"You just got back. You must be tired. Take a good rest first. I'll head out for a bit, then come back this evening to make you a big birthday dinner," Jiang Lei said, gently patting Smith on the head.
"Go ahead, go ahead."
But Smith wasn't really listening anymore. His mind was consumed by the pile of spirit stones and demon cores in his possession.
The moment Jiang Lei left, Smith couldn't wait to rush back to his room with his spoils. He sat on the floor and eagerly sorted through the goods, calculating their total value.
There were ten medium-grade spirit stones, each worth 500 energy points if exchanged through the system.
Then came the fifteen monster cores:
Five intermediate third-level cores, worth 350 energy points each, totaling 1,750 points
Ten advanced third-level cores, worth 400 each, totaling 4,000 points
"That means, just from the monster cores, I can get a total of 5,750 energy points," Smith murmured excitedly.
"As for the spirit stones, if I convert them all, that's another 5,000 energy points. Combined, I'll have 10,750 points!"
Over ten thousand energy points!
Smith was ecstatic. For the first time, he truly understood the luxury of being a rich second-generation. He hadn't lifted a finger, yet he was flush with wealth just because it was his birthday.
No wonder the spoiled rich villains in novels were so arrogant and powerful. With family resources and endless supplies, how could they not be strong?
Smith finally grasped the overwhelming benefits of privilege.
Now buzzing with excitement, he began thinking about how to spend this windfall.
The ten medium-grade spirit stones tempted him to immediately convert them into energy points. But after a moment's hesitation, he changed his mind.
Spirit stones and monster cores were fundamentally different.
Monster cores could only be exchanged for energy points or used in alchemy. Spirit stones, however, could be absorbed directly, flooding the body with spiritual energy and boosting cultivation far more efficiently.
He remembered how, before heading out on the mission to investigate the beast tide, both he and Yan Yue had received one medium-grade spirit stone from the principal. That single stone had pushed them into a new small realm.
A single medium-grade spirit stone could allow a first-level psychic to directly advance a level.
After some inner debate, Smith decided to keep the spirit stones and use them to cultivate rather than trade them in.
Energy points could always be earned again. But cultivation breakthroughs? Those opportunities didn't come so easily.
Without wasting more time, he began absorbing the energy from the spirit stones.
Currently, Smith was an advanced first-level psychic. According to the system, to break into the primary second-level, he needed to absorb three medium-grade spirit stones. From then on, every new level would also require three more.
Smith used all ten spirit stones, pushing himself up to the advanced second-level. However, it wasn't quite enough to reach the third level.
Still, he was more than satisfied.
The first and second levels were considered the foundational stages. Most students who awakened their powers could move from level one to level two within half a year, or at most a year, assuming regular missions and adequate effort.
In this early stage, progress mainly depended on absorbing energy. With enough spirit stones or points, breakthroughs could be rapid.
Just like in Smith's case.
He was a rich second-gen, after all. With a fifth-level psychic for a father, it was only natural he'd progress faster than average, right?
But level three—that was the true dividing line.
Breaking through to level three didn't just require energy. It needed experience, combat exposure, and the tempering of one's will. Only by growing through real battles could someone truly step into the third level.
According to Huaihai College statistics, most students spent about two and a half years going from level two to level three. Some took longer, others were quicker, but that was the average.
Though Smith didn't reach level three, he was still quite pleased with his progress.
"Next up—the demon cores."
Without hesitation, Smith exchanged all fifteen cores for a total of 5,750 energy points.
Adding the 800 points he already had, his total now came to 6,550.
"Let's see what I can get for this," he muttered, rubbing his hands eagerly.
He immediately turned to his favorite feature—the Mysterious Shop—where items were often listed at huge discounts. He'd gotten great deals before and was hoping for a repeat.
But as soon as he opened the menu…
"It's closed?!"
The mysterious shop had vanished.
"No way… the half-month window expired already?"
Smith was stunned. He had completely missed it. What a loss!
"System! When does the Mysterious Shop reopen?"
[The Mysterious Shop opens randomly. Alternatively, the host can spend 500 energy points to activate it manually.]
"Wait, so I can force it to open?"
Smith's eyes lit up. 500 points wasn't a small amount, but if it could get him that sweet discount again, it would be worth every bit.
"I'm doing it. I'm reopening the shop!"
[Ding! 500 energy points deducted. Mysterious Shop activated.]
A familiar virtual shelf appeared in front of him, shimmering with new items.
Mangekyō Sharingan (Amaterasu): 7,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Tsukuyomi): 7,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Kamui): 20,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Kotoamatsukami): 20,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo): 30,000 energy points
Immortal Technique: Mingshenmen: 25,000 energy points
Wood Release: Unsealed Healing: 7,000 energy points
Wood Release: Cutting Technique: 1,000 energy points
Wood Release: Tree Binding Eternal Burial: 300 energy points
Four Sharingan abilities. Four Wood Release techniques.
Smith noticed a trend. Most of the Wood-style or Eye-style jutsu in the Mysterious Shop were also available in the regular system shop. The mystery shop just offered them at discounted prices. Meanwhile, the lottery system had a wider range, including sealing techniques, tailed beasts, and other rare powers.
But at 5,000 energy points per lottery draw, the shop was definitely the more cost-effective option.
As always, once the items were listed, he was prompted to draw his exclusive discount.
Golden light flashed.
"10% off, 10% off, please give me 10% again!" Smith prayed repeatedly.
Light flared across the screen.
60% off!
All prices were immediately refreshed.
Mangekyō Sharingan (Amaterasu): 2,800 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Tsukuyomi): 2,800 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Kamui): 8,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Kotoamatsukami): 8,000 energy points
Mangekyō Sharingan (Susanoo): 12,000 energy points
Immortal Technique: Mingshenmen: 10,000 energy points
Wood Release: Unsealed Healing: 2,800 energy points
Wood Release: Cutting Technique: 400 energy points
Wood Release: Tree Binding Eternal Burial: 120 energy points
"Tch… only 40% off this time?"
After tasting the glory of a 90% discount previously, 40% felt like a letdown. Still, the deals were good.
"I've only got 6,050 points left. I can't buy everything I want."
He began running the math. He could afford Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Wood Release Healing, Cutting Technique, and Tree Binding Eternal Burial—but not all at once.
"Which ones should I buy?"
Smith agonized over the choice.
Finally, he made his decision.
Amaterasu and Unsealed Healing.
One was the ultimate offensive technique—black flames that could burn anything. The other was an unparalleled healing ability capable of restoring his strength in moments.
Offense and defense, perfectly balanced.
A grin crept across Smith's face as he completed the purchase.
With Amaterasu in one hand and a powerful healing technique in the other, he felt ready for anything the world might throw at him.
pàtreøn (Gk31)