But the most deceiving aspect wasn't even these; no matter how many lions, wolves, or other animals he killed on the grassland, the system gave neither experience points nor dropped any items or money. Not only that, using skills didn't increase proficiency either. It was a setup designed to squeeze every drop from him.
No wonder the reward after completion was so substantial; it was because he gained nothing during the process!
And this was just Level 1 of the twenty-level system, the simplest one. There were nine more levels of increasing difficulty behind this. He couldn't fathom how challenging the higher levels would be.
But then again, if luck favored him and he completed all difficulties, Li Nianlong estimated he could level up twice more.
On the flip side, if luck wasn't on his side and he failed, resulting in a massive deduction of experience points, he would cry himself to sleep. To ensure the highest chance of success in his training, Li Nianlong urgently needed to boost his own strength. After all, one must be strong to forge ahead; weakness would only lead to personal setbacks.
As for ways to enhance his strength? Buying equipment in the shop seemed a decent option.
Currently, Li Nianlong stood on Shopping Street. With Level 2 access, he could now explore the second floor of all shops.
Compared to the first floor, the items on the second floor did not disappoint Li Nianlong. They were not only of higher quality but also significantly more effective. Gazing at the items with outrageously powerful attributes, Li Nianlong was delighted to the point of tears, but when he saw the prices marked on them, his face turned as black as a pot bottom.
In the medicine shop, he saw Strength Pills that could increase Strength by 1 point, Agility Pills that increased Speed by 1 point, Wisdom Pills that enhanced Intelligence by 1 point, and Dragon-Tiger Pills that raised True Qi by 1 point. All Li Nianlong could do was drool over them. Each pill was priced at 10,000 RMB, an exorbitant cost that left him utterly defeated.
The most outrageous part was that each type of pill could only be consumed three times; beyond that, the effects would not stack. This meant Li Nianlong could only increase each of his four main attributes by 3 points at most; eating a thousand more would not add a single point.
Damn it, System, can you get any more deceitful?
Despite the system's tricks, Li Nianlong had no choice but to accept them. Although the second floor had many good pills, he was disappointed to find no cure for Lan Ruyue's voice issue.
After checking the other six shops' second floors, he found plenty of nice things, but the lowest price tag of 5,000 RMB per item made Li Nianlong grind his teeth in frustration.
System, just you wait! When I' m rich, I' ll drown you in cash!
Leaving the shops filled with resentment, dawn broke, and the distant crow of a rooster pulled Li Nianlong back to reality from his immersion in the system.
Springing out of bed, Li Nianlong stretched, his joints cracking loudly, exuding an intimidating aura.
After freshening up, he descended the stairs. Downstairs, Lan Ruyue was already busy in the kitchen, while the Yue sisters were still sleeping in. Recalling their sacrifice for him yesterday, Li Nianlong walked to their room door and knocked gently, "Changchang, XiXi, are you awake?"
There was no response. Li Nianlong knew they must have exhausted their abilities, requiring deep sleep to recover quickly. A sense of guilt welled up within him, and he swore silently, I, Li Nianlong, am willing to brave through fire and water for you two in this lifetime.
During breakfast, Lan Ruyue was relieved to see Li Nianlong had an appetite as usual, indicating he hadn't been affected by last night's events.
It seems Brother wasn't affected by last night. That's great.
How could he not be affected! Li Nianlong just didn't want to show it, so she wouldn't worry.
Just past ten in the morning, Yuexi finally opened her eyes, but to her surprise, Yue Chang also woke up.
As if startled, Yuexi pointed at Yue Chang, stuttering, "C-Chang, y-you...you're actually awake!?"
"Mmm... Yeah..." Yue Chang yawned sleepily, stretching out. Her body suddenly leaned back, and she lay down again, flipping over. "So sleepy! I really want to sleep more."
"If you're sleepy, just sleep!" Yuexi patted her chest. "You scared me."
"But we can't!" Yue Chang hugged her blanket with arms and legs, yawning widely again. "Master said the mission is completed and wants us to return to Longcheng today."
