Anos gazed at the jade pendant in his hand, sensing the subtle spiritual energy coursing through it. "This is undoubtedly a spiritual tool," he thought.
Capable of blocking a deadly attack from an 8-star Spirit Condensation Realm expert, its value to Anos was immense. His current realm made him vulnerable to such powerful opponents.
"Thank you, Miss Sofia," Anos said sincerely, hanging the jade pendant around his neck. This protective amulet brought him relief.
As an intermediate Spirit Gathering Realm cultivator, facing an 8-star Spirit Condensation Realm expert would be perilous. One misstep, one miscalculation, and Anos's life would hang in the balance. The jade pendant offered a crucial lifeline.
Sofia nodded, "Now, focus on preparing for the Martial Art Assembly."
Anos's eyes sparkled with determination. "Miss Sofia, what realm do I need to reach to compete for first place in the Martial Art Assembly?"
Sofia's expression turned serious. "The top three academies have around 20 exceptional experts. Currently, they're likely in the Arcane Body Realm. However, I don't know the exact number of Arcane Body Realm experts."
Anos's mind raced. Reaching the Arcane Body Realm would require tremendous effort, but he was driven by his ambition.
"I'll work tirelessly, Miss Sofia," Anos promised.
Sofia smiled, her eyes shining with confidence. "I believe in you, Anos. Your potential is vast. Now, go! The path to greatness awaits."
Anos knew John's absence was due to his bold venture into demon beast territory for experience. Anos vowed to surpass him.
John Gill's arrogance made him the perfect target for Anos's ascent.
However, Sofia's words left Anos stunned. He had underestimated the competition.
"I understand, I'll head home now," Anos said.
Sofia nodded, "En."
Anos departed, his mind racing with determination. He would surpass John and shine at the Martial Art Assembly.
...
Anos returned home, grinning from ear to ear. Today's haul was impressive, and the highlight was undoubtedly the unexpected encounter with Amelia.
In a bold move, Anos had pinched Amelia's butt, earning him a whopping 300,000 scum man points. The thrill of the conquest still lingered.
After trading three experience fruits, Anos achieved a significant milestone: level 15 of the 5-star Spirit Condensation Realm. His cultivation was advancing at an impressive pace.
With 510,000 scum man points remaining, Anos deliberated his next move. Should he invest in further cultivation or explore other opportunities? His hesitation was brief, as he decided to take a chance on the big wheel.
Glancing at the time, Anos's thoughts shifted to Luna, who would soon be returning home. A hint of apprehension crept into his mind. "Please, not another Love doll," he silently pleaded, recalling the embarrassment of his previous "gift."
Anos shuddered at the memory, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.
...
Anos's eyes widened as a notification echoed in his mind.
"Ding... You have successfully obtained the Earth Tier 9 Star Spiritual Tool [Firestorm Nugget]."
What made them truly terrifying was their ability to blend in seamlessly with society. They lived among innocent civilians, disguising their sinister intentions behind ordinary faces.
No one suspected the harmless-looking stranger next to them might be an Evil Fiend Temple member, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Their motive was chilling: harvesting experience points for the God's Blessing System, a twisted path to level up.
The thought sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors.
In this world, trust was a luxury no one could afford.
....
Anos carefully put the Firestorm Nugget away. He still felt that it was not safe to put it in his pocket. What if he accidentally fell and touched it and it exploded? Then he wouldn't even have a corpse left!
However, with the Firestorm Nugget in his hand, Anos suddenly had an idea!
Tonight, he would leave Flower City and go to the Demonic Beast Territory to kill monsters and level up!
Anos knew that relying solely on Experience Fruits would slow his progress. He needed to battle real Demonic Beasts to hone his skills.
Venturing beyond Flower City's borders, however, posed significant risks. Fortunately, the outskirts of the city weren't too treacherous, thanks to the numerous Martial Artists who frequented the area, hunting monsters and leveling up daily. The most vulnerable targets had already fallen, leaving relatively fewer threats.
As a Level 15 Martial Artist, Anos was confident in his ability to venture out alone.
One crucial element missing from his arsenal was a Spiritual Weapon. Currently, he relied on hand-to-hand combat.
Acquiring a sword would be ideal, but that required advancing to the next class. Even a basic 1-star Yellow Rank Spiritual Weapon came with a hefty price tag – tens of thousands.
For now, Anos decided to stick with hand-to-hand combat, opting to save his resources.
....
Luna entered, her gaze drawn to the sofa, searching for another doll.
"Little Fairy, you're back," Anos said with a warm smile.
Luna hung her bag, changed into slippers, and replied, "I canceled my meeting tonight, so I'll cook."
"En, love you," Anos said.
Luna's eyes widened, but she ignored him.
Anos adored Luna, knowing her for only three years. Her kindness filled him with warmth.
In this unforgiving era, strength was everything. Without it, one was voiceless and vulnerable.
Determined to protect Luna, Anos vowed to become stronger.
"John, one day I'll use your blood to atone for your sins!" Anos' eyes narrowed, fueled by a murderous intent.
....