Dawn broke over Jiangnan City's West District, and the Slum District began to stir.
Smoke drifted from the narrow alleys as children cried, adults scolded, and hawkers called out their wares, weaving together into a familiar morning overture. Lin Fan pushed open the courtyard gate and drew in a deep breath of damp, musty air. Yet his eyes gleamed with a light that seemed utterly at odds with his surroundings.
He carried two things close to his chest: the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass wrapped in oiled paper, and the Rat King's Demonic Core along with eighteen ordinary Demonic Cores, tucked safely against his body.
They were spoils he had won with his life yesterday, and his sister's hope of staying alive.
"First, I'll sell the grass at Hundred Herbs Hall, then take care of the Demonic Cores at the Martial Artist Chamber of Commerce." Lin Fan planned out his route in his mind. "Qingfei Pills are five a month, and each one costs 500 points. I need at least 2,500 points for this month's medicine."
He quickly did the math: the Rat King's Demonic Core was worth 150 points at market price, and the eighteen ordinary Demonic Cores were worth 270. That made 420 points in total. The 180-point reward for the Military Temporary Mission Participant had already come through, bringing him to 600.
He was still 1,900 points short.
"I'll just have to see how much this Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass sells for." Lin Fan touched the oiled-paper bundle against his chest, feeling a little uneasy.
According to the Status Panel's estimate, this mutated Spirit Plant was worth 800 to 1,200 points. If he could sell it for over 1,000, the money from the Demonic Cores would be enough to buy the medicine.
"If it's not enough... I'll have to take a few more dangerous missions." Lin Fan's gaze hardened.
For his sister, no danger was too great.
Hundred Herbs Hall stood on Jiangnan City's main street.
It was one of the city's largest medicinal herb shops, a three-story wooden building with sweeping eaves and raised corners. The three gilded characters "Hundred Herbs Hall" on its signboard gleamed in the morning light. Two stone lions stood imposingly at the entrance. Among those coming and going were martial artists in fine clothes and ordinary people with anxious faces.
Lin Fan paused at the entrance, straightened his coarse martial uniform, faded from countless washes, and stepped inside.
The scent of medicine filled the hall. Rows of medicine cabinets rose from the floor to the ceiling, each drawer marked with a label. Shop assistants moved among them, some preparing prescriptions and others helping customers.
A young assistant glanced up at Lin Fan and frowned slightly, but professional courtesy still brought him over. "What can I get for you, sir?"
"I'd like to sell a Spirit Plant," Lin Fan said directly.
The assistant looked him over. "For ordinary herbs, go to the back entrance. There's someone who handles purchases. As for Spirit Plants... what grade?"
"Mortal Tier Top Grade. A mutated variety."
The assistant's expression shifted. "Please, follow me."
He led Lin Fan into the inner hall, which was much quieter than the front, with only a handful of customers. Behind the central counter sat an elderly man with graying hair, examining a red herb through a magnifying glass.
"Shopkeeper Chen, this customer wants to sell a mutated Spirit Plant," the assistant said respectfully.
The old man looked up and pushed his crystal spectacles higher on his nose. His face was deeply wrinkled, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he surveyed Lin Fan.
"Young man, what kind of Spirit Plant is it?" Shopkeeper Chen asked warmly.
Lin Fan took out the oiled-paper bundle and carefully placed it on the counter, then opened it layer by layer.
As the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass was fully revealed, the light in the inner hall seemed to dim for a moment. Silver patterns veined its three blue leaves, which still gave off a gentle glow in the natural light. A cool, refreshing aura spread through the room.
Shopkeeper Chen's eyes widened.
He quickly put on white gloves, picked up a pair of jade tweezers, and carefully lifted the Spirit Plant to examine it up close. The eyes behind his crystal lenses grew brighter with every passing moment. His pupils even seemed to tremble slightly.
"This... Is this Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass? No, ordinary Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass is white. This one is blue..." Shopkeeper Chen murmured. "The patterns are deeper, the aura purer... Mutated from Moonlight Blue Fluorescent Grass? No, Moonlight Blue Fluorescent Grass can only mutate to Top Grade at most. This one's Top Grade..."
He examined it for a full quarter of an hour. During that time, he brought out a thick copy of the Spirit Plant Atlas to compare it against, then ran a few simple tests with various tools.
Lin Fan waited quietly, though his heartbeat quickened despite himself.
At last, Shopkeeper Chen set down the tweezers, took a deep breath, and looked at Lin Fan. "Young man, where did you get this grass?"
