you''d realize that picking a fight with Kent is like challenging your dadYOU LOSE EVERY TIME!" The table fell silent. Ryan gritted his teeth. He wanted to say more but had already lost too much face. Harper, Nima, and even a crow had roasted him into oblivion. He wanted to embarrass Kent but all his dreams shattered. His plan Uno reversed. He got embarrassed again! Watching all this, Mia sighed and whispered to Ethan, "I swear, wherever Kent goes, chaos follows. But I didn''t imagine his little sister would be like him." Ethan chuckled. "That''s what makes him interesting. Both the siblings have a unique personality. You will never get bored with Kent around." After thoroughly humiliating Ryan and his cronies, Kent, Ethan, Mia, Nima, Harper, and Auri moved to a quieter table. Harper, still chewing, nudged Kent. "Hey, I like you. You got guts. Most people wouldn''t stand there all calm while a bunch of spoiled brats ran their mouths." Kent smirked. "It''s not worth my energy." Nima, still fuming, crossed her arms. "Kent, you should''ve let me punch that guy. My hands were itching. That guy is so weak. I think even Auri can make him shit in his pants." Ethan shook his head and laughed. " Ha Ha Ha! Shit on his pants! Ha Ha Ha! That will cause a scene Thank god you didn''t send your pet bird to attack. You already destroyed his ego. That''s enough." Kent glanced at Ethan. There was something serious in Ethan''s eyes. It looked like Ethan wanted to say something. As the others went to grab more food, Ethan and Kent sat quietly at a different table. Ethan''s voice lowered. "Kent, you know why they mock you, right?" Kent nodded. "Because I don''t belong to a big family, and I am not a rich kid like them." Ethan leaned forward. "Exactly. Power, wealth and status matters here. Connections matter. Without them, people like Ryan will always look down on you." Kent sighed. "I don''t care what they think. They are a bunch of spoiled kids who don''t know the reality of common people." Ethan studied him carefully before speaking again. "Kent why don''t you join my family?" Kent raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" Ethan''s voice was serious. "I can guarantee you a high position. If you join us, I can make you a captain now. No one will ever look down on you again. Later, when I take over my family, I will find the best position for you." The air between them grew heavy. Kent stared at Ethan, considering his words. Then he says, "I am happy to receive your invitation, but I have to decline. I have my own plans. Don''t misunderstand me; I want to be rich, not work under someone." Ethan replied, "What will you do once you get rich? You have to join the government if you don''t join any family, clan or organisation." Chapter 114 - 114: The Bottomless Cauldron – Harper’s True Power Kent leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Ethan, my friend, being rich means not joining some organization, not being bound by rules and politics. But let me tell you somethingtrue wealth isn''t just about money. It''s about freedom." Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Freedom?" Kent nodded, tapping his fingers against the table. "Yeah. When a poor person''s heart gets broken, you know what they do? They sit on the street to cry, or I''m in their tiny room and eat in cheap places. But when a rich person''s heart gets broken, they take a world tour. They cry while enjoying a five-star hotel and eating thousands of dollars worth of steak. I want that type of freedom." Harper, still gnawing on a drumstick, laughed. "Ha! You sound like you want to get rejected by someone and enjoy your freedom. ''True freedom comes from enjoying worldly desires,'' or something like that." Kent chuckled. "Nah, I still want the worldly desires. I just don''t want them to own me." Ethan crossed his arms, intrigued. "So, what''s your plan? How do you get rich and stay free?" Kent leaned forward, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "The trick is simple. Don''t depend on anyone. If you build your own wealth, no one can take it from you. You don''t answer to a family, a clan, or a higher-up. You make your own decisions, and you call your own shots. The second you start relying on powerful people, you become their pawn." Ethan studied him for a long moment before sighing. "That''s easier said than done, Kent. The world doesn''t work that way. If it did, everyone would be doing it." Kent smirked. "Of course, it''s hard. But that''s the fun part. That''s why most people take the easy routelike Ryan and the rest of those young masters. They let their family''s name define them. They don''t even know what it means to struggle." Nima, having overheard the conversation, pouted. "I don''t get why people act like being rich is all that. Sure, money''s nice, but if you''re a jerk, you''re still a jerkeven if you''ve got gold-plated toilets." Auri chirped in agreement. "Gold toilets do sound fancy, though. Can I have one?" Harper snorted. "Okay, okay, Kent. Let''s say you get rich on your own. What then? Are you just gonna hoard your wealth and live in a mansion eating steak all day?" Kent shook his head. "Nah. See, money''s only fun when it lets you do the things you love. I don''t want money just to sit on it. I want to enjoy life, travel, eat the best food, see the world. And most importantly, I want to prove that you don''t have to be born into privilege to make it big." Ethan smiled slightly. "So, it''s about proving a point?" Kent shrugged. "Maybe. But it''s also about living life on my terms. Tell me, Ethanif you weren''t born into your family, and if you weren''t expected to take over, what would you be doing right now?" Ethan hesitated. For a moment, his usual confidence wavered. "I don''t know." Kent pointed at him. "Exactly. You never got to think about it. You were born with a path already set in stone. Me? I get to choose mine. And I''m gonna make damn sure it''s the best one." Harper leaned back, rubbing his stomach. "Well, I don''t know about all that deep-thinking stuff, but I do know one thingbeing rich means you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want." Nima grinned. "Now, that is a philosophy I can support." Auri flapped his wings excitedly. "Yes! We should all aim to be rich food warriors!" Kent laughed. "See? This is what I mean. Money''s just a tool. It''s not about power or statusit''s about the perks. And the best perk of being rich? Never having to check the price before ordering food." Harper gasped, placing a hand over his heart as if Kent had spoken the most profound truth in existence. "Damn. You''re right. That''s the dream." Ethan shook his head with a chuckle. "You really are something, Kent. But still rejecting my offer means you''ll have to fight your way to the top alone. You sure you''re ready for that?" Kent smirked. "I was born ready." Mia, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up. "I have a feeling this isn''t the last time someone will try to recruit you, Kent. People like you they don''t go unnoticed for long." Kent stretched, grinning. "Well, let them notice me. That just means I''m doing something right." As they continued eating, the tension from earlier had completely melted away. Harper had won the Great Food Battle, Ryan had been humiliated, and Kent had once again proven that he was nobody''s pawn. But deep down, he knew Ethan was right about one thing. The road ahead wouldn''t be easy. And that was exactly how he liked it. The feast had finally started to die down. Plates were stacked high with bones, and the once-glorious buffet table looked like a pack of starving wolves had raided it. Kent, Ethan, Mia, Nima, and Auri sat back, their stomachs full, but one person remained undefeatedHarper Li. He was still eating. While the others had long since tapped out, Harper continued stuffing food into his mouth at an alarming rate. A whole roasted duck disappeared into his hands, followed by an entire plate of pork ribs. A dozen dumplings vanished within seconds. The servers in the camp whispered to each other, their faces filled with horror. "Is he a monster?" "He''s eaten enough for twenty people!" "Where is it all going? His belly should have exploded by now!" Nima, who had once considered herself a food warrior, now stared at Harper with a mixture of admiration and fear. "Big brother is he even human? This is the first time I have seen someone eat like a hippo I think he is a hippopotamus." Kent wiped his mouth and smirked. "I had my suspicions, but now I''m certainHarper, you''re hiding something, aren''t you? Is eating your superpower?" Harper swallowed a whole bowl of noodles, wiped his mouth, and grinned. "Alright, alright. I suppose the time has come to reveal my true power." He leaned back in his chair, patting his round belly. It jiggled slightly, but then something strange happenedthe air around him seemed to shift. A faint blue mist curled around his stomach, and the temperature in the air dropped slightly. Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What what is that?" Harper grinned. "You see, my belly isn''t just for show. I possess a rare and legendary ability, passed down by my ancestors for generationsthe Bottomless Cauldron Stomach." Auri chirped excitedly. "Ooooh! That sounds fancy! What does it do? Make food taste better?" Harper shook his head. "No, little bird. I don''t understand what you said, but I guess you want to know what my power can do. My stomach is a true cauldron, capable of digesting and refining anything I consume. No matter how much I eat, it will never be full. But that''s not the best part." He stood up suddenly, his massive frame looming over the table. The blue mist thickened around him as he closed his eyes and concentrated. A deep gurgling noise came from his belly, like a bubbling stew being cooked over a fire. The sound grew louder, and then Plop. A small, round, gleaming pill rolled out from the bottom of Harper''s robe and landed on the ground. Mia shrieked, jumping away. "DID YOU JUSTDID YOU JUST SHIT A PILL?!" Harper burst into laughter. "Hahaha! No, no! Well kind of. But not like you think." He picked up the pill, holding it between his fingers. It was small, golden, and radiated a faint glow. "This is what my ability does. My stomach refines everything I eat and condenses the best parts into alchemical pills. This one? A high-quality energy pill packed with nutrients. You could live for days on just one of these." Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The table was silent. Kent stared at the pill, then at Harper. "So let me get this straight. You eat, and then your belly alchemy refines the food into pills? Where does this pill come from?" Very nervous and embarrassed, Harper says to the crowd, "Well! My digestion process is more advanced than any alchemist''s furnace. I break down impurities, refine the essence, and out comes a pure medicinal pill." Ethan leaned back, rubbing his temples. "This this is both impressive and deeply disturbing. But answer the question of where this pill came out." Auri flapped his wings. "That means the more you eat, the more pills you can create?" Harper grinned. "The more rare and powerful the food I eat, the stronger the pills I produce. Normal food makes basic nutrition pills, but if I eat something infused with spiritual energylike a rare meat or a spiritual herbthen the pills I create could be legendary." Chapter 115 - 115: The Great, Gut-Wrenching Confession Nima''s eyes sparkled. "That''s amazing! So if we feed you something rare, you could produce super-powerful pills? But why aren''t you answering where this pill comes from? Do you have a hole in your stomach or something?" Harper nodded but completely ignored the question about the pill''s origin. "That''s why my family calls me ''The Walking Cauldron.'' But here''s the catchthese pills require time to refine. If I eat too much too quickly, my stomach gets overloaded, and the process slows down." Mia shuddered. "I can''t believe I just witnessed a man literally digest food into medicine. I don''t know whether to be impressed or horrified." Kent chuckled. "It makes sense now. No wonder you eat so muchyou''re basically a living alchemy furnace." Harper patted his stomach with pride. "That''s right. And if I really push myself, I can even refine enhanced versions of these pills, but that requires me to eat a lot." Nima tilted her head. "So what happens to the waste? You can''t refine everything, can you?" Harper sighed dramatically. "Ah, yesthat''s the unfortunate downside. Anything that isn''t useful gets expelled." A heavy silence fell over the table. Ethan rubbed his temples. "Don''t tell me your waste is" Harper held up a finger. "completely harmless and odorless. Anything impure is dissolved before it even reaches that stage. My digestive process is perfectI never get sick, and I never suffer from indigestion. I have a separate stomach for refining these pills; all the enzymes from the food gather there. That''s why I have such a corpulent figure. I literally have two stomachs." Kent sighed, shaking his head. "You know what, Harper? I''m not even surprised anymore." Harper grinned. "That''s the right attitude. My ability might sound weird, but it''s insanely valuable. I could sell these pills for a fortune, but I prefer keeping them for myself and my friends. My grandfather always told me never to sell any pillseven if I wanted to sell one or two, I just couldn''t." Mia eyed the golden pill in Harper''s hand. "So does it taste good?" Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Harper smirked. "Only one way to find out." He tossed the pill to Kent. Ryan caught it, examining its smooth, golden surface. He had been listening to the conversation from the sidelines, waiting for an opportunity to extract some informationsomething that might help him exact his revenge. With a sudden burst of defiance, he barked, "This is payback for humiliating me!" before popping the pill into his mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, sending a warm, revitalizing energy surging through his body. His muscles felt lighter, his fatigue melted away, and his mind sharpened. "Whoa," Ryan exclaimed, his eyes widening. "This is actually incredible. Thanks for the pill, losers." Ethan and Mia stared at him, their curiosity piqued, while Nimaclearly fumingstepped directly in front of him with determined little strides. "You''re nothing but a thiefsomeone who steals what isn''t yours. I thought you were rich enough not to stoop so low, but I''m shocked to see that a young master like you can be both foolish and a thief." For a few seconds, Ryan didn''t respond to Nima. He was busy with his kinky pressure. He snatched something from Kent. He was feeling satisfied and very happy. He finally got a fraction of his revenge. > . . . . < Laughter, teasing, and snatches of crude humor had bounced off the walls as Harperaffectionately known as "The Walking Cauldron"dazzled everyone with his uncanny ability to transform food into powerful, alchemical pills. That odd talent had, of course, been the subject of endless jibes, but nothing could have prepared them for the shocking truth about the pills'' origin. Ryan, still reeling from the invigorating rush of the golden pill he''d just consumed, had been the one to break the uneasy silence with a quip laced with both bravado and underlying resentment. His act of swallowing the pill whole was a clear declarationhe wasn''t going to be pushed around by his so-called classmates. The stinging words hung in the air as Ryan''s face reddened, his pride bruised more deeply than the shock of the pill''s potency. Ryan''s retort was bitter. "I''m not a thief, Little girl! I I just needed a little extra strength. Besides, you wouldn''t understand the value of a good pill!" His tone was defensive, yet beneath it lay an undercurrent of hurt that the group could not ignore. At that moment, Kent, who had been silent and watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and mischief, couldn''t contain himself any longer. He leaned forward, his eyes alight with a teasing glint. "Enough of the petty arguments," he said, his voice rising above the murmurs. "Harper, we''ve been dancing around the truth for too long. We all want to know where exactly do these pills come from?" The question felt like a stone into the murmur of chatter. Harper''s eyes widened in horror as the weight of his secret bore down on him. For too long, he had skirted around the truth with vague references and half-smiles. Now, pressed by the combined curiosity and mirth of his companions, he felt his world narrowing to one uncomfortable focal point. Harper''s voice trembled as he replied, "They they come from my from my lower body private parts." He tried to sound as matter-of-fact as possible, but his cheeks flushed a deep crimson. The admission was so abrupt and offhand that most of the group blinked in confusion. "I mean it''s really quite simple" he stammered, as if explaining an everyday occurrence rather than a magical bodily function. Nima furrowed her brow. "I don''t understand," she repeated, her tone a mix of incredulity and mild disgust. "Lower body private parts? That doesn''t sound very refined." Before Harper could further clarify, sweat began to bead on his forehead. His voice dropped to a nearly inaudible mumble as he tried to say, "My my butt" The quiet murmur was lost in the rising chaos around him. The conversation paused for a heartbeat, as every eye searched his face for further explanation. Kent, ever the instigator, couldn''t help himself. With a booming laugh, he interrupted: "No, no, Harper! Don''t mumble itsay it loud and clear for all of us. What did you just say? My butt what?" His tone was teasing but insistent, coaxing the truth out of Harper''s shell of embarrassment. Harper''s voice cracked as he repeated, barely audible at first, "My butt hole" The words, spoken in a defeated whisper, hung in the air like a bad smell. In that moment, time itself seemed to slow as the full meaning of his confession crashed over the assembled group. A collective gasp erupted from everyone at the table. The notion that the pillsthese miraculous, potent substancesactually emerged from Harper''s posterior was too absurd, too grotesque to believe at first. Shock mingled with revulsion. Ryan''s eyes widened, and in an instant the nauseating realization overwhelmed him. Without warning, his stomach rebelled at the thought, and he vomited, nearly toppling off his feet as he tried to catch himself. Mia, ever the perceptive one, couldn''t help but interject with a note of dark humor. "I knew it," she said with a smirk. "I had a hunch from the first moment I saw that glimmer on your facejust a few minutes agowhen you were acting all strangely. It came from your butt hole, I realised it when the pill came out from your bottom part of the clothes!" Her words, part accusation, part incredulity, drew nervous laughter from the rest of the group. The silence that followed was punctuated by a series of murmurs, incredulous exclamations, and outright giggles. Ethan tried to stifle his laughter behind his hand, though the sound of his suppressed chuckles only made the situation even more absurd. "I can''t believe I''m hearing this," he admitted between fits of laughter. "You''re saying that all this time, our miraculous pills have been a by-product of your, uh, rears? You just shit while eating!!" Harper''s face was a study in mortification. The revelation that his most private bodily function was now the subject of public spectacle left him trembling. His eyes darted from one face to another, each expression more amused and horrified than the last. With a shudder and a muttered apology that was barely audible, he scrambled from his chair and bolted from the area, leaving behind only the echo of his retreat and the lingering stench of embarrassment. As Harper disappeared into the crowds, the group''s reactions took on a wild, frenetic energy. Kent, ever the mischief-maker, turned his teasing gaze on Ryan. "Oh, poor Ryan," he mocked with a sly grin, "you thought you were getting a boost from a golden pill, but instead you''ve just ingestedwhat?a piece of our friend''s well, you know poop!" His words were punctuated by a series of loud, uproarious laughs that rippled around the room. +999 SP copied from Ryan. (Disgust) +999 SP copied from Ryan. (Anger) +999 SP copied from Ryan. (Anger) +999 SP copied from Ryan. (Embarrassment) Chapter 116 - 116: Humiliation and Redemption Ryan''s face, already reddened from prior embarrassment, flushed an even brighter red. "II did not do it willingly eat that!" he protested, indignation and revulsion heavy in his voice. The memory of swallowing a pill in the knowledge of its unpleasant beginnings was one he would have preferred to forget. Nima shook her head in disbelief and added, "You were always the reckless one, Ryan. Who knew that in your quest for revenge, you''d end up feasting on poop" Her words came with a laugh that bordered on cruelty, and a few joined in, echoing her sentiment. Auri, perched next to Chipa skinny fellow known for sarcasmcontributed, "I''ve seen bad taste in the ruins, but this takes the cake. Next thing you know, we''ll be cleansing magical puke." Chip''s remark elicited even more raucous guffaws from Kent and Nima. Mia and Ethan exchanged a look that spoke volumes: both were giggling at the absurdity and horrified at the fact. "I can''t help it," Mia laughed. "It''s just so absurd! That these wonderful pillsthe ones we believed were miracles of the gods of alchemyoriginate from a butt hole It''s nature''s cruel joke on us all." The laughter became louder, and the atmosphere in the room shifted from shock to one of unbridled glee at the absurdity. Each time that the phrase "butt hole" was spoken, it brought forth even more snorts and guffaws. Kent, still attempting to squeeze the moment for all the enjoyment it was possible, continued to tease Ryan and Harper, though he was attempting to bring his laughter under control. But beneath the laughter, Ryan and Nima were tense with each other as a result of their earlier confrontation. As the cost of his ill-fated excess, Ryan gave Nima a dirty look. "I didn''t need that humiliation," he growled. "You should have kept your guessing to yourself rather than opening your mouth about what does what." Nima crossed her arms and said, "Come on, Ryan. You can''t pretend like you didn''t see the signs. The expression on your face just before you swallowed that pillthat''s your karma for your ego. You make your own destiny, whether you like it or not." Ryan''s return was halted by a further gust of laughter, but his eyes registered a sense of self-loathing and betrayal. Pride wrestled with disgust at this point, and they all realized that the friendship they enjoyed was marred by this peculiar confession. After what felt like an eternity of derision, the commotion began to subside. The crowd, still laughing and shaking their heads in disbelief, gradually settled into a subdued murmur. This would be recounted many timesa nauseating and humorous anecdote in their collective past. Later in the evening, when night had come and the crew had moved to a camp to change their routine, the mood changed from uproarious laughter to carefree, sinful fellowship. All together, in solitude within a clearing surrounded by a celestial canvas of twinkling stars, they reclined spread out by a roaring campfire, its warm golden glow soothing the hurt of the day''s escapades. In the little tent that served as quarters, there was a rickety card table for a gamea respite from the recent bedlam best savoured. Ryan, still recovering physically and psychically, tried to focus on the game. But every time there wasa shuffling of cards and every time there was a good-natured teasing comment about his new "lunch choice," he could not help but remember the shameful truth. As the evening passed, original tensions and humilities gave way to resigned acceptance. The party, having thundered through a storm of disgust and laughter, took refuge in easy raillery and established routine. Cards were shuffled, liquor was poured, and jokeswounding and vapidfloated around in the air. A sharp shut-off from Nima and Auri, their voices taut with hunger and anticipation. "Kent!" Nima jumped up from the chair in a whirl of brushing off her jacket. "I heard there''s a lake somewhere in the area that''s full of enormous, plump fish. I''m starvingare you going to catch some for me?" Auri joined in, bubbling with energy, "Yes, Kent, you must bring us some fish. I can taste them already!" His promise of a new adventure, and chance of new fish, distracted everyone for a moment from the previous foolishness. Kent smiled broadly on his face. "Fish, I ask you?" he pondered, rubbing his chin. "Fishing would be just the thing to eradicate today''s kitchen calamity." And with that, he stood up from the card game, gathering his belongings with pretended seriousness. "I''ll be away in two shimmies of a lamb''s tail, and you can all sup on the best fish this side of the lake!" he proclaimed, voice heavy with good cheer and purpose. As Kent disappeared into the night, the rest went back to playing, the humming of the card table serving as a reminder of the confession and the ensuing laughter. Ryan, his hurt pride still smarting, glared at his cards in a scowl. With every card that was played or chip that was busted, he could almost hear the reverberations of the laughterbitter, hard, and unavoidable. Mia also couldn''t help glancing in Ryan''s direction every now and then, a sympathetic expression even after the rough banter moments before. "Sometimes it is best not to ask where miracles are from," she whispered softly, a droplet of truth amidst jubilation. Ethan just nodded, the smile on his face bitter-sweet as he reflected on how the day unfolded. Outside the tent, the night went on with crickets'' songs and the rustle of leaves in the chill wind. The light of the campfire danced on the friends'' faces, unifying them in a single glow. But beneath this, all was the memory of Harper''s embarrassing revelation. In the silver light of the moon and the gentle lapping of the lake, Kent finally caught up with Harper leaning forward on a broken log at the water''s edge. Harper''s eyes were fixed on the dirty water, his face a photograph of shame and regret. Kent crept up quietly, speaking gently and lightly. "Harper?" Kent whispered, sitting down next to him. "You alright, buddy?" Harper gasped for breath before staring Kent straight in the eye. "Kent, today was a catastrophe. I''m humiliated beyond wordsnot only what occurred earlier, but due to what I am. My strange superpower isn''t a curse; it''s a blessing. These pills aren''t rubbishthe genuine article. It just. exits out of my butt, and people don''t know how to cope with that. It''s not my fault that I was gifted this power. Without my family, everyone keeps everyone at arm''s length from me." Kent''s eyes softened as he placed his hand on Harper''s shoulder. "Listen, Harper, you possess a gift no one would want. Yeah, it is strange, but that doesn''t make it any less amazing. The accident today is not youit''s the whim of nature. Harper smiled weakly, crisply. "I just hope others could see through the fact that it is accomplished. I make food into life-changing pills. That''s the big thingnot how it is accomplished." sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Right!" Kent grinned. "Who else can say to have alchemy in their own biology? Your family rescued you from the start. And if they accept you, why not the world? You''re a genius, even if you''re a little off the grid." Crunching footsteps heralded the arrival of Nima and Auri at this time. Their moon- and lake-glitter-covered faces wore teasing mirth as well as real concern. "Kent, Big Brother!" Nima blurted out with a giant smile. "We found some fishing gear and we''re ready to go. We figured that a night at the lake would be a breeze for us." Kent grinned. "Harper, let''s make the rest of this night a bit brighter. We''re not mere misfitsWe''re a band of fledgling Watchers with an eye for the absurd. Tonight, we''re going to catch fish and have a fresh start." Harper breathed deeply, friendship melting some of the humiliation of the day. "Okay," he yielded with a cautious smile. "If I can make food into magic, I can certainly make a bad night into a fish story." Kent, Harper, Nima, and Auri strolled side by side on the lakeshore. They dropped their make-shift fishing lines into the darkness under the stars, the wind-driven chill dispersing remnants of previous shame and replacing them with laughter and camaraderie. As they cast their lines into the black water, Kent couldn''t resist teasing, "Watch it, Harperif that fish jumps the line, we''ll have to begin calling it ''The Leaping Cauldron''!" Harper chuckled the sound mingling with the gentle lapping of the waves. Nima reined in her line and quipped, "I bet even the fish know you''re one in a million. They''re just waiting to be caught by the guy with the world''s most unique superpower." "Ha Ha Ha!" Harper laughed. Auri added, "And if any fish try to swim away, we''ll just tell them your pills make them super strong!" Chapter 117 - 117: The Covenant in Moonlight and the Call of the Ruins --- With joking teasing and shared smiles, Harper''s sad self-consciousness started to dissipate. Every joke and every catch reminded him that his giftdiffering as it waswas his, and something he had to be proud of. Kent''s encouragement and teasing by Nima and Auri transformed the painful ordeal of the day and constructed a stepping stone on to self-acceptance. "See?" Kent was saying as he pulled in a wriggling fish, thumping Harper on the back. "Your superpower isn''t something to be ashamed of. It''s fantasticand it makes you, you know, you. We''re all here for you." Harper''s hearty, warm laughter echoed across the lake. "Maybe you''re right, Kent. Maybe it''s time I embraced the weirdness instead of keeping it on the down-low." With every cast of the line and every laugh they exchanged, the night was less about shame and more about the strength of true friendshipa friendship that could turn even the most strange superpower into a badge of honour. Under the soft light of the moon and the gentle rhythm of the lake, Harper regained his dignity. And as they continued to fish, the groupbound together by laughter, determination, and shared affection for the absurdwrote a new chapter of redemption and hope on the lake''s shore. It was only a matter of minutes before they had amassed a catch that would make a good meal. They worked together, gathering dry twigs and logs, placing them carefully together to build a good campfire. The flames took hold, and warmth spread into the chilly evening air. The fire crackled and snapped as the fish sizzled over the open fire, releasing a smoky, tantalizing aroma that made their stomachs growl with hunger. Now and then, a log exploded with a sharp crack, firing a burst of yellow sparks into the evening air. The orchestral cracking and popping of the wood as it burned made a soothing melody, blending with the gentle whispering of the trees surrounding them. Seated around the fire, Nima, Auri, Kent, and Harper savoured their freshly roasted fish, relishing every bite. The crispy, golden-brown skin gave way to tender, flaky flesh, perfectly cooked by the open flames. Laughter and conversation came easily to them, and their voices mixed with the sounds of the night. For a time, under the vast, starry sky, they were completely at peace, relishing a simple but satisfying meal in each other''s company. Breaking the easy silence, Kent leaned forward toward Harper, his eyes questioning. "Harper, do you somehow have any connections with Nexus Yang Li? I recall both of you sharing the surname Li.". Harper, holding two roasted fish delicately between his palms as if they were something precious, hesitated before speaking in a measured, slow tone, "I shouldn''t talk too much about it. But we are connected, members of the same family. Let us just say that our destinies are intertwined." Kent nodded solemnly. "Alright, alright. I understand. I won''t pry any further." Nima, mouth full of fish and eyes sparkling with mischief, said, "Big Brother, you mentioned that guy from this morningNexus Yang Li. That old man was strange, to say the least.". Harper''s expression darkened slightly as memories of the past flashed through his mind. "Let me give you some advice: steer clear of him. He''s grumpy and quick to blow over the slightest error. He loves to lecture people with tiny mistakes. A one-hour harangue if you make a mistake in front of him." Kent chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. "I never knew, you knew him that well. You''ve certainly had your fair share of his lectures." A shiver ran down Harper''s spine as the weight of those memories rested on him. "Kent, I should probably go," he said quietly, his voice tinged with worry. "You must promise me that you won''t tell anyone what I''ve just shared with you about the Third Nexus." "Okay, go ahead, then," Kent soothed him by clapping him on the shoulder. "We''ll keep the campfire lit for you." A few minutes hence, while the group (Kent, Nima, Auri) enjoyed the simple joys of grilled fish and laughter, Nima interrupted the silence, calling out, "Kent, can you take some good pictures of me against the backdrop of the moon? And maybe get Auri on my shoulder? I want to upload my picture on the Cultibook app. I always saw many cultivators upload good pics of them. They boast a lot." Before Kent had a chance to react, a figure emerged out of the shadows. In formal, creased robes and with an aura of authority, Nexus Yang Li strode into the circle of light. His presence was commandingevery eye moved toward him as if drawn by some magnet. "Ah, I have found you all at last," he declared, his words as polished stones and dripping with secrets. "Some little geniuses informed me that you all attended the lake this evening. I talked with Jade, and I have learned what is happening in your lives." The gaze of Yang Li shifted, settling on Nima with an unblinking look that stole her breath away. "Little girl," he quoted, a blend of respect and provocation in his voice, "you have the wisdom of your years. I think your degree of cultivation is much higher than the average people of your age." His eyes flicked over to Kent. "And you, young man, why not join my clan? Both of you, as orphans, could benefit highly from the guidance and strength of our great clan." Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent reacted swiftly and firmly. "I won''t do it," he said firmly. The air around Yang Li at that moment seemed to ripple with raw emotion. A chain of SP points materialized in his mind, each one representing his inner turmoil: +999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Shock) +999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Speechless) +999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Sad) +999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Heartbroken) The SP points, indicators of the flood of overwhelming emotions coursing through him, were silent witness to the momentary vulnerability Yang Li felt. A moment later, his voice eased as he continued, "Tell me, Kent, where are you at in cultivation? Do you have a master to guide you along the way?" Kent paused for a moment, his mind reeling with the mysteries of his abilities. "I am Level-E," he answered finally, his tone firm but laced with hope. "I am seeking the chance to break through. I train in swordsmanship under a cranky old man who lives nearby. Why do you ask?" Yang Li''s face softened further, and he replied, "I was just wondering. And you, Nima? Do you also train in sword art? What level of cultivation do you have?" With a haughty tilt to her head and a mischievous glint in her eye, Nima crossed her arms and announced, "I am a Level-D cultivator. Sword practice is tiringI prefer a regimen that has fine food and less complicated techniques.". For a moment, Yang Li''s eyes widened in an expression of instant enlightenment. "She she is the youngest Level-D cultivator of this world, " he thought to himself. "I cannot let this chance slip byI must make her my disciple! But how do I mould one who has a taste for food over the stern discipline of the sword? Perhaps I need to be creative." He hunched forward and addressed Nima in a voice that was both gentle and commanding, "Nima, I teach you vitality and nourishment. I am a master of calligraphy and talisman-making; I can teach you many arts less exhausting than customary methods. What do you want to learn?" Nima''s eyes flashed with pretended rebelliousness. "No," she replied, sticking out her tongue. "I''ve heard terrible things about you. They say you have a bad temper and love to lecture and scold people all the time. I''d rather not learn from someone who lectures left and right." Bleh! ???? Yang Li''s face contorted with indignation and surprise. "Who has spread these vile lies about me? If I lay my hands on that one, they will pay in full!" His voice growled for a moment, then melted into a honeyed tone, as if trying to bribe her with promises of greatness. "I can give you muchinformation, power, and guidance. Consider it, child. I am even willing to adopt you as my own grandc..." At that very moment, the ground beneath their feet trembled as if awakened by ancient energies. A colossal, resonating throb shook the air, echoing like the roar of long-extinct monsters. The thick, swirling fog began to rise up from the earth, obscuring the clearing in an impenetrable shroud. With a thunderous crack, the proximate ancient ruins began to shift. Gigantic stone pillars with weathered runes shifted, their ancient carvings illuminated by the ethereal glow. The mist coalesced into ghostly silhouettes, and the very air vibrated with the energy of ancient myths. Yang Li''s voice thundered over the commotion, firm and commanding: "Everyone of you, prepare! We are going to enter the ruins!" In a magnificent display of unity, nearly a few thousand young masters and disciples stepped forward, their faces shining with a mix of fear and excitement. Chapter 118 - 118: The Azure Forest Ruin --- A few minutes later everyone regrouped. In the crowd, Kent and Nima grasped each other''s hands tightly, a wordless vow of protection. Auri, ever the wild child, perched on Kent''s shoulder, his eyes aglow with anticipation. As they stood before the yawning mouth of the ancient ruins, Kent shouted loudly and clearly: "When we enter the ruin we will be teleported to different locations, there is a chance we might be teleported to the same location. But the chance is very low. Listen Nima and Auri, If we get to different locations, I will find you both. Don''t start a battle unless you are sure of victory." The words, spoken with the gravity of an oath, harmonized with the groaning creak of ancient stones as the gateway creaked open, inviting them to step into a world beyond what they knew. The ruins, veiled with secrets and graven with whispers of time, stood before thema threshold to their world and the wasteland of magic and peril. In that charged moment, as the fog swirled and the ancient stones whispered secrets, Harper''s previous wounds began to mend. The biting recollections of shame and derision receded before the radiance of new purpose and the glow of steadfast friendship. His gift, odd and misunderstood though it was, had become a symbol of fortitudea token of a destiny that only the brave might tolerate. Kent''s preceding words echoed in Harper''s mind as he recalled the harsh taunts and the caustic laughter. But standing here at the gateway of the ruins, supported by friends who cared for him in all his peculiarities, he sensed a spark of courage revive within him once more. With the hope of redemption and the enticement of adventure beckoning him, Harper decided to shape his destiny in totality. Thus, under the vigilant gaze of the moon and the choruses of ageless echoes, the group gathered together. They ventured to step into the ruins, leaving behind echoes of a cacophonous past and stepping into a future where even the most outlandish abilities could light the path to greatness. With mounting tension and the sarcastic badinage of their banteraided by the lingering SP points of Yang Li''s emotional assaultthe stage was now set for a quest fraught with peril and potential. As they approached the intimidating portal, Kent took one last, robust glance at his family. "Wherever you''re sent, I''ll track you down," he vowed again. "Let''s gotogether." And so, with laughter interwoven with determination, with old scars mending in the starlight, and with the ancient ruins unfolding their secrets to anyone brave enough to search them out, the company moved forward. It was in that moment of shifting scales that the bitter taste of the past gave way to the optimistic beat of their footstepsa rhythm that would propel them into the uncharted, where a person''s worth was not measured by where it began, but by how they dared to use it. Kent''s mind was shaken with a jerky spasm as the world around him was reduced to a haze of fog, sound and light. One instant, and he found himself somewhere entirely foreigna realm that reeked of moistened soil and ancient magic, where echoes of ancient myths danced upon the air. The smiling faces of Nima and Auri and the well-known comforts of his old comrades were gone; ahead of him was an endless forest that was not completely natural, but the remnants of a very long-abandoned past, the vast campsite and the huge ruin entrance gate now overtaken by the forces of nature. The forest ahead of him was full of deep green and indigo hues, the remnants of grand stone buildings that were entwined in knotted, moss-covered vines and crystalline leaves. Massive pillars, their worn surfaces etched with runes and glyphs of a lost era, pushed through the foliage like the broken teeth of some titanic beast. A dim light emanated from cracks in the weathered stone, casting eerie patterns across the forest floor. The trees themselves, black as obsidian trunks and leaves tinged with green, leaned in the wind to exchange their secretsnature''s symphony and magic mixed in the wreckage. As Kent looked in wonder at the dreamworld-like loneliness and mystery of the location, he quickly realized that he was not by himself. A hard-ridden bunch of people, undoubtedly from lower cultivation levelsF and Ecrept hesitantly through the broken columns and broken archways. Their faces were a mixture of apprehension and determination; they seemed to be lost in the haunted forest ruin, not knowing what lay ahead. Before Kent could move again, a ringing sound reverberated in his headan authoritative ethereal voice that he alone could hear. His system, ever vigilant and enigmatic, now presented him with a mission: [Ding! System Mission: Clear the Azure Forest Ruin. Two options were given on the mental interface: Option One: wander off until the ruin is cleared. Reward: 10 drops of blood. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Option Two: Find the core of the ruin and clear it. Reward: Unknown.] Kent frowned the words "10 drops of blood" echoing oddly in his mind. "Blood? I''m not a vampire!" he swore to himself, his disbelief mingling with irritation. "What''s with the unknown reward?" A detached, alien voice responded from his system, its tone as enigmatic as ever: [Ding! "You will learn once you finish one of the missions."] Kent gritted his teeth. The vague quality of the reward was only to fuel his suspicion, but no quarter was giventhe task was set, and the promise of the ruined forest stretched out before him. Shifting away from the system''s cryptic demands and to the people surrounding him, Kent observed the low-level cultivators congregating in a small circle in the centre of the ruins. They were arguing with one another, voices raised in hot arguments over who should be their leader. It was clear that going out alone in such a dangerous place was out of the question, and they must band together to overcome the obstacles before them. Their argument, however, was tainted by inexperience and distrust. Seeing an opening, Kent decided to capitalize on their vulnerability. He had mastered the art of blending in and, if necessary, playing on other people''s emotions to his own advantage. Though his true power was far greater than the modest rank he now assumed, he preferred the guise of a lowly, unassuming beggarhappy to let others fight while he quietly accumulated SP from every flare of emotion his stunts could provoke. With a smirking grin, Kent approached the group. "Excuse me," he whispered softly in a humble, polite tone, "I couldn''t help overhearing what you were saying. I am aware of the dangers of travelling alone here, and I am also seeking a friend in these ruins. May I join your group?" The cultivators who were standing around looked at him suspiciously. "Who are you?" one of the E-level cultivators, a scrawny youth with suspicious eyes, barked. I am just a low-level Cultivator, as are you,\\" Kent said, looking down, "I have very little to contribute in terms of strength, but I am practical and willing to learn from all of you". Ding! +999 SP copied from xxx (anger). The Level-E cultivator thinks, " you are calling me a low Level. I will teach you a lesson. I will let you join as cannon fodder." The group stared at one another, their arguments momentarily silenced. In the end, they agreed to let Kent join themif only because every extra pair of eyes could be helpful in an environment as treacherous as this. The issue of leadership, though, was by no means resolved. Hot whispers and hums persisted as every member fought for control, voices raised over past failures and hopes for the future. Kent sat in quiet contemplation, watching with amazement how easily emotion bubbled amongst these new SP banks. An evil plan developed in his minda means to subtly accumulate SP, his game''s most coveted asset, through eliciting reaction from his newfound acquaintances. With a diabolical glint in his eye, he was going to be a meek, low-grade roamer in secret through covertly triggering reactions through crafty tricks. His weapon for this was his Architect of Creation skill and his mastery of the opposing aspects of Hellfire and Frostfirea combination that could command awe and terror in equal measure. The group proceeded deeper into the forest ruin, the path winding between the halls of weathered stone and twisted undergrowth. The air was charged with magic and mystery, and the ruins thrummed and vibrated like a living entity. Every so often, Kent would pause to admire some complicated carving on a pillar or the manner in which a beam of moonlight illuminated a clump of crystalline moss, but always with a calculating glint in his eye, noting the precise instant for his jokes. On the first day of travel, when the party passed through a narrow canyon filled with shattered statues and collapsed arches, Kent had his chance. A boaster F-level cultivator, eager to dominate, began spinning a boastful tale of his own exploits. At the perfect moment, Kent silently employed his Architect of Creation ability. Chapter 119 - 119: The Secret SP Harvest in the Azure Ruins With a flick of restrained spiritual energy, a small pocket-sized non-lethal explosion of frostfire erupted at the cocky cultivator''s feet. The burst sent ice shards scattering across the old stone floor. With startled disbelief, the man jumped back, his face twisting into a mix of shock and awe. In the background, a few students exchanged nervous giggles and whispered exclamations. Kent''s internal system chimed with its familiar digital notifications: +199 SP copied from xxx (Shock). +399 SP copied from xxx (Shock). +699 SP copied from xxx (Shock). +599 SP copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Laughter). +999 SP copied from xxx, xxx, xxx (Anger). flashed discreetly in his mind. Acting with genuine concern, Kent stepped up beside the trembling cultivator. "Hey, you alright? Looks like the floor doesn''t appreciate all that hot air you were blowing earlier," he said softly, his tone warm yet laced with mischievous undertones. The young cultivator mumbled a sheepish apology while a nearby student whispered, "Man, that was epic." Kent merely grinned to himself, pleased with the perfectly timed prank that had boosted his SP balance without drawing suspicion. Later that afternoon, while the group gathered in a secluded clearing beneath a crumbling, ivy-draped building, Kent seized another opportunity. A guy was going to the washroom. He discreetly moved a few paces away and activated his SSS-Rank Architect of Creation ability, he used his mobile phone as a catalyst. In an instant, a tiny, neon-lit holographic projection materialized on the base of a fallen columna chibi dragon performing a series of comical flips and breakdance moves. Its digital sound effects, audible only to Kent''s internal system, punctuated the brief spectacle before it vanished. The student near the projection yelled, "ahh! A dragon A dragon is dancing!" He ran out of the corner, his body covered with shit smell and butt full of poop. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another replied with a disgusting face, "yes, dragons are dancing inside your stomach. Damn, what did you eat last night? That smell!" Kent''s system promptly recorded the reaction: +777 SP copied from xxx (shame). +888 SP copied from xxxx(amusement), +999 SP copied from xxx (disgust). "Why did you poop here? Why didn''t you go into the forest?" one of them barked at him, and Kent simply offered a barely perceptible nod, keeping his amusement secret. "I I was scared to go alone. What if I get attacked by a monster?" the shitty guy replied in embarrassment. As night approached, the group set up camp in a relatively open area among the ruins. While soft conversations and hushed exchanges filled the air, Kent''s mind was already buzzing with new ideas. He decided it was time to craft a tool that could generate widespread emotional reactionsall completely covert. In a secluded corner near a cluster of broken stone fragments, Kent gathered a few discarded items: a piece of scorched moss, a scrap of withered vine, and a fragment of an old, empty spiritual stone casing he found on the campsite before entering. Muttering softly to himself, he combined these with a pinch of moist, fine soil to bind the ingredients. Using the scorched moss as the base, he shredded the vine into thin, fibrous strands to serve as an enhancer, and pressed the stone fragment into the center as an ignition catalyst. Working quickly and silently, he wrapped the mixture in a small, durable cloth and secured it with a makeshift binding. When he finished, Kent held up the small, lumpy object and took a cautious sniff. A faint, unpleasant odor emanated from ita perfect modern "bad Odor bomb" designed to trigger covert emotional eruptions. "Perfect," he murmured, a sly smile tugging at his lips as his system flashed: Ding! Bad Odor Bomb constructed. He then pocketed the device, planning its deployment for the right moment. The next day, as the group ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the Azure Forest Ruin, Kent continued his covert campaign. During a short break near a moss-covered small pond, he activated a minor vibration spell under a cluster of small, round stones. In seconds, the stones vibrated and tumbled gently over the pond''s bank. One cultivator jumped and blurted, "What the?" before glancing around in confusion. Ding! +400 SP copied from xxx (Amusement). Kent watched from a safe distance, barely containing his chuckle as his internal system ticked silently. Later, while the group debated the best route through a narrow passage, Kent slipped away behind a dense grass. With a few whispered words and a subtle gesture, he released a short burst of synthesized "boing" sounda modern digital echo that resonated just long enough to startle one student into clutching his chest and exclaiming, "Did you hear that?!" Ding! +600 SP copied from xxx (Fear). +400 SP copied from xxx (Entertainment). Kent smirked privately, satisfied with the efficiency of his secret prank. That evening, as the group huddled around a crackling campfire amid the ruins, Kent excused himself briefly. Hidden behind a cluster of ivy-clad stones, he retrieved his freshly crafted bad Odor bomb. With a few quick words of concentration and a discreet activation gesture, he triggered it remotely. No one saw him, within moments a faint, acrid odor began to drift toward a small cluster of meditating students near a trickling stream. One student''s eyes widened as he whispered, "What is that smell?!" A murmur of collective disgust followed. Ding! +150 SP (Collective Disgust). Another muttered, "It smells like rotten eggs mixed with burnt plastic" Ding! +120 SP (Frustration). A third couldn''t help but hold his breath amidst the revulsion. Ding! +100 SP (Breathless). From his hidden vantage point, Kent allowed himself a satisfied smile. His bad Odor bomb had done exactly what he intendedeliciting a precise cascade of reactions without anyone suspecting his involvement. Later, he discreetly retrieved the device and stashed it for future mischief. Throughout their trek, the group''s journey was punctuated by spontaneous, long dialogues that blended nervous tension with humor. At one point, as they navigated a narrow path lined with faded murals of ancient battles, one nervous student piped up, "I swear, these ruins are haunted. I heard one of the legends say that if you step on the wrong stone, a vengeful spirit appears!" Another student added, "Yeah, and my cousin told me that the spirits here have a wicked sense of humorthey like to play pranks on unwary travelers!" A third, more skeptical voice interjected, "Come on, you guys, it''s just old stone and moss. There''s no way ghosts are setting off firework shows in ancient ruins." Kent, overhearing the conversation, couldn''t resist a quiet aside as he blended into the background. "If only they knew how much free entertainment we''re getting," he murmured, internally tallying SP from their reactions without drawing attention. Later, as they rested near a dimly lit courtyard scattered with debris and patches of bioluminescent moss, another conversation erupted. "I''m telling you," the Cultivator who shit earlier said emphatically, "I can smell the power of the ancients herelike the very air is alive with history!" "History or your shit from earlier?" joked a nearby student, earning a round of amused snorts. Kent quietly smiled at the exchange, secretly delighted by their banter. His internal system noted: Ding! +250 SP (Confusion) and +150 SP (Mild Fright) He mused to himself, Such raw emotionso easy to harvest. As night deepened further, the group''s focus shifted back to their mission. They knew that beyond the ornate, vine-shrouded gateway lay the monster of the Azure Forest Ruina place that might hold the key to its ancient power. While some students whispered anxiously about the dangers lurking inside, others traded humorous quips to lighten the mood. One student remarked, "If this ruin really holds the power of the ancients, I hope it''s as strong as my grandma''s spicy stew!" Another shot back, "Your grandma''s stew? That''s nothing compared to the fire I almost set myself on last week!" They all laughed, the tension momentarily eased by their levity. Finally, the group reached the outer sanctuma vast chamber where gigantic stone tablets bore cryptic symbols, and the floor was a mosaic of intricate patterns that hinted at ancient rituals. In the center, a faint blue glow pulsed like a heartbeat. Here, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. One nervous student whispered, "Do you really think we can find treasure in this place?" Another replied, "If we stick together and keep laughing at our misfortune, maybe the ruin will find something." As the group advanced, Kent continued his secret pranks. In one narrow hall adorned with faded murals, he activated a subtle holographic projectiona mischievous sprite that winked and mimicked the expressions of passersby. A student nearby said, "Is that thing... is it winking at me?" Kent''s system recorded: Ding! +300 SP copied. Shortly after, while ascending a crumbling staircase cloaked in moss, Kent triggered a quiet vibration that dislodged a small stone. One student jumped in surprise, exclaiming, "Whoa, did that stone just come alive?" Ding! +200 SP (Surprise) and +150 SP (Mild Annoyance) Chapter 120 - 120: The Guardians Gauntlet --- "Time for the SP farming to stop," Kent muttered as he surveyed the vine-choked gateway of the ancient Azure Forest Ruin. The lingering thrill of his recent covert pranks had faded before the urgency of his new mission. Almost immediately, his internal system buzzed with a crisp briefing: [Ding! System notifications- Mission: Defeat the Four Guardians of the Azure Forest. Objective: Tame all guardian cubs and place them in your void domain. Reward: Unknown.] Kent''s eyes narrowed with a mix of excitement and wry humor. "At last, some real action," he thought. No more secret pranks or inconsequential SP accumulation; now, he faced enemies as legendary as they were real. As the system''s enigmatic message pulsed in his mind, he couldn''t help but laugh. "Beat four guardians? And snatch their cubs like I''m running an animal shelter? Why do I feel like I am playing the role of a kidnapper!" After a few seconds of thinkingSaying nothing to his friends, Kent departed from the group. "I''ll see you in a bit," he said casually, nodding genially before he disappeared into the twisty corridors of the ruin. The others, involved in their own disputes and strained expectation of the ruins'' secrets, and treasures barely noticed him. Kent''s heart pounding, he set out on his one mission. The blue-gray rock corridors, lit with a sharp blue glow, were silent witnesses to centuries of hidden power. He moved stealthily through the labyrinth, every step echoing on the cold, crumbling floor. In his mind, he rehearsed the mission parameters: kill the four guardians and acquire the guardian cubs by capturing it andquietlyrescuing it away. The possibility of encountering an actual guardian awakened both his competitive nature and his off-color sense of humor. With the system''s help navigating a series of cramped, vine-choked corridors, Kent came into a vast, vaulted room. There, the ruins stood in all their glory. Marble columns reared like statues on the stone pavers, each one etched with cryptic symbols that softly radiated old magic. The air vibrated with anticipation and the scent of dirt and decaya fitting battleground for an elemental trial. "Bring on the next guardian," he breathed into the quiet stones. "I''m ready for youand I vow to leave no cub uncollected." And with that, Kent plunged into the unknown with unblemished determination and his heart afire with dreams of victories to come. The guardians'' gauntlet waited, and Kent was ready to face italone, unburdened by the past, and always ready to add a splash of irreverent humor to the annals of ancient power. Before long, a low tremor ran through the hall. Kent''s eyes grew tight as he sensed the coming of a mighty foe. Gradually pushing out from the shelter of a toppled pillar, the guardian emerged: the Earthbound Sentinel, a living stone giant whose every movement rocked the ground. Amber eyes glowed with primal, earthy power, and heavy footsteps thudded like far-off thunder. [Ding! System notifications Earth type guardian Name: Earthbound Sentinel Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cultivation: Level-C (The guardian cultivation dropped by many levels) very weakened because of the spiritual energy disappearance. Age: unknown] "Alright, big guy," Kent said with a confident smile, "let''s see if we can keep pace with modern chaos." He curled himself into a combat stance, his muscles tensed in anticipation of the test. The guardian''s huge, booming voice echoed through the hall. "Who dares to interrupt the holiness of the forest?" it boomed, each syllable heavy with ancient power. "I''m Kent," he replied coolly, "and I''m here to test your might. Prepare to be beaten, old-timer." His tone was light, laced with humor even as adrenaline surged through him. The battle began in earnest. The Earthbound Sentinel slammed down a massive, boulder-sized fist that sent shockwaves rippling through the hall. Kent dodged with lithe precision, his evasions smooth and almost balletic. With each swift dodge and counter, he unleashed bursts of frostfire intermixed with volleys of spiritual energy at his massive opponent. "Hey, you know," Kent joked while dodging, "if you moved any slower, you''d make a sloth look like a speed demon." "You you dare to mock me." The guardian''s bellow of indignation was nearly hysterical against the backdrop of its titanic form. For several frenzied moments, the trading of elemental energies dominated the air. Kent''s swift attacks and acrobatic maneuvers were a far cry from the guardian''s powerful, earthquake-causing punches. The earth giant retaliated with shutters that caused loose dust to be blown off the vaulted ceiling, while Kent''s precise blasts of fire and spiritual energy left wispy trails of glinting frost hanging in the air. In a momentary lull in the fightwhen both fighters danced around each other cautiously. Kent couldn''t help but throw another jab. "Why are you so slow? I think a snail can beat you at a garden race. C''mon, give it your best shot!" he taunted, sidestepping a slow, crushing blow that grazed his shoulder. +999 SP copied from Earthbound Sentinel (angry). And many more notifications followed. The guardian narrowed its eyes and, with a guttural bellow, struck again. Kent''s heart pounded faster as he dodged and circled, each dodge secured by the faintly audible vibration of his hidden system counting off every spike of emotion. Every burst of shock, anger, and even a trace of frustration on the guardian''s flailing blows sounded up his personal tallybut all of that was known only to him. Finally, Kent observed his window of opportunity. With a deliberate gesture, he poured a concentrated shot of flame energy into his fist and hurled it straight into the guardian''s midsection, where inscribed runes of unused power burned. The collision caused a shockwave that resonated through the hall, and for a moment, the Earthbound Sentinel stumbled. Not bad for an old fossil," Kent complained, making the most of the opportunity. He burst forward, unleashing a flurry of swift, accurate strikes. Each hit was carefully measured to test the guardian''s defenses without causing lasting harma dance of spiritual energy, power and clever technique. The battle raged to its climax. The giant guardian swung its arm in a final, desperate attempt to annihilate Kent, and in the course of a split second of astounding movement, Kent threw the attack back with a whirling storm of frostfire. The collision of energies that ensued flashed out in a burst of radiating energy and light crackle. There was dust and shattered pieces of stone held poised in the air, and the scene was one of surreal, nearly-humorous devastation. Finally, with a final decisive move, Kent released a flawlessly timed punch that forced the guardian to lower its gigantic head in defeat. "You have defeated me, mortal," the Earthbound Sentinel snarled, its voice now tempered by age and a touch of remorse. "I yield, and with me, my little one." From the giant, weary hand of the guardian, a small baby Earthbound Sentinel came out. Dressed in a thin layer of moss with smoldering small burning coal-like eyes, it cried as it dropped through the air. For a moment, Kent''s expression softened upon seeing it. The tiny one was a symbol of the guardian''s bloodline, weak but filled with raw earth elemental might. "Alright, little one," Kent said, with serious amusement in his voice as he extended a hand. "Time to come with me. You''re going to be my prizewell, not a prize, really, but a key to something greater. I will treat you well." Soft as a cloud, Kent picked up the cub and, with a gentle spell, tucked it away safely in his hidden void domain. To the unwary eye, he simply tucked it away where it would be safe; actually, it was a silent, personal acquisition which was meant to release potential concealed deep within his being. The guardian, itself defeated and made humble, also nodded solemnly. "Let your way be noble, mortal," it voiced in tones charged with ancient heartache and begrudging respect. "Thanks, big guy," Kent replied with a light chuckle. "I promise I''ll take good care of the little one. And hey, maybe you''ll get a visit from your offspring sometime." The absurdity of it all made even the stern guardian seem to relax, if only for a fleeting moment. As the echoes of the battle faded, Kent stood alone in the vast, silent hall. He had fought one of the four guardians, and now the path was open: he must defeat the remaining three. Alone, Kent summons back the little one and reflects on the battle. "Not bad at all," he mused, cradling the tiny cub carefully. "This is just the beginning of a real challenge. Time to find the other three prices." A few seconds later Kent was walking out of the stone and moss covered corridors one after another. He thinks, "I divide my void domain land into four parts. So I will put this little one in one the land. But it feels weird to call him little one or Earthbound Sentinel. I need to give him a name." Chapter 121 - 121: Whispers of the Wind --- After a few minutes of thinking Kent was scratching his head. "I need to give him a simple name. He looks so cute. I bet if Nima saw him, she would immediately claim him as her underling." While parting the baby Earthbound Sentinel Kent says out loud, "you have earth type powers. I will call you Rocky. It''s simple yet perfectly fits you." The baby Earthbound Sentinel makes a soft purr noise, as if it had recognised its name. It started to lick Kent''s hands. Kent murmured, "it seems you liked your name. Alright, Rocky, I will send you inside the void domain. You should rest there. I will come and play with you later. I have a mission to complete." A few moments later, Kent stood in between an ancient foggy thicket, where massive trees were exchanging rumors of gossip between leaves that had long turned green dry from years of neglect. The system had led him thus far, one step further into Azure Forest Ruins. He defeated the Earthbound Sentinel and captured Rocky; he now knew what lay ahead of himthe second guardian. His shoes forced through damp moss as he breathed in the air. This part of ruins wasn''t all that different from the rock-lined passageways of the previous battle, save that it was teeming with life. Wind played among the trees, thick with the scent of trees and something nauseatingly floral. Leaves whipped at Kent''s ankles as if taunted by spectral fingers. [Ding! System Notification] Mission Progress: 1/4 Guardians Defeated. Next Target Identified: Wind-type Guardian. Location: Whispering Glen, Azure Forest.] Kent smirked. "Whispering Glen? Sounds like a vacation spot. Maybe I''ll get a spa treatment before the fight." His amusement faded as the wind suddenly shifted. A strong gust blew past, nearly knocking him off balance. The once gentle rustling of the trees turned into an eerie howl, and the mist thickened, distorting the shapes of the surrounding trees. He squinted, feeling that something moved ahead. Something, or someone, observed him. Light, musical laughter filtered through the glade. "A human invades my domain, unannounced and uninvited. How audacious." Kent spun quickly, his hand automatically tightening making a fist. The mist coalesced into form, taking on a shape perched on a leaning branch. She was not what he had grown accustomed to. The guardian appeared to be a spindly, angular woman with her silver-white locks flying abnormally around, as if held back by an endless wind gust. Blazing supernatural light burst forth from her sky-blue eyes, and her spun gossamer finery clothes that streamed around her shone like a mirage. Breeze free of any turbulence followed her with wings that glimmered in and out of sight. [Ding! System Notification] Name: Sylphara, the Whispering Tempest Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cultivation: Level C (Weak due to loss of spiritual energy) Age: Unknown.] Kent whistled. "Oh, it''s you who''s here? Huh? Sylphara, by any chance? More like from a fairy tale, is what it is." Sylphara allowed her gaze to drift over to follow to one of her feet. "And you are?" He rested one hand on his chest with arrogant bravado. "I''m Kent. Full-time professional prankster, part-time hero, and future legend in your kids'' bedtime stories." Sylphara scowled at him for a moment before she was doubled over in laughter. "Oh, I see. A fool you are a stupid human." Kent''s grin never faltered. "And yet, I already defeated one of your guardian friends. Does that make me a lucky fool?" Her eyes were slitted, wings flapping. "You murdered the Earthbound Sentinel? That old codger was always behind on his dues. You must have goaded him into defeat." "I''ll accept it as a compliment." Kent shrugged. "And now I''m here for round two. So do I invite you to come on out and play a friendly game of tag, or do you begin firing hurricanes at me?" Sylphara let out a sigh, placing her chin in her hand as she reclined against the tree trunk. "Humans are so loud. You invade hallowed ground, disturb the elders, and you think you own the world." Her tone was silky, but filled with anger. "You should be kneeling, begging to be permitted to leave this realm alive." Kent snorted. "Groveling does not come naturally to me, but sure thing, I can teach you something about loose. Perhaps breathe, relax a bit?" Air around them quivered. Leaves and dust were blown upwards in a fury storm as the wind howled like a living creature. Sylphara''s face thundered. "You have the audacity to speak to me so familiarly? Kent raised his hands in mock submission. "What, are you going to be calling me the ''Great and Mighty Wind Lady''? Because that is a tongue-twister." Sylphara''s eye sparkled. "Impudent." A nasty shock of power struck Kent, and he stomped his heels on the pavement to keep his feet from being blown away. He was gulping as the wind tore through his hair like an outraged demon of the winds. "Alright, alright, I get it," he said, dusting himself off. "You''re all drama. But seriously nowyou''re going to fight me no matter what, right?" Sylphara''s grin was savage. "Oh, no, little human. I do not simply fight. I remind those in my way why the sky yields to the storm." Kent shrugged, smiling. "Now we''re talking." As if in response to his irritation, the winds blew up and buffeted Sylphara''s body like a living storm. The trees creaked in protest, the branches wailing in dismay. The mist howled around them, slicing vision to close to zero. And in an instant, Sylphara was gone. Kent''s grin falters. "Oh. That can''t be good, I guess." A gentle whisper in his ear. "Let''s see if you can back up your arrogance or not, human." A cutting gust brushed across his cheek like the cut of a knife ignored. Kent''s reflexes reacted, and he sprang back just in time as a gust blow snapped through where he had been a split second earlier. His smile came back. "Hide and seek, then? Alright, Sylphara. I hope you don''t mind losing." The laughter that enveloped him was airy and mischievous. The wind screamed and fighting was initiated. It howled in rage like a mad beast, thrashing about Kent in deadly whirlpools. Sylphara had scattered in the tempest, her power out on the field as a ghost spirit within the mist. Kent clenched his fists. "Let''s get on with games.". He struck his hand, and black fire blazed around him, casting ominous shadows twisting through the wracking tempest. His Hellfire burst to life, black fire unnatural and inhuman against the shrieking gale. Fire tore outward, burning the earth beneath as mist was torn away in an instant. "Let us see how well you endure heat, Wind Lady." Sylphara''s yell from under the storm, half laughter, half inquiry. "Oh? Fire to wind? You are dumber than I was calculating." The hurricane howled and a dozen silent swords fired out at Kent, all sword blades open. SWOOSH! Kent evaded, rolling out of the way as the first attack tore through a tree behind him, cutting through it like paper. He rolled back around, summoning a wall of Hellfire in time to intercept the rest of the slashes headed his way. When the flame met the wind, the gusts ripped it apartbut not entirely. Some of the attacks still got through, hurting his arms and shoulders. "Tsk." He smeared at a thread of blood across his cheek. "Okay, wind''s pushing back." He fired a quick blast, channeling his Hellfire Blast and firing it out into the roiling mist. Black fire wailed, heat distortions ruffling the air. Trees blew up and incinerated, their leaves disintegrating at once. Beat of silence AndWHOOSH! The flames were sucked into the storm, engulfed by the whirlpool. Kent didn''t have time to step back before a shock of compressed air hit his chest and he stumbled a few feet backward. He coughed, his chest bruised from the impact. Sylphara returned, reclining effortlessly on a blasted wind, hair of silver blown around her head. "Typical," she muttered to herself. "Wind toys, fire burns. But you believed that your flames would consume me?" Kent rose a second time, taking breath. "You prattle too much." A bolt struck down upon the snap of her wrist. Kent leapt clear of it just in time as the land he''d stood on was tore away. His mind was racing. She''s going too fast, and my fires aren''t scorching her wind hard enough. And then, abruptlyA memory from three days ago, When they''d taken the bus to Azure Bay ruins. He''d constructed a homemade sword on a whim with his skill SSS-Rank Architect of creation. It''d been a test then, and he''d not had much confidence in it. But now Kent''s eyes snapped open. "The sword." Sylphara''s head tilted. "What''s that?" Kent smiled. "Just remembered something important. You better be prepared for your defeat, wind lady. I am not holding back anymore." Chapter 122 - 122: The Abyss of the Serpent. He drew into his cache and called upon it. The Crimson Flame sword radiated with light in his hand. The sword burned with black and dark red embers, its blade blazing with Hellfire concentrated to a point. The instant it kissed the air, the mist that had wrapped around them broke apart, and the wind retreated from the flames. Sylphara''s teasing smile missed by a hair''s breadth. "Oh?" Kent swung the sword once, acclimating himself to how it felt. His smile grew. "Let''s dance." He charged at her using flashing steps with a burst of speed. The sword cut, moving through the air like a hot knife through butter. When he struck her, Sylphara dissolved, breaking apart into mist. But this time! Kent whirled across the air, planting the Crimson Flame sword into the ground. A streamlined fire shockwave flared, immolating a crescent-shaped path of blazing debris across the battlefield. A frosty hiss rippled through the storm. Kent didn''t even stop. He burst, closing on the uproar. "Gotcha." Sylphara never had time to defend herself before he loomed over her. She lifted her arms, conjuring one last windshield, but it was too late. Kent yelled "EMBER SLASH!" Kent''s sword sliced down with a snarl of flame. A bale of hellfire shrieked through the windscreen, slamming into Sylphara with awful energy. She screamed with her burning flesh, her body writhing and twisting like a living horror in death. The winds raging around her died, shattering like smashed glass. The storm was done. The battlefield was still. Kent fell to his knees, his chest panting, the Crimson Flame still burning in his hand. He looked at the body of Sylphara on the ground, her regal beauty lost. She coughed, her shimmering wings flickering like dying embers. "Impressive." Kent spun the sword once before resting it on his shoulder. "I''ll take that as a compliment." Sylphara exhaled, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "You truly are an odd human." She raised a trembling hand. On her palm was a tiny globe of wind swirling, reforming into the form of a small sleeping cub with silver fur. "Take this." Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait, is that?" A baby Wind Spirit, she confirmed. "You''ve won. By the laws of this world, I recognize your power. This cub is yours as a reward." Kent winced, then took the little beast. The moment his fingers came into contact with it, he felt a thrill run through his arm, as if a soft wind wrapped itself around him. The cub gave a drowsy, whimpering whine and burrowed into his chest. Sylphara twisted a lip. "Take care of it, human." Kent looked at the little creature, then her. "This is some kind of trick, isn''t it?" Sylphara laughed. "Oh, please. I am great at many things, but lies are not one of them." She fought to sit up, her body clearly exhausted. "One day I will be back. But for now, the trial is complete." Sylphara smiled wryly. "Good luck, fool. You''ll need it." She disappeared in a gust of wind. Kent''s eyebrow shot up. "Huh. Didn''t see that coming." The cub blinked, then snorted out a small pout of air, making his hair blow messily. He sighed, running his hand over his head. He talked to the baby wind spirit while fixing his hair, "I see you inherited her attitude." [Ding! System notifications: Wind Guardian Defeated! The Wind Guardian left her offspring to you. New Companion Acquired: Name her.] Kent scanned the system message. "Huh. I have to give her a name." He crouched slightly, poking the cub''s cheek. The tiny creature huffed, puffing up her fur in protest, then blew a miniature whirlwind in his face. Kent laughed. "Alright, alright. No need to get all worked up." He crossed his arms, thinking. "Okay. You''re a wind-type spirit. Small, kinda cranky." The cub swishes its tail back and forth, creating a light breeze around them, ruffling the grass. Kent snapped his fingers. "Windy. I''ll call you Windy." The cub tensed, its big silver eyes blinking at him. Then, for the first time, it gave a soft, satisfied puurr, folding over in mid-air and nuzzling his hand. [New Name Registered: Windy!] Kent smiled. "So you like it, huh?" Windy nodded frantically, then suddenly shot up into the air, spinning like a playful whirlwind. "Guess that means we''re officially bonded now." Windy grinnedthen puffed another gust of air directly into Kent''s face. His hair became upright in a crazed frizz. Kent growled. "Oh, great." Windy giggled and capered around him, clearly enjoying her harassment. Kent slicked his ratty hair back. "Yeah. This is going to be a long partnership." With a shake of his head, he gestured to take Windy''s place on his shoulder. "Let''s go, little Windy. We''ve still got more guardians to find." Windy gave a tiny salute. And with that, the next adventure began. Kent murmured to himself, "Well, that was fun." He stretched his neck before smiling. "Two guardians down. Two to go." Kent trudged through the green forest, his boots kicking against damp leaves and roots. The System had led him deeper than he meant to go, far beyond the last guardian''s territory. Light had difficulty penetrating the dense tree cover, making bony shadows on the ragged landscape. Water clung in the air, causing his clothes to adhere painfully to his skin. Perched on his shoulder, infant wind spirit Windy fluttered her small translucent wings. She was no bigger than the palm of Kent''s hand and already possessed a sassiness. sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Purr! "Lost?" she asked with sarcasm dripping from her voice. Kent sighed. "No. We''re following the right directions." Windy tilted her head. Purr! "Are you positive it''s not leading you to your own downfall?" Kent furrowed an eyebrow. "You''re awfully confident for someone who has just been born." Windy huffed and crossed her arms. Purr! "." Windy blew out through her cheeks but said nothing. Another hour of marching passed, and finally the trees gave way to open land. The far-off rumble of water filled his ears, and the heavy dampness left his skin sticky. Kent pushed through the last group of trees and! The enormous lake stretched out before him. Kent was shocked. It was gigantic, leaving him breathless. The hue was unnatural blue, a dark, near-black, color like an infinite gulf. The lake itself was unnaturally still, giving off a queer feeling of peace as it mirrored the sky above an unbroken mirror. Mist clung just above the lake, curling in sluggish waves. More ominous was the silence. Not one fish breached the lake. Not a single bird sang. Even the wind had died down. Kent''s stomach growled at him. Something was hidden. [Ding! System notifications - Warning, You have entered the domain of the Third Guardian:The Abyssal Serpent.] Windy, shivered. Purr! "Ewww, I don''t like it here." Kent responded. "Yeah It''s way too quiet." He progressed cautiously. As soon as his boot hit the edge of the water, the silence was shattered. BOOM! The entire lake exploded. From the bottom of the lake a gigantic shadow bubbled out of the depths below, a tidal wave frothing out to shore. Kent stepped back as water poured out, covering trees, boulders, and all in between. The shockwave sent him stumbling. When the spray dispersed, he at last got to beholdThe Abyssal Serpent. [Ding! System Notification] Name: The Abyssal Serpent Species: Azure Water Serpent Cultivation: Level C (Weak due to loss of spiritual energy.) Age: Unknown.] It was enormous, at least a hundred meters long. Its snake-like, streamlined body was covered in shining sapphire-blue scales, each of which was etched with glowing runes that cast a soft glow. Barbed spines along its spine curved like death daggers. Its dragon-like head was topped with curling, horn-like growths that hummed with hidden water energy. Its cold, abyssal-blue eyes locked onto Kent, radiating an otherworldly intelligence. When it did speak, its voice trembled like an earthquake beneath the sea. "A puny human dares come into my domain?" Kent takes a deep breath, adjusting his gloves. "I could''ve sworn I''ve heard this one before. You all need to work out some new lines." The serpent''s eyes slitted. "Your arrogance is misplaced, mortal." Kent laughed. "I mean, I defeated the last two guardians with my flames. And you''re not much different." Windy cuts in, gliding beside him and gives a loud purr! Kent gave her a confused glance. "You wanted to help me in fighting? Not today, maybe some other day." Meanwhile, The Abyssal Serpent snarled. The lake churned furiously, as if it were responding to its fury. "You think fire will rescue you here?" the serpent sneered. "You are in the center of the water. Your candle will be blown away by me." Kent cracked his knuckles. "Let''s see if that works." In response, the jaws of the serpent opened. A tidal wave roared, a rolling hill of water crashing toward Kent. Its raw brute power would obliterate a city block in the time it took to blink. Chapter 123 - 123: The Serpents Abyss Kent did not blink. He outstretched his hand and commanded his Hellfire to come out. Black fire, black as the deepest abysses themselves seethed up, meeting the tidal wave with beastly rage. The moment fire and water clashed, the battlefield of war went mad. Steam burst in furious spurts, blanketing the ground in thick mist. The shockwave produced more shockwaves which ripple on the lake, creating waves of lesser size breaking on the shore. Kent clenched his fist, doubling the intensity of his flame. He mocked the serpent saying, "Not bad, but why don''t you give this a try." He stepped forward, his full hand aflame. The mist on him evaporated the moment it came into contact with him. The Abyssal Serpent retreated, curling its massive body before dashing forward at electric speed. WHOOSH! Its tail lashed through Kent, cutting through the fog in crashing strokes. Kent barely managed to leap over it, the wind pressure alone nearly knocking him off balance. Landing on a floating rock, he grinned. "Not bad. But let''s see how you handle this." "Fast," he snarled. "But" He yelled and summoned his Frost Flame. A blue blaze of fire surrounded his palm, and his body cooled immediately. He flicked up his wrist in a wrist flip, and the frost fire burst at the snake''s body. The ice attacked its scales, and it spread out its tendrils of ice, encircling segments of its body. ARHGGHHHHHH!! The creature cried out in pain for the first time. Kent smiled. "Fire and ice. Old school combo." The Abyssal Serpent shook the ice off with a rage-snarl. Creaking on its horns, The entire lake burst upwards. Great tendrils of water ripped into the sky, writhing there in the form of snakes. Wrapping down across Kent, sheathing him against flight. They spiraled around Kent, cutting off his escape routes. "Attempt to run now," the serpent mocked him with a loud voice and an angry face. Kent laughed. "Who wants to run?" He leaped upon the bobbing boulderthrust at the beast. The Abyssal Serpent struck forward, jaws wide open, trying to swallow him whole. Kent''s eyes blazed with determination. This was it. Kent hurtled forward, flames swirling around him as the Abyssal Serpent''s massive jaws snapped shut like a collapsing mountain. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BOOM! At the last second, he twisted his bodybarely avoiding its fangs as he skidded across the beast''s snout. The serpent''s breath was like a hurricane, sending him tumbling mid-air. Kent regained control, flipping backward and landing on a floating rock. The lake churned violently below, its surface resembling a storm-tossed ocean. The rock gets crushed. Kent hung suspended in mid-air, looking down at the roiling waters below him that twisted and writhed like serpents. The peaceful lake was reduced to a whirlpool, a maelstrom spinning into an abyss as the shape of the Abyssal Serpent emerged from the depths like some kind of sea god. Its plates radiated an unearthly abyss-blue color, each as broad as it would take to demolish a house. Its ridged, water energy-exuding back oozed with damp force, pulsating like a heart. Its glowing eyes fixed on Kent like a hunter. And then, The sky grew dark with clouds. Doomful storm clouds hung over the field, lightning crackling between them. The moment the Abyssal Serpent was fully manifested, the entire battlefield changed. Kent barely had time to react before giant waves surged toward him, each one stretching hundreds of feet high. CRASH! Kent teleported midair, barely dodging a wave that could have crushed a small town. The sheer force sent shockwaves across the air, and even though he dodged it, the mist alone cut through his clothes like blades. "Alright," Kent muttered, cracking his neck. "I get it. You''re the big boss." The snake lifted its head, and then vanished A shock Boom detonated beneath him! Kent had merely a half-second of reaction time before the Abyssal Serpent showed up behind him, as swift as a beast of that magnitude should have ever been. Its jaws clamped shut! Kent turnedfire blazed all about him BOOM! He flew across the sky. He barely managed to skate out of its reach on a shaving of floating ice, his body sliding along the slippery sheet. He bled from his arm, one of the serpent''s fangs had cut through his spiritual clock, nonetheless. Kent wiped blood off his lip and smiled. "Not bad." The Abyssal Serpent erupted into laughter, its roar carrying out across the field. "HUMAN, You are powerful, but powerful will not suffice to slay me." Kent''s eyes contracted. "Oh yeah? Let''s do it. Hellfire vs. Abyssal Waves. Let''s see who wins." Kent hurled himself forward, fists blazing with Hellfire. The serpent let out a bellow, calling forth pillars of water that writhed into spears. Kent dodged around them, skirting between them by the breadth of a hair. The instant he was in range, he clenched his fistsHellfire Burst! BOOOOM! A monumental blast of black fire engulfed the serpent''s body, bathing its scales in unnatural, soul-searing flames. For an instant, Kent thought he had the upper hand. ThenThe flames writhed. Kent''s eyes widened. "What?" The lake water exploded upward, drenching the serpent, extinguishing the Hellfire like a candle in the wind. A geyser of clean water energy burst forth, and Kent stepped back. The Abyssal Serpent smiled. "You cannot incinerate the sea, human." Kent rubbed his face, tutting. "Alright then, let''s add some spice to it." He clenched his fist, summoning his Frost Flame. Blue fire raged, this time it felt colder than winter''s core. The snake recoiled slightly, sensing the newest threat. Kent growled. "You drank my Hellfire, but let''s see how you''d do in the cold." He flung out his hand, A wave of Frost Flame swept the battlefield. The snake roared, attempting to counterattack with a deluge of water, but the fire no longer battled as it had before. Instead, The lake iced. The Abyssal Serpent''s eyes went wide as the entire battlefield became a frozen wasteland. Its previously fluid terrain was now iced, limiting its mobility. It was time to tell the truth. Kent''s hand instinctively reached for his waist, where an old familiar friend lay patiently waiting. The sword! The raw sword he had made three days earlier in the darkness on the bus trip. It had been something for his hands to keep busy, a daily use item, not something else. Now he could feel it. The Crimson Flame sword responded with his hellfire and frost flame, obeying his command. Kent drew the sword. A burning ember-red flame consumed the sword, illuminating the battlefield in a spectral red glow. It was combined with both flames. An intense burning that could put the hell in shame. The Abyssal Serpent hissed with fear for the first time. Kent smiled. "You rule the seas, then?" He waved the sword. "Then let us see how you fare against pure flame!" He vanished. A path of flame ran down the battlefield, too swift to be tracked. The serpent had no time to act before Kent reappeared over its head He yelled EMBER SLASH! A spike of blazing red flame with sword aura and sword intent tore through the air. SLASH! The left side of the Abyssal Serpent engulfed in fire, its own scales melting off like wax. It screamed and flailed with horror. Kent didn''t move. He teleported again using his flashing steps and slashing Again And again. With each slashing that left burning hot coals of fire, setting the serpent''s once unyielding hide on fire. A final slash at the centerThe battle was done! The body of the Abyssal Serpent phased out of reality, switching between the physical and spiritual dimensions. Its power was dispelled into the air, leaving behind only a tiny blue-scaled white face baby serpent floating in mid-air. Kent sighed in relief, allowing his sword to drop to his side. The little creature blinked up at him with curious abyssal-blue eyes. +1999 SP copied from the abbysal serpent (death). The System beeped. [Ding! Abyssal Guardian Defeated! The Abyssal Serpent has left its child in your care. New Companion Obtained: ??(name it)] Baby snake squeaked, coiling around Kent''s wrist like a living cuff. Kent smiled. "Welcome to the team." Windy dangled at his shoulder, arms folded. Purr! "Ugh. Another one?" Kent laughed. "Jealous?" Windy snorted. Purr! Multiple times. Suddenly, Ding! A system message comes, [Host, Take the lake with you. Put it inside your void domain. It will be beneficial to the little snake.] Kent faced the lake, now a frozen, barren expanse. He thinks, "So, this Lake is some kind of treasure. Once I get out of this Ruin I will look into the lake. For now let''s focus on the current tasks." He raised his hand, Void Domain: Expansion. The battlefield was engulfed by a gargantuan dark portal. The frozen lake, the shattered wreckage of the Abyssal Guardian, and little snake''s origin, everythingwere pulled into his Void Domain. Chapter 124 - 124: The Fiery Summit of Opportunity Kent named the little snake, Aqua (Skipped/Cut the naming part). "Alright let''s put both of you inside the void domain. I can''t carry you around all the time." Aqua and Windy''s bodies glowed as they descended into the void. [Void Domain Expansion: Active. Newly Created area: Abyssal Lake & Windy Plains. Rocky, Windy & Aqua will sleep in the Void Domain Until They will awaken as Guardians of the Void Domain Lands.] Kent crossed his arms, looking at his sleeping friends. The Void trembled, as if welcoming them. Kent cracked his knuckles, turning toward the horizon. One left. The final guardian awaited. A few hours later, The dense forests slowly gave way to barren, rocky slopes, and the air grew hotter with every step. Thick smoke curled around the horizon as Kent ascended toward the looming volcano. The path was treacherous. Jagged rocks jutted out unpredictably, and the ground was uneven and scorched. Despite the danger, Kent pressed on with his characteristic blend of determination and irreverent humor. As he climbed higher, the roar of molten lava became louder, and the heat was almost palpablea constant reminder that he was nearing his destination. Kent murmured, "The last guardian is here. I think this will be a fire type guardian." After what felt like hours of grueling ascent, Kent finally reached the edge of a vast crater. Before him spread a shimmering lake of lava, its surface rippling like a living sea of fire. The glow of the molten rock bathed everything in a surreal, red-orange light, casting long, dancing shadows over the rugged terrain. Amid the heat and the roar of the volcano, a peculiar sight caught his eye. Perched on a smooth, blackened rock near the lava''s edge was a tiny figurea black bird, or something that resembled one. It was his little companion Auri, who had somehow wandered off from the others. Instead of cowering from the heat, Auri was perched comfortably at the edge, his feathers fluffed up as if he were taking a luxurious bath. He chirped happily, dipping his tiny feet into the bubbling lava as if it were a soothing spa. Kent couldn''t help, he was shocked seeing Auri enjoying this dangerous place. "Auri, what are you doing? That''s not a puddleit''s a lava jacuzzi!" he called out, jogging over to his feathered friend. Auri looked up lazily, tilting his head, and chirped in a high-pitched tone. "Chirp, chirp!" His voice seemed to say, "Kent, I found you. I was looking for you and Nima. But I didn''t find you guys. Instead I found this place. Now, I''m enjoying life, come enjoy with me." Kent asked, "Why? This place is not for enjoyment." Auri replied, " Nima taught me how to enjoy life. I am simply doing that. What''s wrong with that?" Kent grinned and knelt beside him. "Alright, alright," Kent teased, giving Auri a light tap on the head. The small bird''s eyes widened comically as he bobbed from the unexpected bump. +99 SP copied from Auri (confusion). "Don''t listen to everything Nima says. It''s time to find treasure and opportunities, not just lounge around in the lava like it''s some kind of spa." Auri flapped his tiny wings indignantly. "But what am I going to do with treasure?" he chirped, sounding more frustrated than before. "I mean, you gave Nima that magic tool to pull and store stuff out of thin air, but II don''t have anything like that! I''m too tiny to carry anything significant!" +999 SP copied from Auri (Sadness). +999 SP copied from Auri (Sadness). +999 SP copied from Auri (Sadness). Kent chuckled, ruffling Auri''s feathers. "Oh, come on now. You''re more than just a tiny bird. You''ve got guts, and that counts for something. Besides, every hero needs a little something to call his own. And who knows? A few treasures might even upgrade your skills." Auri cocked his head and squawked in a mix of indignation and hope. "I don''t know, Kent. I''m not built for heavy lifting. How am I supposed to carry treasure if I''m this small?" Kent''s eyes twinkled as he contemplated the problem. "I''ve got just the thing for you, little buddy." Kent thinks, "The system shop must have something for my feathered friends. Let''s see" He reached into his internal inventory, scrolling through his exclusive items. After a moment, a message flashed in his mind: [System Notification: Spatial Ring C Exclusive Pet Item. Cost: 5,000,000 SP.] Kent grinned broadly. "A spatial ring, huh? That''s exactly what Auri needsa magical ring that creates a pocket space for him to store your treasures. I''m going to buy one for Auri." "Auri, I got a gift for you. You will love it." Kent says out loud. Auri''s eyes widened, and he chirped excitedly, "Chip! Chip!" as if the very idea set his heart aflutter. Kent activated his system shop interface. "5 million SP Not too shabby," he muttered, tapping away at the digital display. Moments later, a sleek, glowing spatial ring materialized in his virtual inventory. It was a modern, iridescent band that pulsed with spiritual energy. The system confirmed: [Purchase Successful: Spatial Ring Acquired.] Kent looked at Auri with a proud smile. "This ring is yours. Now, here''s what we''re going to do: you''ll wear this on your neck, and it will serve as your personal treasure storage. When you find something valuable, you can just drop it inside, and it''ll be stored safely in your own little spatial pocket." He carefully removed the ring from his inventory display and produced a small drop of Auri''s bloodjust a tiny drop, as the system required a ritualistic offering to transfer the power. "Time for a little blood magic," he whispered. A subtle glow emanated from the ring as the drop of blood merged with its power. Kent smiled and turned his attention back to Auri. "Alright, little guy. This spatial ring goes around your neck. Let''s see" He gently slipped the ring over Auri''s head, and it nestled perfectly into place like a tiny collar. The ring pulsed softly, a sign that it recognised its owner. It changed its shape to a proper collar-like style. And a name tag also appeared. System had given the name tag. Auri chirped happily, his eyes shining with newfound pride. "Chip, chip!" he exclaimed, as if he understood that he now possessed a space tool of his own. Kent laughed. "That''s it! Now you''ve got your very own treasure bag. Go out there, gather as much treasure as you can, butpleasedon''t pick fights with the big, strong enemies. You''re not built for heavy combat not yet. You''re built for clever treasure hunting." Auri flapped his wings, looking both excited and slightly nervous. "But what if I run into trouble? I can''t carry treasure if I''m busy fighting monsters!" he chirped, his tone a mix of determination and apprehension. "Listen," Kent said, placing a reassuring hand on Auri''s tiny head, "you''re smart, and you''ve got that spatial ring now. It''ll help you out. And besides, treasure hunting is all about strategy. Look for opportunities, avoid unnecessary battles, and let someone else do the heavy lifting." Auri tilted his head thoughtfully. "What if I find something amazing? Will I be able to show it off?" "Of course!" Kent replied with a confident nod. "In fact, treasures are the currency of legends. And once you''ve gathered enough, you might even become the hero of your own story. For now, just remembertreasure is for those who know when to fight and when to run." Auri chirped, "Chip-chirp!" which Kent took as a sign of agreement. Kent glanced around the volcanic landscape. The final guardian''s domain lay aheada volcano mountain with molten lava bubbling and a thick haze of heat rising from its crater. The air was red-hot, and the ground trembled with the power of the earth. "That''s it," he said, determination hardening his voice. "The final guardian awaits, and with it, the promise of even greater power and opportunity." He took one last look at his little petnow adorned with a shiny spatial ringand smiled. "You go and look for your opportunity. I will find you once I am done with my work. If you find Nima, then stay with her." Auri chirped enthusiastically, and Kent began his journey toward the final challenge. The volcanic mountain loomed in the distance, its peak shrouded in swirling black smoke and glowing embers. As he neared, the ground became hot enough to scorch his boots, and the roar of molten lava filled the air with a deafening intensity. The landscape around the volcano was otherworldlycharred trees, basalt columns, and rivers of flowing lava intertwined to form a hellish vista. Kent''s heart pounded in his chest. This was no place for idle pranks; here, every step could be his last. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he approached the base of the volcano, Kent took a moment to survey the scene. "Alright, final guardian," he murmured to himself. "Let''s see if you can handle the heat of my Hellfire." His eyes sparkled with mischief and anticipation. Chapter 125 - 125: Auris Feathered Fortune --- The landscape around the volcano was otherworldlycharred trees, basalt columns, and rivers of flowing lava intertwined to form a hellish vista. Kent''s heart pounded in his chest. This was no place for idle pranks; here, every step could be his last. As he approached the base of the volcano, Kent took a moment to survey the scene. "Alright, final guardian," he murmured to himself. "Let''s see if you can handle the heat of my Hellfire." His eyes sparkled with mischief and anticipation. The heat was oppressive, and the air shimmered with the power of the volcano. Kent''s mind flashed back to his earlier victories, to the time he had bested the Earthbound Sentinel and others, and to the new companions now safely stored in his Void Domain. With those thoughts fueling him, he began his ascent up the rugged slopes of the volcano, each step bringing him closer to the heart of the fiery mountain. It wasn''t long before he reached a plateau where the air was thick with smoke and the ground was a mosaic of molten rock. And there, in the center of this hellish landscape, loomed the final guardiana Lava Guardian, ancient and terrible. The guardian''s massive form was forged of molten rock and seething lava, its eyes burning with the fury of a thousand volcanic eruptions. Its presence radiated heat and ancient power, and its roar echoed like the sound of an entire mountain crumbling. Kent''s lips curled into a determined smile. "Time to see what you''re made of, old-timer." With a burst of energy, he stepped forward into the volcanic arena, his mind set on victory and his heart pounding with the thrill of battle. The final guardian roared a challenge that sent tremors through the very ground, and the duel was about to begin. Meanwhile, Auri''s wings fluttered as he soared above the ruins'' shattered remains, his keen eyes scanning every nook for hidden treasures. The little bird, already a legend among those who are other people, who saw a fat crow flying the ruin. Many talked about catching the bird. Gifted with enchanted claws by Kent long ago, Auri was not any ordinary pethe was a treasure-hunting dynamo, and he was looking for an opportunity to show off his skills. The ancient corridors of the Azure Forest Ruin were a labyrinth of crumbling stone and moss-draped relics. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the broken ceiling, casting whimsical patterns on piles of useless and forgotten artifacts. Auri darted from shadow to shadow, his tiny claws clicking on the cool stone as he expertly pried open a crevice between two weathered columns. There, half-buried in layers of decay and sediment, he spotted a glimmering object. "Chip, chip!" He chirped excitedly. With a few delicate scrapes, he freed a small, intricately carved silver coin. The coin''s surface was etched with mysterious symbols that pulsed with a faint, otherworldly lighta treasure no human had managed to find in ages. Auri gripped the coin firmly in his claws and flew upward. At his side, a small, magical device, a spatial ring gifted by Kent, which rested like a tiny treasure bag around his neck. The ring''s surface shimmered with soft iridescence, its secret power allowing him to store anything he collected without adding weight to his already nimble frame. With practiced precision, Auri tapped the coin against the ring''s surface, and in a flash, it vanished from sight, safely stored away. As Auri continued his treasure hunt, he discovered more hidden caches: a faded medallion encrusted with tiny jewels, a fragment of an ancient statue that still bore the face of a long-forgotten deity, and even a delicate, crystalline orb that glowed with an inner light. Each new find was met with gleeful chirps, and every time he deposited a treasure into his spatial ring, the ring pulsed with quiet satisfaction. Soon, his quiet exploration caught the attention of a small group of treasure hunters who had gathered in a clearing amid the ruins. They were a motley crew of low-level cultivators, their faces smudged with dirt and their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Their conversation came to a halt as they noticed the little bird flitting about with surprising determination. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One wiry young man, his cloak patched and worn, stepped forward and squinted at Auri. "Is that a bird?" he asked incredulously. "Look at him gohe''s picking up treasures better than any of us could manage!" A plump woman with a bright, infectious laugh joined in, "I swear, that tiny creature''s got more hustle than a merchant on market day. I''d pay good coin to have him around on my next expedition!" A particularly gruff, older cultivator leaned on his sword and said, "You''d think a bird would be too small to matter, but here he isoutsmarting us all with those claws of his. I think that''s an artifact." The others chuckled, and soon a light, playful banter filled the air. Auri, unaware of the human audience, continued to work with laser focus. With a rapid flap of his wings, he swooped down onto a pile of rubble where a glistening, ruby-like stone lay partially hidden beneath a blanket of ivy. He pecked gently at the stone, testing its solidity with his claws, then deftly pried it loose. "Chip-chirp!" he sang, as if congratulating himself. With a swift turn, he deposited the stone into his spatial ring; the ring''s surface pulsed happily as the treasure was absorbed. One of the treasure seeking cultivator, a lanky fellow with a mischievous glint in his eyes, couldn''t contain his wonder. "I''ve never seen anything like it," he declared. "That little bird''s got the touch of a seasoned prospector!" His voice rang out with genuine admiration, and even the skeptical among the group began to smile. The plump woman clapped her hands and teased, "Maybe he''ll become the guardian of our treasures someday! ImagineAuri, the Feathered Fortune Hunter, leading the charge while we all follow his shiny trail!" The group laughed heartily, and Auri, hearing the excitement, fluttered higher in the sky, performing an impromptu loop as if acknowledging his newfound fame. Between bouts of playful banter and friendly teasing, the guy began to ask questions about his abilities. "How do you find these treasures so easily?" one asked, curiosity lacing his tone. Auri chirped a series of melodic notes, his eyes bright with mischief. Though he couldn''t speak human, his animated expressions and confident flights said it all: he was a born treasure hunter, blessed with a knack for uncovering hidden riches in the ruins. At one point, a burly man stepped forward and offered a challenge, "Hey, little fat bird, bet you can''t even carry a coin this big!" With a swift dive, Auri snatched a particularly large coin from a narrow crevice and returned it to his spatial ring in one graceful motion. The man''s jaw dropped, and the group erupted in laughter and applause. "Look at him go! That''s more finesse than I have with both hands!" the burly man exclaimed, clapping his thick palm. "Maybe we should all take notes." Auri''s antics became the highlight of the day. As he flitted from one treasure trove to another, the spatial ring around his neck buzzed with each new deposit. But not everyone was impressed by Auri''s skill. Hidden behind a crumbling column, a few pairs of dark eyes narrowed in greed. An evil cultivator, gaunt, with a scar slicing through his left cheek and a sneer permanently etched onto his face, stepped forward. His voice dripped with malice as he called to his cronies, "That little bird''s got something we want. I say we snatch his ring and artifact claws and claim his treasures for ourselves!" At first, Auri, blissfully unaware of the sinister plan, continued his treasure hunt. He fluttered high above the clearing, his heart light and his chirps merry. Yet a nagging sensation prickled at the back of his mind. He remembered the advice Kent had given him: "Don''t fight unless you''re sure you can win." The thought made him hesitate for a moment, but before he could act on it, the evil cultivators struck. "Hand over your spatial ring, you insignificant pest!" the scarred cultivator bellowed as he leaped from the shadows. His cronies surged forward, their hands reaching greedily for the glimmering device and the enchanted claws that made Auri so unique. Auri''s eyes widened in alarm. "Chip, chip!" he chirped in alarm, his tiny voice trembling with uncertainty. For an instant, he considered retreatingflying away to avoid a fight. But the cultivators were too quick; their outstretched hands brushed against his feathers, and he felt their malicious intent like a cold gust of wind. The leader sneered, "You think you can escape? (Laughing) Hek Hek Hek! Look at that flapping fat crow!" His mocking tone echoed in the air, sending ripples of cruel laughter among his cohorts. Auri''s heart sank at the insult. I''m a sparrow, not a fat crow! he thought fiercely, though all that emerged were rapid, indignant chirps: "Chip! CHIP!" Chapter 126 - 126: The Greedy Cultivator --- His tiny voice, though earnest, was lost amidst the mocking laughter. The greedy cultivators closed in, determined to seize his prized ring and claws. In the ensuing chaos, Auri was forced into a desperate fight. His wings beat furiously as he darted this way and that, his enchanted claws flashing like tiny, lethal blades. He delivered quick, sharp pecks at any hand that tried to grab him. "Chip, chip!" he yelled out defiantly every time a cultivator''s grip came near. At first, his agile maneuvers allowed him to dodge and weave around the greedy attackers. However, the sheer numbers began to take their toll. One of the cultivators tried to snatch Auri''s spatial ring. In the scuffle, a sharp sword struck against his delicate wing. A searing pain shot through him, and for a split second, his flight faltered. "Ha! Look at thatour little treasure hunter can''t even fly properly!" one of the cultivators jeered, his voice filled with cruel amusement. The leader laughed, "I told you that you can''t run from us, fat crow!" Their laughter was harsh, echoing around the ruined corridor. Auri''s eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and anger. "Chip! CHIP, CHIP!" he chirped bitterly, his voice now layered with indignation. "I am a sparrow, not a crow!" he insisted silently. His chirps grew louder and more determined, a battle cry against the injustice of their mockery. Chip! Chip! "Once Kent and Nima find out about this, you all will be punished." Fuelled by humiliation and fury, Auri refused to back down. He launched himself directly at one of the cultivators who had been particularly aggressive. With a fierce dive, he pecked at the man''s outstretched hand, causing the attacker to recoil with a yelp of surprise. "Chip!" Auri exclaimed, his voice echoing with newfound determination. But the cultivators were relentless. As Auri darted around, his injured wing began to slow him down. The greedy Cultivator leader, seizing the opportunity, lunged once more. "Hand it over, you little pest!" he roared, trying to snatch the spatial ring from Auri''s grasp. In the ensuing struggle, another cultivator managed to catch a hold of Auri''s wing, inflicting another sharp cut that made the little bird cry out in pain. "Chip, chip" Auri''s chirps were now pained and desperate, a sound that tugged at the heart even as it rang with defiance. The cultivators'' mocking laughter swelled, their voices mingling with repeated cruel jibes"Fat crow! Fat crow! Fat crow! "Is that all you''ve got?" Their words stung like icy daggers. In that heated moment, Auri''s anger reached a boiling point. His chirps turned into a rapid, furious barrage. "CHIP! CHIP! CHIP!" he shrieked, his voice a blend of pain and fierce resolve. Every mocking remark, every insult, lit a fire within him. No longer would he allow himself to be belittled by these greedy, evil cultivators. With a burst of raw and desperate spiritual energy, Auri launched a counterattack that was swift and unrelenting. He darted toward the nearest attacker, his claws slashing with precision. His beak pecked out at the cultivator''s hand, forcing him to drop his grip. One by one, the cultivators found themselves unable to keep pace with the tiny bird''s furious assault. Their sneers turned into cries of shock as Auri''s relentless strikes sent them scattering. "Once Kent and Nima hear you injured me, you''ll all be sorry!" Auri repeats it again, his voice echoing off the ancient stone. His defiant words, though incomprehensible to his foes, carried an undeniable promise of retribution. The battle raged on with Auri fighting tooth and nail to protect his treasure, spatial ring and artifact claws. However, despite his determined onslaught, his injured wing continued to weaken his defense. Finally, after an exhausting flurry of attacks, the last of the greedy cultivators retreated, muttering curses and jeers under their breath. Their mocking laughter, however, still echoed bitterly in Auri''s ears. Panting and exhausted, Auri hovered uncertainty in the aftermath. His injured wing drooped sadly, and the pain was a constant reminder of the battle''s toll. The laughter of the evil cultivatorsaccusing him of being a "fat crow" and mocking his feeble attempts at flightrang in his ears like a bitter refrain. Realizing he could no longer fight or escape through the skies, Auri made a painful decision. With a heavy heart, he descended slowly to a low, moss-covered ledge hidden deep within a quiet alcove of the ruins. There, away from the jeers and cruel laughter, he settled into a reluctant hideaway. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Chip chip" he whispered, his voice soft with regret and determination. "I can''t fly right now. I need to heal." His small eyes filled with tears as he replayed every insult and the mockery of being a "fat crow," the sneers, the cruel laughter and his heart burned with a vow: never again would he allow himself to be made a mockery of. In the solitude of his hiding spot, Auri''s thoughts churned with both anger and resolve. I am a sparrow, not a crow! He insisted repeatedly in his sharp, indignant chirps, "Chip! CHIP! I''m a sparrow!" Each cry was a promise of vengeance, a vow that when Kent found out, those evil cultivators would regret their actions. Time passed slowly as Auri nursed his wounded wing. His once bright, energetic flights were now replaced by cautious, clumsy hops along the ledge. The spatial ring around his neck continued to glow softly, a silent reminder of his previous successes and a repository for the treasures he''d gathered. But now, the treasures felt hollow against the backdrop of humiliation and physical pain. Auri''s mind replayed the battle over and over. The mocking laughter, the jeers, the sneering insultsthey all fueled a burning desire to prove himself. "I will rise again," he chirped quietly into the darkness, his voice heavy with determination. "I''ll heal, and when I do, I''ll show those greedy cultivators that mocking a sparrow only makes you look small." His chirps, filled with both sorrow and fierce resolve, reverberated off the ancient stone, echoing the promise of a comeback. In the quiet hours before dawn, Auri remained hidden in his alcove. His tiny body shivered as he nursed his injury, but inside, a spark of defiant ambition glowed. "Once I''m healed, I''ll be unstoppable," he chirped fervently. Thus ended the turbulent day for Auria day of bitter humiliation, fierce battles, and a painful turning point that forged his resolve. Though he was forced to retreat and hide, his spirit was far from broken. Instead, it burned brighter with the promise of revenge and the certainty that his future would be defined not by his wounds, but by his relentless determination to rise above them. As the first light of dawn crept over the ancient ruins, casting a gentle glow on the mossy stone, Auri''s soft chirps filled the aira battle cry of hope and the promise of a comeback. (Before we go further into the story , let''s find out what Nima has been doing. Time yesterday, when Kent sent Auri to find treasure.) Nima had taken matters entirely into her own hands. At barely eleven years old, she was already a force to be reckoned with, a small big boss with a booming voice and an attitude to match. With her spatial bracelet jingling with mysterious trinkets (that she claimed gave her "boss energy"), she roamed the ruins with an air of supreme authority, determined to carve her own legacy out of mischief and mayhem. "Listen up, you bunch of slackers!" Nima yelled in anger, her voice echoing off the crumbling stone walls as she strutted through a narrow corridor of the Azure Forest Ruin. Her eyes glittered with both mischief and self-importance. "I''ve got vegetables in my bag that are fresher than your excuses, and if you don''t start pulling your weight, I''ll have you scrubbing these ruins ''til you''re as clean as my brother''s kitchen!" A group of low-level cultivators, who had been milling about in the corridor, exchanged glances. Some muttered under their breath, cursing her in their minds with thoughts like, "Ugh, here comes Boss Nima again," while others tried to hide their amusement. Nima, however, was oblivious to their covert grumbling. She marched forward, clearly enjoying every moment. Perched on her wrist was an assortment of strange trinkets and charmsan ever-present reminder of her status. "Now, you! Get over there and cook something edible," she ordered sharply at a group of students who were idling by a pile of rubble. They cried while cooking. "Why did we make this little devil angry? I can''t remember the bastard who gave suggestions to approach her." After some time, Nima tasted the food. Bleh! "What the hell is this? I mean itmy brother''s cooking is the best in the world, and you all are useless. How did you even get the courage to rob a cute girl like me yesterday?" The students looked at each other in disbelief. Chapter 127 - 127: Nima’s Reign of Chaos --- A Flashback of Chaos: After being randomly teleported inside the ruins, Nima had wasted no time indulging in what she considered her greatest pastime, collecting shiny treasures and generally without causing mischief. At some point, she had landed in a particularly decrepit section of the ruins, where the crumbling walls and half-buried statues spoke of an ancient past. She had been minding her own business, stuffing whatever she thinks valuable into her already-overflowing sack, when trouble had found her. She didn''t put anything inside her bracelet because she doesn''t want her snacks to get dirty with this old thing. A gang of rough-looking miscreants cultivators, all wearing ragged cloaks with smug and evil expressions on their faces, had decided that a ten/eleven year old girl was an easy target. They observed Nima for a few minutes, then they stepped forward saying "Oi, little lady, that''s a heavy bag for such tiny arms," one of them sneered, stepping forward. "Why don''t you let us the big people here help you out?" another chuckled, cracking his knuckles. The whole group erupted into laughter, clearly amused at their own wit. Nima, however, was not. Her bright shining eyes narrowed as she slowly turned to face them. The wind tousled her short hair as she placed her hands on her hips. "You idiots," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. "You really think I''m just some kid? I''m Big Boss Nima, and you just made the biggest mistake of your pathetic lives. How dare you think of robbing me?" Without another word, she snapped her fingers saying. "ARISE" In an instant, Raka, her soul servantwho appeared as a human in a dark, tattered robematerialized behind her. At the same time, Lumo, her massive, bear companion, growled from the shadows. She chuckled to herself, ''I always wanted to say ARISE like solo leveling. But I didn''t get any chance to show off. Now, My wish is fulfilled." "What the hell?!" one of the robbers yelped, stumbling backward. "L Look, maybe we can" They didn''t get to finish. With a flick of her wrist, Nima ordered Raka to attack, and the loyal soul servant moved with terrifying speed. In a blur, Raka swept through the group like a phantom, landing precise strikes that sent the miscreants tumbling. Lumo, ever the powerhouse, let out a mighty roar and charged, sending two of them flying into a nearby ruin wall. "AHHHHHH!!" The gang, now reduced to a pile of groaning bodies, twitched on the ground as Nima stood over them, victorious. "Tsk, tsk," she sighed, shaking her head. "You guys really need to pick better career choices." She kicked the leader mildly in the butt, making him groan. "How embarrassing," she mused. "Getting beaten up by a little girl? What will the other criminals say?" The leader, half-conscious, let out a strangled sound that might have been an insult. Nima smirked. "Anyway, congratulations! You just got recruited into my service. You have two choiceseither you follow me and do whatever I say, or I make sure you regret ever being born. Choose now!" The miscreants, recognizing that they had no real say in the matter, weakly nodded. "Good! Now carry my treasure sack," she ordered, tossing the heavy bag at them. Back to the Present, With the flashback over, the scene shifted to a lively makeshift camp where several of Nima''s new "underlings" were hard at work, preparing a meal under her watchful eye. Right now, everyone was engaged in the most important task of the daycooking dinner for Boss Nima. "This stew is garbage," Nima announced, tossing a spoonful onto the ground. The students and miscreants all froze. "D Did he just wet himself out of fear?" someone whispered. "I I think it''s just unconscious," another said weakly. Nima sighed dramatically and placed her hands on her hips. "Unbelievable. You people can''t even make a simple stew!" A terrified student raised his hand. "B Boss Nima, maybe we could" "No excuses!" she yelled. "Listen, my brother is the greatest cook in the world! I don''t expect you to make food at his level, at least try to cook something addable! Try again!" The students and former robbers groaned but immediately went back to work. Some of them might have been cursing her in their heads, but they weren''t stupid enough to voice their complaints out loud. At that moment, Nima took a deep breath, looking around the lively camp. Despite her constant berating, she couldn''t deny that she felt at ease. The bickering, the movement, the noiseit reminded her of home. Of Kent and Auri. Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a brief moment, her shoulders slumped. "Where are they?" With a quick shake of her head, she shoved those thoughts aside. No time for weakness. "All right, you slackers!" she shouted. "I want results! Get moving before I decide to really show you what happens when you disappoint me!" As night deepened, Nima and her group pushed further into the ruins. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone, and the flickering torches carried by her underlings cast jagged shadows across the ancient walls. Suddenly, they heard some people were screaming. Rushing forward, Nima and her group emerged onto a broken stone path where four students, three boys and a girl were desperately fending off many monstrous creatures. The beasts, their fur matted with dirt and their claws glinting in the moonlight, circled the terrified students, baring their fangs. Nima sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "Tsk, useless." One of the boys, wild-eyed and breathing heavily, turned at the sound of her voice. "Help us! These things" Before he could finish, one of the creatures lunged. In a blur, Nima moved. With a flick of her wrist, she sent out a pulse of spiritual energy, her soul servant Raka appeared in front of her. The shadowy figure intercepted the beast mid-air, catching it by the throat and slamming it into the ground. The creature let out a startled yelp, struggling against the crushing force. The other two beasts hesitated for a split second, just enough time for Lumo, Nima''s massive spirit soul bear to charge forward. With a bone-shaking roar, Lumo swiped at the nearest beast, sending it tumbling across the ruins. The monsters, realizing they were now severely outmatched, tried to retreat. Nima grinned. "Oh, no you don''t." The air around Nima shimmered as translucent soul chains materialized from her fingertips. They snaked through the air like ethereal serpents, coiling around the beasts and tightening with an unnatural pull. The creatures howlednot in pain, but in submission. Their resistance shattered instantly. Their souls bent to her will. Their glowing red eyes dimmed, turning a deep shade of violet. And then, as if compelled by instinct, all the beasts lowered their heads before her. Now, They were her underlings. The rescued students stood frozen in sheer, absolute disbelief. "Who are you? You" one of them stammered. "You just tame all of them? Instantly? Without a contract?!" "Just an eleven-year-old genius. Nothing special." Nima flexed her fingers, She gave a smug grin. "Of course, I can tame them. I''m Boss Nima, after all." Everyone looked at her with awe. No one knows how to respond to her. With the new beasts added to her growing ranks, Nima wasted no time reorganizing her forces. The exhausted students, still shaking from their near-death experience, barely had time to process their rescue before they were dragged into her ever-expanding army. The criminals she had captured earlier were ordered to set up camp, while the students were given one simple instruction: "Either follow my orders, or fend for yourselves out here." Not surprisingly, they all chose the first option. The number of beasts under her control was almost fifty, ranging from dire wolves and razorbeaks to massive horned lizards. Each one had been tame by her Soulbinder Authority, their spirits tethered to hers like unbreakable chains. Nima sat atop Lumo, her largest and most powerful beast, observing her chaotic domain with a look of pure satisfaction. "This is going well," she mused. One of the former criminals, now a begrudgingly loyal follower, trying to butter Nima. He muttered under his breath. "Boss. You''re a legend, you know that? I am glad that I choose to follow you." Nima beamed. "Thank you!" The rescued boy, still trembling, hesitated before speaking. "S-So what now?" Nima tapped her chin. "Hmm More treasure. More beasts. More power." The students paled. The criminals groaned. And the beasts? The beasts roared in acknowledgment, ready to follow their tiny overlord wherever she led them next. Thus, the legend of Boss Nima, the SSS-Rank Soulbinder, continued to grow. And somewhere, deep in the ruins, Kent and Auri were completely unaware of the absolute chaos Nima had unleashed, they were still searching for eachother. By the time they reunite with each other, she might have already declared herself Queen of the Ruins. For now, though, her legend was growing. The Reign of Big Boss Nima had only just begun. Chapter 128 - 128: The Retribution of the Feathered Guardian --- "Now, listen here!" Nima shouted to a particularly scaly monster that lingered too close to her. "You''re not coming with me, and I expect you to follow my orders! I want you to guard the camp, and if you mess up, I''ll have you scrubbing the ruins until you make it sparkle!" The monster gave a low, reluctant grunt that sounded like an angry agreement. In the chaos, over fifty wild monsters and at least ten students found themselves corralled under Nima''s command. The robber cultivator, who had once mocked her, now looked on in stunned silence as she marched them around like a general commanding her army. With a triumphant laugh, Nima surveyed her motley crew. "I''m the boss here, and you all will do as I say!" she declared, her voice ringing with pride and authority. "Now, off with yougather what treasures you can, and make sure that stew is worthy of my taste buds!" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even as the students and monsters grumbled and exchanged bitter internal curses"How did you get the nerve to boss us around, you little tyrant?"they also couldn''t help but be impressed by her sheer audacity. Nima''s charisma was magnetic, and though her orders were harsh, they carried the energy of someone destined to rule. After the skirmish with the wild monsters, Nima finally found a quiet moment to herself. Sitting atop a small stone. "Ugh, where are Kent and Auri?" she muttered, frowning as she recalled their last promises to meet up. "They said they''d be here I haven''t seen a trace of them." Her tone softened, a rare moment of vulnerability emerging beneath her bossy exterior. "I guess I''m on my own now. But that''s fineI''m more than capable of handling everything on my own." She forced a smile and patted her bracelet, which jingled with a mix of charms and trinkets that she regarded as symbols of her authority. Raka fluttered close, tilting its head as if to ask, "Boss, what now?" Nima scoffed, "Now? Now, you all get back to work. And you" She pointed at a group of students still grumbling about their assigned tasks. "You''d better hurry and give me all the treasures you have for safe keeping. I also want everything spick and span, or you''re cooking the next batch of vegetables until you cry!" As the night deepened and the camp fell into a restless, chaotic lull, Nima''s booming orders and playful insults echoed through the ruins. Her fierce spirit and irreverent humor had transformed the previously disjointed group into a ragtag army of underlings who, despite their misgivings, couldn''t help but be drawn to her magnetic personality. At the break of dawn, as the first light bathed the ruins in a soft golden glow, Nima stood atop a crumbling parapet, surveying her area. "I may be small, but I''m the biggest boss here," she declared proudly, her voice ringing clear and confident. "And mark my wordsno one''s going to tell me what to do! Not Kent, not Auri, and certainly not any of you slackers!" A murmur of mixed reactionsranging from silent curses to stifled gigglesfollowed her proclamation. Yet, amid the laughter and the grudging admiration, Nima''s eyes shone with fierce determination. She had captured not only treasures but also the loyalty of many wild monsters and students. In her mind, she was building an empirea future where she, the little girl with a big attitude, would reign supreme. With a dismissive wave, she ordered, "Listen, for now I am going on my own way. I am leaving this beast to protect you. You all find treasure for me. Later, I will find you guys." After giving her orders Nima leaves. She vanished from view in seconds with Raka, Lumo and almost with Fifty beast. Location changed to Auri As the first rays of dawn crept over the ancient stone, Auri''s eyes shone with a mixture of pain and fierce determination. "Chip, chip, CHIP!" he chirped resolutely, his voice a battle cry to the empty halls. "I''m a sparrow with a phoenix bloodline, and I will rise again!" His chirps carried a promise, a vow that every mocking laugh, every cruel insult, would be repaid in kind. Just then, his keen ears caught a rustle, a sign that the evil cultivators might have returned to gloat over their spoils. Auri tensed, his injured wing aching with the thought of further confrontation. But as the murmurs of approaching footsteps grew louder, a familiar, commanding voice rang out. "Auri, I finally found you!" It was Nima, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. She had been on her own adventure, and now she had returned to find her underlings in chaos. Seeing Auri battered and vulnerable sparked her anger to new heights. "Who did this to you?" she demanded, striding over with her usual unyielding authority. Auri, still recovering, managed a weak chirp. "Chip Nima you have come. Sob Sob Sob! "Some bad people," with his injured wing Auri said, pointing at the direction where the evil cultivator fled, "last night they run that away after they tried to snatch my ring (which is a gift from Kent) and my claws and they mocked me called me a fat crow, even though I''m a sparrow!" Nima''s face contorted with rage. "Those greedy, pathetic cultivators! How dare they beat you and try to rob you." she exclaimed. "I''ll make sure they pay dearly for their insolence!" Without another word, she turned sharply and ordered her minions beasts. "Search the ruins! Find the scoundrels who dared attack our feathered friend!" The underlings, already cowed by her reputation, scattered in search of the culprits. Moments later, Nima and Auri received word, not so far a group of evil cultivators had been spotted huddled behind a broken wall on the edge of the clearing. Their mocking laughter was still audible in the distance. "Time to teach them a lesson!" Nima declared, her voice booming. "Auri, stay behind me. We''re going to show these losers that no one messes with Big Boss Nima''s crew!" Auri, still pained but emboldened by Nima''s fierce presence, chirped a determined "Chip, chip!" His eyes shone with a mixture of gratitude and renewed resolve. Despite his injured wing, he was ready to fight for his dignity and for the promise of retribution that he had vowed to himself. Nima led her formidable band of underling beasts toward the group of greedy cultivators. When they reached the culprits, the sight was both comical and pathetic: the evil cultivators were busy laughing, jeering at one another as if their cruelty was a badge of honor. Nima''s eyes narrowed. "You bunch of lowly human scum, you really thought you could rob and injure our Auri and get away with it, didn''t you?" she snarled. Before the cultivators could respond, Nima''s voice cut through the air like a whip. "Prepare to be punished!" she roared. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her soul servants, Raka and Lumo, who charged forward with relentless energy. The underling beasts quickly joined the fray, and in a matter of moments, Nima and her crew overpowered the greedy cultivators with a ferocity that left them cowering. The battle was as chaotic as it was hilarious. Nima''s orders rang out, "Grab ''em! Take everything they''ve gotleave nothing but their underwear!" Her tone was both mocking and triumphant. The evil cultivators, caught off-guard by the sudden counterattack, scrambled to defend themselves, but Nima''s underlings were too quick. In the ensuing melee, Nima and Auri worked in tandem. While Nima''s fierce commands and swift strikes sent several cultivators sprawling, Auri swooped in to snatch any valuable items from their pockets. "Chip, chip!" he cried gleefully each time he liberated a coin or a trinket. The spatial ring around his neck buzzed happily with each new deposit, and the cults'' expressions turned from smug superiority to stunned disbelief. Finally, Nima delivered the coup de grace. With a sly smile, she produced ropes and began tying up the defeated cultivators. "You pathetic, greedy fools," she taunted, "I''m going to hang you on that tree over there so you can reflect on your crimes. Maybe then you''ll learn not to mess with Boss Nima''s people!" The ropes were tied snugly, and one by one, the cults were hoisted up and left dangling, their only attire reduced to nothing more than their underweara humiliating spectacle that left the onlookers from shadows in a mix of laughter and disgust. As the last of the greedy cultivators swung helplessly in the breeze, Nima turned to Auri. "Well," she said, her tone softening for a moment with a mix of pride and apology, "I''m sorry you had to take that beating. But those bastards will pay for mocking you. They''ll remember this day forever." Auri, his feathers ruffled and his injured wing still aching, mustered a small, defiant chirp. "Chip, chip!" he replied, as if promising that his revenge would be complete once Kent learned of the injustice. His voice, though soft, carried a resolute tone that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard iteven if they understood nothing of his meaning. Chapter 129 - 129: The Fiery Summit of Opportunity continues --- The Cultivators'' humiliations continued to echo in the clearing as Nima''s underlings began to disperse, their task complete. "Remember," Nima called out, "if you ever think of stealing again, just remember what happens to those who mess with me and my crew!" Her words, harsh and unapologetic, reverberated through the ruins. Nima then turned, her expression a mixture of satisfaction and simmering anger. "I''m going to make sure these greedy cultivators never forget this day," she declared, glancing toward the horizon. "They''ll be haunted by the memory of Big Boss Nima''s wrathand by the fact that a little sparrow and a bossy kid could beat them so badly." Auri chirped a series of determined "Chip, chip, CHIP!" that mingled with the fading sounds of the cultivators curses and the rustling of leaves. Though still injured and unable to fly, Auri''s spirit soared higher than ever. He had faced humiliation, endured cruel insults, and fought with every ounce of strength he had. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima crossed her arms and smirked, a fierce glint in her eyes. "Good. They''ll remember not to mess with us again," she said, her tone both bossy and oddly caring. "Now, let''s gather the rest of our gear and move on. We have treasures to secure and power to claim. And trust methis is only the beginning." With that, the pair turned away from the scene of humiliation, the sound of distant curses and weak laughter trailing behind them. Nima''s voice rang out as they began to march deeper into the ruins, "Let''s show them what true power looks like, and don''t ever call me a fat crow again, you bunch of greedy losers!" Auri''s small chirp, "Chip, chip!" followed her wordsa mix of pride and a promise that he would rise again, stronger than ever, no matter the cost. Thus, amid the ancient stones and the echoes of mocking laughter, the legacy of Aurithe tiny, resilient treasure hunterwas forged anew. His battered wing would heal, and his defiant spirit would carry him forward into the next chapter of his journey, a journey where no one would dare mock his might again. "We will grab every treasure we find and we will look for Kent. By the way Auri, when did Kent gifted you this spatial ring? Did you meet with Kent?" Nima asked Auri. Chip! Chip! Auri replied "I met Kent inside a volcano when I was enjoying life. He gave this ring as a gift just like your bracelet. Kent told me to find treasure, he had some work to do. He will find us later." Nima says in a low voice, "Okay let''s have some fun, we will see who finds who first. Stupid big brother!" Nima, Auri and almost Fifty beasts started their journey to find Kent. Few hours before the morning rose Kent''s location: The sight that greeted him was both awe-inspiring and foreboding, a massive caldera filled with swirling, molten lava, and at its heart, a colossal figure shrouded in heat and fury. There, rising from the lava like a living inferno, stood the Lava Guardian. Its body was a seething mass of molten rock and fire, with cracks that glowed like rivers of lava. Its eyes blazed with the intensity of countless eruptions, and its roar was like the death knell of a dying world. [Ding! System notifications- Name: Volcanic Magma Cultivation: Level-C] Kent''s heart pounded. "Alright, final guardian, show me what you''ve got." He flexed his fingers, recalling the power of his Hellfire and Frost Flame and most importantly, his new weapon. As the Lava Guardian advanced, the air around Kent shimmered with heat. The guardian''s voice boomed, "Mortal, you dare challenge the fury of the volcano?" Kent grinned, raising his voice over the roar of the molten lava. "I dare! And I''m here not just for glory, but for treasure and opportunity." His eyes sparkled with irreverence. "Let''s see if your flames can handle a bit of my Hellfire!" The battle was fierce from the first moment. Kent darted forward, unleashing a barrage of Hellfire ball bursts that clashed with the guardian''s molten form. Lava splashed, and the ground trembled as the two forces collided. Kent moved with agile precision, dodging molten projectiles and searing blasts of heat. During a lull in the assault, Kent''s mind flashed back to his earlier victories. A smile crept onto his face. "Time to bring out the big guns," he murmured. He reached for his sword, and in a burst of focused spiritual energy, the blade ignited with brilliant ember-red flames. The Crimson Flame sword roared to life, its heat intense enough to rival the very heart of the volcano. Kent charged forward, the sword slicing through the air in a deadly arc. The Lava Guardian staggered as the searing blade made contact, its molten body erupting in a spray of sparks and lava droplets. "EMBER SLASH!" Kent bellowed as he delivered a series of rapid, precise strikes, each one cutting deeper into the guardian''s fiery hide. The battle raged on with a spectacular display of elemental fury. Flames clashed with lava, and icy blasts intermingled with the scorching heat as Kent employed his dual powers, Hellfire to incinerate and Frost Flame to freeze. At one point, the guardian roared in defiance, its massive arms lashing out with torrents of molten rock that Kent narrowly dodged. The battlefield was a maelstrom of fire, ice, and raw, untamed spiritual energy. Finally, with one last, decisive strike, a brilliant, flaming slash that seemed to set the very air ablaze, the Lava Guardian let out an earth-shaking scream. Its form convulsed and then began to crumble, the inferno within it fading until, with a final shudder, it collapsed into a bed of cooled, blackened stone. In the midst of the collapsing chaos, something small and delicate emerged from the guardian''s core, a tiny, shimmering baby volcanic magma, its rocky type scales a soft azure that glowed against the darkness. The creature drifted slowly toward Kent, its eyes wide and curious, as if acknowledging Kent as its master or parents. Kent, panting and exhilarated, caught the baby magma in his arms. The system chimed in his mind: [Ding! System notifications: Abyssal Guardian Defeated! The Volcanic Magma Guardian has entrusted you with its offspring. New Companion Acquired!] He cradled the tiny creature, which chirped softly and curled around his wrist. "Welcome to the team, Magva," he said, smiling broadly. "You''re going to be the key to my next leap in power." Note: Kent named the baby magma as Magva. He just combined the manga and lava to come up with the new name. Kent''s gaze then swept across the battlefield. The once-roaring lava had settled into a quiet, brooding pool. Remembering the system''s directive, he raised his hand and activated his Void Domain Expansion. A swirling portal of darkness materialized, stretching over the entire volcanic arena. In a cascade of supernatural force, the cooled lava, the shattered remains of the Lava Guardian, and the very essence of this fiery domain were absorbed into his void space. Within the void, a new notification appeared: [Void Domain Expansion: Active. New Area Created: Volcanic mountain. The new baby guardian Magva will go into hibernation with others. Each of the guardians has their own lands. They will be the ruler of the four parts of the void domain.] Kent''s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched the swirling portal pull in every remnant of the battle. "Not bad, not bad at all," he murmured. He then carefully ensured that all his little companions were safe within their respective territories inside the Void Domain. He whispered softly, "Rocky, Windy, Aqua, and Magva you all will rest here and grow stronger. When you awaken, you''ll be guardians of my domain. For now, sleep well." The four creatures flickered and then fully settled into a peaceful slumber as the Void Domain pulsed with quiet energy, as if congratulating itself on the new acquisitions. Kent crossed his arms, surveying the now-empty volcanic battlefield. "Last guardian down. Now if I can find the Ruin core He He He!" he said to himself with a wry smirk, his tone a mix of exhaustion and excitement. "Time to head back and prepare for the final showdown. I need to go to the centre of the Ruin. Before I go there let''s find Auri and Nima." As he stepped away from the remnants of the battle, his mind raced with plans for the future. His journey was far from over. Kent took one last look at the smoldering remains before turning toward the distant horizon, where a new, daunting silhouette of a guardian loomed. With the taste of victory still fresh on his tongue and the thrill of battle echoing in his heart, he set off on his next mission, determined to claim every treasure and opportunity the ancient world had to offer. Kent says, "System, please find the location of Nima and Auri for me. Inform me if any of the two are nearby." Chapter 130 - 130: The Dark Alliance Entry --- "System, locate Nima and Auri for me. Notify me immediately if either is nearby," Kent commanded as he left the smoldering volcanic battlefield, the heat still radiating from the ground beneath his feet. His mind buzzed with plans, the taste of victory fresh on his tongue. Instead of an answer, all he received was static. Kent frowned. This wasn''t normal. His system rarely failed him, and now when he needed it most there was nothing. It meant one thing: he was on his own. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and pushed forward, heading deeper into the ruin''s heart. The once-lush forest had turned dark and foreboding, its twisted trees looking like silent sentinels. Every step he took echoed in the eerie quiet, blending with distant murmurs and anguished voices lost in the shadows. As he pressed on, he stumbled upon a clearing where several figures were bound and gagged, their arms and legs tightly secured to the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree. Their eyes, wide with fear and shame, flickered with a mix of emotions when they spotted Kent. Relief warred with resentment. "Thank goodness someone''s here!" one of the captives gasped as Kent crouched to untie him. His voice was hoarse, filled with desperation. "Young man, please help us! We were left for dead by those... those bastards!" Kent responded immediately. As he freed the others, a chorus of angry grumbles filled the air. "Damn that black crow and that little girl who beat us up!" one of them spat, his voice trembling with a mix of indignation and pain. Kent''s gaze swept over the group. They were all barely clothed, stripped down to their underwear. A flicker of amusement crossed his face. ''They must have seriously pissed someone off.'' "What exactly happened?" he asked, his tone calm but firm. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The captives exchanged wary glances before a middle aged older man, Forty, his face streaked with soot and grime, cleared his throat. "It it was a girl named Nima and a crow called Auri" He exhaled sharply. "They came through here like a damn hurricane, very bossy and fierce. No one stood a chance. We tried to Ahem well, we thought we could help them, you know, as seniors but that brat and her fat bird didn''t care. They" He hesitated. Another man groaned, rubbing his bruised wrists. "They beat the ever-living hell out of us!" A bitter laugh escaped one of the younger captives. "I still can''t believe a little girl and a tiny bird could turn our lives upside down," he muttered, shaking his head. Kent''s lips curled into a smirk. He thinks "So, these idiots actually tried to rob Nima and Auri and got what they deserved." "I see," he drawled, amusement laced in his voice. "So, let me get this straight. You thought you could mug them, and instead, you got your asses handed to you? And now you''re here, whining about a black crow and a little girl?" His voice dropped to a mocking lilt. "Pathetic." The captives squirmed under his gaze, their earlier bravado wilting. Kent folded his arms. "Now, where did they go?" His tone was no longer playful instead it was sharp, demanding. "Tell me which direction they headed." One of the men hesitated, then pointed toward a dense, shadowy part of the forest. "That way," he murmured, barely audible. "Good." Kent cracked his knuckles. "Stick around and reflect on your choices. And if you so much as think about messing with them again" His gaze darkened. "I will beat the shit out of you." With that, he turned on his heel and strode toward the passage. But the moment he entered the deeper woods, a prickling sensation crawled up his spine. "Someone''s following me." His system, previously silent, flickered back to life. A notification flashed before his eyes. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Curiosity). Kent''s pulse quickened. 666? His expression hardened. "A Dark Alliance member. So, they managed to infiltrate the Azure Forest Ruins" He kept walking, his posture relaxed, but his senses were sharp. Shadows flickered in his periphery. His stalker was skilled, silent, almost undetectable. "Too bad I''m better." Kent murmured. Without warning, Kent vanished. His Flashing Step activated, propelling him forward in a blur. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared, this time, standing directly in front of his pursuer. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (shock). A tall, cloaked figure jerked to a halt, their movements stiff with shock. The dim light barely illuminated their face, but their eyes, gleaming with malice, were unmistakable. The stranger hissed, voice cold as ice. "What the F?k!!! How did you find me?" Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Confused). Kent cocked his head, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? You must be the one the Dark Alliance sent to assist me." His tone was light, almost playful. "Took you long enough." Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Panic). The cloaked figure''s sneer deepened. "What the hell are you talking about? I don''t know you." His voice was sharp with suspicion. "I''m not with the Dark Alliance." Kent chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, 666. No need to play dumb." He leaned in slightly. "I saw your file." The figure stiffened. Kent continued, feigning a casual shrug. "I was on a mission and requested backup. My supervisor promised to send someone competent. I assumed that was you." His smirk widened. "Unless you''re just a rogue agent sneaking around in enemy territory?" Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. The figure''s fingers twitched, a subtle movement, one Kent didn''t miss. He could tell they were debating their next move. Kent let out a low chuckle. "So, what''ll it be?" His voice was smooth, but his stance was ready. "Friend or foe?" The air between them grew heavier. The game had begun. Before 666 could answer, Kent disappeared once again, this time reappearing a few paces away. Then, in a rapid series of erratic antics, he twirled midair, summoned a holographic image of a laughing cartoon crow above his head, and snapped his fingers to release a small, comical firework that burst into the shape of the number "666" before dissolving into harmless sparks. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Angry). Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Humiliation). The dark figure''s eyes flared with anger. "Enough games! No one told me anything about assisting anyone. How do you know my name? My information must have been leaked!" 666 roared, lunging forward with blinding speed. Kent met his attack with a teasing grin, effortlessly sidestepping as their battle commenced. The two exchanged a flurry of blows. 666''s movements were precise and ruthless, while Kent danced around with exaggerated dodges, as if mocking him. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Frustration). Ding! +750 SP copied from 666 (Hatred). The absurdity of the fight wasn''t lost on Kent. Mid-dodge, he smirked and said to himself. "You know, I could squeeze the frustration out of you like juice from a lemon." He sidestepped again, making 666 stumble forward. "You''re just brimming with SP points. Keep glaring at me like that, and I might hit the jackpot!" 666''s teeth clenched so tightly they might crack. "How dare you dodge my attacks. Your insolence will be your downfall! I am the supervisor of this area. Who the hell are you?" he snapped, attempting a powerful strike, only for Kent to barely tilt his head and let it pass. With another cheeky grin, Kent disappeared once more, reappearing directly in front of 666. He leaned in slightly, his voice laced with mischief. "Oh, I''m on a secret mission. Your rank must not be high enough to know about me." Then, just for effect, he spun dramatically in place, sending a swirl of dust into the air. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Embarrassed). Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Confusion). Before 666 could react, a sudden commotion erupted behind them. A group of students, a few Watchers, and even a couple of teachers arrived, their voices carrying a mixture of curiosity and authority. "What''s going on here?" a Watcher demanded. "Why are you two alone? This is no place to wander off! We must stay in groups." Kent remained relaxed, but he subtly glanced at 666. If the dark alliance member had any common sense, he''d play along. 666''s mind raced. "There''s a chance this guy is telling the truth. He didn''t expose me in front of the Watchers. If he''s with us, then I need to help him or at least find out what he''s planning." The teacher''s stern voice cut through his thoughts. "Enough! We''re forming a group. Either you both join us, or you leave the centre area immediately. No one is allowed near the center alone." Kent tilted his head. "Fine, fine. I''ll join your group, ''for now,''" he said with exaggerated reluctance. He shot a glance at 666, practically daring him to follow. Chapter 131 - 131: The infamous Toilet Tree which brings trouble --- 666 hesitated, then nodded. He thinks, "So, just like me, his mission must be to reach the center. I need to find a chance to question him later." With that, the two were absorbed into the larger group. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Kent casually leaned toward 666, whispering, "So, dark friend, ready to dance?" 666 barely turned his head. "Shut up." His voice was low and filled with menace. One of the teachers, noticing their exchange, frowned. "Enough whispering! We move as one. Follow the rules." Kent merely grinned but kept his thoughts to himself. "Oh, this is going to be fun. A dark alliance member walking right beside me? That''s an unlimited SP bank waiting to be farmed. ''Ha! Ha! Ha!'' You better keep your emotions in check, 666, or I''ll drain you dry." As the group fell into an uneasy silence, Kent''s mind was already three steps ahead. He needed to find Nima and Auri, but at the same time, he had to uncover other hidden dark alliance members. After all He is a government official in training. He takes money from Nexus and Watcher, at least he could deliver a little hard, if needed. Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke. "Alright, let''s get moving." And so began a new phase of the journey, one of pursuit, deception, and irreverent banter. Kent, ever the trickster, was eager to push forward while keeping his SP reservoir full. And 666, watching Kent with quiet suspicion, was already plotting how to turn the situation in his favor. Neither trusted the other. But for now, they walked the same path. A few minutes later The eerie ruins were filled with twisted, ancient trees, their bark covered in strange runes and gnarled branches stretching like the fingers of a dying man. The entire area was unsettling, but for Kent, it was just another opportunity for entertainment and earning some SP. Their group had been cautiously advancing through the ruins when the trees moved. At first, it was subtle, a slight rustle, an unnatural shifting in the air. Then, one of the trees attacked. A massive root lashed out like a whip, nearly smacking a student off his feet. The boy yelped and scrambled backward, tripping over his own legs. "Ouch! That hurts a lot.. WHAT KIND OF TREE DOES THAT?!" one student shrieked. Kent, however, looked positively thrilled. "Finally! Something interesting!" He grinned, dodging another wild root that slammed into the ground where he had just been standing. "I was starting to think this area was just a glorified history lesson. The fun is staring." 666, even the serious one, had already drawn his sword, slashing through a tree monster with cold precision. His blade cut through the thick bark, causing the creature to let out an unearthly screech. Meanwhile, Kent was... being Kent. Instead of properly fighting, he dodged and weaved between the monstrous trees, taking the opportunity to collect SP from every terrified scream, panicked retreat, and frustrated groan from his fellow students. "Oh no, a scary tree! Whatever shall we do?" he teased, narrowly avoiding a branch that tried to smack him upside the head. "Do we fight? Do we run? Or" He abruptly grabbed one of the tree''s roots and tickled it. The tree spasmed violently, shaking as if it had been electrocuted. Ding! +600 SP copied from Tree (Confusion). Ding! +800 SP copied from Tree (Mortal Terror). 666, in the middle of cutting down another monster, froze for a split second. "Did did you just tickle a tree?" Kent nodded, delighted. "Turns out they''re very sensitive! Who knew? It''s a very useful move, you should try it." Another student was not having as much fun. "JUST KILL THEM ALREADY!" he wailed, swatting wildly at a tree with a dagger. Eventually, after a chaotic few minutes of tree-slashing, root-dodging, and Kent terrorizing the poor tree monsters in the weirdest ways possible, they managed to clear out the area. The twisted creatures collapsed one by one, dissolving into lifeless wood. As the others caught their breath, Kent noticed something odd, 666 was off to the side, carefully carving something into a tree with his sword. Ever curious, Kent wandered over, hands casually in his pockets. "Oi, dark and mysterious comrade, what''re you doing? Leaving your signature? ''666 was here''?" 