"Today!?" Yuexi was startled. "When did Master say that? How come I didn't know?"
"Mmm... Last night." Yue Chang squinted her eyes, speaking drowsily, "Last night, on the third floor, while you were outside, I called Master and told him everything that happened yesterday. Master wants us to rush back the next day because there are things he needs to ask us in person."
After saying that, Yue Chang picked up her phone from the bedside, opened a text message, and said, "Master has already booked our return flight tickets, for the noon flight at 12 o'clock."
"So soon!?" Yuexi panicked. "What should we do? It's a forty-minute drive to the airport, and it takes another half-hour to get the tickets and board. The little time left is barely enough for us to shower and pack. What about saying goodbye to Big Brother? I haven't yet!"
Yue Chang yawned again, her voice soft and lethargic, "Just call Big Brother now and ask him to come back and take us to the airport... Mmm... So sleepy..."
"That's right!" Yuexi clapped her hands and immediately grabbed the phone. "C-Chang, you're smart... Hello, Big Brother, XiXi and I have a noon flight today... I didn't know either! Changchang talked to Master last night, and he booked the tickets... Yes, there are no cars nearby, so please come back and take us to the airport!... Okay... Okay... Mm, we'll wait for you."
After hanging up, Yuexi saw Yue Chang had fallen asleep again and hurriedly pushed her. "Changchang, get up and take a shower, change clothes. Big Brother will be back soon."
"Mmm... So sleepy..."
"You have to get up even if you're sleepy! If we miss the flight, Master will scold us again."
"Mmm..."
Li Nianlong took off his work clothes and changed into his casual shorts and T-shirt. "I have a friend who has a noon flight. I need to take her to the airport. I won't take the morning wages, and I'll make sure to be back before work resumes this afternoon."
Seeing Li Nianlong's urgency, the foreman said, "Alright, go ahead! I won't deduct your pay, just come back a bit earlier in the afternoon."
Li Nianlong nodded, rushed to his Panda car, and sped back to the villa.
Ten minutes later, Li Nianlong parked in front of the villa. Unaware of what was happening, Lan Ruyue was steaming buns in the kitchen. Seeing Li Nianlong return, she blinked and signed curiously, Brother, why are you back at this hour?
"C Chang and XiXi are leaving soon. I'm here to see them off," Li Nianlong explained as he walked to the Yue sisters' room and knocked on the door, "C Chang, XiXi, can I come in?"
"Big Brother is back!" The door opened swiftly, revealing Yuexi wrapped in a white towel, her hair soaking wet.
Yuexi's eyes reddened upon seeing Li Nianlong, and she immediately threw herself into his arms. "Big Brother, we're leaving, and I really don't want to part with you."
Yuexi looked quite alluring at the moment, but Li Nianlong suppressed his impulses, gently stroking her damp hair as he whispered, "Don't be like this. We can meet again in the future. Didn't we agree yesterday? We'll stay in touch by phone, and when you're free during winter or summer breaks, come visit me. I'll be waiting."
"Mm." Tears welled up in Yuexi's eyes as she refused to lift her head from Li Nianlong's chest.
"Uh... Big Brother is back..." Just then, Yue Chang emerged from the bathroom, her eyes still misty. She spoke softly, "We'll trouble Big Brother to take us to the airport later!"
"..."
Li Nianlong stared blankly at Yue Chang, silent for a moment before turning his face away. "It's okay."
"Huh? Big Brother, what's wrong?" Yuexi looked at him in confusion. "Why are you turning your face away?"
Li Nianlong didn't answer but pointed at Yue Chang.
Following his gesture, Yuexi turned her head to look and instantly shrieked, "Changchang! What have you done? Why aren't you wearing clothes? Put some on quickly! Aren't you ashamed?"
"Uh..." Yue Chang looked down in a daze, knocking her head lightly. "Eh, why am I not wearing clothes?"
"Get inside quickly!"
Covering his face, Li Nianlong couldn't help but think that Yue Chang's accidental benefit before departure was quite a send-off. She certainly knew how to leave an impression.