Li Taixing moved on to inspect the fourth ring. Inside, he found an abundance of gold, silver, copper coins, and spiritual stones. However, Li Taixing only felt a wave of dizziness at the sight of it all.
'I already have too much money... How am I supposed to spend all this? There's no way I'd care about these vulgar things,' he thought dismissively.
He tossed aside the coins and debris, rummaging deeper into the contents of the ring. He found some skill manuals, though most were Black Soul Palace techniques that he had little interest in. Still, he considered asking the system to analyze them later. If deemed useless, it could be traded for something more powerful.
"Another dual cultivation technique? Meh, it's not even close to the level of my Holy Love Technique," Li Taixing muttered, tossing the manual to the ground.
His search continued, and he finally discovered a treasure box.
"Huh? What's this?" Li Taixing raised an eyebrow as he carefully opened it. Inside, a glowing bead sat, sparkling with a faint light.
"A night pearl? Good for lighting, I guess," he mused, casually tossing it into his dimensional bag.
Suddenly, the system chimed in:
[Ding! You have obtained a Water Repellent Bead. Activating the ten billion multiplier effect. Please choose one of the following options:
1. Increase the quantity and obtain 10 billion Water Repellent Beads.
2. Increase the quality and obtain 1 Hunyuan Pearl.]
'Water Repellent Bead, huh? Could be useful, but what's this Hunyuan Pearl?' Li Taixing thought curiously. Then, the system explained:
[Hunyuan Pearl: A magical artifact that forms a portable protective shield, offering immunity from water, fire, poison, soil, magma, vacuum, and other environmental hazards. However, it does not protect against direct attacks from living beings.]
Li Taixing's eyes widened in surprise. 'This is amazing! I definitely want the second option.'
"System, I choose the second option."
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the special magical weapon: Hunyuan Pearl.]
A bead appeared in Li Taixing's hand, its surface adorned with intricate patterns that pulsed faintly.
"A truly powerful artifact. While it won't help in combat, it'll be invaluable in dangerous environments," he muttered, imagining how he could now traverse poisonous clouds, swim through magma, or even burrow underground.
'This thing is far superior to most techniques!' Li Taixing smiled, slipping the bead into his dimensional bag.
With the fourth ring explored and his biggest gain being the Hunyuan Pearl, Li Taixing eagerly turned his attention to the fifth and final ring.
"This one has to contain something good, right?" he said with rising anticipation.
But as the contents spilled out before him, he was sorely disappointed. After tossing aside more money, clothes, and other mundane items, he came across another Black Soul Card.
He raised his hand to destroy it but hesitated. 'Wait a minute... with Black Soul Palace constantly coming after me, wouldn't destroying this mean I'd lose a good source of treasure?'
A sly grin crept across his face as a mischievous plan formed in his mind. 'If they keep sending people after me, they'll just be bringing me more loot! This card isn't so bad after all.'
Laughing quietly to himself, Li Taixing decided to stash the Black Soul Card away for later use. However, unbeknownst to him, this card would soon lead him to an encounter with a terrifying power.
After checking the rest of the ring, he found nothing remarkable. Most of the items were ordinary—elixirs, weapons, and armor that he already had in abundance. The fifth ring turned out to be quite underwhelming.
Surveying his spoils from all five rings, Li Taixing assessed his true gains: an enormous collection of pills, the Holy Love Technique, the Hunyuan Pearl, a mysterious treasure map, and the title of the strongest alchemist.
His success felt undeniable, but now the ground was littered with useless items: money, spiritual stones, manuals, weapons, and other materials that no longer interested him.
"System, what should I do with all this junk?" he asked.
[Ding! Useless supplies detected. Activating the ten billion multiplier effect. Please choose:
1. Convert the host's current weapon into a growable weapon.
2. Convert the host's current equipment into growable equipment.
3. Convert the host's current skills into growable skills.
4. Convert the host's current qualifications into growth-enhancing qualifications.]
Li Taixing's eyes widened in surprise. 'Oh, man... I have no idea which one to choose!'
"System, do you have any recommendations?"
[For long-term development, it is suggested the host chooses the fourth option.]
"Why?" Li Taixing asked, intrigued.
[When mortals cultivate to become immortals, they focus on mastering the Five Elements. However, when immortals aim to ascend to sainthood, comprehension becomes key.
The host currently has no elemental attributes, and even if you become an immortal, your comprehension would remain none.
If you choose the fourth option, you will gain the qualifications necessary to ascend without being limited by attributes, making future breakthroughs easier.]
Li Taixing nodded, realizing the wisdom behind this suggestion. 'My attributeless nature should've been a disadvantage, but with the system's amplification, it's become my strength. Without this, I'd still be a nobody.'
"Alright, I'll choose the fourth one," he agreed, knowing that improving his qualifications would be far more valuable than upgrading his weapons or skills.
[Ding! Your qualifications have been successfully transformed.]
"System, open my panel," Li Taixing commanded.
---
[Host: Li Taixing
System Level: 2 (awaiting promotion to Level 3)
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Realm: Ninth level of Foundation Building, World's Strongest Alchemist
Identity: Disciple of the Fifth Elder of Xuantian Sect
Skills: Tai Chi Sword, Seven Wounds Fist, Supreme Emotional Art
Special Abilities: Telekinesis, Flight, Teleportation, Spiritual Sea Awakening
Special Attributes:
Defense: Ignore attacks from opponents in the current realm.
Dodge: Evade attacks from opponents in the current realm.
Power: Invincible strength within the current realm.
Pets: Xiong Er, Silly Bird, Vest, Xiao Feng, Xiao Zhu
Weapon: Qingyue Sword
Equipment: Xuantian Sect Inner Sect Disciple Robe
Magical Weapon: Hunyuan Pearl
Comprehension: Immortal
Rank: Low Grade
Evaluation: Congratulations, you now have the qualifications to become an immortal.]
---
Li Taixing looked at his updated stats and couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
"Finally... I'm on my way to immortality!" he grinned, ready for the next challenge.