666 didn''t even look at him. "I''m leaving hints for our people." Kent''s eyes lit up. "Ohhh, secret dark alliance markings? That sounds important." Without warning, he held out his hand. "Gimme your sword. I wanna do it too." 666 hesitated. He thinks, " This guy (Kent) should have known about the alliance secret marking, yet he was way too furious talking about it. Maybe he''s just ignorant. There are many like him in my team too." After a moment, he handed the weapon over. Big mistake. Kent immediately swung the sword and attacked the tree. "TAKE THIS, YOU OVERGROWN PIECE OF FIREWOOD!" 666''s expression was unreadable as Kent hacked wildly at the marking, slashing the tree like it owed him money. Ding! +500 SP copied from the tree (Pain). Ding! +600 SP copied from tree (Fear). Ding! +750 SP copied from 666 (Confusion). Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Suspicious). The notifications flooded in. Kent''s grin widened. "Huh! This tree is a monster and its just acting like a normal tree. This was amazing! Who knew trees had so many emotions? " 666, however, was watching with growing suspicion. "This guy he''s messing with me. He never talked about the alliance. He never shared his mission. And now, he was stabbing a tree for no reason." ''He''s not one of us.'' Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (suspicious). 666''s grip tightened on his sword. Enough games. I need to force him to talk. He took a step forward, ready to attack. And then "Oi, what are you two doing?" Both Kent and 666 froze. A student had arrived, his face twisted in serious discomfort. He looked like a man on the brink of disaster. The kind of man who had just lost a battle against bad food. "The teachers are looking for you two," the student continued, shifting uncomfortably. "Also, wait you marked this tree?" He suddenly looked relieved. "Ohhh, smart! A toilet marking! Brilliant!" Kent blinked. "Wait, what?" The student clutched his stomach. "I was looking for a place to poop! Good job, guys." And then, right in front of them, he started preparing himself. He takes off his pants. 666''s face went completely blank. Kent? He was dying inside. Ding! +900 SP copied from 666 (Pure Rage). Ding! +750 SP copied from 666 (Mortification) "Oh, this is beautiful," Kent whispered to himself, biting his lip to keep from laughing. 666, shaking with barely contained fury, turned slowly toward Kent. "You planned this, didn''t you?" Kent placed a hand over his heart. "Dark buddy, I wish I was that much of a genius." The student, still oblivious to the tension, waved them off. "Thanks again! I''ll make good use of this spot!" 666 turned and walked away. No words. No threats. Just sheer, seething rage. Kent, wiping away a tear of laughter, followed after him. "Aw, come on, don''t be mad. Think of it this way, you''ve left your legacy in these ruins. Generations from now, people will come here, see your mark, and think: ''Ah, the legendary toilet tree!''" Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 666 didn''t reply. Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Anger). Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Frustration). As they reached the camp, the teachers immediately fixed them with suspicious stares. "Where have you two been?" Kent spread his arms dramatically. "Ah, you wouldn''t believe it! We were on a sacred mission. A matter of great importance." 666, still fuming, muttered under his breath, "I hate you." Kent patted him on the back. "And yet, you haven''t attacked me yet. That''s called friendship." A few hours later, After a long and chaotic day of fighting tree monsters and, uh accidentally marking a legendary toilet tree, the group finally settled down for the night. The camp site was near the area where they defeated the tree monsters and the poop trees. The campfire flickered in the darkness, casting eerie shadows across the ruined forest. The other students were exhausted, already snoring away in their sleeping bags. Kent? He was sprawled out on the ground, arms and legs spread wide, completely at peace with life. "Ah, what a beautiful night," he sighed. "The stars are twinkling, the air is crisp, and best of all this is fake isn''t it!" Ding! +500 SP copied from 666 (Suppressed Rage). "I can still farm points from my favorite dark buddy. You are really a SP bank. Why are you thinking of me instead of sleeping? Wait is he gay?" a cold shivering run down the Kent body. A few feet away, 666 sat quietly, staring into the fire. His grip on his sword was tighter than usual. Chapter 132 - 132: Midnight Interrogation Gone Wrong --- Kent was sprawled out on the ground, arms and legs spread wide, completely at peace with life. "Ah, what a beautiful night," he sighed. "The stars are twinkling, the air is crisp, and best of all" Ding! +500 SP copied from 666 (Suppressed Rage). "That guy he''s hiding something." 666 murmured to himself. He had been watching Kent closely. His erratic behavior, his unnatural confidence, his weird interactions with others None of it made sense. And now? He had no choice but to get answers. Sometime past midnight, while the camp was silent, 666 moved. He crouched beside Kent and kicked him hard. "AGH! WHO DARES?!" Kent shot up, wildly swinging his arms like a man fighting off invisible enemies. Kent knew it was 666, he is just acting like a weak and naive person. "Get up," 666 said in a low voice. Kent blinked blearily. "Oh. It''s you. My Dark alliance buddy. What''s up? Couldn''t sleep without me?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Admit it, you missed me." +999 SP copied from 666. 666''s eyes twitched. "Follow me. Now." He grabbed Kent by the collar and dragged him toward the edge of the camp, away from prying eyes. Kent, instead of resisting, simply let himself be dragged, waving lazily at the sleeping students. "Help I''m being kidnapped save me oh nooo" he whispered weakly. Nobody woke up. +999 SP copied from 666 (annoyance). 666 threatened Kent saying, "Hey, Cut it out. Keep your mouth shut otherwise" Once they reached a more secluded spot, 666 shoved Kent against a tree and crossed his arms. "Talk." Kent smirked. "Wow, not even a ''how are you, Kent?'' or ''do you need some water?'' You really know how to make a guy feel scared." 666''s patience was gone. "I don''t have time for your nonsense. Who are you really? What is your mission?" Kent gasped dramatically. "Oh no, you''ve found me out! I''m actually" He leaned in conspiratorially. "a traveling comedian. My mission? To bring joy to this dark, cruel world." 666 closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. Then punched the tree next to Kent''s head. CRACK. The bark splintered. Kent whistled. "Wow. That poor tree. What did it ever do to you?" "STOP. JOKING." 666''s voice was low and dangerous. Kent, however, just grinned. "Alright, alright, you got me. My mission is" He cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered dramatically with a ladylike posture, "To steal your heart." 666''s entire body twitched. +1999 SP copied from 666 (Rage Reaching Critical Levels). His fingers tightened around his sword. "This idiot He is messing with me." Kent, unfazed, continued. "Alright, I''ll be serious." He straightened up and nodded solemnly. "My real mission is" Then he suddenly turned and shouted at the top of his lungs: "HELP! HE''S TRYING TO KILL ME!" 666 froze in the moment. He was shocked by Kent yelling. From inside the camp, "WHO SAID THAT?!" "BANDITS?!" "PROTECT THE SUPPLIES!" The students shot up in panic, weapons drawn. One guy tripped over his sleeping bag and landed face-first into the fire pit, screaming "my butt on fire. Help me!" Another was so startled he punched the person next to him. "You bastard, why did you punch me?" He demands to know. "I am sorry, it was very dark, your face looked very scary and ugly in the dark." The puncher replied. "How dare you make comments on my face. Do you want a beating? You mom is ugly, bastard." They started to fight each other. Chaos erupted. 666 turned back to Kent, who was now sitting cross-legged on the ground, smirking. "Oops, my jokes backfired," Kent said. "Guess I was too loud." 666 physically vibrated with rage. +1999 SP copied from 666 (Murderous Intent). By now, the teachers and watchers had also woken up. "What''s going on?!" one of them asked with a loud voice. Kent immediately pointed at 666. "He had a bad dream. Poor guy was screaming in his sleep." 666''s jaw dropped. "You Why are you blaming me?" Another student nodded. "Ahh, I get it. Nightmares suck, man. Few days ago my xxx pissed his pants because of a nightmare." XXX gets angry, "Hey, Why did you bring that up? What''s wrong with you?" Another student replied, "Yeah, I once dreamed I was being chased by a giant potato. That was very scary." The teachers sighed. "Go back to sleep. We''ve got a long day tomorrow." As the students settled down again, Kent patted 666 on the back. "That was close, huh?" 666 Was fuming. He wanted to beat Kent very hard. "This isn''t over," he whispered dangerously. Kent winked. "Looking forward to it." 666 didn''t sleep after that. He sat there, glaring at Kent, who was snoring peacefully like a baby. He''s not a Dark Alliance member. He''s lying to me. He''s playing games. "Tomorrow I''ll get the truth." Meanwhile, Kent, still lying down with his eyes closed, smirked. Ding! +500 SP copied from 666 (Suspicion). +750 SP copied from 666 (Determination). "Oh no my free SP farm might be ending soon, Kent thought. Time to prepare for the worst. He lost his mind." With that, he rolled over and continued sleeping, dreaming of all the ways he could make 666''s life even more miserable tomorrow. A Few Hours Later The morning sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the forest. Birds chirped, the wind rustled the leaves, and the smell of fresh dew filled the air. Kent stretched, yawning dramatically. "Ahhh, another beautiful day." S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The students were starting to wake up, groggily rubbing their eyes, but Kent had other priorities. He clutched his stomach and grimaced. "Ugh, nature calls" And with that, he headed toward the trees. Behind him, 666''s eyes gleamed with cold determination. "This is my chance. I will take care of him." Silently, he followed Kent into the woods. Kent found a nice, secluded area surrounded by towering trees and smooth rocks. Perfect. Just as he was about to do his business, he suddenly turned around. "Oh 666? You too? You want to shit together? You wanna be my shit buddies?" 666 froze. +999 SP copied from 666 (Shock). +999 SP copied from 666 (Speechless). Kent grinned. "Man, what are the chances? Looks like we''re poop buddies now." 666 twitched. "What?" Kent sat down on a rock, resting his chin on his hand. "You know, in some cultures, pooping together is a sign of deep friendship. Maybe this is fate." Ding! +800 SP copied from 666 (Pure Rage). 666''s hands clenched into fists. "I did not come here to be your shit" But before 666 could finish his villain dialogue, Kent patted the ground beside him. "Come on, don''t be shy. We''ll create a legendary bond. The tales of our synchronized pooping will be passed down for generations." Ding! +1200 SP copied from 666 (Blood Pressure Rising). "I''m going to kill you. I am a Level-C cultivator, a supervisor of dark alliance. How dare you mock me?" Kent''s eyes widened. "Wait, what?! I thought we were shit brothers!" 666 finally snapped. He drew his sword, his spiritual energy was bursting with killing intent. Ding! +2000 SP copied from 666 (Full Murder Mode, A Mad Dog). Kent sighed. "Alright, I guess I saw this coming. It''s time to say goodbye to my SP bank. SIGH!" In an instant, he leaped back just as 666 slashed forward. The sword cut cleanly through the spot where Kent had been sitting. "Woah!" Kent yelped. "You almost sliced my toilet in half!" 666 ignored him and lunged again. Kent ducked, flipping backward onto a tree branch. "Man, this is aggressive," Kent muttered. "Are you that mad about the poop joke?" 666''s eyes burned with fury. "You''re not from the Dark Alliance. You''ve been lying to me. And now" He pointed his blade at Kent. "I''ll kill you." Kent smirked. "You can try. But let me warn you shit brother, it won''t be that easy." 666 dashed forward, his sword glowing with dark energy. 666 slashed. Kent ducked. 666 spun and aimed for Kent''s legs. Kent jumped, landing lightly on a tree branch. "Nice try." 666 growled. He fired a shadow strike, a sharp wave of dark energy. Kent grabbed a loose branch, covered it with his sword intent Aura and used it like a bat. CRACK! The energy attack was swatted away like a baseball. 666''s brain short-circuited. "Wha What the hell!" Kent shrugged. "I played baseball in my last life. Let me tell you, I was a superstar of my time. All leagues wanted me in their teams." "Stop your bullshit." 666 clenched his teeth and attacked again, unleashing a barrage of rapid sword slashes. Kent dodged. Sidestepped. Spun. Jumped. He was untouchable. Meanwhile, 666 was boiling like a lava. His feelings were going rogue. Kent''s mind was filled with a Twister of notifications. Ding! +2000 SP copied from 666 (Frustration). Ding! +2000 SP copied from 666 (Angry). Ding! +2000 SP copied from 666 (Mad). Ding! +2000 SP copied from 666 (Crying). Chapter 133 - 133: A Murder, A Treasure, and an Escape Plan --- Kent grinned. "This is amazing. It''s like fighting a walking ATM." 666 was getting pissed. He switched tactics, using shadow clones to surround Kent. Three copies of 666 appeared, attacking from different angles. Kent tilted his head. "Oh? Triple trouble?" The clones slashed. Kent kicked a rock. CRACK! The rock ricocheted, BOOM BOOM BOOM! All three clones exploded on impact. 666 barely dodged. "You" Kent chuckled. "Man, you''re really trying, huh? Respect." Ding! +1999 SP copied from 666 (Hatred Reaching Peak Levels). 666 didn''t speak. Instead, he activated his final move. Dark energy erupted around him, forming a massive spectral sword. Kent''s eyebrows raised. "Oh. That''s actually kinda cool." 666 launched forward with full force. Kent sighed. "Guess I have no choice." And then He vanished. 666''s eyes widened. Where?! BOOM! A punch smashed into his gut. 666''s body folded like an accordion. His feet lifted off the ground. Before he could even process what was happening, Kent appeared above him, grabbed his head, and slammed him into the dirt. SLAM! The entire ground shook. A crater formed beneath 666''s body. Ding! +1999 SP copied from 666 (Unfiltered Shock and Pain). Kent dusted his hands. "Well. That''s that." 666 groaned, struggling to move. He couldn''t. His vision blurred. "What how?" Kent squatted beside him. "Bro. You never had a chance." 666''s breathing slowed. His consciousness faded. His last thought? "I should''ve just let him poop" And with that666 died. Ding! +2000 CP copied from 666 (Death). A few seconds later Kent stood over 666''s lifeless body, scratching his head. "Well that escalated quickly." He had originally come here for a simple bathroom break, and now he had a corpse on his hands. Kent sighed. "Man, mornings are weird." He glanced around, making sure no one was nearby. The last thing he needed was a nosy student walking in on this scene. "Alright, let''s clean up." With a casual wave of his hand, his Void Domain opened. A swirling black rift in space. "Get in there, buddy." he says, to body if 666. He grabbed 666''s body by the leg and tossed it into the void like he was throwing out garbage. [Ding! Body stored in Void Domain. No traces left behind.] Kent smirked. "Perfect." With the body problem solved, it was time for the real funloot time. Kent rummaged through 666''s belongings (bag) left behind, whistling as he worked. First, he grabbed 666''s sword. It was a sleek, black blade with dark engravings. It pulsed with eerie energy. Kent gave it a few swings. "Not bad." [Ding! Weapon Acquired: Cursed Shadow Blade (Low-Grade Spirit Weapon) Effect: Increases attack speed and absorbs vitality from defeated enemies.] Kent grinned. "Ohhh, a lifesteal sword? Nice." Next, he found a small pouch of spiritual stonesabout twenty or so. [Ding! +20 Mid-Grade Spiritual Stones Acquired] "Jackpot." Finally, he picked up a low-level space ring. Kent tapped on it with spiritual energy, and all the things dropped in front of him. Inside was Broken swords , Like, a lot of them. "Why did this guy collect junk?" Then he found A pouch of cash "Not bad." Some clothes mostly female underwear and many different kinds of shameful dresses. "What the hell? This guy was a pervert." Kent''s face twitched. "Was 666 a female fanatic?" Still, money was money. He took the cash, kept the stones, and tossed the broken swords aside. Shameful clothes? Straight into the bushes. He had no use of them. If someone saw these shameful clothes with him then definitely he will be labelled as a pervert. With 666''s corpse hidden, his belongings looted, and no evidence left behind, Kent stretched his arms. "Welp, no point in going back to camp." The others would eventually notice 666''s disappearance, and Kent really didn''t want to answer any awkward questions. Besides, He had another problem. Scratching his head he says, "Nima''s gonna kill me. It had been almost a week since we entered the ruins. So many days, and yet,I still haven''t found her. She would definitely be pissed." Kent shivered. "Yeah I think I''ll stay missing for a little longer." Kent stood up, stretching. "Man, I need to find a way to make her less angry. Maybe, find some rare food/fruits or something else." He looked around. "Wait oh crap." He had completely forgotten the original reason he came here. "I still need to poop." With that, he calmly walked over to another tree and finally did what he came to do. Somewhere in the afterlife, 666 screamed in rage. "I curse you to fall on your own poop." After finishing his important popping task, he turned around and disappeared into the ruins, walking his own path once again. Kent looked around the dark grove he''d accidentally turned into a battlefield. "Alright, no more distractions," he muttered. "No more fights. No more mysterious dark agents dragging me into sword duels mid-poop. I need to focus." He glanced up at the sky. The sun had already begun to climb higher, its golden light filtering through the gnarled canopy of trees. Birds chirped. The wind whispered. The ruins felt calm for once. "Now What could make Nima less angry?" Kent muttered aloud. He scratched his chin. "Flowers? No she''ll say they''re boring. A cute beast pet? She already has Lumo and Auri. A fruit or food-related treasure? That would''ve worked if I could find one." He walked aimlessly through the twisted stone paths, half-staring at broken statues and scattered moss-covered relics. Ancient runes glowed faintly on the cracked walls, but Kent ignored them. His thoughts were dominated by one thing: "How do I survive when I find Nima?" Sighing, he hopped over a fallen column and wandered deeper into the forgotten temple grounds. Shadows clung to the edges of the crumbling stone, and the air grew still. His footsteps echoed against the ancient stone tiles. Suddenly he stopped. His gaze landed on something strange, a half-sunken statue of a forgotten beast deity. It looked like a hybrid between a lion and a turtle, with sharp claws and a curved shell covered in carvings. "Woah what the hell are you?" Kent murmured. He crouched and examined the base of the statue. "Hmm it''s old. Really old. Might be valuable if I can figure out how to remove it." He tapped it lightly saying, "System what is this? Use appraisal on this statue." [Ding! System notifications. Status: Unknown. Warning: Sealed by forgotten formation. Do not disturb.] Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A ''do not disturb'' warning?" Naturally, he disturbed it. He poked the side of the statue with a stick. Nothing happened. He poured a bit of Hellfire on the top. Nothing. "Okay maybe I''ll just leave you alone for now," he muttered, standing up. But instead of walking away, he tossed the entire statue and the surrounding things inside his void domain. "I will research you later." For the next hour, Kent wandered deeper into the ruin trails, searching for anything remotely gift-worthy. He found many weird things like, A rock that looked kind of like a potato. A piece of cracked crystal that only glowed when he sneezed near it. A shiny mushroom that smells like stinky feet. A book that looks like it insulted him in three different languages. He threw the book into a bush. "You''re lucky I didn''t burn you." After his fifteenth useless find, he collapsed onto a mossy slab of stone with a groan. "I''ve got nothing. Not a single thing Nima would appreciate." The wind blew gently. Leaves fluttered. Kent stared at the sky. "Is there even a treasure in this ruin that can save me from her wrath?" He groaned again and rolled onto his side. "I''m gonna die when she finds me. A mighty hero defeated Not from monsters but from his little sister''s anger." But even though his search was fruitless, he didn''t stop. He stood again, brushing off dust. His eyes scanned the landscape with stubborn determination. "Come on, there''s gotta be something. A rare coin. Or A lamp that grants wishes. Anything." He kicked a nearby tree out of frustration. The tree squealed and ran away. Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The hell?" Ding! +750 SP copied from Tree (Terror). +500 SP copied from Tree (Existential Panic). Kent blinked. "Wait. That was a sentient tree!" He watched it waddle off into the fog. "Okay. Not helpful, but still hilarious." As he wandered forward again, he muttered, "Maybe if I find some ancient currency, I can bribe her. Maybe an artifact that screams when you touch it. Or a trinket that makes tea. That would work." Eventually, his path led him to a quiet spring nestled between two jagged stone cliffs. The water was glowing faintly, and strange blue flowers floated on its surface. Kent sat by the edge, staring at his reflection. "Well I haven''t found Nima, and I haven''t found anything she''ll like." He splashed the water. "But I guess that''s part of the fun." He smirked at his reflection. "I''ll keep looking. Something will show up. Something always does." Chapter 134 - 134: The Great SP Harvest and the Butt-Pill Alchemist --- The spring bubbled. A frog leaped onto his boot. It stared at him like a predator. He stared back. "Please tell me you lay golden eggs or something." The frog blinked and hopped away. "Damn it." Kent stood up and cracked his neck. "Back to the hunt." And with that, he disappeared into the forest once more. Somewhere out there, Nima was building her army with Auri. When Kent was fighting 666. Back at the camp, The students were slowly waking up, stretching, yawning, and rubbing their sore limbs from the previous day''s battles. A group of Watchers stood in a semi-circle near the extinguished campfire, whispering among themselves. A teacher with a grizzled beard and tired eyes, Master Orlen, scanned the camp and frowned. "Where''s Kent and that boy in the dark cloak?" he asked, his voice gruff. A nearby student, still half-asleep and clutching a pillow like it was a sacred artifact, blinked. "Kent? I think . He went to poop. Said it was urgent. The other guy followed him. They haven''t come back" One hour later When Kent was looking for a gift for Nima. One of the Watchers stepped forward. "It''s been hours. None of them came back." He exchanged glances with another Watcher. "We should look for them immediately." Orlen let out a long sigh. "I swear, if those two got themselves killed in a toilet-based ambush, I''m retiring." He waved his hand. "You, you and you, form a search group. If we don''t find them nearby within the hour, we move on without them." A few students gasped. "What? We can''t just leave Kent!" "Why not?" one of the more sarcastic ones grumbled. "He Knew the risk yet he came inside the ruins. It''s up to fate. We can''t compromise all of your lifes for one person." Back to Kent''s location. [Ding! Detected: 27 evolved trees with high intelligence. Warning: Moderate hostility level detected in native floralikely due to centuries of neglect.] Perfect, he thought. With a playful glint in his eye, he set off toward the nearest tree. It was a squat, massively knotted specimen with bark layered in intricate, red runes that pulsed every few seconds. As soon as Kent stepped too close, the tree jerked as if startled. A thick, vine-like branch whipped out, nearly catching him in a leafy embrace. "Ha! You sneaky old bag," Kent laughed, dodging the branch easily. "I know your tricks." He lightly jabbed his finger at the bark. Almost instantly, the tree gave a series of low grumbling sounds and bright notifications flashed in his mind: [Ding! +300 SP copied from Tree (Annoyance).] Encouraged, Kent decided to push his luck. He tickled the tree''s rough trunk with his fingertips, eliciting a confused rustle of leaves and a sudden barrage of notifications: [Ding! +600 SP copied (Irritation), +750 SP (Confusion), +999 SP (Existential Crisis).] The tree shuddered as if it were laughing at its own cosmic misery. Kent doubled over with laughter. "Oh man, you''re ticklish! Adorable and pathetic at the same time!" He darted from one evolved tree to the next, each encounter sparking spontaneous hilarity. One tree attempted to slam its massive roots at him; another flung a shower of glowing sap that, against all odds, tasted like sour candy. On one particularly thin tree, Kent discovered it performed an impromptu interpretive dancea spectacle of creaking, groaning, and a nearly audible "Oh no!" that earned him a flurry of SP notifications. By mid-afternoon, with beads of sweat glistening on his brow, Kent had amassed hundreds of thousands of SP. He wandered through the grove, purposefully provoking and cajoling the evolved trees into releasing their emotion. Sometimes he''d throw a well-timed compliment ("You''re looking extra gnarly today, buddy!") and at other moments, he''d stage a playful "duel" with a branch, his feints and flicks drawing spontaneous notifications as each tree let out its digital anguish. At one point, a particularly cantankerous treeits bark etched with flickering runes that indicated it had seen many winterssent down a branch that grazed Kent''s cheek like a long-forgotten caress. Kent paused for a moment, rubbing his face. "I swear, you''re almost friendly almost." The tree then followed up with a low, mournful creak that flooded his display with a whopping bonus: S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Ding! +1999 SP (Pure Soul Release).] Kent''s laughter echoed softly through the forest. "Not bad, nature. Not bad at all." After playing with the trees Kent tossed them inside his void domain. Meanwhile, several hundred kilometers away In a completely separate part of the sprawling Azure Forest Ruins, the afternoon sun shone down with a lazy indifference. Here, Nima was on her own chaotic mission, moving with the confidence of someone who had long since given up on playing by anyone else''s rules. With Auri fluttering close, she advanced through a crumbling corridor of moss-laden pillars and ancient debris. Her ever-expanding band of underlingsan odd mix of wild beasts followed in loose formation, their eyes bright with a mixture of fear and admiration. Today, however, her hunt was not for treasure or powerher mission was personal. "Where in Kent?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes scanning every cracked stone and shadowy corner. She had been searching tirelessly since the morning, and the more she looked, the angrier she grew. As she rounded a particularly narrow passage, she heard a peculiar sound a mix of muffled groans and a repetitive squelching noise. Leading the group, Nima''s curiosity peaked. "Everyone, hush!" she snapped. "I think there''s something interesting coming up." Auri flitted overhead, chirping inquisitively as Nima approached the source of the noise. When they emerged into an open clearing, the scene that met their eyes was almost too absurd to believe. In the center of the clearing, surrounded by a jumble of discarded robes and rusted tools, sat a corpulent man hunched over a steaming rock. His skin glistened with sweat, and his face was a picture of concentrated agony as he worked on something unusual. As Nima drew closer, she noticed a pungent odor mingling with the earthy scent of the ruins. The man was hunched with a mixture of determination and desperation, and his focus was fixed on what he was doinghe was well, he was making pills from his own butt. It''s was Harper Li. "Fatty Li," Nima hissed, unable to hide a snicker behind her otherwise stern expression. "What exactly are you doing here?" she snapped in a tone that combined mockery with genuine irritation. The corpulent man startled, nearly spilling his steaming concoction. "W-What? Why are you alone? It''s dangerous here. You should have stick with a group." he stuttered, eyes wide as he clutched his robes tightly, his face flushing with embarrassment and fear. Without missing a beat, Nima stepped forward, hands on her hips. "I''m Boss Nima, and I don''t need anyone. First explain what were doing?" Her eyes narrowed, and Auri chirped a series of amused yet sympathetic notes overhead. Before Fatty Li could formulate a response, a host of Nima''s fifty underling beastsdire wolves, horned lizards, and even a couple of oversized pigsdescended into the clearing. Their snarls and menacing postures made it clear they were not in the mood for any nonsense. Fatty Li''s eyes widened in terror as he babbled, "II''m just trying to make spiritual pills! They''re supposed to cure um, anxiety? No, no, improve skin elasticity! Nima, Move these scary beast. They are masking me nervous." Nima snapped. "If you want to survive in these ruins, you''ll need to be brave." She crossed her arms, her voice laced with authority. "You''re coming with me. I will make you brave and together we look for Kent." Fatty Li''s trembling voice among the group, pleaded, "No thank you, you go on. I just wanted to make a little extra coin" "Silence!" Nima roared, her eyes flashing as she unceremoniously grabbed Fatty Li by his sleeve. "You can make your pills later. For now, you''re my underling. Consider this your initiation into Nima Nation." Before he could protest, Nima snapped her fingers. A nearby massive beasts, a hulking mix of a dire wolf and a lizard roared and lunged, snapping its jaws around Fatty Li''s arm. "Are you coming or not? If you don''t come willingly then I will drag you with me." Fatty Li, half-dragged, half-hurled away by the beast, howled in a mixture of terror and humiliation. "I''m sorry, Boss Nima, I''m so sorry! I''ll do anything!" he almost cried, his voice a desperate mix of fear and submission. The underlings erupted into a mixture of shocked gasps. Even Auri gave a tiny chirp as if to say, "Poor Fatty Li." Satisfied for now, Nima adjusted her stance. "Good," she said. "Now, we have work to do." She looked over at her beast crew "Listen up!" she yelled at the group. "We have to find Kent. He''s been missing for far too long, and if he doesn''t show up soon, I''m not going to talk to him for a week." Chapter 135 - 135: A Treasure Box --- Fatty Li, still bound to the back of the beast like a sack of misfortune, mumbled to himself, "I really hope he''s not in too much trouble I mean, Kent''s little sister looks so innocent, but her temper is even a demon will get scared." Nima''s eyes softened slightly as she patted fatty Li''s shoulder. "Don''t worry, Fatty Li. Once we find Kent, we''ll have a proper talk. And maybe you can prove that you''re more than just a young master of some big family." Her tone was both mocking and encouraging, it was a strange mix that only she could pull off. As the laughter and murmurs subsided, Nima took command. "Alright, gather up. We''re moving out. Auri, lead the way. Fatty Li, you come with me. And if any of you see Kent, alert the group immediately." She said to her beast showing Kent''s picture. She pulled his picture from her mobile phone. With that, the eclectic trio set off into the labyrinthine- like depths of the ruins. The midday heat bore down as they marched through crumbling corridors and vast open forest ground which was littered with ancient debris. Nima''s eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and mischief, and Auri soared overhead, his tiny frame darting through the ruins like a silver streak. Back amidst his own solitary quest, Kent continued his relentless SP harvest. Every evolved tree he encountered was a miniature celebration, a contest of wills between him and the very soul of the forest. The trees, each with its own peculiar personality, bobbed and creaked in response to his every provocation. In one instance, Kent found himself in a bizarre tango with a tree whose branches curled like the arms of an old friend. With every feigned caress, notifications burst across his display: sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! +800 SP copied from the tree (Amused Delight). Ding! +900 SP copied from the curly tree (Sour Reminiscence). Kent chuckled, "These trees sure know how to dance." He mimicked a ballroom pose, twirling around as the tree''s branches swayed along, as if caught in a gentle waltz. Yet amid the mirth, Kent''s mind was preoccupied. "Where is Nima? And what gift could possibly appease her fury?" that thought never left his mind while he wondered. Even as he danced with nature, the thought of his elusive, imperious sister remained a heavy weight upon his heart. It wasn''t merely the risk of her angershe was unpredictable, her temper as volatile as the elements he so casually manipulated. It was his love and care for his little sister which made him worry. Time passed in a blur of laughter and SP rewards. Kent''s walk soon became a frenetic dash as he sprinted across the clearing, chasing a particularly feisty oak that seemed determined to shake off his persistent advances. Branches whipped past his face like wild lashes, and on more than one occasion, he had to leap overhead to avoid an errant vine. Despite the chaos, his internal system notification bar kept scrolling merrily, a constant reminder of the points he was raking in. At one point, a ferocious gust of wind sent him tumbling onto a carpet of multicolored leaves. For a moment, he lay there, staring up at the cerulean sky, his mind wandering to the thought of a gifta rare item, maybe an ancient relic imbued with the power to calm even the most wrathful of spirits. "Somewhere in these ruins something sacred, something powerful something that''ll say ''I''m sorry'' without me having to say it out loud," he murmured to himself. His search grew more desperate. Every nook and cranny of the ruin was inspected, every hidden alcove probed. All the while, the evolved trees continued to laugh and cry out, some even giving up their soul prematurely. Kent''s internal display flashed a congratulatory message as he accumulated more SP than he''d ever seen in a single day. "Ding! Total SP now: 98,0000! Jackpot, baby! Almost one million SP. These trees are the real SP bank." he announced with a wild grin. "I''m rich beyond belief! But what good is a treasure if my little sister''s fuming mad?" As the sun crept higher into its zenith, Kent''s energy began to wane, not from exhaustion but from the overwhelming frustration of fruitless searching. He stopped in the center of a broken courtyard, its floor a mosaic of cracked tiles and faded runes. The silence of the place was almost mocking after the cacophony of the forest. He slumped against a cold stone column, dabbing his forehead with a ragged sleeve. "Maybe I should give up on the gift let''s find her, make a grand entrance that''ll make her less angry," he mused bitterly. "But no, that''s too predictable." He stood, determined once again to press on. "I''ll find that gifteven if I have to cut through every last annoying tree until I do!" At that moment, his system beeped with a new alertan unknown artifact had been detected nearby, deep in the labyrinthine corridors of the ruins. Kent''s eyes lit up. "Finally," he whispered. "Maybe this ancient relic can calm my dear sister''s temper or at least keep her from punching my face off." With renewed vigor, he gathered his things and strode forward. Every step was punctuated by the cheers of the trees and a mixture of playful curses and uproarious laughter. In that moment, the ruins themselves seemed to relish his irreverence, his SP notifications a steady drumbeat to his mad dash for treasure. Far away, Nima''s motley crew was making progress of their own. The group trudged along narrow passageways and decayed halls, the cacophony of their footsteps punctuated by occasional animal sounds and distant echoes of ancient magic. Nima led the way with a steely gaze, her underlings ever-vigilant at her command. Auri was still flying high above, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of his errant brother. "Where could Kent be?" Nima grumbled, her tone a mix of irritation and determination. "He''s had enough time to find me. Maybe he hid behind a rock, or buried himself under a tree, or who knows what else. I want him found now!" As the search parties continued to find Kent, Nima and Auri stayed together for a moment. The vibrant energy of the ruins clashed with the somber mood of their task. Nima''s eyes, though stern, softened as she glanced at Auri. "I hope Kent''s not getting himself into too much trouble, he always does that," she murmured. Auri chirped softly in agreement, though his injured wing still dropped from the earlier skirmish with those greedy cultivators. "Chip chip," he replied, promising silently that he''d soon be found. Back in the heart of the forest, Kent continued his solitary quest. He charged forward, his footsteps echoing on stone. "This is it," he whispered fervently. As he approached the arch, the shimmering light grew brighter, and he could see that it was coming from a small chest encrusted with ancient runes. It sat half-buried in rubble as if waiting for a discoverer. He knelt and brushed away the layers of dust and moss. The chest was surprisingly intact, its surface adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts and celestial patterns. Kent''s pulse quickened. "Now, this might be what I''ve been looking for," he murmured. He tried to open the chest, but it was locked with a spiritual seal. "Hmmm a puzzle," he said, grinning. With a deft flick of his hand, he summoned his hell fire to burn the seal. The ancient lock responded with a series of cryptic runes and shifting symbols. Minutes ticked by as Kent worked his magic. He joked aloud, "Come on, chest, show me your secrets. It''s not like I''m gonna let some little girl beat me at treasure hunting!" Finally, with a soft click and a burst of iridescent light, the chest sprang open. Inside was a dazzling array of rare items: an exquisitely crafted pendant that glowed with inner light, a scroll inscribed with forgotten incantations, and a small vial containing a mysterious, shifting liquid. Kent carefully inspected each item. The pendant caught his eye immediately. "This could be it," he mused. "A gift worthy of a mystery little sister who called her mighty boss like