"In the Wilderness, beside an abandoned nest." Lin Fan told the truth but left out the exact location and the battle.
Shopkeeper Chen nodded without asking for details. That was the rule of the trade: no questions about where something came from.
"This Spirit Plant is indeed a mutated variety of Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass, and an extremely rare one at that: Moonlight Blue Fluorescent Grass." Shopkeeper Chen's tone grew solemn. "Ordinary Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass is Mortal Tier Top Grade. Yours has absorbed a special moonlight essence and the energy of the earth veins, so it has mutated to Mortal Tier Top Grade. Taken directly, it can improve Mental Power; it works even better when refined into a Spirit Awakening Pill."
Lin Fan's heart leapt. "Then... how much is it worth?"
Shopkeeper Chen pondered for a moment. "At market price, a Mortal Tier Top Grade Spirit Plant starts at 800 to 1,000 points. But yours is a rare mutation with stronger medicinal properties, and it's been kept in perfect condition. Its roots are intact..."
He paused and held up two fingers. "I'll take it for 1,200 points."
1,200!
Lin Fan's heart gave a hard thump. That was even higher than the Status Panel's estimate!
But he didn't agree at once. His experience in the mine half a month ago had taught him to be careful with every transaction.
"Shopkeeper Chen, that price..." Lin Fan deliberately hesitated.
Shopkeeper Chen smiled. "Young man, I, Chen Baicao, have been in the medicinal herb business in Jiangnan City for forty years. I've never cheated a customer. This Moonlight Blue Fluorescent Grass might fetch 1,300 or even 1,400 at auction, but the auction house would take a cut, and you'd have to wait. Here, I can pay you directly, and you can leave with the money right away."
He paused, then added, "Besides, I can tell you're in a hurry for money. There are bloodstains on your clothes. You've washed them, but the smell of blood is still there. You must have just returned from the Wilderness and need money for medicine or treatment, don't you?"
Lin Fan's heart tightened. The old shopkeeper had a keen eye. He knew his goods, and he knew how to read people.
"You have a sharp eye, Shopkeeper." Lin Fan nodded. "I do need the money urgently."
"Then it's settled." Shopkeeper Chen put away the Spirit Plant and took a money pouch from beneath the counter. "1,200 points. Count it."
Lin Fan took the pouch. Inside were twelve hundred-point Credit Vouchers, the usual currency for large transactions. Each one had been issued by the Huaxia Alliance Bank and bore intricate anti-counterfeiting marks that were difficult to forge.
He checked every voucher carefully, then put them away.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper."
"We both got what we wanted." Shopkeeper Chen waved a hand, then spoke again. "Young man, you're not very old, and you must be pretty capable. If you find Spirit Plants of this quality again, come straight to me. I'll offer you a good price."
Lin Fan nodded. "I will."
Stepping out of Hundred Herbs Hall, Lin Fan touched the bulging money pouch at his chest, and a great weight lifted from his heart.
1,200 points, plus the 420 points from the Demonic Cores, made 1,620. With the 180 points from the Military Temporary Mission Participant reward, he now had exactly 1,800 points.
He was still 700 short.
Lin Fan gritted his teeth and headed for his next destination: the Martial Artist Chamber of Commerce.
The Martial Artist Chamber of Commerce stood at the other end of the main street. It occupied a larger area and was housed in a five-story stone building, with armed guards posted at the entrance. It was the main place for Martial Artists to trade Demonic Beast materials, weapons, armor, cultivation techniques, and martial skills. Almost everyone coming and going was a Martial Artist, at least a 1st Grade Martial Trainee.
Lin Fan had barely reached the entrance when a guard stopped him.
"Show your proof of Martial Artist status," the guard said impassively.
Lin Fan took out his Identity Card. It showed his basic information, along with the newly updated designation: "Military Temporary Mission Participant."
The guard checked it and let him through.
The inside of the Chamber of Commerce was bustling, ten times livelier than Hundred Herbs Hall. The first-floor hall was divided into dozens of sections: the Demonic Beast Materials Zone, Weapon Zone, Armor Zone, Pill Zone, Technique Zone... Martial Artists crowded each section, browsing or making deals.
The air was thick with the mingled smells of blood, metal, and medicine, along with the sweat and surging vitality unique to Martial Artists.
Lin Fan headed straight for the Demonic Beast Materials Zone.
Rows of counters stood here, each staffed by a buyer. A price list on the wall gave the purchase prices for all kinds of Demonic Beast materials.
Lin Fan found the counter marked "Demonic Core Purchases" and waited in line.
