C10 CHAPTER10

When the Snow Leopard was summoned, its roar thundered through the air, confirming to Blake the presence of a truly formidable beast:

"Race: Snow Leopard."

"Grade: Bronze."

"Level: Ten stars."

"A ten-star beast!"

A mix of emotion and surprise washed over him; he had set out to alleviate his boredom but had stumbled upon a treasure instead.

"Thank you so much, Boss. Your shop is clearly top-notch, surpassing any in the central district."

"Strike while the iron is hot," Sam mused to himself.

"Haha, well, these items are the last in stock. There were better ones, but they've been sold. However, I do have one more product that's quite rare and currently on sale."

He said this as he picked up a walnut and offered it to the young buyer.

Blake eyed the walnut curiously. Walnuts were hard to come by and pricey, sure, but hardly something to boast about. He looked back at the shopkeeper, expecting an explanation.

"This isn't just any walnut; it's a natural enhancer that can boost your genetic level. The results are nothing short of astonishing," the shopkeeper assured him with a grave look and composed manner.

"And as for the price: it's a mere 100,000 spiritual coins. It may seem steep, but I also offer experience pills for 10,000 coins each, which will level you up instantly after consumption."

"...I'll take one of each, Boss."

Sam nearly leaped with joy at those words. This sale brought his total earnings from this customer to 106,000 coins, all for his account. He had indeed snagged a 'fat sheep.'

With both products in hand, Blake examined them. If they were as authentic and miraculous as the battle pet summon card, then perhaps he was the one who had caught a 'fat sheep.'

Without hesitation, he swallowed the experience pill. Minutes later, he could feel the change; he had leveled up to seven stars awakened.

Next, he cracked open the nut and consumed its contents, feeling a surge of warm energy coursing through him.

As Sam stepped forward to offer a genetic measurement device, Blake waved him off.

"No need, I can tell your products are the real deal. Thank you so much, Boss. Rest assured, I'll be back," he said, and with that, he departed with his battle pets in tow.

As night descended and the shop's doors closed, Sam gleefully tallied up his day's earnings. "The commission from today's shop sales is nearly 70,000 spiritual coins, and the walnuts alone brought in 200,000..." His total haul was 270,000 spiritual coins. Despite spending tens of thousands on upgrades and supplies, it was undeniably a profitable day.

Yet, as he reveled in his gains, a twinge of fear undercut his joy—his current strength was insufficient to safeguard his merchandise.

"System, activate twenty sets of level-1 pill supply channels ten times each, and five level-1 battle pet supply channels, also ten times each."

"Ding! 2,000 spiritual coins deducted. You've obtained:

180 level-1 pills!

20 level-2 experience pills!"

"Ding! 2,500 spiritual coins deducted. You've obtained:

45 Dark Iron-grade Battle Pet summon-cards!

5 Bronze-grade Battle Pet summon-cards!"

"I'll take 12 level-2 experience pills," he declared, promptly ingesting the first pill from the counter.

"Ding! 108,000 spiritual coins deducted!"

"Ding! With the level-2 experience pill, the host has advanced to nine stars awakened!"

The cost in spiritual coins was trivial compared to the imperative of bolstering their forces, Sam mused.

"Ding! With the level-2 experience pill, the host has leveled up to ten stars awakened..."

"Ding! The host has ascended to a 1-star Evolved!"

An hour later, after consuming all 12 pills consecutively, Sam wiped the sweat from his brow. "Only with such a formidable system could one level up so swiftly," he murmured, sensing the surge of newfound power coursing through him.

...

In a prestigious location within the central area, the Vaughn family estate buzzed with activity as the young disciples assembled. Today was the day to assess their cultivation progress. Blake, the heir apparent to the family's current leader, had previously faced the elders' scrutiny, their intent clear—they wished him to relinquish his claim due to his ordinary genes and sluggish cultivation pace, predicting a bleak future for him as a leader.

This time, however, Blake was the picture of serenity, greeting everyone with a smile and showing due respect to the elders. In stark contrast to previous occasions, he had not only advanced to seven stars, but he had also partaken of a miraculous walnut.

When it was Blake Vaughn's turn to demonstrate his cultivation level, the announcement came:

"Blake Vaughn - 7 Stars Awakened."

The elders watched in disbelief as Blake allowed himself a satisfied smile.

"Haha, seems like my rigorous training is bearing fruit, wouldn't you say, elders?"

"Hmmph! You're overdue for such progress. With the resources at your disposal, anything less would be an embarrassment."

In contrast to the clan elders, Joren Vaughn, the Vaughn family patriarch, was visibly heartened by his son's advancement.

Intent on dashing Blake's spirits, the elder moved on to the talent assessment. The patriarch's son was notorious for his lackluster, grade D talent—deemed utterly worthless by many.

"Blake Vaughn - Natural Genes: grade..."

The elder administering the test paused, a look of sheer astonishment crossing his face. As his gaze lifted to meet the expectant eyes around him, particularly Blake's, he hesitated before the next word tumbled out.

"Grade B?"