[Human Dao Fire Ascension System]
[Host: Chen Yansen]
[Physique: 1.16] (Earth Star Human Average: 1, Peak: 3. Includes strength, agility, endurance, etc.)
[Spirit: 1.32] (Earth Star Human Average: 1, Peak: 3. Includes intelligence, memory, comprehension, etc.)
[Skills: Automobile Driving (Two-Star Proficient 37/100), Guitar Playing (One-Star Novice 83/100), Eight Vajra Skills (One-Star Novice 41/100)]
[Talent: None]
[Human Dao Fire: 0]
[New User Manual: Please click to view]
Chen Yansen studied the system in depth. Apparently, after living for over thirty years in his past life, he only had three pathetic skills.
'WTF!'
'My time management and driving skills are clearly master-level!'
After failing to communicate with the system, Chen Yansen had no choice but to continue reading the new user manual.
"Salary: Represents wages and compensation."
"Fire: Symbolizes the Human Dao Fire."
"The host can establish employment relationships with others. By distributing wages, the host can obtain Human Dao Fire."
"1 wisp of Human Dao Fire = 10,000 Hua Yuan."
"1 wisp of Human Dao Fire can increase 'Spirit' or Physique by 0.01 points, or increase skill experience by 1 point…"
Reading this, Chen Yansen couldn't help but curse inwardly. 'This damn system is such a ripoff.'
This was a classic pay-to-win cultivation system!
The more employees he had and the higher their salaries, the faster he would accumulate Human Dao Fire, and the stronger he would become!
If he had tens of millions of employees in the future, with a constant stream of Human Dao Fire, even Homelander would have to kneel and lick his boots.
"Hey handsome, check the length. Is it okay?"
The barber behind him spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
Chen Yansen snapped back to reality and stood up in front of the mirror.
His previous edgy, non-mainstream vibe had completely vanished.
His features were sharp and well-defined, with a high-bridged nose and a devil-may-care smile playing on his lips. A few strands of hair fell casually across his forehead, doing nothing to hide the roguish glint in his eyes.
"How much?"
Chen Yansen nodded in satisfaction and got ready to scan a QR code to pay. It was only when he pulled out a Noaki N78 that he realized his mistake.
'Dammit, what QR payment codes were there in 2010?'
"That'll be ten Hua Yuan."
The barber replied with a smile.
Without another word, Chen Yansen briskly pulled out the cash and paid.
He then turned to look outside and saw Wang Zihao squatting by the door, talking on the phone.
He pushed the door open and gave Wang Zihao a light kick on the butt.
"Ho… Holy shit! Are you Chen Yansen?"
Wang Zihao, still holding his phone, stared wide-eyed at his friend, shocked by his dramatic transformation.
"It's just a haircut. You don't have to be so dramatic, do you?"
Chen Yansen said with a raised eyebrow and a light chuckle.
"Hehe, I'm getting the same haircut tomorrow. Anyway, Big Sis just said they're done eating and told us to go straight to the KTV."
Wang Zihao patted the dust off his pants and scrambled to his feet.
"They might be full, but I haven't eaten yet. We're in no hurry. Let's find a beef soup place to grab a bite."
Chen Yansen patted his stomach, saying this without a care in the world.
As it turned out, this post-exam party would be the last time he'd see many of these people.
So there was no reason to inconvenience himself for a few high school classmates he would never see again in this lifetime.
"Fine, fine."
Wang Zihao followed along with a helpless, bitter smile.
By the time the two arrived at the KTV, it was already half-past nine. About a dozen young men and women were scattered across the two sofas in the private room.
They were seventeen or eighteen, their faces full of youthful naivete.
"Chen Yansen, Wang Zihao, what the hell took you two so long?"
"Hurry up and sit down! Three penalty shots for being late!"
"Chen Yansen, sit here! Yuanyuan saved you a spot."
"Haozi, what's your go-to song? I'll queue it up for you!"
Chen Yansen's gaze swept over their faces one by one. Most of them didn't even register, and he couldn't recall their names.
As for Zhou Keyuan?
He recognized her at a glance.
She was sitting quietly in a corner, dressed like a pure, innocent flower. She had delicate eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and slightly flushed cheeks. Her moist lips looked as if they were coated in a layer of pink gloss. A floral print dress flowed down to her ankles, revealing a sliver of fair skin.
No wonder his younger self had been so head over heels for her.
But to the current Chen Yansen, with her looks and figure, she wouldn't even qualify to be a receptionist at his company.
"What difference does it make where I sit?"
Chen Yansen gave a nonchalant smile, walked right past Zhou Keyuan, and sat down on the other end of the sofa.
He put a good three or four meters between them.
The atmosphere in the room froze instantly!
Everyone turned to look at Zhou Keyuan, waiting to see her reaction.
"He can sit wherever he wants. What does it have to do with me?"
Zhou Keyuan said huffily, her pretty, delicate eyebrows knitting together.
"Come on! Let's cherish this last chance to be together. Let's all have a drink!"
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Big Sis quickly raised her glass and made a toast.
But what she was really thinking was: 'Chen Yansen got a new haircut and became more handsome, but how did his personality change along with it?'
In Class 8 of their senior year, everyone knew about the dynamic between Chen Yansen and Zhou Keyuan. It was unanimously believed that the two would become a couple once they started college.
In his past life, Chen Yansen had thought the same thing.
He just never expected that Zhou Keyuan was two-timing him, a fact he only stumbled upon by accident during the summer break of their junior year.
"Cheers, cheers!"
"Big Sis, we have to get together like this every year from now on!"
"Here's to a bright and prosperous future for everyone!"
After a few beers, the mood gradually livened up. With young people, emotions come and go in a flash.
As the music started, those who wanted to drink, drank, and those who wanted to sing, sang. It was as if nothing had happened.
"Are you fighting with your Yuanyuan?"
At some point, Big Sis quietly sidled up to him, her face a mask of juicy gossip as she asked the question.