Several Martial Artists were making deals ahead of him. Most had a dozen or twenty first-order Demonic Cores, which they traded for a few hundred Credit Points before leaving with happy smiles.
When his turn came, Lin Fan placed all nineteen Demonic Cores on the counter, including the Rat King's.
The buyer was a middle-aged, plump man. He was bent over his ledger and barely glanced at the cores. "First-order Demonic Cores, fifteen points each. That comes to... hmm?"
His gaze landed on the Rat King's Demonic Core, and he stopped moving.
"Is this a second-order Demonic Core?" The man picked it up and held it under the light. "Steel Fang Rat King? No, ordinary Steel Fang Rat King cores are dark gray. This one has white patterns... a mutated variety?"
Lin Fan nodded. "I think so."
The man's expression changed, and his manner turned noticeably more respectful. "Please wait, sir. I'll need to call an appraiser."
He rang the bell on the desk. Soon, an old man in a gray robe came out from the back room.
"Old Man Li, could you take a look at this Demonic Core?" the buyer asked respectfully.
Old Man Li took the core, a glint flashing in his eyes. He didn't use any tools. Instead, he held the core in his palm and closed his eyes, sensing it for a moment.
"A second-order Steel Fang Rat King Demonic Core. The quality is excellent, and it's full of vitality. It's certainly a mutated variety." Old Man Li opened his eyes and looked at Lin Fan. "Young man, how much are you asking for this Demonic Core?"
"Market price," Lin Fan replied calmly.
"At market price, an ordinary second-order Demonic Core is worth 150 points. A mutated one gets a thirty percent premium, which makes 195. But..." Old Man Li paused. "The vitality in this core is perfectly preserved, and it's nearly undamaged. I'm willing to pay 220 points for it. As for these first-order Demonic Cores, I'll offer eighteen points each—three above market price. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
Lin Fan quickly did the math: 220 points for the Rat King's Demonic Core, plus 324 for the eighteen ordinary Demonic Cores, for a total of 544.
That was 124 more than he'd expected!
"Deal." Lin Fan nodded.
The transaction was soon complete. Lin Fan received five hundred-point Credit Vouchers and forty-four points in small denominations, for a total of 544 points.
With the 1,200 points from Hundred Herbs Hall and the 180-point mission reward, he now had 1,924 Credit Points.
That was enough!
He could buy the Qingfei Pills and still have some money left over to improve their lives.
His heart surging, Lin Fan hurried to the Pill Zone.
The Pill Zone was on the Chamber of Commerce's second floor. There were fewer people here, but the atmosphere was more solemn. The scents of various pills filled the air; even one breath was enough to clear the mind.
Qingfei Pills were Mortal Tier Mid Grade pills, used specifically to treat lung damage and congenital lung disease. They weren't hard to make, and their supply was steady, so almost every pill shop stocked them.
Lin Fan compared prices at several stores, then stopped in front of one called Spring Revival Pavilion.
The Qingfei Pills here were listed at 480 points each, twenty points cheaper than at the other stores, but customers had to buy at least five at a time.
"Five Qingfei Pills," Lin Fan said to the young woman behind the counter.
She looked about fifteen or sixteen, wore a pale green dress, and had her hair tied into twin buns. She had delicate features. When she looked up at Lin Fan, surprise flickered in her eyes. Most people buying Qingfei Pills were middle-aged or elderly; young customers were rare.
"Five Qingfei Pills, 480 points each, 2,400 in total," she said in a clear voice.
Lin Fan took out his Credit Vouchers, counted out twenty-four hundred-point vouchers, and handed them over.
The young woman took them and counted carefully, then brought out a small white jade bottle from under the counter. "These are five Qingfei Pills. Take one a day with warm water. Avoid spicy foods and strenuous exercise while taking them."
She handed the jade bottle to Lin Fan, then added, "If your condition hasn't improved after taking them for three months, I suggest you get a thorough examination at a Medical Hall. You may need a higher-grade pill."
"Thank you." Lin Fan took the jade bottle, his fingers trembling slightly.
This was the medicine that cost him 2,500 points every month. In the past, even working himself to the bone, he could earn at most three or four hundred points in a month. He simply couldn't afford it. His sister had had to get by on cheap herbs, and her condition had kept improving and worsening by turns.
But today, at last, he could buy a full month's supply without having to hide it.
"Wait," the young woman called out just as Lin Fan was about to leave.
Lin Fan turned back.
She took another small paper packet from beneath the counter. "These are Throat Lozenges, made with licorice and mint. They can soothe discomfort when a coughing patient sucks on one. They're for you, free of charge."
