Chapter 358 - Pseudo Threelegged Golden Toad

Su Ming was thrilled.

He hadn't expected a Level Three product to make an appearance in the store!

Following a flash of dazzling blue light, his eyes locked onto the item.

Su Ming blinked in disbelief.

It was the Three-legged Golden Toad.

This creature hailed from the imperial court's mythological tales.

It resided on the moon, much like the jade rabbit.

Within the imperial court's traditions, the Three-legged Golden Toad was a harbinger of good fortune.

It symbolized wealth.

Many claimed to have encountered the Three-legged Golden Toad, and those who did often stumbled upon unexpected riches.

?Nowadays, it's common to see a Three-legged Golden Toad perched on shop counters, clutching a coin in its mouth.

While the Maneki-Neko serves as a wealth emblem in the island country, the Three-legged Golden Toad is the imperial court's enduring symbol of prosperity.

Su Ming never imagined that the System would feature a Three-legged Golden Toad!

As he marveled at the sight, his mouse cursor inadvertently hovered over it.

The label read, Pseudo Three-legged Golden Toad!

Su Ming paused, taken aback.

Was it a counterfeit?

“Yuvyuv, what's this all about?” he asked urgently.

?”Master, this isn't the true Three-legged Golden Toad; it's a descendant from many generations of the original,” Yuvyuv clarified.

?That made sense.

Su Ming nodded, enlightened but slightly let down.

?He had hoped it was the genuine article, but it turned out to be merely a progeny of the original Three-legged Golden Toad.

?Nevertheless, Su Ming quickly adjusted his expectations.

?Given his current low level, it was understandable that the real Three-legged Golden Toad wouldn't appear.

But what did the presence of a Pseudo Three-legged Golden Toad imply?

That could potentially lead to a loss.

“You need to level up!” Yuvyuv informed him.

?”Level up?” Su Ming blinked in surprise. “To what level do I need to upgrade?”

“My authority is insufficient to provide that information,” she replied.

Su Ming pondered for a moment.

Anything that appeared in the first refresh had to be worth keeping!

He decided to hold onto it.

Clicking the mouse, Su Ming locked in the item.

He was counting on the System to live up to his expectations.

Otherwise, he'd be at a loss!

After wrapping up most of the work in the field, Su Ming finally allowed himself to relax.

He was lounging in the villa, watching TV when Su Ming's phone rang. He checked the caller ID—it was his mother.

“Mom, what's up?” Su Ming answered.

“Do I need a reason to call you?” Lee Sumei's voice came through the line.

?”Of course not!” Su Ming quickly responded. “I'm always happy to hear from you!”

“I actually do have a reason this time,” Lee Sumei admitted.

?”What's going on?” Su Ming inquired.

“Do you remember your fourth uncle's granddaughter?” she asked.

Su Ming paused, blinking as he dredged up the memory. His grandfather had four brothers. His grandfather was the second oldest. The eldest and Third Brother had moved away when they were younger, while the youngest had relocated to a nearby town. Only Su Ming's grandfather and his fourth uncle had stayed put. His fourth uncle had one son, one daughter, a granddaughter, and two grandsons. The granddaughter was three years younger than Su Ming. They had spent summers together as kids and got along well, but they hadn't seen each other since they started junior high. It had been over a decade.

“Yeah, I remember her. What about her?” Su Ming asked.

?”We've lost touch with their family over the years, but I just learned she's now a sophomore at Eastsea University,” Lee Sumei explained.

?Su Ming was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to be in Eastsea.

“Is she in trouble?” he asked, concern creasing his brow.

?”Yes, she's been having a tough time at school. Her mother found a depression diagnosis in her room yesterday and was too worried to confront her about it. They know you're in Eastsea, so they reached out to me,” Lee Sumei explained. “Could you visit her at school and see if you can help?”

?”I'm on it. Just text me the school's name, and I'll head over there right away,” Su Ming assured her.

?”Will do,” Lee Sumei said before ending the call.

Shortly after, a text message with the details arrived.