C6 I'm Really a Genius

"Ugh..."

With a resigned sigh, Zhou Mu instructed Qi Xiang to take the wheel while he settled into the passenger seat. He was eager to discover the rewards of the actual combat test.

At graduation, slaying ten second-rank, five-star ordinary fiend beasts was a formidable challenge, yet not unheard of.

One only needed a physique attribute of 20 points to contract with an elite-grade spirit animal.

Reaching a first-rank, five-star level, securing a decent skill, and employing superior tactics could push the success rate beyond thirty percent.

That sounded simple enough, but the reality was that it all boiled down to money.

Even the least impressive elite-grade spirit animal cost upwards of 100,000 yuan, a sum a dual-income family might scrape together only after three years of scrimping and saving.

And even with an elite-grade spirit animal in hand, there was no guarantee the skill would suit its owner.

Take Gator's elite skill, for instance—rarer than one in a billion.

While others toiled to afford spirit herbs or gambled with their lives in the wilderness to boost their physique to 20 points, Zhou Mu had it easy. A mere lie-down on the bed, and Gator would do the work, enhancing his strength, agility, and physique all at once.

And then there was the leader skill, Dragon's Might. Though slightly less rare than Gator's skill, its practicality was second to none.

Given these odds, even the wealthy had to rely on luck to find a skill that matched their needs.

Annually, those achieving a "first-rate" grade A were fewer than the fingers on one hand.

For Zhou Mu, anything purchasable with money was no obstacle. He was keen to see just how extraordinary those regulated items were, courtesy of this reward.

The moment his soul energy merged, a cubic meter of space materialized before him, etched with the same spatial modes as the storage bags of his past life's novels.

The rewards were fivefold, each a treasure for the Zhou Mu of today.

Empire's Book Collection Key: This key grants access to the first level of the Empire's Book Collection and a complimentary martial arts secret manual.

Dongfang Divine Herb: A prized medicinal plant from Blousia, capable of enhancing one's constitution by 5 to 10 points. However, the herb is toxic; repeated use leads to toxin buildup and a significant reduction in medicinal efficacy.

Soul Fragment Powder: This rare substance has a slight chance of forming upon the death of a third rank or higher fiend beast. Utilizing it can boost one's soul intensity by 0.1 points, with a maximum increase of 2 points.

Tianxi Technology's Energy Shield Model III: A flagship product from Tianxi Technology, this device generates a ten-meter diameter spherical shield with no blind spots upon activation. It's capable of withstanding attacks from third rank elite fiend beasts for ten minutes.

Soul Crystal - Soul Spike: This valuable crystal is inscribed with a soul technique. Upon use, the skill is instantly acquired.

As Zhou Mu delved deeper, the items grew increasingly valuable.

The martial arts of this world were pure and straightforward, devoid of internal energy or true qi. Take the Eagle Claw Technique, for example; it required relentless repetitive training and the aid of medicinal herbs to forge fingers as formidable as the talons of an eagle.

The second item was a medicinal herb akin to goji berries, known for enhancing physical constitution and supporting kidney health and vitality—a necessity for many.

The third item, which Zhou Mu was in dire need of, directly increased soul intensity. Yet, this item was exceedingly scarce; one might slay a hundred third rank fiend beasts without obtaining a single one. Coupled with the 2-point cap on soul intensity, it had become a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

The fourth item was Tian Gong Technology's exorbitantly priced energy shield, which even made Zhou Mu, with his monthly allowance of over a million yuan, wince at the cost.

The final item was a reward of the highest caliber: a potent and versatile soul technique.

Each of the five items had its unique purpose and was of immense value to Zhou Mu at this juncture.

Particularly the Eastern Divine Wolfberry, which sparked an audacious idea in Zhou Mu's mind.

The square deal system allowed for exchanges exclusively with items that were Zhou Mu's own. This ranged from the minuscule, such as skin flakes, bacteria, and viruses, to the substantial, like limbs and heads, and even the elusive concept of lifespan.

One question needed clarification: what exactly constituted as "Zhou Mu's" possessions? Through experimentation, Zhou Mu formulated a tentative hypothesis: anything internal to his body was considered his own.

What he earned through his own hard work was rightfully his.

With these two premises in mind, Zhou Mu devised a plan.

And that plan was to consume medicine with wild abandon!

"I'm simply a genius!"

He couldn't resist a surge of genuine self-admiration, and a smile naturally spread across his face.

Who else could come up with such a method?

Who else indeed!

He popped the Gator into his mouth, finding it as sweet as raisins.

Glancing at the attribute panel, he was in luck, having gained eight points in physique.

"System, clear out all impurities and toxins from my body."

He earned 12 points!

Just as Zhou Mu anticipated, this strategy was entirely viable.

No need to fret over the side effects of spiritual medicine; with the system's aid, he could just eat his way to power.

The application of soul fragment powder and soul crystal was straightforward—press it to the forehead, and it would be absorbed on its own.

"Hmm!"

With the motion, the item in his hand transformed into tiny points of light and vanished. Zhou Mu felt invigorated, as a wealth of knowledge suddenly filled his mind.

Unlike bodily attributes, the enhancement of soul intensity was a gradual process.

It would take at least two hours to fully assimilate the soul fragment powder.

Zhou Mu pulled up the attribute panel, and thanks to Gator's efforts, his stats were worlds apart from before.

Name: Zhou Mu

Level: None

Strength: 27 (Enhances physical attack, carrying capacity, etc.)

Agility: 28 (Improves movement speed, reflexes, dynamic vision, etc.)

Physique: 35 (Boosts body defense, healing, stamina, etc.)

Martial Arts: None

Soul Intensity: 1.0 / 222 (Recovering slowly)

Soul Technique: Soul Spike

Soul Spike: Concentrates soul energy into a spike to attack the target's soul. The greater the soul intensity, the more numerous and powerful the soul spikes.

It must be said, Gator was an exemplary ally.

In service to Zhou Mu's well-being, he had given his all.

Through his relentless dedication, Zhou Mu was now as formidable as an ox.

No, he could now fell an ox with a single punch!

Setting aside the energy shield and martial arts for the moment, Zhou Mu navigated to the Animal Whisperer Union's website, intent on purchasing some medicinal herbs.

Previously, his body was riddled with toxins, so weak that it couldn't benefit from any medicinal herbs. Many potent remedies were off-limits.

But now, things had changed. He was back on his feet.

Spirit medicine, demonic potions? He'd start by cramming them in by the basketful.

"Damn it! Is this highway robbery?"

Zhou Mu couldn't hold back his expletives upon seeing the prices.

Dongfang Divine Herb for 660,000!

Six-Eyed Flying Fish for 880,000!

...

A dual-income family of three, scrimping and saving for three years, might manage to put away 100,000 yuan.

And yet, this damned goji berry was going for 660,000 yuan!

It wouldn't be so bad if it were just overpriced, but the thing was toxic to boot!