Chapter 18: A Mystery Man and his offer.
Chapter 18: A Mystery Man and His Offer
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Who was that? That person was strong—maybe C-level. But the spiritual energy was far beyond Teacher Elena's, and she's the only C-level I know.
Does that mean… the figure was a B-level? But why would a B-level expert be here? There are only a four Level-B in the entire country. Today Miss Elena told that in the class.
Did the figure sense my level-up? Then why did he/she hide? Whatever. I have over 10,000 SP now. Time to buy another spiritual fruit.
Kent opened the system window.
SP: 11,678
[Shop] | [Lottery Spin] | [Income History]
He tapped on the Shop tab, expecting the usual options.
And then—His jaw nearly hit the floor.
Spiritual Energy Fruit: 100,000 SP
"A hundred thousand SP for one fruit?! This is robbery! At this rate, I'll be stuck at Level-E forever!"
Kent clenched his fists. His veins bulged.
"Damn you, System! What the hell is this?!" he roared. "You're telling me I need a hundred thousand just to buy a fruit?! The price went up ten times!"
Had it increased because he leveled up?
"Hey, System! Answer me!"
A notification popped up.
[System Notice]
[Every time the host levels up, the price of spiritual fruit will increase.]
[In each Level the host can only buy five Cultivation fruits. The host will receive a random gift with each level-up.]
[System upgrade in progress. Gift will be granted upon completion.]
And just like that—the system went silent.
Kent nearly exploded. "How long is this gonna take? At this rate, Nima will reach Level-E in a day or two, and I'll still be stuck here!"
It had taken her just two days to reach the peak of F-level.
"Am I really going to be the big brother who needs protection from his eleven-year-old sister?"
His face turned pale. His soul practically left his body in shock. "System, you screwed me over!"
Kent desperately tried to open the system window again. "Let me at least use my spins! System, you better give me something good!"
[System Updating. Please wait...]
No response.
His frustration hit a peak. He slumped onto his bed, face-down. "I can't use the system. Which means... I can't even sell stinky momos tomorrow morning."
Kent groaned. "Just great. Another day of suffering." He decided to sleep it off.
The Next Morning, Nima woke up early and decided to watch TV until Kent got up.
Their television was an old relic from the 90s—something Kent had salvaged from a junk shop. Most days, it needed a good beating to start working.
She flicked the power switch. The screen remained black.
No problem she says. A few well-placed slaps should do the trick.
She hit the side of the TV.
Nothing happened.
Another slap. Then—CRACK!
Nima's hand went straight into the TV.
Sparks crackled. The machine groaned. And then—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the house, blowing a hole through the kitchen wall and reducing the TV stand to ashes.
Kent shot out of bed.
Aunt Zhou, their nosy neighbor, had also heard the explosion and came rushing over.
"NIMA!" Kent bolted into the room. "Are you okay?! What happened?!"
Nima's eyes brimmed with tears. She sniffled.
"K-Kent… I broke the TV. It hurts so much… and now I can't watch my TV shows anymore!"
Kent narrowed his eyes.
She's acting!!!
He could see it in her face. No real pain. Just dramatic flair. She was trying to dodge a scolding.
"She blew up the TV and the kitchen wall. Just what we needed—another expense I can't afford."
Aunt Zhou barged in. She scooped up Nima and coddled her like a baby.
"There, there, you're a big girl! Don't cry!" she cooed. Then she whirled on Kent. "KENT! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Kent blinked. "Huh?"
"You're just standing there, looking like you just woke up from a nap, while your little sister ALMOST GET KILLED?!"
"Well, when she puts it like that..."
Before he could respond, an old man stepped into the house.
Kent frowned. "Hey, old man! Who the hell are you?!"
Aunt Zhou waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Kent. This is my husband. He just came home a few days ago."
She beamed at the man. "My husband is a very important person. He works all the time, but he loves me so much. He's incredibly rich, but for me, he's willing to live in the countryside!"
The old man coughed loudly to shut her up.
"Zhou. Enough."
He turned to Kent. "The girl is fine. No need to scold her. Zhou, take her to our home. I need to talk to the boy."
Aunt Zhou hesitated, but eventually nodded and left, taking Nima with her.
The moment they were gone—
WHAM!
The old man threw a punch at Kent.
Kent barely blocked it, but pain shot through his arm like lightning.
"WHAT THE HELL, OLD MAN?!" he shouted. "WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME?!"
The old man chuckled. "Not bad, kid. You're stronger than I thought."
His hand glowed. A thin blade of spiritual energy extended from his fingertips.
Before Kent could react, the old man slashed.
A sharp breeze passed him—his shirt was sliced clean through.
Kent clenched his fists. Fire aura flared in his palms.
"YOU CRAZY OLD MAN! AHHHHHH!"
He charged.
The old man watched him with a calm smile, as if he were playing with a baby chick.
"Oh? How amusing."
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"This boy… His fire affinity is strong, but he can't wield it properly. And there's something else… something untapped. I haven't seen potential like this in years."
Kent threw a flurry of punches. The old man dodged every single one.
"Damn it! Just stand still!"
The old man chuckled. Young man, I am very impressed with you. "I want you to become my disciple."
Kent froze. "What?"
"I've been looking for a good seedling for a long time," the old man continued. "Last night, I sensed your spiritual energy. You're at Level E, right?"
Kent's eye twitched. "Wait… IT WAS YOU?! YOU WERE THE CREEPY SHADOW FROM LAST NIGHT?!"
The old man smiled. "Indeed."
Kent's rage erupted.
"You crazy old man! First, you attack me. Then you say you want me as your disciple?!"
He crossed his arms.
"IN YOUR DREAMS."
+999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Frustration)
+999 SP copied from Xian Yu (Anger)
The old man stared at him, stunned. He had imagined this scene so differently. He thought he'd show off his power, extend the offer, and Kent would bow and say, "Master!" with awe in his eyes.
Instead—
IN YOUR DREAMS.
The words echoed in his mind like a curse.
"Youth these days are so unpredictable…"
The old man sighed. "Don't be so hasty, boy. Listen to me, I am a—"
Kent didn't let the old man complete his sentence, he walked away from the old man. He goes out of his house. He found Nima happily munching on meatballs at Aunt Zhou's house.
"This tastes good, Aunty Zhou! Can I have more?"
Kent sighed. "Nima, don't trouble Aunt Zhou."
Aunt Zhou chuckled. "Oh, nonsense. She's adorable!"
The old man followed Kent, rubbing his temples. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
Kent mockingly stuck his tongue out at him with frustration.
"Come on, Nima. Let's go home."