Lin Fan stared at her, surprised, then took the packet. "Why?"
The young woman smiled. "My younger brother has lung disease too. I know how hard it is to care for someone who's sick. You look... exhausted."
Looking into her sincere eyes, Lin Fan felt warmth well up in his heart.
"Thank you," he said solemnly, tucking the packet away with care.
When he left Spring Revival Pavilion, Lin Fan had the Qingfei Pills close to his chest and 424 Credit Points left in his hand. After thinking for a moment, he went to the first floor's daily necessities section and bought some rice, meat, and vegetables. He also bought his sister a new set of clothes—the ones she wore were so heavily patched that one patch sat on top of another.
By the time he left the Chamber of Commerce carrying bags full of purchases, it was already noon.
The sun blazed overhead, and the streets were crowded with people. Yet Lin Fan's steps felt light, as if he had cast off a burden weighing a thousand catties.
He hurried home, with only one thought in his mind: get the medicine to his sister as soon as possible.
In the small courtyard in the Slum District, Lin Xiaoyu sat on the doorstep, mending clothes.
Hearing footsteps, she raised her head. When she saw Lin Fan returning with bags full of things, her eyes widened in surprise. "Brother, why did you buy so much?"
"Yeah, I made some money today." Lin Fan set down the bags and took a small white jade bottle from his chest. "Xiaoyu, look what this is."
Lin Xiaoyu took the bottle and uncorked it. A cool medicinal fragrance drifted out. When she saw the five smooth, blue-green pills inside, her eyes instantly reddened.
"Q-Qingfei Pills?" Her voice trembled.
"That's right. This month's medicine." Lin Fan ruffled his sister's hair. "Go get some water. Take one now."
Lin Xiaoyu didn't move. Tears pattered down her cheeks.
"Brother, these pills are so expensive... You..."
"Don't worry about the cost. Your brother can earn money." Lin Fan cut her off. "Be a good girl and take your medicine."
Lin Xiaoyu wiped her tears and ran to the kitchen to get water. Her hands were shaking, and she spilled quite a bit before finally managing to fill a cup.
Back in the room, Lin Fan took out a Qingfei Pill and placed it in his sister's palm.
The blue-green pill shimmered with a warm luster in the sunlight, its medicinal fragrance filling the room.
Lin Xiaoyu looked at the pill, then at her brother, and tears welled up again.
"Go on, take it," Lin Fan said gently.
Lin Xiaoyu put the pill in her mouth and swallowed it with warm water. The moment it reached her stomach, it dissolved into a cool current that flowed along her meridians toward her lungs.
She felt the tightness that had weighed on her chest for years slowly ease. Her breathing grew smoother, and a faint blush spread across her pale face.
"Brother, it feels so good," Lin Xiaoyu said in delight. "My chest doesn't feel tight anymore, and I can breathe easily."
Watching his sister change, Lin Fan felt his eyes grow hot.
He opened the Status Panel and saw new information appear in his sister's status section:
[Lin Xiaoyu] [Status: Has taken Qingfei Pill, lung disease easing] [Duration of medicinal effects: 30 days] [Estimated effects: Condition stabilized, coughing reduced by 80%, stamina recovered by 30%]
It worked! It really worked!
The weight in Lin Fan's heart finally lifted. As long as his sister kept taking the medicine, her condition would stabilize and might even gradually improve.
"Brother, you should eat too." Lin Xiaoyu suddenly remembered something. She rummaged through the things Lin Fan had bought, pulled out the meat and vegetables, and said, "I'll make dinner. We're having something good today!"
She bounced off toward the kitchen, her figure full of energy—a sight Lin Fan hadn't seen in a long time.
Lin Fan sat at the table and watched his sister bustle about. The corners of his mouth lifted before he knew it.
All the hardship had been worth it.
All his injuries and all the danger meant nothing beside his sister's smile.
Lunch was a feast: braised pork, stir-fried greens, egg soup, and white rice. For most people in the Slum District, it was the kind of meal they could only afford for the New Year.
The siblings sat facing each other and ate with particular relish.
"Brother, when I get better, I want to practice martial arts too," Lin Xiaoyu suddenly said. "I want to become really strong. Then it'll be my turn to protect you."
Lin Fan smiled. "All right. When you're better, I'll teach you."
"Pinky swear!" Lin Xiaoyu held out her little finger.
Lin Fan held out his own and hooked it with his sister's.
"Pinky swear, lock it tight. A hundred years, no takebacks."
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing them in warmth and brightness.
After dinner, Lin Fan told his younger sister to get some rest while he organized what he had gained that day.
