Sylvester pulled up the handle, and the lid of the jeweled chest could no longer suppress the brilliance of the Curios within.
Three glowing orbs rose from inside, hovering before his eyes.
Then, the jeweled chest slowly faded, vanishing from sight.
Sylvester murmured, "So these are my exclusive Curios?"
It wasn't quite what he had imagined.
He thought they should be tangible items like everyone else's. Unexpectedly, what he received were three spheres of light.
That must mean they were special abilities, right? If so, he was more than satisfied.
Compared to those objects that were powerful but had limited uses, abilities he could use anytime and anywhere were far more to his liking.
Sylvester reached out and touched the first sphere of light.
At once, the orb transformed into several streaks of flowing radiance that traveled along his arm, spreading across his whole body in the blink of an eye before being completely absorbed.
Then, a message appeared in his mind.
[Eye of True Sight:When activated, it allows the user to discern all information of any person or object within sight, and can also detect lies.]
"Now this is good."
A smile appeared on Sylvester's face. This was practically omniscience. With this, he could contend more easily against ill-intentioned visitors.
Sylvester absorbed the second orb of light.
[Yin-Yang Evasion: Heaven has Qian and Kun, Earth is divided into Yin and Yang. With Yin and Yang revolving, all things are born. By mastering this technique, one may merge into Yin-Yang itself, evading harm entirely.]
Such strong Xianzhou flavor.
Sylvester mulled over the peculiar ability. The description suggested that since everything in the universe arose from Yin and Yang, with this method, he could disappear into anywhere the Yin-Yang has manifested?
Before, he had only heard of things like Earth Evasion or Water Evasion, highly restricted by terrain. But this Yin-Yang Evasion—wasn't it usable anywhere?
And it even had the "evade harm" condition.
Which meant that when activated, he wouldn't just vanish and move freely—he'd also be invulnerable?
"Tsshh~ that's broken." His grin stretched wider, befitting his words. "But I like it."
Sylvester raised his hand and touched the third orb.
The first had given him omniscience, the second made him undying.
That meant he already had an idea what type the last one would be.
[Weapon Arts Simulation, Profound Mastery:When facing abilities activated through weapons, the host may instantly comprehend them, then simulate and evolve the ability into an even more advanced form.]
"Oh-ho, this really does make me invincible."
With this, every enemy he fought would gift him an upgraded version of their own skill. Add in the protection of Yin-Yang Evasion, and he'd beat them down with their own moves. Even if he couldn't kill them, he'd enrage them to death.
But the priority now was to copy someone's ability as soon as possible. After all, this worked only on weapon-based skills. If he ran into someone like Aventurine, what then? He couldn't just sit with [Yin-Yang Evasion] doing nothing—that would be suffocating.
But who could he test this on?
He was closest to Fu Xuan, but she didn't use weapons. Feixiao, though, did. If he asked her to spar, it would be easy.
But he remembered clearly—Feixiao's strongest techniques weren't weapon-based either.
Yeah, Feixiao was a master of all weapons: spears, axes, fists—whatever she pleased.
That left him with fewer options.
The most renowned martial tradition of Xianzhou was, of course, the way of the sword.
But the state of sword wielders now?
Former Sword Champion Jingliu—unquestionably powerful—but after a single meeting with Xianzhou and the High-Cloud Quintet, she was sent to meet the Arbiter-General. Who knew where she was now.
Future Sword Champion Yanqing—Sylvester hadn't even met him. After "guidance" from both Jingliu and a Swarm monster, he was in the middle of an identity crisis. Unless Sylvester tracked him down and ambushed him, he probably wouldn't fight.
Yunli… her greatsword's power was formidable too, but where would he even find her at this time?
That left who else?
Li Sushang? That pillow-swinging girl?
He was friends with her bestie Guinaifen, but what would he do—copy a "Phoenix Manifestation"?
One swing, and a giant chicken descends from the heavens, squashing enemies flat with its backside?
Too ridiculous.
Besides, he had no "Grandmaster" anyway.
The more Sylvester calculated, the more irritated he grew.
Seriously, what has Xianzhou become?
You can't even find a single skilled weapon-user anymore.
