Two months later, Wu Tan City was the same—clans plotting, merchants trading, ambition everywhere.
Wu Chen's shack wasn't a mess anymore. The cracks were fixed, the door strong, the shelves full of herbs and scrolls. A small spirit-gathering circle filled the air with faint qi—nothing fancy, just enough to live comfortably without drawing attention.
[Current Greed Points: 1,248.6]
[Greed Power: Basic Aura Hiding unlocked.]
Wu Chen was now at Stage 4 Dou Zhi Qi.
He hid his identity with disguises—a beggar one day, a merchant the next, sometimes an old man. He made sure no clan linked him to "Wu Chen."
He stayed clear of Xiao Yan and Xun'er. Too risky. Instead, he collected envy and desire from the sidelines.
Back in his shack, Wu Chen checked his system.
[Stage 4 Dou Zhi Qi (89% to next level). Wealth: 450 gold taels stored.]
He nodded. Progress was everything.
Wu Chen leaned against the sturdy wall of his shack. Two months of careful moves had earned him 1,248 Greed Points. They came from stirring envy at auctions, desperate merchants, and the bitterness in Wu Tan's streets. The auctions were perfect—he sparked people's desires just enough to turn their greed into points without buying anything.
Rumors spread in the market. The Jia Lie Clan had hired a low-level alchemist, Liu Xi, to sell cheap healing salves and hurt the Xiao Clan's business. Wu Chen smiled. He remembered this moment—Xiao Yan would soon start learning alchemy and turn things around. The Jia Lie Clan wouldn't collapse right away, but their downfall could start soon. If the timeline was right, Xiao Yan's rise was already underway.
Wu Chen had to decide what to do with his points. Save them for trouble? Or spend them now to get stronger while the city was busy? Saving felt safe, but in this world, staying weak was dangerous.
He chose strength.
"System," he said calmly. "Turn 400 Greed Points into cultivation power."
The panel lit up.
[Conversion started. 400 Greed Points used.]
[Power added: qi flows into dantian and meridians.]
A wave of energy hit him. Qi rushed through his veins, his channels stretched, and his body ached. He gritted his teeth, using the Greed Devouring Qi Method to take it in. Barriers broke one by one. When it stopped, he was sweating and breathing hard, but he felt stronger, sharper, his core full of energy.
[Conversion done. Now at Late 8-star Dou Zhi Qi.]
[Current Greed Points: 848]
At this level, he could blend with mid-level cultivators and even challenge minor clan members. But he wasn't done.
The remaining points tempted him. He wouldn't waste them. The Jia Lie–Xiao fight was a goldmine of greed. Ya Fei came to mind too; getting her trust could bring thousands of points, but that needed careful steps.
For now, he planned smart: 200 points for a basic storage ring, 150 to improve his Greed Devouring Qi Method for faster absorption in crowds, and the rest saved for emergencies—if Xiao Yan's power grew too fast or something unexpected happened.
Wu Chen stepped outside as the evening cooled. He hid his aura and moved through the busy city.
The next morning was fresh in Wu Tan City, the sun cutting through the haze. Wu Chen woke early, his body buzzing with new qi from his jump to Late 8-star Dou Zhi Qi. He flexed his hands, feeling the quiet strength in his veins—strong enough to handle small threats easily, but still far from the real dangers in this world.
He wore plain gray robes, nothing showy, and used his Basic Aura Hiding. To anyone looking, he was just another mid-level cultivator struggling in the markets. No one would tie him to the "mystery bidder" causing trouble at auctions or the shadow feeding on the city's greed. His storage ring—a simple dark iron band—held his gold taels and a few herbs, light and hidden.
"System," he said softly, stepping out. "Show status."
[Current Greed Points: 498 (after buying storage ring and method upgrade).]
[Greed Devouring Qi Method: Upgraded to Xuan Rank, Low Grade. Absorbs 50% faster in desire-heavy places.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Passive Greed Sensing—feel strong desire within 50 meters.]
Wu Chen smiled slightly. The upgrades were working. As he walked to the central market, faint pulls tugged at him—like threads leading to envy, want, and ambition. A merchant arguing over silk prices. A young cultivator staring at a sword he couldn't buy. Small gains, but they added up.