He had 424 points left, enough for the siblings to live on for a month. But martial arts cultivation required more resources—medicinal bath ingredients, weapon maintenance, technique advancement. Every one of them cost money.
I'll have to keep earning. Lin Fan thought.
He took out the Gray Stone Tablet and once again studied the fragment of the Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique inscribed on it.
Combined with the scent of Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass, this technique might be quick to learn and improve his Mental Power. And an increase in Mental Power would benefit his training in any technique or martial skill.
More importantly, Lin Fan had a feeling this incomplete technique might conceal an even deeper secret.
Once the assessment is over, I'll have to study it properly. He carefully put the tablet away.
Footsteps sounded outside the window, followed by a knock at the door.
Lin Fan opened it. It was Auntie Wang from next door, holding a bowl of chicken soup.
"Xiaofan, I heard you got into the Martial Arts Academy?" Auntie Wang said with a warm smile. "I made this chicken soup. Have some, you and Xiaoyu, to build up your strength."
"Auntie, you really didn't have to..."
"Go on, take it. No need to be so polite with me." Auntie Wang pressed the bowl into Lin Fan's hands. "Your parents passed away so early, and it hasn't been easy raising your sister on your own. You've made something of yourself now. I'm happy for you."
Lin Fan accepted the soup, deeply moved.
The Slum District was poor, but its people were warmhearted. Over the years, the neighbors had helped the siblings more times than he could count.
After seeing Auntie Wang off, Lin Fan went back inside and found his sister already asleep.
She was resting her head on the new clothes, a smile at the corners of her mouth. Her breathing was slow and even.
Lin Fan tucked her in, watched her quietly for a while, then slipped out of the room.
He went into the courtyard and began that day's training.
With the assessment drawing near, he couldn't afford to slack off for even a moment.
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1292/5000)] [Basic Footwork: Proficient (791/1000)] [Basic Breathing Technique: Proficient (688/1000)]
His fist technique was still a long way from Major Accomplishment, while his footwork and breathing were both close to reaching Minor Accomplishment.
If I can get my footwork to Minor Accomplishment Level before the assessment, I'll have an advantage in actual combat. Lin Fan thought.
He began practicing his footwork, darting and weaving around the cramped courtyard, his figure swift as the wind.
[Basic Footwork proficiency +1] [Basic Footwork proficiency +1] [Basic Footwork proficiency +1]
The Status Panel notifications kept refreshing as his proficiency steadily increased.
But Lin Fan soon realized that ordinary practice alone was too slow. His proficiency would rise much faster if he could get some real combat experience or train in a special environment.
Too bad I don't have the means right now. Lin Fan shook his head and kept practicing.
After two hours of training, the sun began to sink in the west.
Lin Fan finished his session and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His footwork proficiency had risen to 821 points, leaving him 180 points short of Minor Accomplishment Level (1001 points).
One more day of practice tomorrow should be enough to break through.
He went back inside. His sister had woken up and was sorting through the new clothes.
"Big brother, these clothes are so pretty." Lin Xiaoyu's eyes sparkled.
"I'm glad you like them," Lin Fan said with a smile. "I'll buy you more in the future."
"I don't need more. These are enough," Lin Xiaoyu said earnestly. "You should save your money for training. Once you get stronger, we'll be able to live better."
Lin Fan's nose stung. He rubbed his sister's head. "Silly girl."
Night fell, and scattered lights came on across the Slum District.
After dinner, Lin Fan and his sister sat in the courtyard, looking up at the stars.
"Big brother, do you think Mom and Dad can see us from up there?" Lin Xiaoyu suddenly asked.
"They can." Lin Fan gazed up at the night sky. "They're surely watching over us and keeping us safe."
"Then I'll get better soon, so Mom and Dad won't have to worry." Lin Xiaoyu clenched her little fists.
"Mm. You will."
The siblings sat quietly together, the stars in the night sky seeming to twinkle at them.
For that moment, all their hardships seemed to have drifted away.
But Lin Fan knew this was only the calm before the storm.
The Martial Arts Academy assessment was the real beginning.
And someone like Wang Hao would never let things go.
He had to grow stronger—strong enough to protect his sister, strong enough to find his footing in this cruel world.
"Big brother," Lin Xiaoyu suddenly whispered.
"Mm?"
"Thank you."
Lin Fan turned and saw tears shimmering in his sister's eyes.
He said nothing, only drawing her gently against his shoulder.
The night breeze swept past, warm with the heat of summer.
Tomorrow would be a new beginning.
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