Chapter 20: Striking It Rich!
Within the secret realm.
The moment the pressure vanished, Fang Qingyun let out a long breath.
The gravity weighing on him now was no more than fifteen hundred pounds.
He opened his eyes and looked at the fierce giant wolves, grinning, “My treasures, judging by the look in your eyes, I know you’re desperate for death. Don’t worry, I’ll send you on your way right now.”
He glanced at his system, and in his heart, only one thought resounded.
Jackpot!
【Host: Fang Qingyun】
【Strength: 9 (+)】
【Speed: 9 (+)】
【Constitution: 11 (+)】
【Spirit: 8 (+)】
【Spiritual Power: 21 (+)】
【Shooting: Intermediate】
【Blade Technique: Basic】
【Origin Points: 988】
Beautiful numbers.
And just a bit more, his Origin Points would break a thousand.
Though he nearly died along the way.
His spiritual power was still steadily increasing as time passed.
As spiritual power grew, so did the pressure.
When it reached nineteen, Fang Qingyun felt he could hardly breathe.
So he added a point to his constitution.
Tightly wound, he felt a heavy fatigue, a compulsion to sleep.
Startled awake, he added a point to his spirit.
He never dared forget what Old Li had told him: don’t think the secret realm is simple—every year, tens of thousands die.
“With so many Origin Points, why not raise all stats to ten?”
As soon as the thought surfaced, a pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping Fang Qingyun.
“What’s this?”
Before he could react, he saw his system’s attributes begin to increase.
【Strength +1】
【Strength: 10】
…
【Speed +1】
【Speed: 10】
…
【Constitution +1】
【Constitution: 12】
…
【Spirit +1】
【Spirit: 9】
…
【Spiritual Power +1】
【Spiritual Power: 22】
When the enhancement ended, Fang Qingyun’s attributes had undergone a dramatic transformation.
【Host: Fang Qingyun】
【Strength: 10 (+)】
【Speed: 10 (+)】
【Constitution: 12 (+)】
【Spirit: 10 (+)】
【Spiritual Power: 24 (+)】
【Shooting: Intermediate】
【Blade Technique: Basic】
【Origin Points: 988】
Fang Qingyun sucked in a breath, murmuring, “Dear heavens, what happened? Am I going mad?”
He had the urge to rub his eyes.
Every attribute had increased by at least one point.
Spirit rose by two, and spiritual power surged by three.
Madness!
Absolute madness!
If converted to Origin Points, that would be eight hundred!
Moreover, his injuries had healed.
Devil’s Eye!
Unbeknownst to him, the Devil’s Eye had fully opened, and compared to Old Li’s, it was only lacking a touch of ‘divinity’.
After advancing as a Martialist, it would be no different.
Jackpot!
A windfall!
This unexpected fortune made him want to laugh uncontrollably.
Danger?
No such thing as a free lunch?
This was a secret realm prepared by humanity’s great powers for the college entrance exam, filtered by the system—Fang Qingyun had no worries.
Let the windfall come even harder!
“Haha, hahahaha!”
Fang Qingyun let out a villainous laugh, raised his long blade, and pointed at the wolves glaring hungrily at him, sneering, “You mongrels, come, watch me cut you down!”
…
“So arrogant!”
Principal Sun laughed, “Looks like he’s reaped quite the benefits.”
An executive beside him remarked, “According to records, after the first tidal change ends, there’s a high chance his constitution will increase, and spiritual power will rise as well—the stronger one is, the greater the gains.”
“Beep beep!”
Just then, Principal Sun’s recently opened phone began to ring incessantly.
He sighed, “I’ll head to the municipal office, they’re urging me. Keep an eye on things here.”
“Yes!”
Many people inwardly cursed: Scram!
He’d deliberately opened his phone—who didn’t know what he meant?
Wanting to show off at the municipal office, he should just go.
Keep an eye on things?
What’s there to watch?
Who would dare interfere with the college entrance exam?
Indeed, that was the case!