Jing Yuan, I finally understand your pain.
Sylvester sighed. But then, a thought struck him, and his eyes lit up.
Wait, did the Seat of Divine Foresight's Spiritus count as a weapon user? After all, it also wielded a formation blade.
If he could copy its power and upgrade it, wouldn't that let him walk sideways across the whole cosmos?
The more he thought, the more enticing this ridiculous idea became.
Yes! He had to find a way to upgrade the Lightning-Lord's power.
…
At the Interastral Peace Corporation's lodging hotel.
"Good evening, Director!"
The staff at the entrance quickly greeted Aventurine, who walked in wearily carrying two trash bags.
Aventurine nodded and went straight inside.
He tossed the two bags onto the coffee table and slouched on the sofa, trying to find a posture that was comfortable yet not too improper.
He couldn't help it. Today had been a ride on the emotional rollercoaster. He no longer had the energy to banter as usual.
"What's this? Don't tell me even with your luck, you actually came back empty-handed?" Topaz couldn't resist teasing at the sight of him. Their relationship wasn't hostile to the death, but it was far from amicable. If not for company business, she'd never willingly work alongside him.
Normally, Aventurine would fire back. But this time, he merely raised his eyes to glance at her.
Then, with a light tone, he said, "More than empty-handed. It was a disastrous defeat. I nearly lost everything."
"…Hm?"
Those words—from him?
Jade, equally surprised, locked eyes with Topaz. In each other's gaze, they found the same confusion—and shock.
After all, Aventurine's success was built on meticulous schemes executed with fearless precision.
To use that formula to succeed again and again, climbing to the rank of Ten Stonehearts—his resilience was unmatched in the Strategic Investment Department.
Especially in front of them—he had never once conceded.
But today, Aventurine not only accepted Topaz's teasing, he openly admitted defeat?
To shake him this badly—this couldn't be ignored.
One of the Ten Stonehearts losing their ambition, their drive—that might ruin them entirely.
And the Strategic Investment Department had no need for docile sheep.
"Aventurine, tell us clearly. If we're here, there's still a way forward."
He understood what they feared. Waving his hand, he replied, "I'm fine. I just need rest."
Then, he told the two of them everything that had happened today.
"There are Curios like that?" Topaz exclaimed.
They had never considered that such terrifying objects might emerge from those Trash Cans. Something that could give the luckiest person alive a streak of misfortune—what if it landed on an ordinary person?
Would they suffer some freak accident, maybe even die instantly?
And worse—what if there were even more dangerous, more horrifying negative effects?
What was once just gambling Credits for a chance at treasure—at worst, a harmless loss—could now be gambling with one's life.
Jade returned to her seat, thinking it over. "It seems we'll need another look at devising a long-term plan."
Originally, their goal was to secure a Curio rivaling the [Four Swords of Slaying Immortals], so they could keep pace with Xianzhou in the competition. But now…
Yet before she could finish, Topaz cut in. "No. I think we stick with the original plan. Otherwise, the gap with Xianzhou will only grow wider."
"But…" Jade still hesitated.
As leader of this mission, if they lost a Ten Stoneheart without gaining anything, it would be utterly unacceptable.
"Topaz. Your life and Aventurine's—both are extremely valuable. They must not be squandered." Jade spoke in the authoritative tone of Bonajade Exchange's master, hoping Topaz would take it seriously.
"No, it's not nearly as dangerous as it sounds." Topaz shook her head, laying out her reasoning. "First, the odds of a black Trash Can appearing are already very low. Aventurine drawing one was probably because he was too lucky, pulling the rarest type."
Aventurine shot her a glare.
Is that human speech? I was too lucky, so I drew the worst one? Then lost my luck?
Topaz ignored his stare and continued, "Secondly, that shopkeeper clearly had the power to control Curios. As long as we entrust him in advance, he can intervene when necessary. After all, he already restored Aventurine's luck."
"And besides, I have Numby. It has some treasure-sensing ability too." At this, Topaz smiled.
The little piggy with a ribbon flew over, perched on her shoulder, and squeaked twice, as if seconding her words.
Jade pondered for a long while, then finally relented. "Fine, Little Jelena. If you insist on proceeding."