The market was buzzing: stalls loaded with herbs, pills, beast cores, and trinkets. The air smelled of roasted meat, bitter tonics, and sweat. Voices mixed in a loud jumble of deals and brags. Wu Chen moved through it all, his steps relaxed, brushing past people to soak up bits of greed.
[+0.3 Greed Points from jealous shopper.]
[+0.1 from annoyed vendor.]
He was passing the herb stalls when a strong pulse hit him—like a wave slamming his chest. His eyes narrowed, scanning ahead. Near the Xiao Clan's market area, trouble was brewing.
The Jia Lie Clan was there, led by Jia Lie Ao, the young master. Arrogant as always, with guards following like loyal dogs. But the real pull came from the man in the center: Liu Xi, the alchemist they'd hired. Wu Chen knew him from the rumors—pale skin, slick hair, a smug grin that screamed overconfidence. He was a low-tier alchemist, not impressive, but his cheap healing salves were hurting the Xiao Clan.
Liu Xi was staring at someone. Wu Chen followed his gaze and felt the greed spike. There, looking at herbs, was Xiao Xun'er. She moved gracefully, her dark hair flowing, her robes simple but elegant. Even from afar, she stood out, drawing eyes without effort. Xiao Yan was nearby, talking to a vendor, not noticing the group.
Wu Chen slowed, blending into the crowd by a spice stall. This was it—the market clash he'd heard about. In the original story, Liu Xi would see Xun'er, want her like a greedy fool, and demand the Jia Lie Clan "get" her as payment. Insults would hit Xiao Yan, calling him useless. It would spark Xun'er's anger and lead to Liu Xi's death that night.
But Wu Chen was here now, a hidden player. Liu Xi's greed was thick—lust, pride, and entitlement mixed together. The system pinged.
[Strong Greed Detected: Target—Liu Xi. Possible Yield: 2.5–4.0 Greed Points if used directly.]
[Other Sources: Jia Lie Ao and guards—envy and ambition. Possible Yield: 1.2 points.]
Wu Chen's lips twitched. Tempting. But he waited. Using the greed now might alert someone—Xun'er's secret guard was dangerous, and Xiao Yan had Yao Lao's spirit watching. Better to watch, collect passively, and see how to use this mess.
Liu Xi leaned toward Jia Lie Ao, his voice quiet but loud enough in the market's noise. "Who's that beauty? Such stunning looks... she's better than any woman in this boring city." His eyes scanned Xun'er, bold and greedy.
Jia Lie Ao smirked. "That's Xiao Xun'er, adopted by the Xiao Clan. They say she's got some mysterious past, but she's always with that loser Xiao Yan." He said the last part loudly, making sure people heard.
Xiao Yan froze, turning slowly. Xun'er stayed calm, but her eyes showed a flicker of cold anger, like a hunter eyeing prey.
Liu Xi laughed, his voice slimy. "Loser? You mean that weakling? Ha! A girl like her deserves better. Tell you what—get her for me, and I'll make twice as many healing salves. Call it my payment." He licked his lips, stepping closer, his aura flaring as a 6-star Dou Zhe.
The crowd whispered, feeling the tension. Xiao Yan's face darkened, his fists tight. "Watch your words," he growled, stepping between Liu Xi and Xun'er. "She's not some prize for you to trade."
Liu Xi sneered, looking Xiao Yan over like dirt. "And who are you to talk, trash? I heard you were good once, but now? Nothing. Back off before I teach you a lesson." His guards laughed, hands on their swords.
Xun'er touched Xiao Yan's arm gently, her voice soft but firm. "Xiao Yan ge-ge, he's not worth it. Let's go."
But the tension was set. The air buzzed with anger. Jia Lie Ao grinned, loving the drama. "You heard Master Liu. Get lost, Xiao trash."
Wu Chen stayed still, soaking in the greed—the Jia Lie Clan's wish to crush their rivals, Liu Xi's bold lust, even the quiet envy of onlookers wanting the power to step in or claim Xun'er.
[+1.8 Greed Points from passive collection.]