"This Green Grade Spear Art can be given to other Xiao Family members," Xiao Zhu mused, his gaze lingering on the jade scroll containing the technique.
The scroll shimmered faintly, emanating a sense of potential that was waiting to be unleashed. He turned it over in his hands, feeling the intricate carvings etched into its surface.
As he examined it, a sudden notification flared before his eyes, the Crimson Panel glowing ominously.
[ WOULD HOST LIKE TO FORCE-LEARN TECHNIQUE ]
[ YES / NO ]
"Force-learn?" Xiao Zhu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Am I able to master a technique without even practicing it?" He hesitated for only a moment before answering, "Yes."
The system responded instantly:
[ THE HOST WOULD NEED 10 CREDITS TO LEARN 'HEAVENLY ABIDING RIVER' SPEAR ART. CONTINUE ANYWAY? ]
"Credits?" Xiao Zhu frowned. "What exactly are credits?"
The system's tone was sharp and mechanical:
[ CREDIT IS THE VILLAIN SYSTEM'S CURRENCY AND CAN BE USED TO ACCESS MANY OF ITS FUNCTIONS. ]
Xiao Zhu stroked his short purple beard thoughtfully, his expression contemplative. "And how does one acquire more of these 'credits'?"
[ THE HOST CAN EARN CREDITS THROUGH VILLAINOUS ACTS OR BY HARVESTING THE FORTUNE AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF HEAVEN. ]
The system's explanation sent a cold shiver down his spine.
"Sons and Daughters of Heaven…" Xiao Zhu murmured, recalling the ethereal woman who had forbidden his reincarnation.
Her words echoed in his mind, a reminder of the divine forces he was now set against. "Won't this simply make me court death?"
The Crimson Panel flashed again, almost as if it were mocking his hesitation:
[ AS LONG AS THE FAVORED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF HEAVEN HAVE NO FORTUNE, THE HOST CAN ELIMINATE THEM SAFELY. ]
A sly grin crept onto Xiao Zhu's face. "Interesting… In my past life, I must have been too cautious. It seems I have been playing this game all wrong."
"System, what else can I use credits for?" he asked.
The panel flickered, its information rearranging into a dazzling display of options.
[ SYSTEM STORE ]
[ DIVINE RAGNAROK SWORD - 45,000 CREDITS ]
[ PURPLE GRADE TECHNIQUE - BLOSSOM CURRENT - 85,000 CREDITS ]
[ HEAVEN GRADE TREASURE - HEAVENLY DEMONIC SOUL FORGE - 190,000 CREDITS ]
Xiao Zhu's eyes glinted with greed as he read the list. Each item radiated unimaginable power. "How can I check how many credits I currently possess?"
[ SAY 'CREDIT CARD.' ]
"Credit Card," Xiao Zhu uttered, and the system complied with a sharp creak.
[ NAME: XIAO ZHU ]
[ PHYSIQUE: PRIMORDIAL CORPSE BLOOD ]
[ REALM: 2ND STAGE OF KING REALM ]
[ VILLAIN CREDITS: 100 ]
"Only 100 credits?" Xiao Zhu sighed, disappointment clouding his features. "What can I even do with so little?"
The system's response was immediate:
[ HOST CAN OPEN BASIC CREDIT BOXES. ]
[ PRICE: 10 CREDITS PER BOX. ]
"Fine, open five of them," Xiao Zhu commanded.
The panel shimmered again.
[ DEDUCTING 50 CREDITS ]
[ OPENING FIVE BASIC CREDIT BOXES ]
[ CONGRATULATIONS, HOST! ]
[ 10 BOTTLES OF QI GATHERING PILLS ]
[ LOW GRADE GREEN TREASURE: BLUE-STAR BRACELET ]
[ 10 BOTTLES OF QI GATHERING PILLS ]
[ 10 BOTTLES OF QI GATHERING PILLS ]
[ MID GRADE GREEN PILL FURNACE: COPPER SWALLOWING FURNACE ]
Xiao Zhu's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "This is a much better haul than expected."
Stepping out of his mental palace, he called for the attendant stationed outside his quarters. "Summon Xiao Chen and Xiao Lin to my study," he ordered with an air of authority.
"Right away, Clan Master."
Moments later, his two sons entered the room, bowing deeply. "We greet Father," they said in unison.
Xiao Zhu regarded them intently, his gaze sharp and calculating. 'Xiao Chen, who died chasing a foolish girl, and Xiao Lin, who followed him into the grave not long after… This time, only my family shall do the bullying.'
He tossed each of them a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills. "With these, you should be able to reach the 5th Stage of Qi Refining within two months."
The brothers exchanged a look of surprise, unaware of the extraordinary potency of the pills.
"Spread the word to the family: I am entering seclusion," Xiao Zhu instructed, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Father," they replied, their voices tinged with hidden excitement.
As they left, Xiao Zhu's gaze darkened. "Let them plot and scheme," he muttered to himself. "All of it will give me 'Credits'."
"My Job is to protect them"Xiao Zhu asserted
Later, Xiao Zhu summoned his daughter, Xiao An. Unlike her brothers, she not only received a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills but also the Blue-Star Bracelet, its translucent patterns shimmering faintly.
"Father, this…" Xiao An hesitated, her delicate fingers brushing the artifact.
"Keep it," Xiao Zhu said with a rare softness. "It will protect you."
Satisfied, Xiao Zhu turned his attention inward, ready to delve deeper into the system's mysteries.