Jiang Nan in full cultivation mode was undeniably terrifying.
Under the double boost of his SSS+ talent and the heart-thumping popping candy, the total spiritual energy in his body was rising bit by bit.
The top-tier mandarin duck hotpot had finally quietened down.
As for the other pots, they had become extraordinarily lively because of the Muscle Mod Department’s arrival.
A day and a half later.
Jiang Nan’s level had surged to Gold IX, and he was now charging towards Gold X.
Zhong Yingxue, Xia Yao, and the others were also steadily improving.
In fact, Jiang Nan’s physical condition had long reached Platinum level.
He wanted to use this opportunity to push straight to Platinum in one go.
Breaking through a major rank would trigger another massive physical transformation.
Though his body would not match the freakish strength of a Diamond expert, it would not be far off.
Then fully activating Blood Burn would no longer be an issue.
Yet Jiang Nan had overestimated himself.
By the end of the second day, the improvement speed had slowed dramatically.
Absorbing at this rate left him feeling bloated and sore all over.
Just like that time in the spirit pool. The human body had limits. Even if Jiang Nan transcended humanity, he could not become instantly obese.
At that point, the time was up for Ye Xingxuan and her six companions.
In two days, aided by the heart-thumping popping candy, they had each gained about two stars. Ye Xingxuan had gained three.
The joy of levelling up diluted their sorrow at becoming devilish musclewomen.
Their physical strength had also improved substantially.
They headed back first. Jiang Nan asked Ye Xingxuan to request one more day off from Uncle Da.
Training extended by another day.
Before leaving, Jiang Nan gave each of the seven a green fish-man head mask to cover their heads.
Ye Xingxuan darkened her pretty face. “Nan-god, where do you get these ridiculous masks?”
First Pikachu, now green fish-man?
A diamond Barbie was already terrifying enough. Adding this on their heads…
They would lose all face.
Jiang Nan grinned. “Be grateful you have them. With them on, no one will know who you are.”
And so.
Seven diamond Barbie green fish-men left Sacred Flame Spirit Ruins under countless stares, taking seven separate taxis back to the academy.
Only one could fit in each taxi.
[Resentment from Bai Jiafei +1000!]
[From Ye Xingxuan…]
Nightingale’s time was also up. She came to find Jiang Nan.
He gave her a motorcycle helmet and ten little Cloth Puddings.
“Eat the puddings when you get back. You’ll thank me.”
Nightingale darkened her pretty face, putting on the helmet. “When are you picking up Mira?”
Jiang Nan stiffened. He had originally planned to collect Mira right after leaving Sacred Flame Spirit Ruins.
But now, tainted by Super Strength 2.0, if he fetched her looking like this, she would definitely despise him.
“In a few days. Once my hair and eyebrows grow back.”
Nightingale smirked. “Fine. Call me then. There are some very important things about Mira I need to tell you.”
Jiang Nan nodded. Nightingale left too.
Third day.
Due to the Muscle Mod Department’s frenzied absorption, the 300 barrels of Super Strength 2.0 that had spread through the underground waterways were nearly depleted.
The glowing heads of the Ten Suns had also dimmed. People grew even more convinced that this muscle incident was linked to the omen.
As the third day drew to a close.
Jiang Nan continued absorbing spiritual energy, though the pace was now very slow.
His level had reached the peak of Gold IX.
Platinum was out of reach.
Whether he could hit Gold X was now up to fate.
While absorbing, Jiang Nan did not idle. Finally having time, he checked his system.
Selling shorts at his stall recently had earned plenty.
After the system’s cut, he did not have much left.
But skill points had accumulated to 1.41 million.
So many there was nowhere to spend them.
Jiang Nan looked satisfied. He really was a dedicated stall owner.
Keeping skill points hoarded was no good.
Looking at his skill list, Super Strength Diamond Finger was already maxed.
So his gaze fell on the Eight Gates.
Since learning the Eight Gates, it had stayed at top level. He could only open up to the seventh Gate of Shock.
He had never maxed it because he felt the Gate of Death was unnecessary. He might end up killing himself.
Anyway, with skill points to burn.
Max it.
[Adding skill points: 1 million!]
[Skill upgraded! Eight Gates (Grandmaster): MAX!]
Instantly, knowledge of stimulating the Gate of Death’s acupoints flooded his mind.
Jiang Nan sucked in a cold breath.
No wonder it was a life-for-power cheat. The boost from opening the Gate of Death was terrifying.
Unleashing the body’s full potential, surpassing limits, exploding everything in a short burst.
If he opened it, even little ginseng could not save him.
