"If I remember correctly, the new semester at Nuoding Academy doesn't start for another three months. Should I stay in the village and farm rewards, or head to Nuoding City early to take care of business?"
Lin Chen sat on a stool, thinking to himself.
The business in question was, naturally, buying Whale Rubber to improve his physical strength.
A Spirit Master's ability to withstand their first four Spirit Rings depended solely on their physical strength, and Whale Rubber happened to be a treasure that could improve it.
However, Whale Rubber's true purpose wouldn't be discovered until Douluo II.
For now, it was just an aphrodisiac.
Spirit Masters probably had no use for aphrodisiacs, while ordinary people couldn't handle anything too potent. That meant high-year Whale Rubber had no market.
Without buying, there could be no harm.
Who would stock goods that had no market and were hard to sell?
If Lin Chen wanted high-year Whale Rubber, he would probably have to pre-order it.
There was no way he could get it in time if he waited three months.
If he went to Nuoding City to place an order now, three months should be more than enough.
"Ah, whatever. I can farm rewards anywhere, right?"
"I shouldn't keep picking on Tang San. If I pick him clean, that wouldn't be good."
"I'll let him catch his breath."
After thinking for a moment, Lin Chen decided to head to Nuoding City early.
The age of his First Soul Ring was the key issue right now.
"Xiao Chen!"
Lin Chen looked up at the sound of his name and saw Old Jack approaching at an unhurried pace.
"Grandpa Jack."
Lin Chen hurried to his feet, went to the gate in the fence, and opened it.
Old Jack patted Lin Chen's head. "Grandpa came to tell you that registration for the new semester at Nuoding Academy won't open for another three months. Don't be impatient."
"Grandpa, I'm planning to head to Nuoding City early and see if I can earn some money for living expenses."
Lin Chen seized the chance to explain.
Old Jack chuckled. "Child, making money isn't as easy as you think. You're only six years old. No one will hire you."
"Grandpa, I'm not just any ordinary child."
Lin Chen grinned, released his Sky Thunder Whip, and lashed the peach tree lying on the ground.
"Crack!"
As the sharp report rang out, the spot where the whip struck the tree exploded.
Old Jack stared, dumbfounded.
His Martial Soul had only just awakened, yet he was already this strong?
"Grandpa Jack, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself. Besides, Master Su Yuntao is still in Nuoding City. If I run into trouble, I'll go find him."
Seeing that Old Jack was about to say something, Lin Chen hurriedly reassured him.
At his words, Old Jack couldn't help remembering what Su Yuntao had said to Lin Chen before leaving.
"All right, then. Grandpa will take you to Nuoding City first thing tomorrow morning."
"Grandpa Jack, you don't need to go to all that trouble for me. I can go by myself."
Lin Chen politely declined.
Old Jack was still hale and hearty, but he was old all the same. Making the trip there and back would be quite a strain.
Old Jack glanced at the peach tree and thought that maybe there really was no need.
"All right, then. Be careful."
As he spoke, Old Jack took Lin Chen's Work-Study Student Certificate from inside his coat.
Lin Chen took the certificate from him. "Mm, I'll be careful."
Then he took out a key and handed it to Old Jack.
"Grandpa Jack, once I leave, even if I come back in the future, it'll only be for a short stay. Feel free to take anything useful from the house."
Old Jack understood, so he took the key without hesitation.
"Come on. Grandpa will walk you to the village entrance."
Old Jack saw Lin Chen to the village entrance, reminding him over and over to be careful along the way.
"Grandpa Jack, you should head back. I'm off."
Lin Chen waved and walked toward Nuoding City without looking back.
"Child, be careful on the road!"
"I will, Grandpa Jack."
Old Jack stood at the village entrance until Lin Chen disappeared from sight. Only then did he shake his head and turn back toward the village.
Nuoding City wasn't far from Holy Soul Village, only fifteen or sixteen kilometers away.
It took Lin Chen just over three hours to arrive.
"Uncle, please wait!"
Lin Chen had just entered the city when he called out to a burly, middle-aged man.
The man stopped. "What is it, little one?"
[Disaster Passerby successful, obtained 132 Gold Soul Coins.]
Lin Chen stared at the man's glabella. "I can see that your glabella is dark. Misfortune may be coming your way soon. You'd better watch your wallet and pay attention to your surroundings."
A single Disaster Curse could only bring minor trouble when the misfortune struck—at most, losing some money or taking a tumble—so Lin Chen didn't feel too guilty.
"Where'd this little brat come from? Go play somewhere else."
The middle-aged man felt thoroughly vexed and fought the urge to give him a beating.
"Hey, I was just trying to warn you—"
"Get lost! Get lost!"
Before Lin Chen could finish, the man cut him off.
After saying that, the man turned and left.
"Damn, what a nuisance!"
The man muttered as he walked, not noticing the raised paving stone in his path. He tripped over it and pitched straight toward the ground.
Normally, he would have stumbled and caught himself.
But his luck seemed to be especially bad. Misfortune struck all at once.
"Thud!"
The man hit the ground hard and was left completely dazed.
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
He turned to look at the raised paving stone, and his whole face fell.
"Was that kid really that uncanny?"
"Or can his Martial Soul let him see through other people's fortunes?"
The middle-aged man sprang to his feet.
But he scanned the area and couldn't see the child anywhere.
"Damn, I missed out on a lucky break!"
The man was close to tears, filled with regret that he hadn't asked a few more questions.
Lin Chen walked along, pretending to be a fortune-teller.
Still, he had his limits. He wouldn't target the elderly or children.
The elderly and children might not be able to handle a fall.
Of course, if he ran into some old reprobate or a spoiled brat, he wouldn't go easy on them. He'd even make things worse.
"Ah, my luck's not great today."
Seeing that he'd earned another hundred Gold Soul Coins or so, Lin Chen couldn't help sighing.
The system's rewards were random. It didn't distinguish between children of fortune and ordinary people.
Tang San or an ordinary person—it made no difference.
Most rewards were Gold Soul Coins. Whether he got something special depended on luck.
And Lin Chen's luck today was clearly terrible.
As he walked, Lin Chen suddenly spotted an adult store.
Without a moment's hesitation, he went inside.
"Boss, do you sell Whale Rubber?"
The shopkeeper sitting behind the counter looked up, the corner of his mouth twitching at the sight of Lin Chen.
Was this kid growing up a little too fast?
And how old was he? Did he already need Whale Rubber to help him out?
Some went without while others had more than they knew what to do with.
Seeing the look in the shopkeeper's eyes, Lin Chen immediately realized he'd misunderstood.
"Come on, boss. Couldn't I be buying it for someone else?"
"Huh? Oh, right!"
"Ahem... Anyway, yes, we have it. How many years' worth do you want?"
The shopkeeper looked a little embarrassed.
Before you continue