Nima." However, a deeper part of him hesitated. Was this truly enough to ease her fury after all the chaos? He wasn''t entirely sure. But as he cradled the pendant in his hand, he could feel it''s comforting warmth seeping into his very being. [Ding! Rare Artifact Acquired: Moonlit Pendant of Serenity C Increases emotional stability by 15% when used as a gift.] Kent''s mind raced with possibilities. "If I can get this to Nima before she loses her mind completely then maybe I can stop her from decimating everything in sight." He slipped the pendant into his system storage alongside a few other trinkets he''d scavenged from the ruins. With his newly acquired treasure safely in hand, Kent took a deep breath. The sun was now glaring down, "Time to head out," he thought grimly. "I need to find Nima. And I need to do it before someone clears the ruins." Chapter 136 - 136: The Howling and the Scythe—A Beastly Sideshow --- Kent''s pace quickened as he retraced his steps through the labyrinth of ruins, his SP harvesting temporarily forgotten in the wake of his newfound goal. Every now and then he''d glance at his system interface, checking his notifications and tallying his SP haulwhich, by now, was nearly astronomical. But nothing in the system could comfort him as much as the thought of reuniting with his stubborn, fiery sister. Back with Nima and her motley crew, the day''s heat had grown ever more oppressive. The search party split up, each faction combing through different sectors of the area. Nima, flanked by Auri and a cluster of loyal beasts, led her group steadily onward. Their mission was clear: find Kent at any cost. Time was running, and the longer he was missing, the more trouble was sure to follow. The ruins had shifted into an eerie twilight by the time Nima''s band pressed deeper into the crumbling corridors. The midday heat had faded to a sultry haze as shadows danced among ancient stones. Nima, Auri, and a now thoroughly chastened Fatty Li, still nursing the humiliations of his earlier misadventures, moved in tight formation. "Stay alert," Nima commanded, her eyes narrowing at every twist of vine and every shard of broken stone. "I sense something off." Her tone was both authoritative and electric; even the underling''s beasts seemed to quiet their banter in her presence. Auri flitted overhead, his tiny wings humming with cautious excitement as he scanned the ground. Fatty Li, now attempting to walk upright despite the lingering humiliation of being tied to a beast mere hours earlier, huddled behind Nima with a nervous fidget. Every so often, he would murmur apologies in a squeaky voice that made even the stones appear to cringe. "Don''t worry about it, fattyI mean, Harper Li," Nima snapped sharply, then softened almost immediately as she caught his trembling eyes. "I''m counting on you to show that you can be useful. Prove to me you''re more than just a walking, talking butt-pill factory!" Before he could stammer another word, a tremor shook the ground. The distant sound of a monstrous roar vibrated through the ruin. Nima''s gaze snapped upward. "That''s no ordinary noise," she said, half-excited, half-wary. "Prepare yourselves!" Within moments, emerging from a tunnel of tangled vines and moss-clad arches, a massive beast blustered into view. It was a Level?C creature, a hulking, sinewy brute covered in mottled scales and exuding raw, ferocious spiritual energy. Its eyes glowed an angry amber as it surveyed the intruders with disdain. The beast''s roar, deep and resonant, thundered through the corridor, making the very stones tremble. "Who dares disrupt my slumber?" it bellowed in a voice like crumbling stone and searing heat. Nima''s hand shot to the hilt of her gifted weapon, a soul scythe that Kai had bestowed upon her just before entering this ruin. The scythe shimmered with an otherworldly light, its blade etched with runes pulsing in sync with her heartbeat. "We do, you overgrown lizard!" she shouted back. "And I''m about to teach you why I''m the boss around here!" Note: She understand the beast because of her soul language skills. I am just reminding incase someone forgot about it. At her command, two familiar silhouettes materialized from the surrounding gloom: Raka, the dark, ethereal soul servant with eyes that could unnerve even the bravest warrior, and Lumo, the massive, soul bear spirit whose presence was as formidable as thunder. They flanked Nima as though anticipating her every move. Most of the beasts behind her were trembling they aren''t suitable for this battle. "Form up!" Nima ordered. "Auri, you circle around and provide cover fire with your claws. Harper uh, Fatty Li stay close and support me if I need backup. Feed my strongest underling''s beasts with those absurd pills of yours!" Her tone was both teasing and commanding, a trademark blend that unsettled enemies and inspired allies. Fatty Li, now decidedly more submissive than his former self, stuttered, "Y-yes, Boss Nima." He clutched his tool-kit tightly, his eyes wide at the sight of the rampaging beast. The Level?C creature charged forward without waiting for further orders. Its spiked tail whipped through the air, smashing into a pillar with a resounding crash that sent shards of stone scattering like confetti. Nima sidestepped gracefully, her soul scythe arcing in a deadly curve as she countered. With a fluid motion, she slashed at the beast''s flankthe sharp, luminescent blade cleaved through scales and sent a spray of spiritual essence into the air. The beast roared in pain and fury, its amber eyes narrowing. With a savage snarl, it twisted its massive body and launched a volley of spined projectiles. Raka intercepted with a ghostly shield of dark energy, deflecting several spikes, while Lumo bellowed a thunderous rallying cry that sent others scattering. "Time to turn up the heat!" Nima exclaimed, shifting her stance. She swept her arm, and her soul scythe spun around her like a vengeful wraith, drawing intricate patterns in the charged air. Each swing radiated sizzling spiritual power, slicing through the beast''s momentum. With a graceful, almost dance-like twirl, she summoned a vortex of soul chainsa testament to her refined, brutal power. Auri soared in tight circles overhead, raining down precise claws strikes with his gifted weapon, each contact sending delicate cracks through the beast''s hide. Fatty Li, ever the comic relief despite his fear, trailed behind hesitantly. Every time the beast flinched, he shouted compliments or offered comically pathetic "strategic advice" that made even his own reflection look embarrassed. At one point, he yelped, "Boss Nima, your scythe looks like it could slice spaghetti in mid-air!" to which Nima retorted with a glare so fierce it could curdle milk. The battle raged on in a cacophony of roars. Nima''s scythe slashed in synchronized tandem with Raka''s shadow strikes and Lumo''s brutal, bone-cracking assaults. The beast staggered, its movements beginning to slow as fatigue and spiritual damage piled up against its formidable frame. Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At last, with one perfectly timed swing, Nima''s soul scythe drew a deep arc across the creature''s midsection. The Level?C beast let out an agonized bellow as it collapsed to its knees, fighting to remain upright. A final, thunderous blow from Lumo sent the beast crashing into a shattered column, its life force flickering like a dying ember. "Victory!" Nima declared triumphantly. She paused, breathing heavily, as the echo of the beast''s final roar faded. The underlings around her cheered raucously, some howling, others clapping their paws and claws, while Auri chirped a high-pitched, celebratory refrain. Chip! Chip! "We did it. We beat the shit out a strong monster." Fatty Li, eyes wide and still trembling from the ordeal, looked up at Nima in utter awe. "Boss you you are incredible," he managed in a voice that teetered on the brink of admiration and hysteria. With that, his entire demeanor shifted. In that moment, all of his earlier shame and reluctance melted away, replaced by a genuine, irreverent devotion. Harper Li thinks to himself, "She is so strong. I only a Level-E cultivator. I could never think or dream of beating a beast this strong. But Kent''s little sister beat it without any injuries. What level is she? How did she Cultivate?" Nima''s lips curved in a knowing smile. "That''s right," she said, patting him on the shoulder. "From this day forward, you''re not just some butt pill maker. You''re officially part of Nima Nation. And don''t you dare forget it. If anyone bully you, inform me. I will stand for you." Fatty Li blinked, swallowing hard. "What''s going on?. I''m her big brother''s friend, yet I feel like I can count on her." he was thinking. He Says out loud, "Okay, Nima." His tone was earnest, and though his earlier bluster remained in the echo of his words, it was now tempered by newfound respect. Before long, the battle-scarred battleground quieted. Nima surveyed the aftermath, her gaze softening slightly as she regarded her underlings and the fallen beast. "Good work, everyone," she said in a voice that mixed authority with a hint of warmth. "This was a hard fight, but it shows that we''re stronger together." Auri, hovering near Nima''s shoulder, chirped in high agreement. Fatty Li, still catching his breath, mumbled a meek, "Thank you, Nima," which drew a round of supportive applause from the surrounding beasts. Nima then glanced in the direction she knew Kent might be. "Now," she said, more to herself than anyone, "we still haven''t found my Big Brother. I''m beginning to wonder maybe he''s picking up girls. That''s why he forgot his little sister." Her tone was playful yet edged with genuine worry. "We need to move out and scout for him," she commanded. "And everyone else, keep your guard up." The assembled crew grumbled but obeyed, reorganizing themselves into small groups that began moving out through the maze of ruins. Nima, Fatty Li, and Auri led one such group, their footsteps echoing on ancient stone as they advanced toward the next likely spot, an overgrown forest corridor that led directly to the heart of the Ruin Core. Chapter 137 - 137: The Ruin Core – A Sudden Intervention "I know you''re out there, Kent," Nima muttered under her breath, her eyes scanning every twisting corridor and hidden alcove. "You can''t pick up girls. Sister in law''s in TV dramas are always bad. They will make you leave me." The spell of determination was palpable. With her underlings at her side and now an unbreakable new bond formed with Fatty Li. Nima led her team deeper into the heart of the ruin. Meanwhile Kent crouched in a shadowed niche of the Ruin Core area, the ancient stones around him echoing with the remnants of past battles. Through a wide, broken arch, his eyes fixed on the central arena where a fierce duel was unfolding. On one side stood Nexus Yang Li, a revered Level?B cultivator with steely eyes and precise, measured strikes. Well his opponent, also a Level?B fighter representing the Dark Alliance, dueled against him. Surrounding the combatants, a scattering of few Level?C dark alliance supporters lunged intermittently, their numbers adding to the tumult. For several long minutes, Kent watched silently from his hidden vantage. He noted every parry and lunge, every burst of spiritual energy that rippled across the floor. With each passing moment, it became apparent that Yang Li''s movements, once fluid and deadly, were beginning to slacken. His once impeccable technique showed signs of fatigue; every defensive stance and swift counterattack grew a little slower and less sure. Kent''s heart pounded as he assessed the situation. "Yang Li is giving in," he muttered under his breath. "I can help I''m only Level?D." He bit his lip in frustration. He was no match for a Level?B warrior or multiple Level-C at the same time. The harsh truth was that his skills were currently far below what was needed to shift the battle decisively. Yet, the determination to stand by his comrades and the desire to prove himself spurred him into action. Kent''s gaze shifted to his system display, which blinked persistently with the shop interface. [Cultivation Fruit. Price: 1,000,000 SP each.] He exhaled sharply. "I need to level up." There was no time to waste. With a few rapid keystrokes, he navigated his system menu. In a moment of calculated desperation, he purchased two Cultivation Fruits. Without pausing, Kent upholstered both of the fruits and brought it to his lips. He swallowed quickly, and almost immediately, his vision blurred with an influx of raw spiritual energy. The surge was instantaneous and unmistakable. The ambient energy around him seemed to ripple; even from his hidden position, he was discovered by others. Almost at once, a deep voice cut through the clamor of battle. Yang Li had noticed it was Kent who just levelled up. [Ding! Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level?C. Reward is preparing] S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kid, I just felt your spiritual energyyou leveled up to Level?C!", he was speaking with surprise and grudging admiration. "Weren''t you Level?E at the lake site before we entered the ruins?" Kent allowed himself a roguish grin. "I just double-leveled up, old timer. It''s not a big deal," he replied with playful arrogance. Then, without another pause, he stepped from the shadows and made his way into the fray. "Let me help you a bit, old man." The effect was immediate. The sudden appearance of a newly powered Level?C combatant shifted the dynamics of the skirmish. Kent moved in with a reckless boldness that belied his formerly lower status. Although he now fought on par with the lesser dark alliance cultivators, his techniques were still unorthodox. Instead of following a structured fighting style, he employed a series of rapid, unpredictable maneuvers: a feint here, an absurd dodge there, even a mock stumble that set his opponents off balance. Each time he landed a strikewhether by a clumsy flying kick or a light jab that distracted an enemy long enough to create an openingthe system rewarded him with notifications. His SP counter soared with every successful quip and well-timed attack. The battlefield lit up with digital numbers, a testament to his newfound prowess. Ding! +300 SP copied from 444 (angry). Ding! +600 SP copied from 445 (Frustration). Ding! +750 SP copied from 446 (Comedic Counterattack). Yang Li, momentarily turning his attention from his own duel, called out over the din, "Kid, you''re a wild card, but I need your help. Let''s finish this together!" His tone was both commanding and encouraging, acknowledging the unexpected arrival of a reinvigorated ally. Kent''s reply was a half-smile and a nod. "You got it, old man," he quipped, his voice laced with irreverent humor. With his soul Slasher dagger in hand, a weapon that throbbed with dark, unstable energy, he launched himself into the melee. In a series of near-comedic confrontations, he parried blows, ducked under sweeping strikes, and even mimicked a clumsy somersault that baffled the enemy ranks. When a Level?C dark alliance fighter swung a heavy, uncoordinated attack, Kent sidestepped with a flip, his sword arcing through the air and clipping his opponent''s side. The opponent staggered, leaving behind a cascade of SP notifications that lit up Kent''s internal display. As the dark alliance fighters began to falter under the combined assaults of Yang Li and the newly energized Kent, the din of combat grew even more frenzied. Enemy cultivators fell in an almost farcical display of clumsy defeats. Each one punctuated by bright flashes of SP accumulation and even a few system messages praising Kent''s unpredictable methods. One enemy, tripping over his own robes after a poorly timed dodge by Kent, collapsed in a heap with a chorus of SP notifications trailing in his wake. Ding! +300 SP copied from 444 (shame). Ding! +600 SP copied from 445 (shameful). Ding! +600 SP copied from 445 (shameful). As the clash continued to hum in the background. For a brief moment, during a lull in the heavy exchange of blows, his system displayed a new alert, a reminder of the harsh reality he had just been thrust into: [Ding! System storage update. Future Cultivation Fruit cost now increased to 100,000,000 SP per fruit.] For a heartbeat, the excitement of the moment was marred by the weight of this update. Kent frowned and muttered under his breath, "One Hundred million SP for a fruit if I ever want to level up to Level?B, it''ll take me ages." But he quickly shook off the troubling news, his focus returning to the cacophony of combat around him. "Let''s think about that after the battle," he said to himself. With a renewed, almost defiant burst, Kent resumed his barrage. His movements were a kaleidoscope of chaotic precisiondodging, feinting, and striking in sequences that were both absurd and effective. The digital count of SP steadily climbed, each burst of energy adding to his reservoir of points and affirming his newfound prowess. The tide of battle was beginning to turn, and Yang Li seized the moment to redouble his efforts. "Kid, now is the timegive me all the help you''ve got!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the ancient stone as more enemies were driven back. Kent, hardly missing a beat, launched himself forward. "I''m on it, Nexus Yang Li! Let''s show these dark alliance idiots what true chaos looks like!" His voice carried a mix of excitement and defiant humor as he threw himself into a flurry of attacks, each move more unpredictable than the last. With the duel intensifying, every move from Kent seemed to be met with a corresponding SP bonus. His system flashed bright notifications that numbered in the thousands, each one a digital testament to his wild, unconventional combat style. Without a doubt, the battle in the Ruin Core was far from over. The enemies still pressed hard, and the dark alliance continued their desperate attempt to repel the combined forces of Nexus Yang Li and the unpredictable newcomer. But in that moment, as Kent''s blade flashed and his laughter rang out amid the chaos, it was clear that something had shifted. His leap to Level?C had not only boosted his powerit had sent ripples of hope through ruins. Yang Li''s voice, now tinged with both exhaustion and admiration, carried over the din. "Kid, your entrance it''s making a difference!" he shouted. "Keep pushing!" Kent responded with a defiant smirk, dodging a heavy strike and countering with a flurry of zany moves that left the enemy temporarily stunned. "Don''t worry, old man," he called back cheekily. "I''m just getting startedand I''ve got a lot more SP to collect on the way out of these ruins." "Huh! SP???!!!???!!!" For a final moment in the melee, the combined forces of their ragtag band seemed to hold the line. The enemies, overwhelmed by the chaotic synergy of experienced combat and unpredictable new tactics, began to retreat. He defeated all the Level-C cultivators. Yang Li, catching a break in the melee, called out again, "Kid, you have done well!" His voice was rough with fatigue but laced with genuine admiration. The exchange forged an unspoken camaraderie, one where the challenges of battle blurred the differences between senior and junior. Chapter 138 - 138: The Reunion of the Lost A lingering hush settled across the cracked stone and hollowed-out columns of the Ruin Core as Nexus Yang Li''s voice still echoed in the dusty air. The smell of scorched minerals and the tang of spent spiritual energy clung to everything like a damp fog, an ever-present reminder of how fiercely this battle had raged only moments before. Kent exhaled, half in relief and half in exhaustion. He steadied himself with his soul Slasher dagger in one hand. Its dark edge pulsating faintly and turned to Yang Li, whose praise still resonated in the hush. Kent flashed the older cultivator a roguish grin. "Glad to be of service, old man," he joked, trying to keep his tone light despite the weight of fatigue pressing on his shoulders. Indeed, a tenuous alliance had been forged amid the chaos of swords, spiritual blasts, and comedic heroics. Yang Li wasn''t simply tolerating him, he had found a small measure of respect for Kent''s bizarre brand of courage. Yang Li responded with a curt nod. His breathing was labored, the chest of his battle-worn robes rising and falling unevenly. "Kid, I''m not sure how you soared to Level?C so fast, but I won''t question it," he said in a voice that crackled with residual adrenaline. The corners of his mouth twitched, hinting at a reluctant smile. "We needed that boost. Let''s hope you saved some energy for what comes next." Before Kent could respond, a distant commotion stole his attention. From across the labyrinthine ruins came a rapid stampede of feet and the echoes of raised voices. It sounded like another wave of foes was about to descend but the tone was all wrong. This was not the steady rhythm of an organized army. Instead, it was a flurry of breathless yells and frantic exclamations, as if a group of people, or perhaps even beasts, were on the move in a haphazard hurry. Heart lurching, Kent felt a wave of foreboding. He looked at Yang Li, who furrowed his brow. The old warrior stepped forward, raising his sword in a defensive stance. "We may have more trouble inbound," he warned quietly. But then came a voice a voice Kent knew all too well, brimming with anger, exasperation, and something akin to frantic relief: "Kent! Kent, you promise breaking big brother! Where are you?" The words reverberated off the stone walls like a thousand echoes. It was impossible to miss that fervor. Kent froze for a heartbeat, every muscle tense with both anticipation and dread. He''d been preparing mentally for this reunion, imagining how he''d breezily greet her with a joke about "Little sisters always worrying too much," but the actual confrontation would be far messier. She was furious. He could practically taste the wrath in her cry. Yang Li, perceiving the change in Kent''s expression, arched an eyebrow. "Friends of yours?" he asked dryly, though the undertone of amusement in his voice suggested that he''d picked up on the familial accent in that shout. Kent couldn''t quite hide his uneasy smile. "My sister," he muttered, sliding the dagger back into its makeshift holster. "Probably here to scold me for disappearing." The swirl of lingering spiritual energy in the air and the numerous pop-up SP notifications had temporarily blinded it all came from Nima. Now, with the immediate threat receding, that purpose roared back to life. He squared his shoulders, ignoring the twinge of soreness in his arms, and gestured for Yang Li to remain on guard. "I''ll handle this," Kent murmured. "Don''t worry if you hear yelling. That''s just how she says ''hi.''" There was humor in his words, but an undercurrent of genuine apprehension belied them. If Nima was as upset as she sounded, he was in for quite the scolding. In the gloom beyond the broken archways, a cluster of shadows coalesced into a ragged search party. Leading them was a petite figure whose voice rang out like a clarion call: "Kent! Where are you? I swear, if he''s run off again, I''ll personally" She cut herself off mid-threat as she stepped into the battered clearing. Dust motes swirled in the faint sunlight that poured through cracks in the domed ceiling, illuminating the moment like a stage spotlight. "Kent," she hissed, her voice vibrating with fury. "You absolute, no-good dummy!" She advanced, an entourage of stunned, exhausted underlings trailing behind her. At her side fluttered Auri, whose small wings beat in anxious spurts, as if the bird creature was caught between longing relief and residual fear. Kent swallowed, then forced a grin. "Well, fancy meeting you here, Nima," he said, injecting as much lightheartedness as he could muster into his tone. The tension in the air was thick. Nima''s eyes burned like molten steel, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles glowed white. She was out for blood or, at the very least, a thorough berating. "You disappeared," she spat, each syllable bristling with anger. "I was searching for hours and days, and dealing with all sorts of rogues who wanted to rob me. You vanish, leveling up to who-knows-where, while I''m left defending everything on my own" Before she could finish her tirade, Auri swooped in front of Kent, chirping frantically. The tiny bird''s left wing was wrapped in a makeshift bandage, and it tried to nestle itself against Kent''s chest. "Chip, chip! Bad people robbed me almost robbed me, and I got my wing hurt. Why didn''t you come?!" The words came in short, frantic chirps, but Kent had spent enough time with Auri to sense the heartbreak and complaint behind them. A pang of guilt stabbed Kent''s chest. All the comedic bravado about leveling up and collecting SP from trees felt hollow in the face of his sister''s fury and Auri''s wounded pride. He reached out, gently stroking the bandaged wing. "I''m so sorry, buddy," he murmured, voice low and thick. "I didn''t I got caught up in my own stuff, leveling up to help, but I never stop looking for you guys." Nima let out a short, derisive laugh. "Caught up in your own stuff, huh?" Her gaze flicked to the swirling notifications that still occasionally blinked around Kent. The evidence of his comedic fighting style was plain to see. "Sure, you can clown around with your illusions and comedic stunts. Meanwhile, I''ve been forming alliances and recruiting beasts to keep my new underling''s safe from real threats." At that, she snapped her fingers. The air filled with the sound of deep growls and snorts as no fewer than fifty beasts roared, some large, some scaly, and some reptilian, others lithe and predatory, emerging from behind the stone columns. Their collective presence was a sight to behold: a menagerie of creatures sporting luminous eyes, spikes, feathers, or thick pelts, each standing at attention as if awaiting Nima''s next command. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent''s jaw dropped. "You you tamed all these?" he asked incredulously, taking in the sheer variety of creatures. The thought of a single person controlling such a formidable bestiary was mind-boggling. Nima raised her chin defiantly. "All of them are my new underlings. Fifty of them." Pride bled into her voice, her eyes still fierce with leftover anger. "They follow one and only big boss Nima. We''re forming an empire, my empire, once we leave these ruins. No petty criminal stooge is going to tell me otherwise." "Empire?" Kent echoed, torn between admiration and horror. "Nima, that''s insane. The government would never allow a kid to roam around with an entire army of beasts. You''ll be labeled as a threat or worse, you might be locked up for causing chaos in the city." He paused, swallowing the knot in his throat. "Are you sure this is the path you want?" Nima''s eyes flared, but instead of retorting, she waved her hand in an imperious gesture. A colossal, horned wolf slunk forward, baring its fangs at Kent in a silent, menacing gesture. "They all owe me a debt," Nima said firmly, "and they''re loyal to me now. If the government has a problem with it, let them come and see me. I''ll show them what it means to mess with big boss Nima." Yang Li, who had watched the sibling drama from a respectful distance, finally broke his silence. He cleared his throat, a sardonic half-smirk curving his lips. "If you two are quite finished with this heartfelt reunion, we have more pressing matters," he said, gesturing to the battered remnants of the dark alliance fighters scattered around the perimeter. "Kid, you do recall that we''re still in the middle of a warzone, yes?" "And you Nima, If you become my disciples you can bring all the beast with you. What do you think? Do you want me as your master?" Kent blinked, momentarily flustered. He''d been so wrapped up in Nima''s arrival and her formidable beast retinue that he''d nearly forgotten the immediate threat. "Right, right," he muttered. "We need to secure the area. If there are more dark alliance troops heading this way, we''re in trouble." Chapter 139 - 139: Checking Everything --- Before the conversation could continue, a ragged figure in the background let out a triumphant shout: "Grandpa Yang Li, beat them all! We''re unstoppable!" The voice belonged to none other than Fatty Li, a portly underling who had somehow fallen in with Nima''s chaotic entourage. Hearing him call Yang Li "Grandpa" again drew a collective stunned silence. Kent thinks, "So, you are nexus Yang Li''s grandson. This is how you are related." Yang Li merely gave a noncommittal grunt, choosing not to scold him for now. He had a rule to never reveal your relationship at work. Instead, he turned to Kent. "Kid, if you''re done with your family squabble, come help me gather the injured. We need to regroup, and quickly. The dark alliance could mount a counterattack any minute now." Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent nodded vigorously, relieved to step away from Nima''s wrath and the awkwardness of Fatty Li''s outburst. But as he moved, Nima clutched his sleeve. "Listen," she hissed in a near-whisper, her earlier fury laced with genuine concern. "Don''t you dare vanish on me again. I''ve had enough of your comedic routine. If you think leveling up to Level?C is enough to keep me from scolding you next time, you''re sorely mistaken." "I promise, I won''t vanish again," Kent said softly, meeting her gaze. He paused, searching her face for any sign of forgiveness. Instead, he found a swirl of tension, relief, and a grudging admiration at his newfound power. "And sorry. Really. I''m just trying to do my part." Nima nodded, letting go of his sleeve. "You need to give me some snacks money as an apology." Then, her tone hardened once more. "Now go. We''ll talk about the amount later and about my beasts and your half-baked ideas, once the Ruin Core is fully under control. I''m not leaving these ruins without them, you understand?" Kent shook his head but allowed a small, lopsided grin. "Understood, Big Boss Nima." With that final word, he darted off to aid Yang Li, weaving between the rubble and unconscious foes still sprawled across the floor. Behind him, Nima turned to her enormous entourage of beasts and battered underlings, barking orders to search for survivors and gather all treasure they found. Auri flitted overhead, occasionally letting out a shrill chirp that signaled the all-clear or a point of interest. Fatty Li, for his part, kept a cautious distance from the larger creatures, though he cast anxious glances at Nima, no doubt worried about further scoldings or the threat of her savage menagerie. As Kent crossed the chamber to help Yang Li, his mind was a tumult of conflicting emotions. The digital pop-ups of SP notifications still flashed in his peripheral vision, each one a silent testament to his comedic success in battle. Yet the new price of one Cultivation Fruit 100 million SP loomed like a dark cloud, inside his mind. He needed to find a method to farm SP at an even faster rate, or risk stagnating here at Level?C. But there was also a sense of warmth in his chest, a reassurance that he wasn''t alone. Yes, Nima was furious, and yes, her scheme to maintain an army of beasts was insane, but she was still his little sister. Auri was still his pet bird. Even Yang Li, in his gruff, paternal manner, had shown a measure of acceptance. Perhaps, after all the comedic scuffles and wild gambles, he still had a place among them. He still had a shot at forging a path that balanced irreverent humor with genuine heroism. "Focus, Kid," Yang Li''s voice came, snapping him out of his reverie. The older cultivator was bent over one of the wounded fightersan ally, fortunatelytrying to hoist them to a safer spot away from the center of the ruin. "For now, see if any stragglers from the dark alliance remain in these side corridors. We can''t afford an ambush." The request was straightforward, yet behind the words lingered an echo of trust. Yang Li was relying on him. Kent nodded. "Got it." And for once, he managed to keep his comedic remarks to a minimum. He scanned the edges of the chamber, searching for any sign of movement among the broken statues or the collapsed arch ways. Every so often, he glimpsed a bruise-faced dark alliance fighter struggling to crawl away, or a disarmed foe who lay moaning in pain. Kent stepped in methodically, ensuring they were disarmed and no immediate threat to those still standing. A hush slowly reclaimed the battlefield as the dust settled. In the center, Nima''s retinue started setting up a temporary base, a staging area amid the battered columns, with the beasts maintaining a perimeter. The presence of so many monstrous creatures gave the entire scene an almost surreal airlike a warped menagerie placed in the heart of an ancient, sacred temple. From that vantage, it became clear how drastically the dynamic had changed. The dark alliance had been driven back, at least for the moment, and in their stead, an alliance, fragile yet spiritedhad formed among Nima, Kent, Yang Li, and the rest. Each had their own motives, their own brand of irreverent humor or fierce determination, but together, they stood a chance of fully cleansing the Ruin Core of enemies and discovering whatever hidden secrets it harbored. In the midst of it all, Kent found himself stooping beside an unconscious dark alliance cultivator, half-smiling in the knowledge that just hours ago, he''d have been too weak to hold his ground here. Now, at Level?C, the comedic style that once seemed trivial had proven effective in the real fight. Yet a pinprick of worry remained embedded in his chest: how to level up further, how to reach the lofty heights of Level?B. When each Cultivation Fruit now carried a 100-million SP price tag. He exhaled, forcibly brushing the worry aside. A gentle chirp from above alerted him to Auri''s presence. The small bird''s eyes were glimmering with a mixture of relief and a silent question: "Are you okay?" Kent reached up to lightly stroke Auri''s uninjured wing. "I''m fine," he said softly, "just a little overwhelmed." The bird responded with a soft purr, as if encouraging him to keep going. From across the chamber, Nima caught sight of Kent''s interaction with Auri and let out a short, irritated sigh. She raised her arm, a hulking, snake-like beast came to her side. Without glancing at Kent, she called out in a brusque voice, "I''m taking these guys to scout the western corridor. Don''t vanish, or I''ll hunt you down myself. Understand?" Kent offered a meek wave of acknowledgement. The swirl of leftover tension between them still stung, but it was overshadowed by the sense of relief that they had at least found each other again. He watched as Nima led her improbable menagerie deeper into the shadows, her presence as commanding as any general. A sense of irony tugged at the corners of his mouth, "Sigh! who would''ve guessed my little sister would become an unstoppable beast-taming tyrant?" As the chamber continued to quiet, Kent realized that if the dark alliance mounted another offensive, they wouldn''t do so soon. They''d retreated too far, and their morale had been shattered by the flamboyant synergy of comedic unpredictability and seasoned discipline that Yang Li and he had unleashed. For now, a precarious calm lay over the Ruin Core like a thin veil. Yang Li approached Kent, sheathing his sword with a tired grunt. "Kid, you''ve done well, but this place is hardly safe. Keep your eyes open. The day isn''t over. And if you see your sister about to do something reckless, try to talk sense into her. She is my future disciple, I need to make sure she stays safe." There was concern in his eyes, a paternal hint that made Kent almost snort with laughter at the memory of Fatty Li calling him "Grandpa." "I''ll do my best," Kent replied, acknowledging the near-fatherly vibe behind those words. "But Nima well, she''s got her own mind about everything, don''t worry. I don''t think she will ever agree to be your disciple. " Yang Li gets shocked. "What!, don''t joke with me. She will take me as her master." Kent said nothing, his chest tight with a laugh and worry. He thinks about how Yang Li will react when Nima rejects him. "It will be a fun show to watch. But what if this old guy gets mad and forces her? I am not strong enough to protect her." But he knew that once Nima set her mind to something, No can change her mind. He''d have to find a compromise, or a plan so cunning that no one could force them. Resting a hand gently on the hilt of his dagger, he nodded at Yang Li. "I''ll put some good words for you. Good luck! In the meantime, let''s salvage what we can from this area. If there''s any hidden loot or leftover relics, we should gather them before the dark alliance tries to regroup." Chapter 140 - 140: The Secret Land of Beasts Yang Li gave a weary grunt of agreement. "Fine, but don''t wander too far. The last thing we need is another fiasco where I have to rescue you from some corner of the ruins." Kent smirked. "Deal." They parted ways, each with tasks to finish: Yang Li to check on the wounded, and Kent to scavenge. A small pang of guilt reminded Kent that he still needed to apologize properly to Nima, but that conversation would have to wait until the immediate threats were neutralized. Kent could still feel the echoes of battle in his bonesan odd mixture of tension, relief, and leftover adrenaline. The Ruin Core area seemed to hold its breath in the uneasy calm that followed each skirmish. Dust-laden beams of light angled down from the fractured dome overhead, illuminating swirling motes in the stagnant air. He''d split off from Yang Li to scout the corridors for any remaining dark alliance stragglers, and now he stood alone near a toppled column. All around him lay shattered stone and the lingering smell of spent spiritual energy. He paused, running one hand over the coarse surface of the debris. A small pang of guilt weighed on him. He still owed Nima a proper apologyand maybe a conversation about whether she really wanted to drag fifty formidable beasts into the outside world. When he''d parted ways just a few moments earlier, she''d been adamant about forging her own empire, come what may. But he knew how that might end: with the government labeling her a threat, maybe even mobilizing forces to subdue her. "I need to do something or come up with a plan," he muttered under his breath, recalling Nima''s unwavering determination and her cold, clipped orders. "She might be furious, but she''s also my sister. I know how to handle her." He gave a shaky laugh at the irony. Here he was, a comedic swordsman who''d soared to Level?C with jokes and comedy, now faced with the serious dilemma of curbing his sister''s unstoppable ambitions. "Alright. One problem at a time," he told himself. He allowed a final glance at the battered corridor before turning back toward the makeshift base in the central hall. "Time to fix this, and hopefully not get clobbered by Nima in the process." As Kent emerged from a winding passage, he heard the low rumble of growls and chuffing sounds before he saw the beasts themselves. The throng of monstrous underlings was spread out in a rough semi-circle near a broken statue, forming a boundary around Nima''s position. Some slumbered, spiky tails twitching in fitful half-dreams; others glared at him with unblinking, predatory eyes. The eerie quiet was broken only by the occasional snarl or yawn. In the middle of them all stood Nima, arms folded, face tense with residual anger. Auri perched on her shoulder, his bandaged wing carefully folded against his small body. Nearby, Fatty Li paced awkwardly, wringing his hands as though waiting for permission to speak. A few battered students hovered at a respectful distance, tryingand mostly failingto avoid the beasts'' restless stares. Kent cleared his throat softly, making sure not to startle the creatures as he approached. Sure enough, several huge heads whipped around in his direction, bristling spines and barbed feathers rising in defensive readiness. "I''ve got to be careful, " he thought, offering a slight bow of his head to the nearest serpent-hound, which let out a low hiss. "Back," Nima ordered sharply, and a chorus of reluctant growls echoed before the creatures parted to allow Kent through. She fixed him with a steely look that wasn''t quite as furious as before, but still far from welcoming. "Finished with your recon?" she asked coolly, her voice carrying a clipped edge. "Because I''m not leaving until I''ve confirmed the rest of the Ruin Core is secure and until you explain how we''re supposed to handle these beasts in the outside world. Or do you still think I''m insane for wanting them?" Kent raised both hands, palms out in a gesture of peace. "I I do have some concerns, yeah," he admitted, "but I also might have a solution." That last word caught Nima''s attention, and her eyes narrowed. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Go on," she said tersely, crossing her arms tighter. From her shoulder, Auri gave a curious chirp. Kent took a careful breath, glancing around at the menagerie. ,"Time to spin a convincing story. Look, we both know the government would freak out if we stroll out with fifty monstrous underlings. They''d label you dangerous, maybe even hunt you down. And frankly, feeding them all? That alone could bankrupt an entire city. Each of these big guys could probably devour a cart''s worth of meat a day." Nima''s jaw tightened, but she nodded grudgingly, a flicker of concern crossing her features. "I''ve thought about that. But they''re mine, I can''t just abandon them." She hesitated. "Do you expect me to" "No," Kent interjected quickly, aware that she might suspect him of wanting to kill or set them free. "I think we can keep them. But not out in the open, at least not yet. Let me let me handle them. I have this new power." Her eyebrows rose in skepticism. "New power? You literally just leveled up. Since when do you have time to discover new abilities?" Suspicion laced her voice, but also a hint of intrigue. Kent forced an easy grin. "That''s the crazy part. Something changed in my cultivation. Maybe it''s a byproduct of, uh or the fruit I ate. I noticed that after leveling to C, I can sense a kind of pocket dimension inside me. Sort of like a hidden land that can store living creatures. Like an advanced pet bag." "A pocket dimension inside you." Nima''s words came out flat, dripping with doubt. Auri chirped uncertainty, as if doubting the veracity of the statement. Kent pressed on, determined to sell the lie. "Yes! Don''t ask me how it formed. Maybe No It''s because I am too awesome. But if you''re worried about feeding them or the government discovering them, I can store them in that dimension. They''ll be safe. You can see them any time you want. You can even come in with me if I figure out how to let people inside." He added an uncertain shrug, hoping the half-truth would be enough to pique Nima''s curiosity. He did possess a Void Domain that functioned as storage, and he recently added a sun and water there. Now it''s time to test with so many living creatures of this size. There''s only one problem: he never entered the void domain with physical body. He doesn''t know the mysteries yet, "I''ll figure it out on the fly or else this plan is doomed", he thought nervously. Nima tapped her foot, eyes roving over the menagerie as if weighing the pros and cons. "But can we be sure they''ll be comfortable there? And how will we feed them? If it''s just some dead space" Kent raised a placating hand. "Don''t worry about that, there are trees and water for them or at least keep them dormant. I will find a way to feed them. Honestly, Nima, it''s safer than dragging them out in the open right now. For the time being, do you want to risk the entire government labeling you an outlaw?" She scowled, lips thinning into a hard line. "I hate hiding my success. I worked damn hard taming these beasts. But" She exhaled, frustration coloring her tone. "You''re right. The outside world is complicated. Fine. If you can keep them alive in that weird pocket dimension, we''ll store them there for now." Relief flooded Kent, though he tried to maintain composure. "Perfect. Just, uh, let''s keep it hush-hush, okay? This is a new superpower and I don''t want anyone else to find out about it. If the dark alliance or some shady faction found out, they might attempt to enslave me to store an entire army." Nima''s expression softened marginally. She gave a single, curt nod. "Alright. We keep it secret from everyone. I trust nobody with my beasts." She paused, eyes flicking to Auri. "But let me see proof you can handle things in there. If you kill my beasts because of some half-baked trick, I will run away from home, big brother you will never see me again." Kent''s pulse raced as he forced a confident smile. "Deal. Gather them up. Let''s do this quickly, while the corridor is quiet." A hush passed over the ragged assembly as Nima called the beasts to form a tighter circle. Through clicks of her tongue and curt commands, she summoned them. Slowly, the entire menagerie ringed around them, growling softly or snorting in confusion. A massive spined lizard flicked its tongue at Kent, and a predatory cat-like creature with saber-length fangs hissed warily. Auri flitted overhead, chirping with anxious anticipation. He was also very curious about the void domain. Chip Chip! Chapter 141 - 141: New members of Void Domain "Alright," Nima said, her voice pitched to carry over the beasts'' low rumbles. "If this fails and my beast''s get hurt, I hold you personally responsible." She leveled a fierce glare at Kent. "Understood?" Kent nodded vigorously. "Totally fair." Inside, he steeled himself for the unknown. "Please let the Void Domain handle living wild beasts without any difficulties," The four guardians he placed in the void domain are safe. But they are not beasts, they are four elemental spirit type guardians. The trees he tossed before are okay too but same they are trees only beasts. He''d never tested it with docile or tamed beings. Possibly the synergy might let them remain stable. A few seconds later He took a breath, reaching deep within himself for the swirling blackness that signified the Void Domain. A flicker of intangible energy glimmered around his hands, invisible to most but faintly sensed by those with strong spiritual awareness. He pictured the domain, like a dark, immeasurable space that he could mold as he wanted. "Alright, beasts," he said, voice trembling slightly with false bravado, "time to head into my land. Step up, one by oneno pushing." A monstrous boar with stone-like scales snorted skeptically. A serpent-lion hybrid coughed up a small, fiery ember. But Nima gave an order, and the beasts grudgingly obeyed. The largest one advanced firsta towering wolf-lizard with a barbed tail that crackled faintly with electricity. Kent gulped, focusing. With a mild swirl of intangible force, he activated the domain''s "pull," praying the creature would vanish safely. To his immense relief, the beast''s form blurred. Wisps of spiritual fog like energy coiled around it, and, after an instant''s hesitation, it vanished entirely, leaving behind a swirl of displaced air. The watchers gasped. Nima''s mouth parted in surprise, but she maintained composure. Within his mind, Kent felt a jolt as the Void Domain strained. An image of the beast roamed in the void land, seemingly stable. "Yes, it worked" he thought, trying not to show how much mental effort it cost to hold it there. He repeated the process for the next beast, and the next. Some hissed or snarled at the swirling darkness, but Nima''s stern commands kept them from panicking. One after another, the monstrous forms blurred and vanished, each absorption sending a spike of tension through Kent''s mind. After the twentieth beast, beads of sweat clung to his brow, and he had to pause to catch a breath. "You good?" Nima asked, a faint line of worry creasing her forehead. "You look like you''re about to keel over." Kent gave a shaky thumbs-up. "Just a lot of mass to store," he joked. "But I''ll manage. Let''s finish it." She nodded, waving the next group forward. No one saw anything, he and Nima were doing everything in secret. If only they knew how OP Kent became. Eventually, he absorbed the last of the fifty beasts, the final one being a pterosaur-like creature whose wings spanned a good ten feet. As it vanished into a swirl of spiritual fog. Kent nearly collapsed from the mental strain. "I have to be careful not to let them start fighting inside the domain," he realized, fighting off a wave of dizziness. "At least they seem docile if Nima truly tamed them." Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He steadied himself on a fallen pillar, panting. Nima''s lips parted in a mixture of astonishment and smug satisfaction. "So," she said quietly, her voice oddly gentle, "they''re inside you now?" Kent nodded, wiping sweat from his temples. "Safe and sound. They shouldn''t even notice the difference. The environment is just like a forest. Maybe we can figure out a feeding system later, but they''re basically in stasis for now." Nima let out a weary exhale. "We''ll see about that. But for the moment, I won''t have to walk around with a stampede behind me. Good job, Kent." Her tone was grudgingly grateful, though still layered with irritation from their earlier spat. She took a step closer, biting her lip. "Let me see them, just to be sure. Bring out one or two so I know you''re not lying." Kent''s stomach churned. "I could, but it''s safer if we wait until we''re out of the ruins. The domain is weird, it might glitch with the ruin''s spiritual field. Also, if I open it now, I risk them stampeding out. Let''s not do that. But I promise once we''re in a stable area outside, I''ll show you how they''re doing." He forced a confident grin. "Trust me, sis." Nima studied his face for a tense moment. "Alright, fine," she relented. "Just don''t betray me, or I''ll run away from..." Kent cut her off with a soft chuckle. "I know, I know. You will run away and become a princess" He retrieved a bag of bright orange snack chips from the system storage, still sealed. "Look, to calm your nervessnacks? I stored them for you before entering the ruins. Consider this an apology gesture the real apology. Now you can munch something while we figure out the next step." A flicker of surprise lit Nima''s eyes, though she tried to mask it. "You''re bribing me with chips?" she asked, sounding both amused and exasperated. Kent shrugged. "Better than nothing, right? You love snacks. We can share?" He offered the bag gingerly, praying it wouldn''t reignite her fury. He also gave her the necklace to calm her down (Skipped part). She sniffed, then snatched the bag, tearing it open. The cheese smell wafted out, and she wrinkled her nose. "Huh, cheap brand. But I guess I''ll manage," she muttered. She shoved a handful in her mouth, chewing with loud crunches that ironically echoed through the silent corridor. Some tension melted from her posture. Fatty Li came to look for them and, seeing the sight of snacks, took a hesitant step forward as if craving a taste, but a single glare from Nima sent him retreating again. Kent asked, "Harper Li, is everything alright?" Fatty Li replied, "No, everything is okay, you two were out of sight for a while, that''s why I came to check on you." While Nima crunched away, Kent let out a long breath, relieved that the immediate crisis of the beasts was resolved. He still needed to help Yang Li finalize control of the Ruin Core. And he had to be mindful of the domain''s occupantfifty monstrous underlings without any food source. It''s a challenge. In the back of his mind, the worry lingered: ''I hope they don''t starve until I find a food source." Just as Kent and Nima began to go back with fatty Li, a sudden roar of spiritual energy burst from the far side of the Ruin Core. A thunderous crash reverberated through the stone passages, sending hairline cracks skittering across the floor. Startled, Nima nearly dropped her bag of chips, and Auri let out a shrill chirp of alarm. Kent whirled around, adrenaline kicking in again. "What was that? Another wave of dark alliance scum?" he asked, stepping forward. From deeper within the complex, a battered figure sprinted into view, panting. One of the watchers, fear etched into his features. "They''re attacking!" he gasped, voice hoarse. "Level?B cultivator from the dark alliance just cornered Yang Li in the ruin''s center, again. They''re demanding the Ruin Core artifact for themselves!" The words electrified the group. Nima flared with indignation, her fists clenching around the chip bag. "Yang Li can handle a single Level?B, can''t he?" she asked, though worry laced her voice. Kent replied, "Normally, yes, but he''s exhausted from earlier fights, and this dark alliance cultivator is fresh. He has a small squad of leftover Level?C minions too. We need help, fast!" Kent drew in a breath, heart pounding with realization, "The beast problem is solved now almost solved. Nima''s Anger is gone too. Now it''s time to help Yang Li. Get the ruins core." He turned to Nima, voice urgent. "Stay here or come with me, but remember to stay alert and don''t cause any problems. We can''t let them get the Ruin Core and escape. If that artifact leaves with the dark alliance, everything we fought for will be lost in vain." Nima tossed the bag of chips to Fatty Li. "Take them," she snapped. "I''ve lost my appetite." Then she fixed Kent with a hard glare. "I''m not leaving you to hog all the glory. But the beasts are gone now, so I guess you''re the main front-liner. I will support you with Raka and Lumo." A flicker of a grin touched Kent''s lips. "I don''t need it. Make sure to keep yourself safe. Come on." He turned to the watchers. They were saying, "Let''s show them we are not pushovers. Let''s finish them." The watchers guided them down a twisting corridor lined with defaced statues. The thunderous noises ahead intensified: the clash of spiritual blasts, the roar of martial techniques, and the angry shouts of the dark alliance minions. Each step felt heavier, tension coiling in the air like a spring about to snap. Chapter 142 - 142: An Unexpected Attack Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Ruin''s central hall. It was a grand chamber lined with ominous carvings that glowed faintly. Yang Li stood near the center, sword drawn, his face haggard yet stubbornly resolute. Opposite him towered a new threat: a tall, imposing cultivator in tattered black robes, exuding a potent, fresh aura that crackled around his body. Behind him milled half a dozen Level?C fighters, all itching for a final battle. "So you''re that ''Nexus Yang Li'' I keep hearing about," the dark alliance Level?B sneered, glancing maliciously at the watchers. "Let me claim the Ruin Core artifact, or I''ll burn this place to ash." He brandished a curved blade that shimmered with menacing runes, clearly an advanced weapon. Yang Li spat on the ground. "You have no claim here," he growled, though fatigue weighed on his stance. "We overcame your allies and this ruin is under my guardianship. You want it, fight me for it. Show me what you dark alliance members are capable of." The dark alliance figure let out a cold laugh. "Oh, I will. And you''re too drained to stop me." He lunged forward, aura flaring, and their swords clashed in a brilliant shower of sparks. Kent and Nima arrived in time to see the swirling tempest of spiritual force as the two Level?B cultivators exchanged furious blows. The watchers braced themselves, while the half-dozen Level?C minions sneered at them from the flanks, clearly intending to keep interlopers at bay. Without waiting for a formal invite, Kent leapt into action. The comedic swordsman''s unorthodox style caught the lesser minions off-guard. He performed a flailing somersault that looked half-stumble, half-lucid design, weaving through the minions'' attempts to surround him. In the confusion, he jabbed one in the side, sending the foe toppling with a comedic yowl. Another, startled by Kent''s flamboyant spin, left an opening that Nima capitalized on with a brutal punch, channeling a flicker of her Soulbinding aura. A third minion, evidently the more cunning, tried to slip behind them, only to be intercepted by Auri, Raka and Lumo, who dive-bombed from overhead with a flurry of frantic attacks. The minion staggered back, clutching at a faceful of feathers and furs, and Nima finished him off using her soul scythe with a swift blow to the temple. The watchers joined the fray, helping mop up the outmaneuvered Level?C fighters. Meanwhile, Yang Li engaged the dark alliance Level?B in a fierce dance of sword arcs and spiritual energy blasts. The clang of steel reverberated across the vaulted chamber, each strike testing his stamina. Despite his exhaustion, he refused to yield ground, the blade in his hand blazing with formidable, if somewhat wavering, might. But it was obvious he was on the defensive, the dark alliance fighter pressing advantage with fresh vigor. Kent, dispatching the last of the minions in a comedic double-lunge that left him panting and them sprawling, turned to see Yang Li falter under a punishing slash that tore at the older man''s shoulder. Blood stained the battered cloth of his robe, and he staggered to one knee. The dark alliance cultivator sneered, "This is the best you can muster, Nexus? Pathetic. The Ruin Core artifact belongs to me!" Nima hissed under her breath. "We can''t let him win," she said to Kent, eyes bright with worry. "He''s strong but maybe, together, we can corner him." Kent nodded, stepping to Yang Li''s side. "Old man, you good?" he murmured, helping the older warrior stand. A pained grin twisted Yang Li''s features. "Better than your weird stance, kid," he wheezed, though gratitude shone in his eyes. Then he raised his sword. "Let''s end this." They attacked in tandem. Nima unleashed a wave of Soulbinding chains that briefly tangled the dark alliance fighter''s ankles. Yang Li followed with a direct slash, forcing the enemy onto the defensive. Kent capitalized on the moment by unleashing a soul Slasher dagger charge, deliberately stumbling in a way that forced the foe to pivot awkwardly. The synergy of unpredictable comedic move, standard swordplay, and Soulbinding aura began to erode the dark alliance fighter''s confidence. Enraged, the Level?B foe roared and unleashed a swirling torrent of destructive energy. It blasted across the chamber, shattering pillars and raining debris. Kent ducked behind a half-collapsed statue as dust enveloped the room. Through the haze, he saw Nima cry out in shock and leap aside, Soul chains flailing in disarray. Yang Li took the brunt of it on his sword, but the sheer force drove him back with a ragged gasp. "Enough games!" the dark alliance warrior thundered, aura flaring. "Die or surrender!" Panting, Kent realized this had to end soon. He met Nima''s eyes across the swirling dust. She gave a brief, grim nod, and they sprang into action simultaneously. Nima flung a final wave of binding threads at the foe''s legs, forcing him off-balance, while Kent leapt from behind, channeling an illusions with his architect of creation skill into a feint that made it look like he was diving in from the left. The startled enemy turned that way, leaving his right flank open. Where Yang Li, summoning the last of his battered strength, drove his blade in a decisive arc. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The dark alliance Level?B let out a snarl of stunned fury. He staggered backward, a deep slash running across his chest. With a tortured hiss, he tried to raise his weapon once more, but Nima''s threads constricted, and a comedic trip from Kent sent him crashing to the floor. Yang Li, sword brimming with righteous finality, slammed the hilt into the enemy''s temple, rendering him unconscious. A hush fell. The watchers and battered students let out cheers of relief as the last formidable foe lay defeated. Darkness and dust swirled in the chamber, gradually settling to reveal the battered silhouettes of Kent, Nima, and Yang Li standing triumphant. A flicker of battered pride crossed Yang Li''s face. "Kid you and your sister do a decent job," he huffed, trying to maintain his stoic facade. Kent managed a grin, ignoring the burning ache in his limbs. "All in a day''s chaos, old man," he replied, voice trembling with both exhaustion and relief. Nima said nothing, just offered Kent a sidelong look that conveyed grudging respect for their combined victory. The fractured hall of the Ruin Core still echoed with the earlier clash of blades and roaring spiritual energy, yet a hush now blanketed the survivors. Nexus Yang Li''s boots scraped softly on broken flagstones as he strode toward the raised stone dais: six steps worn smooth by time, every riser etched with glyphs that shimmered like moon?silver. Atop that dais hovered the Ruin Core Orba grapefruit?sized sphere of living radiance whose interior swirled in slow ribbons of turquoise, amber, and starlight white. Kent hovered ten paces back, fingertips brushing Soul Slasher''s hilt. Sweat cooled on his neck. "If Yang Li takes the orb, this whole sub?dimension folds and we will be sent out" A tiny part of him still itched to swipe the Core for his system mission, but the older man had earned the right; besides, fifty hidden beasts in his Void Domain might complicate any unscheduled dimensional hop. Nima, arms crossed, lingered near a toppled column with Auri perched on her shoulder and Raka''s hooded form poised at her back. Lumo, the soul?bear, rumbled quietly, amber eyes reflecting the orb''s light. Fatty Li crumbs dotting his robe, eyes darting between Kent and Nima as if expecting another sibling explosion. Yang Li mounted the first step. The glyphs flared brighter, reacting to his Level?B aura. He reached the third step and the whole dais shuddered. A metallic CRACK rang out, as though a gargantuan bolt had been snapped. Dust rained from the vaulted ceiling. Everyone froze. Yang Li halted mid?stride, sword half?drawn. "Formation shift?" he muttered. Kent felt it next: the floor vibrated not horizontally, like common seismic tremor but vertically, as though something rooted below was pushing upward in tremendous, rhythmic pulses. The orb''s gentle swirl turned violent, colors sloshing like liquid in a storm?jar. Symbols on the plinth gutters flashed from silver to deep forest green. "Uh, old man?" Kent called. "That look normal to you?" Yang Li''s only reply was to leap back, rejoining Kent in the center of the hall. His eyes narrowed. "Guardians often die with their ruins," he said, voice low, "but some slumber until the core is disturbed." The floor at the dais''s base bulged. Stone cracked. From the fissure erupted a thick tendril of bark, a bark layered over black iron wood, each ring banded with jade motes. It slammed down onto the flagstones like a siege hammer, shattering a crater two metres wide. A chorus of similar fissures spiraled outward. Roots coiled through the ground, ripping masonry as if the slabs were parchment. A hush turned to screaming wind as an ancient presence unfurled. The orb rose higher, wreathed in vines that cradled it like a seed in a pod. Those vines thickened, twining upward until they formed a towering trunk fifteen metres tall. Branches unfurled, sprouting dagger?leaf limbs, each leaf etched with ruin?script. Between the boughs coalesced a vague humanoid torso, wooden chest, arms ending in root?talons, crown of antler?like branches. Chapter 143 - 143: Roots and Burning Leaves A single eye of emerald flame opened in the "face." A bass voice reverberated without lips, "Intruders severed the sentinel chain You would pluck the Heartseed?" Kent swallowed. "Tree?people aren''t supposed to talk that menacingly." System notifications pop?up: [Ding! Guardian Awakens: Ruinsong Elderwood Rank: Level?B (early) Sub?Affinities: Wood / Life?Drain / Entropic Sap Intelligence: High] Ruinsong Elderwood. Kent''s grin twitched. "Great. Level?B tree. Now we have to fight this tree." Without warning, a volley of root?spears shot from the floor. Nexus Yang Li danced sideways, blade flashing; splinters burst where steel sliced wood. Kent vaulted over a stabbing tendril, landing beside Nima. "Support position," Yang Li gave the order. His aura erupted: translucent dragon scales rippled across his shoulders, a martial manifestation of Azure Submerging Draconic?Style. With a bellow he charged, sword poised to hew trunk from root. Kent flicked Soul Slasher into a reverse grip. "Nima, support me!" Kent said with a loud voice. Nima answered with a snap: Raka blurred forward, her soul chains extending to bind an exposed root; Lumo with his battle form lumbered opposite, spectral claws glowing. Auri spiraled above, keeping out of melee but ready to dive?bomb with his claws. The rune core guardian responded by slamming both root and hands together. A shock ring of lime?green pollen exploded outward. Yang Li skidded, raising a spiritual energy barrier. Kent coughed as a prickling itch crawled over his skin, poison spores trying to leech vitality. Frost?Flame flared reflexively along his arms, neutralizing the invasive motes with sub zero burn. "Frost fire field! Now!" he yelled. Icy cold flames fanned from his palms, blanketing an oncoming briar?wall in rime and halting its advance. Steam hissed as vines tried to thaw. Yang Li vaulted up the ice ramp Kent created, spinning overhead to deliver a descending arc. His sword, wreathed in glacial spiritual energy, cleaved a limb clean away. Sappy ichor splattered the stones, sizzling like acid. SP nonfiction Popup from the system: Ding! +400 SP copied from Elderwood (frustration). Ding! +750 SP copied from Elderwood (pain). Kent''s SSS-Rank skill Copy Spiritual Energy, loved sap suffering. The guardian shrieked, its timbre like creaking glaciers. Severed limb convulsed, growing side?shoots that speared toward Yang Li''s flank. Nima whistled; Lumo barreled in, intercepting the shoots with a cross?swipe, spectral bear?claws shattering them. Nima''s soul chains wrapped another root, yank?snapping it aside. But woody fibers resisted when Raka attacked, his arm blurred as he channeled more soulforce. Meanwhile Kent conjured his Hellfire, inky black flames streaked with fire around his soul Slasher dagger. "Let''s see if you''re kiln?dried!" He lunged, performing an exaggerated cartwheel halfway to throw off root tracking, then slashed a diagonal across the trunk. Hellfire bit deep, carving a charred groove that glowed ember bright. Where typical flames might feed the wood, Hellfire consumed spiritual integrity, eroding essence. System notifications comes: Ding! +999 SP copied from Elderwood (terror). Ding! +999 SP copied from Elderwood (terror). Ding! +999 SP copied from Elderwood (terror). The guardian reeled, but planted talons into the floor, channeling luminous sap into the wound. In seconds char coalesced to fresh bark; the groove sealed. Regeneration exactly what Yang Li had warned of. "Kid," the older cultivator called mid?leap, "we must rupture its Heartseed simultaneously, too much healing otherwise!" Kent''s eyes flicked to the orb still suspended as a "heart" at the trunk''s core, pulsing behind lattice vines. "Copy that!" At Kent''s latest slash, the Elderwood roared. Glyphs along its leaves ignited. All around the dais, shattered masonry shifted, rooting into earthen bulges. Six satellite tree?stumps sprang up, each extruding a blossom that unfurled into wooden effigies a mini?Guardians, Level?C puppets drawing from the main trunk''s vitality. Nima groaned. "Mini?bosses? Really?" Yang Li''s aura brightened; veins of spiritual energy crackled around his blade. "I''ll keep the minis busy," he said. "Kid prepare your strongest attack. Your fire seems to be the weakness of this tree. When I pin the trunk, you smash the Heartseed." "Roger that!" Kent called. He skidded back, palms gathering twin fires. On his left palm seethed black?red Hellfire, on his right palm spiralled cold icy Frost?Flame. Their opposing temperatures distorted the air. Sweat froze on his right sleeve while smoke curled off the left. Nima repositioned behind Kent. "Raka, stall one puppet. Lumo, guard Kent." She whistled. Auri and Fatty Li were watching from the sidelines. The watchers were also fighting with the Level-C mini bosses. Yang Li blurred, dragon?scaled aura tackling a puppet, then he stepped across to sever another''s neck. Emerald sap geysered. He used the recoil to launch skyward, sword overhead. Up high, he roared "Azure Sky?Cleft!" A draconic howl echoed; his blade discharged a crescent wave of condensed chi, splitting the main trunk down its centerline. Bark parted, revealing the glowing ruin Core Orb, the Heartseed nestled in woody ventricles. "Now!" He yelled. Kent slammed his palms together. Hellfire and Frost?Flame coalesced into a swirling yin?yang like disc: center black?crimson, rim icy blue. He hurled it like a discus. As it flew, the disc shrieked, spewing sparks and snowflakes. The Heartseed tried to seal its vines by knitting, but Yang Li jabbed his blade into the split, forcing it to keep open. The fire disc hit on the spot. BOOOOM! A blast of super?heated steam and black cinders erupted. The entire guardian convulsed. It''s branches thrashing, puppets freezing mid?attack. Emerald eyes shattered, green energy extinguished. Kent skidded backward from the shockwave, sliding on rubble, chest heaving. SP numbers cascaded like slot?machine payouts. Ding! +1999 SP copied from Elderwood (agony). Ding! +2000SP copied from Elderwood (Fear). But the Elderwood didn''t fall. From the gaping hole sprouted a lattice of root?flesh, forming a half?dome shielding the Heartseed, now cracked but glowing brighter. The wooden ruins core guardian let out a guttural groan and slammed a hand into the floor. Roots radiated in a circle, weaving upwards to form a Root Cage of ten metre tall woody bars that encircled Kent, Nima, Yang Li, and a few Watchers, effectively trapping them in an arena within the hall. Outside the cage, surviving puppets withdrew, bowing heads as they channelled energy into the main body. Bark knitted at terrifying speed. Kent wiped soot from his cheek. "It''s regenerating even faster. Nexus Yang Li now, What should we do?" Yang Li planted his sword, aura flickering. "This cage isolates us. If it finishes healing, we''re in trouble. It will become very difficult to defeat the rune core guardian." Nima stepped between two bars, testing them; spectral sparks zapped her hand. "Root wall is alive, it''s paralyzing upon touch." She glanced at Kent. "Got any idea?" He flexed his fingers, feeling frostburn prickling nerves. "I can merge Hellfire and Frost again, but it will take some time." Yang Li exhaled. "Then I''ll cut a breach for as long as I can. Kid, condense your flames in that gap." He glanced at Nima. "My future disciple, you make sure Kent doesn''t get attacked by any vines." S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nima scowled at being ordered, but nodded, too much at stake. "Raka, soul?lock the core on my mark. Lumo, you defend Kent if he gets attacked." Outside the cage, Fatty Li shook the bars, wailing, "Grandpabe careful!" Kent inhaled, pulling both flames again, but this time compressing into a tight comet the size of a grapefruit. Power screamed inside his body. Blood vessels flared under skin. Vision tunneled red. The guardian reared, raising a trunk?thick arm, bark now plated with jade?hard sap. Yang Li burst forward, his spiritual energy glowing white?hot. He impaled his blade into the arm joint, pivoted off it, and executed a buzz?saw spin, severing the limb at the elbow. Sap geysered but the limb regrew like a hydra neck. Nevertheless, the interruption destabilized the cage; a two?metre section fizzled. "Now, brat!" Nima snapped: "Raka!" The soul?servant and Nima''s chains shot from the ground, phasing through bark to coil around the exposed Heartseed, hampering its self?sealing. Raka attacked with some strong punches. Kent roared, hurling the compressed Hell?Frost fire comet through the breach. The ball detonated inside the trunk, temperature extremes imploding into a thermo?spiritual like nova. A soundless white flash erased detail. A furnace wind blasted outward. Bars withered, crumbling to ash. Puppets outside staggered, sap lines turning to ice crystals before collapsing. When sight returned, the Ruin core guardian Elderwood stood like a statue?still, trunk blackened and rimmed. A jagged hole gaped where its core had been; obsidian frost coated the cavity. Cracks ran up its body, branching like lightning scars. It took a wobbling step and shattered. Segments fell, dissolving mid?air into motes of withered leaves that drifted to the stones before vanishing altogether. Silence was broken only by Kent''s ragged breathing and the distant echo of falling rubble. System windows flooded: [Ding! System notifications Guardian defeated. Many SP notifications of the Guardian dying emotion.] Kent managed a weary chuckle. "Nice tree?hugger therapy session." Then his knees buckled. Nima darted in, catching him under one arm. Frostbite veined his right forearm; Hellfire scorch marbled his left. Chapter 144 - 144: A World Re?entered, a Mission Completed Yang Li stood, chest rising like bellows, gaze fixed on the orb that had re?emerged, now freed of vines but dimmed. "Its final defense," he murmured. "The Ruin Core is stable again." He climbed the dais. This time no vine resisted. Fingers circled the orb. Glyphs rotated, then calmeda silent pledge of transfer. Brightness pulsed once, then settled into a steady glow under his palm. The hall''s ceiling groaned as the orb''s new linkage triggered realm?collapse. Yang Li stepped down and addressed them: "Everyone the core claimed. This ruin will be closed. Find footing, center your chi. Evacuation begins in thirty breaths." Stonework lit with circuitry?like veins of light. Air pressure shifted. Nima propped Kent against Lumo''s furry flank. "Big brother, You good?" He grinned through grit teeth. "Roasted on one side, flash?frozen on the other, yeah, just need a few minutes of rest." Outside the shattered cage ring, Fatty Li waddled over, eyes wide. Auri was beside him with awe. Then, Veins of light brightened to blinding white. Dust rose in zero?gravity motes. Space itself folded like paper. