Blood

Xiao Yi's computing ability was beyond doubt. The unknown changes caused by crossing through time and space had forged her into an unprecedented Ninth-Ring Arcane Artifact, comparable to a supercomputer.

However, Duke's own limited knowledge had left Xiao Yi's database pitifully small.

Without enough big data, computing power alone was useless.

However.

As Duke continued gathering information from the outside world, Xiao Yi's database would sooner or later expand explosively. Only then would Xiao Yi's terrifying computing power truly show itself.

It was late at night.

After taking a shower, Duke called out, "Xiao Yi, I'm going to sleep. Keep running Field Meditation in the background. If you have any spare computing power, continue improving the Desert Eagle."

"Understood, Master. Have a good dream."

By June, Snakehead Town had already entered the sweltering summer season.

Duke, who had risen early, did not buy steamed buns for breakfast. Instead, he ran all the way to a breakfast stall in a small alley and bought a serving of the locally famous "Shredded Soup."

One of the ingredients in Shredded Soup was a powder ground from a 0-Ring Spirit Insect.

This 0-Ring Spirit Insect was called a Slender Inchworm.

That was how Shredded Soup got its name.

Just as Duke had bought his Shredded Soup and sat down to eat, a familiar man carrying his own bowl squeezed over. Upon seeing little Duke, the other man clearly frowned.

However, all the surrounding tables and chairs were occupied, so he could only sit down there.

"Ah, Boss Best, good morning." Duke looked up and revealed a bright smile.

"Heh." Best wore a smile that did not reach his eyes and sneered, "Isn't this Boss Duke, who just got a Card Repair Shop for nothing? How's your card-repair technique coming along? If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me for advice. After all, you're my apprentice. Teaching you a little won't be a problem."

"No need to trouble yourself. After all, I heard your business hasn't been doing very well lately, and you're worrying over it."

"Temporary gains and losses mean nothing. Only by doing business for the long term can you make money. Let me tell you, little Duke—don't get cocky. I refuse to believe you can keep this up!"

From Best's tone, it was obvious he was unconvinced by Duke's actions.

He had decided that Duke's approach was nothing more than losing money to gain attention.

Duke suddenly had an idea. He quickly put away his smile and adopted a cold tone. "My shop may be struggling for now, but if I can outlast you, that's already a victory!"

"Heh. It's not certain who'll outlast whom!"

"Then just wait and see."

"Don't cry, kid!"

The two glared at each other twice before falling silent, each focusing on the Shredded Soup in his own bowl.

After eating and drinking his fill, Duke ignored Best completely, paid, and left. On the way, he looked back at Best, who was still drinking his soup, and felt an inexplicable thrill.

"I hope Best has some backbone and keeps fighting me. That way, when his shop goes under, his losses will be even worse!"

He had deliberately provoked Best just now, making him believe that Little Sam's Card Shop was also having a hard time and giving him the idea that if he gritted his teeth and held on a little longer, he could outlast Little Sam's Card Shop. That way, the longer Best's Card Repair Shop persisted, the more miserable his losses would be.

He would kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.

That would make anyone planning to enter the market and open a Card Repair Shop think twice about whether it was worth it.

In any case.

There could only be one Card Repair Shop on Second Vertical Street—and it was Duke's Little Sam's Card Shop.

Without taking his competition with Best too seriously, Duke returned to the shop and silently began studying discarded spirit cards. With Xiao Yi helping gather data, every study session yielded a great deal of experience.

This allowed his card-repair skills to steadily accumulate.

The only thing he lacked was the transformation of Spirit Liquid into energy lines within his spirit sea. Once that happened, his control over Spiritual Power would greatly increase, and he could truly begin repairing spirit cards.

"I might as well take the exam for a Card Master certificate while I'm at it."

His life had already gotten on the right track. Duke was extremely satisfied with his current situation. Crossing over to become a bottom-level apprentice in a supernatural world had not restricted his pursuit of power.

He spent a comfortable afternoon studying spirit cards.

"Boss, I'm heading home." Sally organized the day's accounts and said goodbye to Duke.

"Mm."

After locking the shop door, Duke carried a newly purchased book back to his converted warehouse residence and continued studying knowledge according to his usual routine.

"Xiao Yi, how's the background progress on Field Meditation?"

"Reporting to Master, Xiao Yi can now allocate 85% of her computing power to maintain Field Meditation, freeing up 15% to improve the Desert Eagle."

"After cultivating for the past few days, what are the comparative results between Field Meditation and Blank Paper Meditation?"

"Field Meditation's absorption speed is approximately 10% higher than Blank Paper Meditation's, while its Spirit Liquid condensation efficiency is approximately 7.5% higher... Based on Xiao Yi's experience cultivating Field Meditation, she has been unable to bring out the meditation method's full effect. The missing part may be related to comprehension."

"Comprehension..."

Duke put down his book and pondered in silence.

Back then, Willgang's assistant had mentioned that Field Meditation suited geniuses with high comprehension. Spirituality had never been a rigid power. Instead, it was filled with agility, and Field Meditation began from that agile nature of spirituality, seeking harmony with spiritual power and thereby improving the meditation method's effects.

A moment later, he made his decision. "Field Meditation is named after the 'field,' so I need to go into the wilderness and seek enlightenment. I'll make time to take a trip outside and see if I can make up for what's missing."

Xiao Yi was an artificial intelligence with tremendous computing power, but her comprehension was another matter.

Some things had to be handled personally by him.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the warehouse's back door.

Duke immediately rose and went to the entrance. "Who is it?"

"It's me." A weak voice came from outside. "Rony."

"Mr. Rony? Is something wrong this late at night?" Duke did not open the door.

Rony's weak voice answered intermittently, "I'm injured. I need your help, Boss Duke... Don't worry, I won't... ask for help for free. I'll... pay you enough... gold dragons."

Although he did not want to invite trouble, Rony had already come to his door.

Duke prepared to draw the First-Ring Arcane Artifact Desert Eagle at any moment. After waiting briefly and detecting no movement outside or anyone chasing Rony, he finally opened the door.

Rony stumbled inside, wearing a pitch-black windbreaker.

The instant he entered, he collapsed onto the floor. At the same time, a bundle in his arms fell with him and rolled across the ground.

"Mr. Rony!" Duke closed the door, then cautiously crouched down to examine Rony's injuries.

Only after checking did he discover that Rony's windbreaker was soaked in blood. His face was so pale that not a trace of color remained, and he lay on the floor, gasping weakly and intermittently.

"Water..." Rony was on the verge of losing consciousness.

Duke swiftly fetched a cup of cool boiled water and fed it to Rony bit by bit.

After drinking the water, Rony finally regained a sliver of consciousness. He cast a powerless glance at Duke and said, "Do... do you have a Healing Card..."

"No."

"I'm going to die... Help me..."