Jiang Nan shook his head like a rattle. He would never open it.
Or even Li Bing could not kiss him back to life.
41 thousand skill points remained. His gaze shifted to resentment value.
After recent spending, it sat at around 8.42 million.
Jiang Nan pouted. Was he not vicious enough?
So long without draws, and only this much?
[(´-﹏-`٥)]
Fine. Start with a 5 million lucky ten-draw to test luck.
[Lucky ten-draw lottery begins!]
[Congratulations! Prize: Passionate Flaming Mittens (pair)!]
[Thank you for participating! Consolation: Paralysis Gold Ring (one)!]
Only on the forty-third draw did something new appear.
[Thank you for participating! Consolation: Cringe Dance Grenade (one)!]
[Thank you for participating…]
Jiang Nan paused. After the Paralysis Gold Ring, a new consolation prize?
After 50 lucky ten-draws, he got 73 grenades.
Could it not give a proper new prize? It had been ages.
Consolation prizes were all so dodgy.
What was this grenade?
Curiosity piqued, Jiang Nan checked his inventory.
[Cringe Dance Grenade!]
Effect: Thrown item. After tossing, affects a 100-metre diameter area. All creatures within are forced to dance.
Dance duration: maximum 3 minutes, minimum 3 seconds.
Dance style random.
Why not dance? Fighting is worse than dancing.
Make yourself feel good.
It’s everyone’s talent.
Keep dancing. Slashing is worse than dancing.
Getting along this way.
No one feels alone.
I’ll take charge ᕙ(๐¯͒ٹ¯͒)☞
You! Want to dance too?
ጿ✧ኈ✧ቼ✧ዽ✧ጿ
Jiang Nan: (๐ﾟﾛﾟ)!!
What kind of deranged effect description was this?
Why did I involuntarily start singing along?
So rhythmic?
Forces all creatures in range to dance? Works on non-humans too?
Minimum three seconds?
Holy crap.
What about Dao Tian? If Dao Tian got hit, would he…
This was a divine artefact.
Jiang Nan grew instantly excited.
Why were all consolation prizes so irresistibly addictive?
Who knew what side effects this Cringe Dance Grenade had?
Swallowing hard, Jiang Nan pulled one out to examine.
The grenade in his hand was round, orange-sized, rainbow-coloured, emitting a hazy glow.
On the front was a black, eerie smiling face.
-`☻´-
Staring at the smile sent a shiver down Jiang Nan’s spine. This was definitely not something good.
The side effects might be deadly.
Yet he could not suppress the urge to test it. His gaze fell on the many hotpots in Sacred Flame Spirit Ruins.
He quickly shook his head.
No, no. They were already pitiful enough.
He could not prank them further.
Eh? When did I develop such a conscience?
He would have to test it later. Right now, Jiang Nan really wanted to visit the Ye family villa…
Boom!
An explosion rang out. Jiang Nan’s level finally broke through to Gold X.
Three days, from Gold VI to Gold X.
The trip had not been in vain.
Double joy indeed.
…
Jiang Nan and his group were soaking in the hotpot.
At the same time, in Room 305 of Kyoto Wuhua Hotel.
A woman with slightly curly short hair wore a mask, her expression tense.
She kept glancing at the door.
Just then, darkness gathered in the shadows behind the curtains. Two blood-red glows appeared.
A figure made entirely of shadow burst out.
Its hand turned into a shadow spike, stabbing viciously through the woman’s stomach, piercing clean through. Blood sprayed.
“Pwah!”
Blood soaked the mask. The woman was flung hard against the wall by the shadow.
The shadow spoke coldly. “Did I not tell you not to meet unless it was important? Do you want to die?”
The woman removed her mask, face twisted in pain.
Yet the gruesome wound on her stomach began healing. In a few breaths, it was as if it had never been.
This woman was none other than the researcher Jiang Nan had encountered in the Sahara Desert.
Fang Liu.
The stolen tube of Undying serum had clearly been used on herself.
Fang Liu gritted her teeth, face ferocious. “Give me the reagent! The last dose is almost expired. I can barely keep my sanity!”
The shadow sneered. “Do you think I, Dracula, run a charity? Without the host, every reagent used is one less!”
“Why should I waste it on trash like you?”
Fang Liu struggled to her feet. “Have I not already worked for you? I gave you all the intelligence I got from my researcher friends! What more do you want?”
The shadow narrowed its eyes. “All useless scraps. What good are they? I’m considering whether to reclaim my investment in you.”
Fang Liu paled. “This time! This time the information is vital! Don’t kill me. Give me the reagent. I can help you!”