When Principal Sun entered the municipal office, he was greeted by many envious looks and laughed, “Sorry, sorry, I was so focused on watching my students, I forgot to come.”
Several principals pursed their lips, too lazy to respond.
Principal Sun?
With your attitude, you should be called Principal Sun the Arrogant.
The city lord, however, smiled and waved his hand, “Give Principal Sun a seat of honor.”
An aide immediately brought over a chair.
“Thank you, City Lord!” Principal Sun said hurriedly.
The city lord sighed, “It’s I who should thank you, Principal Sun, for nurturing so many talents for Flower City. I believe they will shine brightly on the battlefield.”
So many martialists from First High—this was Principal Sun’s glory, but also the city lord’s.
After a few polite exchanges, Principal Sun immediately began searching for his target.
This scene did not escape the notice of those watching him closely.
Including the city lord, many chuckled quietly.
A busybody even helped Principal Sun by pointing to a corner.
“Well, isn’t that Principal Zhang? How did your school perform this year?”
Principal Sun strode over to a middle-aged man with a square face and said with a smile.
Principal Zhang shifted his gaze from the screen to Principal Sun and replied coolly, “In terms of numbers, not as many as your First High.”
“Oh!” Principal Sun smiled, “Just numbers? Please, Second High, enlighten me.”
Principal Zhang ignored the emphasis on ‘Second’ and said calmly, “Quality.”
Principal Sun’s brows twitched as he glanced at the screen Principal Zhang had been watching.
The municipal office naturally had monitoring access to the exam.
The most comprehensive in Flower City.
The student Principal Zhang was watching—a young man of eighteen or nineteen, smiling confidently—was swinging a greatsword, slicing a half-demon, half-devil cleanly in two.
The decisive, nimble technique made Principal Sun’s heart skip a beat.
Principal Sun’s own strength was formidable—he could instantly tell the seemingly ordinary sword stroke contained several advanced techniques.
It maximized lethality while conserving strength.
Moreover, the movement was so fluid, it seemed ingrained in the youth’s bones.
As natural as moving one’s arm.
This youth was terrifying!
Despite his smile, a thick aura of blood permeated the screen.
Even with Principal Sun’s expertise, the only word he could use to describe the youth was ‘terrifying.’
Was this really a student in the college entrance exam?
Many university students weren’t at this level!
Principal Zhang stared at Principal Sun, smiling slightly, “Well? What do you think, Principal Sun?”
Principal Sun snorted softly, “He is indeed excellent, but my school has outstanding students as well.”
“Oh!”
Principal Zhang smiled, “Fang Qingyun, correct?”
Principal Sun turned to glare at him.
As expected!
Not only First High was watching Fang Qingyun.
Principal Zhang continued, “Principal Sun loves to bet. Why don’t we wager as well?”
“Bet?”
This drew more attention.
Principal Sun frowned, “What are we betting?”
Principal Zhang pointed at the screen, “My school’s Zhou Yi and your school’s Fang Qingyun—let’s see who persists longer in the secret realm.”
Principal Sun sneered, “You’re setting me up? You think I can’t see that Zhou Yi comes from an unusual background?”
That sword stroke contained skills not only requiring long-term cultivation, but also guidance from expert mentors, and even special resources.
Schools offered mass education, but only noble families provided one-on-one instruction.
Many techniques simply weren’t available in schools.
Principal Zhang smiled, not denying it, “If I win, I want your grade-five sword. If I lose, I’ll give you a custom grade-five weapon.”
At that, everyone’s expressions changed.
Grade five—that was already high-level weaponry.
Not to mention custom weapons.
A grade-six weapon that doesn’t suit the wielder is inferior to a custom grade-five weapon.
Principal Zhang’s wager was three times Principal Sun’s.
“Well? Do you dare?”
“Bet!”
Principal Sun replied without hesitation, “A wager three times mine—if I don’t bet, wouldn’t that mean I’m afraid? We’ll do as you say.”