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hold tight!" Yang Li barked. The orb flared and the ruin imploded into luminous shards. There was no warning, no final groan of stone, no trumpet of victory. Only light. An expanding sphere of white swallowed Kent''s vision, devoured the broken hall, erased every shard of bark and every glyph?scored flagstone. Sound collapsed to a single, high chime. Heat and cold vanished together; even gravity seemed to forget its job. "So this is what a ruin?shutdown feels like," Nima thought in the floating hush. Meanwhile Kent Hope the Void Domain doesn''t puke fifty beasts into bureaucratic headquarters. Instinct had him clutch Nima''s elbow with his left hand, the Hellfire arm, still warm while his right, rimed in frost scars, gripped Lumo''s shaggy fur. Around them he sensed presences: Yang Li a little ahead, spiritual energy coiled tight; Auri fluttering in slow?motion near Kent''s ear; Raka''s silhouette blurring like an ink stain; the unlucky Fatty Li whirling in a chip?crumb constellation. Then the light snapped off. They fell the height of a small step and landed on springy grass. Real grass. A chilly mountain breeze replaced the ruin''s stifling dust. Birdsong, distant members'' voices from camp murmured in the air, the faint bark of a dog mundane sounds poured in, so startlingly normal that Kent''s ears rang. They stood at the base of a stone archway that had once housed the ruin''s dimensional gate. Now it was nothing but an empty granite frame sealed with unlit glyph?mortared bricks. Around it sprawled the half?collapsed courtyard of an abandoned shrine, a quarantine buffer zone the government had cleared weeks earlier. Tents, supply crates, and medical stations dotted the slope beyond; watchers in forest?green flak robes jolted upright as the survivors appeared. The group that had fought so hard minutes ago now resembled a bedraggled army of refugees: robes shredded, armor dented, spiritual energy flickering like spent candles. Even Yang Li, ironclad nexus elder, swung the Core Orb in one tired fist as if it weighed a tonne. For one heartbeat the campsite was silent, the outside?personnel gaping. Then the watchers erupted: medics rushed forward, stretcher crews sprinted, recorders unholstered data?slates. Nima released Kent''s sleeve and sagged onto a fallen column. "We we actually made it." She tried to sound triumphant but yawned halfway through. Auri crash?landed in her lap, equally spent. Kent''s own knees trembled. He drew a slow breath, letting clean air soothe lungs scorched by Hell?Frost backlash. A floating interface bloomed across his vision. [Ding! System Mission: Clear the Azure Forest Ruin. Two options were given on the mental interface: Option One: wander off until the ruin is cleared. Reward: 10 drops of blood. Option Two: Find the core of the ruin and clear it. Reward: Unknown.] [Ding!?Mission complete: Clear the Azure Forest Ruin. Option One: wander off until the ruin is cleared. Reward: 10 drops of blood. Status: Completed.] Below the header two tabs he had glimpsed on the first day re?appeared, greyed out now except for tick marks: [Calculating reward Primary reward: 10 drops of True Phoenix Blood (auto?stored in system Inventory)] Kent blinked. A shiver of giddy dread chased exhaustion from his marrow. "True True Phoenix Blood?" That stuff topped legendary auctions, a mythic elixir rumoured to resurrect flesh or ignite extinct bloodlines. One drop could buy a city block; ten was insane. He also noticed a faint italic footnote: [Fruit?price escalation confirmed: 100 000 000 SP each C "You should seek alternative advancement paths."] Kent almost groaned aloud but restrained himself; medics were hovering around everywhere. Yang Li stepped forward, Core Orb tucked beneath one arm, and addressed the ranks of watchers in an even baritone. "Ruin is cleared. We collected the Ruin core. Dark alliance failed their mission." Then he reeled off a list of casualty codes, injuries, artifact salvage tallies. The supervising officer an elderly woman with a steely bun holding a tablet in her hands, saluted him, then eyed Kent and Nima''s ragtag crew. "Are you okay? Tell me what treasure you collected inside the ruins? I need to record it." Kent replied, "Old lady I am injured. I can''t talk much. I already told everything to Nexus Yang Li. Me and my little sister like to leave. We need a rest." Yang Li''s mouth twitched while listening to Kent, then he thinks "This kid doesn''t want to record his treasure. He helped me a lot. Without him I wouldn''t be able to secure the Ruin core. In the worst situation I might have been on death bed. His little sister is my future discipleI will give him face this time. Then say''s out loud, "His contribution will be recorded by me personally. He is the biggest contributor of this expedition." The officer scribbled. "Then tell me your Name. I need to record that you made it alive." Kent straightened, tried to look halfway formal despite scorched sleeves. "Kentuh, Kent from metro city, provisional tier-3 Watcher trainee." Felt silly in front of hardened operatives, but Yang Li nodded as if to cement it. A pair of medics attempted to usher him toward a stretcher; he waved them off. "Save it for the broken limbs, folks, I just need a cold drink and a bath." Nima snorted but hid a worried glance at the frost?veined arm he kept tucked behind. Yang Li finished his report, then turned to Kent and Nima privately. "Official debriefing will follow, but for now rest. A transport convoy leaves in one hour." He hesitated, rare vulnerability crossing his stern features then placed a calloused hand on Kent''s shoulder. "Well fought, kid. I hope you''ll remember your promise, and put some good words for me." (He meant Kent saying good things to Nima about him and the benefits of becoming his disciple.) Without waiting for a reply, he strode off, orb humming faintly. Fatty Li waddled after him shouting, "Grandpa Yang! Wait up! I need to talk to you. I want to live in the metro city." Their conversation continued. Auri was sleeping inside Kent''s hood, burbling "chip?chip" snores. Kent snagged a water bottle from supply crates, guzzled half. Every swallow felt like pouring rain on a foundry. He flexed each hand: the Hellfire side tingled; the Frost side numb. "I need to heal first," he admitted. But curiosity overrode pain. He opened his system inventory Rewards. A crystalline vial glowed: True Phoenix Blood (10 drops). Each drop flickered gold?scarlet, emitting a faint bird?song when he tapped the glass. "System, what''s the usage of this?" Kent asked. [Ding! System Notifications: Bestow upon avian or fire?affinity entity to awaken dormant phoenix lineage. Secondary: Temper the user meridians.] He immediately thought of Auri''s diluted phenix bloodline. This could be beneficial to Auri. They were still in the campsite, which wasn''t a place for sacred rituals. "First return to the city, then find a hotel, after that shower and food. Then I will think about using these ten drops of blood on Auri." Kent murmured to himself. He dismissed the system interface, then confronted his little sister. "Nima, what are you doing?" Nima had commandeered a supply crate as a makeshift throne, ankles swinging. When Kent approached asking the question, she lifted chin. "I am resting like a princess. Big brother, because of your burned clothes you look like a homeless beggar." "You too," he countered, flicking a charred hem of her tunic. "We look like we escaped a barbecue." She scowled but fatigue softened it. "So my underlings beasts? Are they safe?" Kent crouched so no one else overheard and activated a tiny slit?portal in the air, just large enough for the nose of her favourite horned rabbit to poke through and sniff. Nima''s eyes widened, fury replaced by awe. "They''re fine," he whispered. "But listen, we can''t let these fifty magical animals into the world. It''s not a not smart move. My super secret pocket?land ability. They''ll roam acres of fields inside there, supervised by some, uh, caretaker sprite" Chapter 145 - 145: Using The True Phoenix Blood on Auri. She narrowed eyes. "Caretaker sprite? What are those? Where did you get them? Are you lying to me? It sounds fake to me. Let me go inside your new power. I want to see my beast." "Totally real. It''s not fake. There are few of them. Don''t worry. Soon, I will find a way to feed them." He replied with a panicked voice. He was scared Nima would cause who knows what types of chaos if Kent let her roam around with Fifty beasts. Her glare lingered then a tiny laugh slipped. "You''re hopeless, big brother. Fine. I''ll visit them later. But you better feed them gourmet food. I want them to be healthy. Otherwise how will they fight for me?" "Of course, I will give them Five?star room service," he promised to Nima, tapping chest solemnly. To divert further queries, he produced a fresh jumbo pouch of honey?glazed chips from inventory (purchased weeks ago; kept for emergencies). "Peace offering." Nima snatched it, ripped its sleeve, and devoured the first handful with a growl of approval. "Truce accepted for now." Kent also meets with his friends. Ethan and Mia. Inside the ruin they didn''t get a chance to meet. Outside Kent sees his friend are okay. He was happy seeing them. Then Kent eats some physique enhancement fruits from the system and some recovery pills. After some time he was all better. Most of his injuries were gone. He chatted with them for a while. An hour later, a convoy of Watchers came with a supply truck rumbled down the mountain track. Survivors filed students, watchers, Yang Li in a command jeep. Kent and Nima snagged window seats in the back of the jeep. Fatty Li squeezed beside them, he was hugging an IV bag of glucose. As the coach descended serpentine roads, Kent felt tension ebb. The sun dipped toward late afternoon, turning pine ridges gold. Nima dozed, head on his shoulder, chip bag empty in lap. Auri nested in her hair. The Azure Ruin campsite area slowly vanished beyond cliffs; the ordeal became a memory to cherish. A few hours later, city towers speared the horizon, crystal?steel spires of New Qilin Metropolis shining neon. The convoy rolled into a secured provincial branch of the Watcher Bureau. Floodlights bathed reinforced gates; drones buzzed overhead. Inside the plaza, an announcement board displayed casualty stats. Sobs, cheers, exhausted laughter mingled. Kent guided groggy Nima to a registration kiosk, where biometric tablets logged survivors. Kent wanted to go to a hotel but Yan LI brought them to a watcher Bureau. There they take a bath. Then .. A lieutenant handed them a Ruin Clearance Compensation, an envelope standard stipend for all young ones, inside was 3000 dollars and a meal voucher. Kent pocketed it, amused how mundane bureaucracy felt. Then they eat until their belly is about to burst. Suddenly, Yang Li emerged from a side wing, now clad in crisp white uniform, medals glinting. He clasped Kent''s forearm. "I''ve filed commendation Tier III on your names. Headquarters will process within a month. You will be officially a tier-3 Watcher." His voice lowered. "Did you say some good words for me?" Should I talk to her?" Kent nodded, heart pounding at mention of becoming an official. "I I am a government official now? What''s my salary? Each month, How many spiritual stones will I get?" Yang Li offered a rare smile. "For now, rest. You will know everything on your appointment letter. I have to go, a bureaucratic mountain is waiting for me." The moment Yang Li left The siblings slipped away from the watcher office. Thirty minutes later, Kent booked a discreet twin bed room in Jade?Lantern Boutique Hotel, a mid?range high?rise with private vitality baths. Using the three thousand dollars, he bribed the desk clerk and told him not to disturb them even if it''s the end of the world. They need a good sleep. Room 1207 smelled of fresh flowers and orange blossom diffuser. Two futons, a teak desk, and a glass balcony overlooking neon canals. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as they entered the room, Nima''s face?planted onto the bed. "Good night, big brother." Auri perched atop the mini fridge, blinking. Kent locked the door, drew curtains, and dimmed lights until only moonlight spilled across the curtains. "Time to use phoenix blood." Kent murdered. He summoned the vial. The liquid glowed, painting gold arcs on walls. Auri cocked head, instinct humming. "Ready, buddy?" Kent whispered. The bird chirped, extending the injured wing. Bandages already looked looser thanks to ruin?field vitality, but bones still mended. Kent uncorked the blood vial and a spicy cinnamon flame like scent filled the room. He tipped one drop onto Auri''s beak. It vanished in a spark. The bird''s eyes flared solar white, feathers rustling. He continued with a second drop, then third, until four drops were absorbed. Unsure how much a palm?sized bird could handle, but continue. Soon all ten drops of true phenix blood was absorbed by Auri. Auri trembled. Tiny silhouette glowed from within; veins lit molten orange. Feathers smoked but did not burn. A whoosh of hot wind surged; neon adverts outside flickered as ambient energy bent inward. Kent''s system bleeped: [Ding! System notifications: Assimilation in progress 5 % 10 %... ] Auri''s tail plumes elongated, tips blazing scarlet. Wing membranes thickened; wound closed with crackling spark. At 10 % assimilation the glow dimmed; the bird wobbled but stayed conscious. System finalised: [Species: Emberling Sparrow Emberling Phoenix?Spark Fledgling (Bloodline purity 10%). Cultivation: E?rank D?rank (early). Inborn skill unlocked: Ash?Flight Rebirth (auto?trigger revival)] Auri squeaked, a musical trill that echoed deeper than before and flapped once. A halo of sparks spiralled, then extinguished harmlessly in the room. He pulled a face towel, wiped sweat, and offered water. Auri drank greedily, then nuzzled his knuckle, utterly radiant. "Congrats, Auri," Kent murmured. "You just levelled up your cultivation and unlocked your true potential." CHIRP! "Yeah, I level up. I am stronger now. I feel something has changed inside me. If I meet those robbers again I can beat the shit out of them." Kent pat Auri for a while. Then both of them fall asleep. Next morning, the Sun filtered through paper screens. Kent was woken up by Nima. She was shaking his shoulder. Her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed from eleven hours of rest. "Breakfast!" she yelled. Then she looked at Auri, who was sleeping under the blanket, plumage now sunset red. "Why''s he glowing?" Nima asked. Kent coughed, "Auri just levelled up." She sniffed, "After we eat, beast?tour. You promised." Kent became pale thinking, "I still haven''t tested if I can take a human inside my void domain or not." Then he changed the topic saying, "Uh, Last night I was told today the hotel kitchen will hold an open buffet, let''s not waste any time! Otherwise good food will be eaten by others." Nima didn''t press on about meeting the beast. She immediately pulled Kent out of the bed. "Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up big brother. I am very hungry." Kent quickly gets himself ready. Then they leave the room. After going downstairs they immediately went to the buffet and started eating rice porridge, pork buns, mango pudding, ice cream, and many more. Auri only drank cold drinks and juice. After eating they went back to the room. Back upstairs, "Time for treasure tally." She dumped all the loot from her bracelet across the bed, spirit stones, chipped jade tokens, ruined?era bronze prayer wheels, a meter?long serpent scale, many broken spiritual tools, some small statues and something that looked suspiciously like a cursed box. Auri added his loot, mini starlight orbs, a silver coin engraved with triple moons, and several moss?wrapped crystal clumps. Many more old and half broken stuff. Nima leaned forward, arms akimbo. "So, big brother. Step one: Sell everything here. Step two: Buy me a big house. Step three: I will raise my beast there. What do you think? Isn''t it a good plan? If I raise my beast on my own land then the government can''t do anything right?" Kent was shocked by her statement, he replied, "Nima, you can''t raise your beast without government permission. It''s not about the land or place. They won''t let someone raise fifty beasts. Even if we got permission After you get in the school you can''t take care of the beasts. I will let you play with them soon. Once we get back home. Just be patient. We will keep the useful things from this pile of treasure and sell the rest of them." "Alright big brother, I will wait until we go back home. But How much can I get for my treasures? I want to buy snacks with all the money." Nima asked. Kent replied, "I don''t know. We have to find it by going to a treasure shop. But I can ask Ethan to help us sell everything. I will contact him later. First let''s find out what''s item are useful..." Chapter 146 - 146: Runes in the Morning Light Kent eased the suite''s door shut with his heel and let the latch click home. Room 1207 smelled of orange?blossom diffuser and the salt?butter haze of the hotel''s breakfast buffet that still clung to their clothes. On the twin futons, now stripped of sheets and a knee?high hill of ruin?loot glimmered in the sunlight pouring through the balcony glass. Nima marched straight to it, still licking sugar glaze from her fingertips. "All right, big brother, no more delays. Find out what''s useful to us. Then we will sell the rest of the useless treasure, buy land, raise my beasts, and the end." She folded her arms with the finality of a general issuing an ultimatum. Auri, wings newly edged in sunset red since last night''s phoenix?blood infusion, fluttered to the bed?rail and chirped once, chip! "Let''s see the haul." Kent rubbed the heel of his palm across gritty eyelids thinking, "Twenty hours ago I was bleeding on ruins stones," he thought. "Now I''m chief appraiser for a miniature warlord and her phoenix sidekick." Aloud he said, "Deal, but sit tight. It takes focus to sort treasure from trash. I have to use all my powers. You both should give me some fee''s." He was acting with a serious face. In reality, He only needs to order his system to find out everything. Nima''s eyes narrowed. "I pay in snacks for the fee. Get on with it." Kent knelt, flattened a space on the tatami, and touched two fingers to the first relic, a cracked bronze prayer wheel sticky with moss. A cool cascade of ghost?letters unfurled across the back of his mind like pale ink pouring into water. He ordered, "System use appraisal on every treasure." [Ding! System Notifications: Appraisal Flair activated. Cost: 50 thousand SP. Batch scan: 17 discrete objects detected.] He kept his face blank. Nima and Auri never saw the neon glyphs that only he could read. Object #1 C Bronzed Prayer Wheel Era: Meridi?period (common) Spiritual conductivity: 12 % (warped spindle) Market value: negligible "Door?stop," Kent muttered, and slid it toward the ''sell cheap'' pile. Item after item passed beneath his fingers, the System issuing silent verdicts that he translated to mundane shorthand for Nima. "Serpent scale, pulverise for antidote powder, keep it. Obsidian tiger fang, forge ornament, keep. Spiritual compass? Cracked beyond repair, junk." Nima grunted approval or disappointment depending on each call, her toe tapping a restless cadence on the tatami. Auri leaned over his shoulder, head cocked. Every so often he pecked a pebble of loose jade off the futon and flicked it into the rubbish bowl with lethal accuracy. Half the mound dwindled under Kent''s triage. A battered yak?dung alchemy cube passed his palms; the System flashed a skull icon along with Odour: catastrophic. Kent grimaced and flung it into the waste sack. "That one we burn outside." At the bottom, half?buried beneath torn silk, lay a dull silver coin about the size of his thumbprint. The instant skin met metal, static tingled up his wrist and the System''s font flared brilliant white. Object #17 C Rune Coin Fragment Sigils active: 16 / 33 (incomplete) Crafter info: Meridian Dynasty Arbiter Core Compatibility with User skill (Architect of Creation): 100 % Status: repairable Advisory: Restoring missing glyphs may trigger major design epiphany. Kent''s breath caught. Sixteen of thirty?three that''s half a formation matrix. Auri chirped sharply, Chip! "That! The one I almost died for!" ...and hopped onto Kent''s knee, wounded wing twitching in remembered pain. Nima squinted at the tarnished disc. "Looks boring. Is it cursed?" "Not cursed," Kent murmured, heart thudding. "It''s potential." He rolled the coin between finger and thumb, feeling the half?etched grooves like tiny dry riverbeds. Seventeen blank sockets waited to be filled. [System notifications: Architect of creation skill can engrave missing sigils. Estimated time: 18C22 minutes. Success chance: 100 %.] He inhaled thinking, "If the System promised certainty, only a fool hesitated." Okay," he said aloud. "I need a privacy bubble. Twenty minutes, no questions." Nima raised a brow. "Twenty minutes, then give us some snacks to pass the time. We will watch TV and eat snacks." Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Deal." Without a word she snapped her fingers. Raka, her shadow?bound soul servant oozed from the floorboards like living dusk and unfurled a circular veil of smoky silence around Kent''s corner of the room. The world outside was muffled; even distant street horns vanished. Kent laid the coin on the tatami, set three mid?grade spiritual stones in a triangular brace, and called forth his dual flame thread: hellfire black on his left forefinger, frostfire blue on the right. Twisted together, the two fires formed a needle?thin chisel of violet light. He closed his eyes and let the missing sigils blossom across inner vision: spirals, feathers, petals, zig?zagsall pieces of a greater mandala that promised motion without friction and power without waste. One by one he etched them, silver sizzling under each microscopic stroke. He whispered each name as he worked, a litany only the System and the sleeping walls heard. "Flow?Convergence, guides turbulence into laminar streams." "Pulse?Equaliser, bleeds surges, prevents overload." "Sky?Lift, feather in a ring, converts spiritual energy to upward thrust." "Earth?Stillness, square round, cancels drift." "Spirit?Drift, vent line, safe qi exhaust." "Heaven?Sight, horizon eye, magnifies detection arrays." "Weight?Feather, slanted bar over dot, halves apparent mass." "Harmony?Calm, four?petal knots, stops rune resonance fights." "Shock?Baffle, jagged shield, drink impact." "Glow?Way, lantern glyph, free low?level light." "Wind?Shear, curved blade, cleaves air drag." "Unity?Node, single haloed point, locks all others in synergy." When the Unity?Node dot sank, a white pulse raced through every line. The fracture that had bisected the coin knitted shut like reverse lightning. Metal chimed a clear, bell?pure tone that resonated in Kent''s bones. Behind his eyelids floodgates opened: weight ratios, tensor curves, energy feedback maps poured into cognition. It felt like watching a hundred?layer blueprint unravel and knit back together around a central axis of perfect balance. [Ding! System notifications: Rune Coin is restored. EPIPHANY triggered. Skill New Skill: Rune Matrix Design. Level: Intermediate New conceptual blueprint: Modular Sky Skimmer, Class one. ] Kent''s eyes snapped open inside the veil. The coin now glowed soft pearls instead of dull pewter. "Now, I can create a flying boat," he thought, the blueprint hovering crystalline behind his brow: ribbed keel, tri?fin foils, lift runes nested in weight?feather arrays. And he saw how Wind?Shear turbines could feed Spirit?Drift vents to sustain motion with minimal spiritual stone drain. "First things first," he replied silently, pocketing the coin in a jade slip case. "I need materials for a flying boat." He exhaled and signalled Raka to drop the veil. The hotel room''s noise returned: distant pipes, city traffic hum, Nima and Auri were watching TV while eating bags of chips. Seeing Kent was finished with his work. She leaned forward. "Well?" Kent laid the shining coin on the table. "Fully repaired. Think of it asthe ignition key to our future sky?deck." Auri trilled awe. Tiny sparks danced along his new crimson tail feathers. Nima, after a low whistle, squinted. "What are you talking about? I don''t understand. What a sky deck!." "Its a secret you will know later. You wanted this for a long time. Just wait, I will give you a big surprise.," Kent said and kept a mysterious look on his face. " Huh! It''s better to be a good surprise, big brother." Nima squatted beside him as he unrolled blank vellum and, charcoal flying, sketched hull lines while epiphany still blazed hot. Auri hopped from page edge to page edge, careful not to smudge wet strokes. "What''s that fin thing?" Nima asked. "Wind?Shear blade and slices airflow, reduces drag." "And those dots?" "Weight?Feather runes. They make something feel half its real mass to gravity." She flashed thumbs?up. "Approved. But what are we going to use it on?" "It''s a mystery. Now, don''t disturb me. I have more work to do." He worked another ten minutes, labelling each rune cluster, Sky?Lift under the keel, Shock?Baffles at prow and stern, Harmony?Calms woven through every joint. At last he sat back, charcoal?smeared and exhilarated. "Blueprint v?0.1 is complete." Now he only needed the materials. Nima rested her chin on the futon edge, half?smile tugging. "You look happier." "Of course, I am happy. I finally finished my work." Kent replied. Then he rose up, wiped hands on a towel. "Phase one done. Phase two, convert trash to cash." Auri chirped agreement. Nima bounced up. "Shopping spree time." Within the hour they stood in the back alley of the Jade?Lantern, two duffel bags bulging. Kent had coaxed the sleepy Ethan, still nursing ruin bruises, onto video call for a discreet fence contact. Ten minutes later a silver van slid up. A balding cultivator in lavender robes stepped out, introduced himself as Mister Guan, and produced a portable appraisal lens. Nima watched hawkishly as each relic was scanned. Kent supplied cover stories: "Estate salvage, can''t trace exact ruin, friend''s property." Guan cared only for purity percentages and signature curves. He will pay with spiritual stones. Chapter 147 - 147: Sky?Gift Under Midnight Lanterns Final tally: Eighty?six spiritual stones in neatly wrapped bundles. Guan bowed saying goodbye then the van rumbled off. Nima''s grin nearly split her face. "Snacks forever." "We will reinvest it." Kent corrected, hefting the satchel. "I need these spiritual stones for the surprise." "But my snacks and house and land for my beasts." Nina asked. "Don''t worry, I will give you one year''s worth of snacks money. We don''t need to buy land, I have it covered with my new power. Let''s go, I will treat you to something good." They ducked into a street?market, emerging with skewers, candied haw, fried taro balls. As they walked, Kent felt the rune coin warm against his chest, a heartbeat of possibility. After a treat they return. Back at the hotel, blueprint spread under lamplight of the hotel lobby, Kent murmured private plans. "Need a star?metal, rivets, spirit?oak ribs, system, Do you have those?" he asked the System. [Ding! System notifications, System store has many things and better alternatives. Host can buy all the things he needs. Check the system store. You can create the needed materials using Spiritual stones.] Kent waited until the elevator doors slid shut and the muffled echo of Nima''s chatter finally vanished down the corridor. Only when he felt the silence settle, when the suite''s jasmine?oil diffuser once again became the loudest presence in the room did he allow the grin tugging at his cheeks to burst free. "Right," he muttered, drawing the curtains to leave the balcony drenched in late evening sun. "Time to build a miracle before they blow half the city''s snack budget." Nima and Auri took some money from Kent and they didn''t come back to the room. He settled cross?legged on the tatami, placed the rune coin on the low teak table, and called the System''s shop overlay into view. [SYSTEM STORE INVENTORY OPEN] A waterfall of catalog lines scrolled down the inside of his skull: metals that never rusted, timbers cut from lightning?struck child?trees, airflow ducts woven of spider?silk talisman thread. Every price blinked in SP. He unfastened the satchel Mister Guan had paid, eighty?six spiritual stones, each thrumming like a tiny captive storm and set them beside the coin. "System," he whispered, "give me an optimal manifest for a small skimmer. Show me which parts need how many spiritual stone for craft a flying boat." [CALCULATING] He drummed fingers on the table while numbers danced. The shop display blurred, re?assembling itself into a neat invoice: 1 x Dawn?Alloy keel beam (2 m) 12 stones 2 x Void?Steel lattice sheets (1.5 m 1 m) 18 stones Spirit?Oak rib pack (pre?shaped set) 20 stones Argent?Lock rune rivets (100 pcs) 6 stones Sky?Glass cockpit canopy blanks 5 stones Auxiliary: flux, lacquers, rune ink, talisman cloth 10 stones System handling fee (conversion, teleport freight) 5 stones Crafting the raw materials: 76 spiritual stones. SP For buying raw materials: 20 million SP. Remaining stones: 10 Kent''s eyebrows rose. "You left me ten?" [System notifications: Ten embedded as reserve batteries will provide autonomous power buffering. Recommend embedding in dorsal array to extend passive flight lifespan beyond decade.] "Sold," he whispered, then authorised the purchase. The suite''s lights flickered as spatial seals cracked open on the balcony. Air pressure popped like a champagne cork; crates edged with glowing sigils eased onto the tiles: alloy beam gleaming silver?rose, timber ribs perfuming the air with verdant life, sky?glass panes shimmering like frozen waterfalls. Kent''s pulse quickened. He rolled up shirt sleeves and summoned twin fires hellfire to weld, frost?fire to temper. The System deducted 8,20000 SP for "Architect of Creation: accelerated orchestration," He barely noticed; focus narrowed to a single, perfect goal. Step one: lay the Dawn?Alloy keel flush with tatami seams, rune coin at forward end as alignment anchor. Light carved channels along the beam''s spine; Weight?Feather feathers etched first, then Harmony?Calm knots to keep every forthcoming plate singing the same tune. Step two: Void?Steel lattice sheets, thin as parchment, stronger than tank armour. He flexed each around oak ribs, hellfire stitching metal to living wood without a whisper of smoke. Rune rivets flashed white as they locked, flowing like mercury into countersunk sockets. Step three: Spirit?Oak ribs slotted, glued by flux powder that crystallised on contact. Each rib bore a pair of runes: Earth?Stillness squares low to keep yaw steady, Sky?Lift feathers high to convert qi flow into upward buoyancy. Step four: canopy. He cushioned the curved sky?glass panels onto rune posts, sealed edges in talisman cloth soaked with lacquer. Glow?Way lantern glyphs etched near the rim would light the cockpit at no extra Spiritual energy drain. Sweat dripped into the seams; hellfire hissed where droplets landed. Two hours vanished; the brazier''s coal bed burned white. By the time the final Argent?Lock rivet cooled, a sleek skimmer eight metres nose to tail rested on the balcony like a silver?winged dragonfly. It looked alive. Sunlight danced along void?steel veins; runes pulsed faint topaz, awaiting imprint. Kent stepped back, throat tight. "System, what is the status?" [Ding! System notifications: INSPECTION COMPLETE. Prototype: SKY?SKIMMER (''FIRST LIGHT'') Classification: S?Grade Flying Boat Crew: one pilot + five passengers Baseline speed: 940 km/h (For a Level?A pilot) Passive Spiritual energy harvesting array yields 3 stones?equivalent per year in a metropolitan environment. Embedded reserve: ten spiritual stones projected range: > 10 years without refueling.] He exhaled a shaky laugh. "Faster than commercial jets and runs on free air." The coin at his collar warmed in agreement. [NOTE : Blueprints archived. Future copies will cost 60 % fewer SP for materials commission.] "That''s future Kent''s blessing," he murmured, wiping grime off his cheeks. He slid open balcony doors wider, letting the hull nose poke into open air above fourth floor level. The craft floated three centimetres off the tiles already, held by nascent lift runes. A quick rinse in the suite''s shower removed ash streaks from arms and face. He changed into clean clothes just as the hallway lock beeped: Nima and Auri returning, voices high on sugar. SLAM! The door banged open. Nima staggered in, grocery sacks taller than she was cradled against her chest. "Emergency snack restock!" she declared. Behind her, Auri balanced a paper cone piled with syrup and juice no longer just red but flickering ember back to his real form. "Careful of the" Kent began. Too late. Nima spotted a silver hull sticking halfway into the room and gasped. Bags slipped; noodles, cakes, vacuum?sealed fish?chips cascaded across the floor like edible confetti. Her eyes grew to meteor size. "You built that while we were gone?" Kent adopted a casual lean against the canopy rim. "Yes, I did. Surprise?" Auri''s cone toppled; juice pinged against the hull and spilled under furniture. The bird gawked. "Chip?chip!!" (Translation: That is shinier than the Emperor''s crown!) Nima dropped to the ground, crawled beneath the hull to inspect rune seams, then popped up again and patted Kent''s back hard, Pat?pat?pat?PAT, each strike a miniature spiritual energy burst. PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT! "My awesome, genius big brother!" PAT. "The best big brother on Earth!" PAT?PAT. "I said you were hopeless but actually you''re awesome." "OW! Ease up!" Kent winced a Level?C musculature or not, her Level?D?peak enthusiasm felt like jackhammers. He flicked her forehead gently. "Control your strength or you''ll snap my spine." She recoiled, clutching forehead. A small welt had already risen. Tears welled instantly. "Y?You hit me. I was praising you and you hit me. You''ll abandon me for some new sister" "Drama queen." Kent sighed, ruffling her hair. "I didn''t break you, did I? C''mon. Blood refine this ship before your snacks go stale." Sniffling morphed to grin in seconds. "Really? It''s mine?" She squealed, snatched a sterilised needle kit from the drawer, because all cultivators kept one for contract rituals and pricked her thumb. Three drops of crimson splashed across the central captain rune Unity?Node. Veins of light erupted down the keel, swallowing the ship in a rose?gold glow. [Ding! System notifications: BOND ESTABLISHED. Primary Pilot: Nima (User ID #01) Soul bond is successful. Control key created.] Only Kent saw the overlay, but Nima felt the resonance. She wobbled, eyes shining. "It''s humming inside my chest!" "That''s the control matrix recognising you," Kent explained, guiding her hand to a recessed panel. "Gesture left to float, right to descend. Now Channel your Spiritual energy into this socket and it will trigger the acceleration." Auri flitted to perch on the stern rail. "Chip! Me too?" sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Phoenix co?pilot seat under canopy." Kent tapped a rune ring. "Add a drop of blood later." Nima danced around the hull, forgetting snacks entirely. "Let''s take it out now! Please." "Soon," Kent laughed. "First, collect the groceries before you squish everything on the carpet. If we damaged anything in the room. We have to pay for it." "Okay! I also want to buy some pilot clothes. I saw a costume store beside the hotel. Let''s go big brother." Nima demands. An hour later City dusk found them on the balcony again, Nima swaddled in a bomber jacket two sizes larger than her "ace pilot" costume and Auri wearing a tiny leather harness Kent had bought from a doll shop for cockpit safety. Chapter 148 - 148: A Night?Sky Promise Kent hopped onto the stern jump?pad. The skimmer tilted, then self?balanced. He flicked a rune canopy slid open silently. "Captain on deck, passenger are ready." he announced. Nima slid into the forward cushion, palms on a pair of glowing spokes. "All functions are checked captain Nima is ready to take off!" "Engage," Kent supplied. She gave him a grateful grin and fed a thread of spiritual energy into the throttle rune. Air shimmered. The skimmer drifted off the balcony and cleared the building edge by metres. Kent''s stomach fluttered with that first free?fall feelingthen lifted the rune handle a bit and they soared like dandelion fluff. Neon signs streaked below; pedestrians never looked up this high. "Faster!" Nima squealed. She pushed the throttle rune. Engine arrays thrummed. In seconds they cleared twelve city blocks, bobbed over a commuter air?tram. Auri leaned into the headwind, feathers igniting harmless spark?trails. Kent stole a glance at clock rune, speed approaching 200 km/h already, still under the one fourth potential. The hull barely hummed; rune matrix efficiency sang symphonies in his ears. "Best surprise gift ever!" Nima shouted into the wind. "And it''s almost midnight!" Kent''s grin softened. Midnight. He slid a conceal?panel behind his seat, revealing a small insulated box of bakery. Inside there was a fresh cake he''d ordered by drone while forging. He checked the chronometer for time: 23:58. Perfect. "Pull the break''s," he called. Nima pulled back gently; runes bled momentum into vertical rings and the craft stopped above an empty stretch of the East Canal. City lights danced on black water far below. Kent popped the box open, retrieving the cake and a single candle shaped like a bird. Wind tugged their hair but rune shields kept air laminar inside the cockpit. Nima blinked as he set the cake on the console. "W?What''s this?" "Happy birthday, little princess." He flicked a small fire; flame bloomed on bird wick, no bigger than Auri''s new tail spark. The city''s skyscraper glow reflected in her wide eyes. Auri chirped soft descant, little voice ringing clearer in the night sky. Nima swallowed, voice small despite altitude: "You remembered?" "I always remember." Kent squeezed her shoulder. "Twelve years old. Pilot of the fastest flying boat. This flying boat is your birthday gift." Time: 12:00 She bit her lip, tears gathering but gentle this time. She made a wish, and blew out the flame. Frost?fire breeze whisked smoke away. They shared cake slices with fingers; Auri pecked crumbs, making happy crackle noises. Nima ate half of the cake and Auri ate the other half. Kent only got a piece. When only frosting smears remained, Nima stared out over the glittering city grid. "Big brother?" Her tone shiftedquiet, almost brittle. Kent braced. "Yeah?" "I always wanted to ask" She hugged knees to chest, bomber jacket bunched. "Do you remember our parents? You said they went away before I could talk. I" her voice cracked "don''t know what a mother''s hug feels like. Kids in our neighborhood always talk about how their mothers hug them when they get injured or sad" The cockpit silence deepened, broken only by rune inverters'' soft chime. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kent''s breath caught. He hadn''t seen her truly cry in years. The first time she cried when someone wanted to adopt her. Second time, in a winter after running from the orphanage she''d broken a finger slipping on ice and still claimed it didn''t hurt, Because it will cost money to see a doctor. But now tears pooled, trailing across her cheeks.. He unbuckled, scooted forward, and drew her into arms. She buried face against his jacket, shoulders shaking. Auri fluttered but then settled on the canopy rim, head bowed. Kent closed eyes. He''d been six since they lived in the orphanage. He had tried so hard never to let those ghosts touch Nima''s bright world. "I don''t remember anything," he whispered, voice thick. " I don''t know who our Mama is, or what she looked like. I don''t have any memories before we came to the orphanage. My memory starts from the orphanage gate. I was holding you in my arms. How did we get to the gate? Who bought us? Or where did we come from? I don''t remember anything." The little silver boat floated high above the sleeping streets, and the night air was cool and clear. Below them, rows of street lamps formed neat strings of yellow and white dots, while above them the real stars shone like ice on black velvet. Nothing but a soft hiss of wind moved around the ship''s smooth hull. Kent sat beside Nima on the front bench. Auri, their newly awakened phoenix?sparrow, perched on the rail behind them, his sunset?red feathers glittering under the moon. Nima''s tears still glimmered on her cheeks, and Kent gently wiped one away with the pad of his thumb. "I''m sorry," he said in the quietest voice the wind would allow. "I wish I could give you some pictures of Mom and Dad. I really do." Nima sniffed. "No memories at all?" she whispered. "Not even one tiny picture? A smell? A goodnight song?" Kent shook his head. "I''ve tried. Every birthday, every New?Year''s firework, every time I asked myself to remember something. But when I dig, I find nothing at alljust a blank fog. It feels like someone took my memories away. Or I was born as a six year old. Only thing I remember is that you are my sister and you''re born the same day." "That feels unfair," she murmured. Auri skipped closer on the rail and nudged her elbow, chirping softly. "Don''t cry Nima. I will acknowledge you as my big boss. Don''t cry I am alone too. We are all family. We got each other. Don''t cry." Nima managed a weak smile and scratched his feathers. "Thanks, little guy." A soft laugh bubbled from Nima''s throat even while her eyes shone with new tears. "We got each other. We are a family. I know that. Yet" Below the flying boat a cargo drone zipped past with a blinking red light, and a floating billboard displayed the image of a happy octopus dancing over bowls of hotpot. The city''s noises felt far away in their tiny pocket of sky. Nima closed her fingers around making a fist. "Maybe we can find them," she said. "We have a flying boat now. We can go anywhere. If we find some clues we can find them and then why do they leave us?" Kent let the idea roll in his mind before he answered. "Yeah," he said at last, nodding slowly. "Maybe we really can look for them. We have wheels in the sky now. We''re not stuck in one city anymore." Nima''s eyes brightened just a little. "But where would we start? The world is huge. Can we find them?" Kent rubbed the back of his neck. "We start small. First we visit the old orphanage. Maybe the old manager kept a record we never saw. Then we check city offices. Birth papers, hospital books, anything that has our names." Nima frowned. "What if those papers are gone?" "Then we try other ways," Kent said. "Talk to people who were on duty that night. Ask in nearby towns. Follow any rumor. Even a tiny clue is worth something." Auri hopped down between them, tail embers glowing. Chip! Chip! "And if that fails, I''ll sniff them out myself like a fire hound. " Kent grinned and stroked the Auri''s neck feathers. "That''s the spirit." They sat in silence for a moment, the cool wind tugging at their hair. Below, the city turned slowly, rooftops sliding by like dark puzzle pieces. At last Kent spoke again, softer. "Listen, Nima. Even if we never find them, remember this: you''re not missing anything when it comes to being loved. You''ve got me. You''ve got Auri. You got Lumo and Raka. You even have that big, scary army of beasts waiting in my special place." Nima sniffed, but a smile tugged her lips. "Yes, and they''ll chew you if you ever try to find a little sister outside." "Duly noted," Kent said, holding up both hands. "I only got one little sister, little princess, Nima." Nima''s hand crept toward him and squeezed. "Okay, Big Brother. Operation Find Mom and Dad starts tomorrow?" Kent squeezed back. "Not tomorrow. First we have to get back to the metro city. Then we need to find the old manager. It will take some time. We will return to metro city After a good sleep and maybe five more snack breaks. Then I will think about everything." "Five?" "Fine, six." She laughed for real then, a clear, ringing sound that floated into the night. Auri joined in with a happy trill. Kent''s chest loosened. "Do you feel better?" "Yeah," she said, wiping the last tear. "Still sad, but hopeful. Hope is good." "Hope is great," he agreed. He looked ahead, it passed midnight. "Let''s head back."