5: Chapter 5: Exploring the System Rules and Enhancing the "Spirit Orchid"

Chen Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement and a thirst for knowledge. "No, now is not the time to rest." He raised his own hands, examining them carefully, "I must figure out as soon as possible, what rules does this system... actually follow?"

Such a huge opportunity lay before him, but if he couldn't understand the system's operating logic, how was he different from a gambler relying on dumb luck? Chen Fan believed what he needed now was control, not passive waiting for handouts.

"First, I need a large number of samples for testing." Chen Fan mused, shouldered his backpack, and walked out of his home once more. This time, his goal was clear.

Following the Smart Brain's navigation, he arrived at a larger garbage collection point near a demolition zone. The environment here was more chaotic; abandoned construction debris, broken furniture, and a rotting mixture of kitchen waste emitted a pungent odor.

But Chen Fan didn't mind at all. He was even somewhat excited. Based on prior experience, the more "deplorable" something seemed, the more likely it was to yield a pleasant surprise.

He began his experiment to verify the system's rules. First, he picked up a roadside stone.

[Triggered 10x quantity Amplification, obtained Pebbles*10.]

[Triggered 10x hardness Amplification, obtained 'Slightly Harder Pebbles.']

[Triggered 100x luster Amplification, obtained 'Pebbles with a Slight Gloss.']

...After touching over a dozen stones, the Amplification effects mostly stayed within the 10x to 100x range, often targeting basic attributes like quantity, hardness, or color, with negligible increases in value.

Next, he turned his attention to a pile of rainwater-soaked newspapers.

[Ding! Triggered 50x quantity Amplification, obtained a large amount of waste paper.]

[Ding! Triggered 200x toughness Amplification, obtained 'Hard-to-Tear Waste Paper.']

[Ding! Triggered 500x knowledge Amplification (fragment), obtained 'Blurred Expired News Summary.']

...The effect was slightly better than with stones, producing a special attribute like "knowledge," but it was still a fragment with low value.

Afterwards, he experimented with some construction debris, but the final results were still unsatisfactory.

Undeterred, he picked up an almost completely rotten apple from a pile of spoiled fruit.

[Ding! Triggered 800x taste Amplification, obtained 'Exceptionally Sweet but Rotten Apple.' (Warning: The item's base material has completely deteriorated. Amplification cannot reverse this process. Please consume with caution.)]

Looking at the apple in his hand, which emitted an alluring sweetness but was still a mushy mess, Chen Fan smiled bitterly and threw it away. It seems the system isn't omnipotent. It appears to "amplify" or "optimize" based on the item's existing foundation, but it cannot create something from nothing, nor can it reverse certain physical or chemical processes.

He did not lose heart and continued searching for new targets. His gaze swept over various piles of garbage as his mind raced, combining the previous cases of the soda can (waste turning to gold), Expired Milk (function enhancement), and the broken phone (qualitative functional change). A vague hypothesis gradually became clear.

It was getting late, so Chen Fan decided to go home first. Back at home, "Value... condition..." Chen Fan murmured, "Could it be that the more dilapidated and worthless the physical state of an item itself is, the greater the probability of triggering high-multiplier, especially functional, Amplification?"

This thought made his heart race.

To test this hypothesis, he needed to find an item that was almost judged as "utterly worthless," teetering on the edge of death.

Then, his gaze fell on that nearly dead potted plant.

"A plant... what can it be amplified into?" Curious, he picked up the pot in his hand.

[Item detected: One pot of nearly dead orchid grass. Initiate random multiplier Amplification?]

"Yes!"

[Command confirmed! Nearly dead orchid grass, triggered 10000x Amplification! Evolved into "Lingyun Orchid."]

*Hum!* A gentle green light enveloped the orchid grass. The withered orchid visibly sprouted new branches and leaves. In just a few seconds, it became lush and green, with thick, full leaves brimming with vitality.

Leaning close to the plant, he could smell a faint, pleasant, refreshing fragrance that was invigorating. Chen Fan took a deep breath and instantly felt clear-headed and refreshed, as if his breathing had become easier.

Chen Fan was just about to ask what the "Lingyun Orchid" actually does—surely it can't just be for air purification, right?

System prompt: [Ling Yun Green Plant] can continuously purify the air within a 500-meter radius, effectively adsorbing harmful substances like PM2.5 and formaldehyde. The aura it emits can calm the mind and refresh the brain. Long-term exposure can slightly improve constitution and prevent colds.

This small plant had such a powerful effect. In just a short while, the air in Chen Fan's rented room became as fresh as a forest after rain.

"Functional Amplification... and a persistent area-of-effect!" Chen Fan was ecstatic. His hypothesis had been confirmed!

"The more dilapidated the physical state, the greater the probability of high-multiplier functional Amplification!" Thinking of this, Chen Fan felt like he had discovered a new continent! "Since that's the case, I'll try it with a new item!"

Chen Fan held his computer in his hands.

[Item detected: One computer, 90% new. Initiate Amplification? Note: This is the host's first time amplifying a new item category. Amplification may alter the item's original properties. Once amplified, the item cannot be restored to its original state. Confirm Amplification?]

"Decent items actually come with a warning, quite considerate." Hearing the prompt, Chen Fan thought for a moment, then decided to amplify it. After all, he had no job now and might not need the computer anyway.

[Command confirmed! 90% new computer, triggered 100x Amplification, amplified into '1000TB Flash Memory Hard Drive.']

The computer instantly transformed into a black box. "Ah~ my computer... this is really quite thrilling. It seems amplifying trash is still the safer bet." Chen Fan muttered, feeling he had been somewhat careless.

"Since I'm moving now, amplifying junk is still the optimal choice. Then it would be best if I could find a house near a scrap yard." Thinking of this, Chen Fan took out the "future smart brain".

"Help me check for houses near scrap yards. If there's one that's actually on the yard's property, that would be even better."

[Command received. Searching for nearby scrap recycling station information, please wait...]

A short while later, the future smart brain listed several options that met the criteria. There were three apartments in residential complexes to choose from, and it also recommended a rental listing on a scrap yard itself.

Chen Fan planned to go check out the toll station after eating.

It seems the rules for using the system can only be gradually figured out over time. Today's discoveries about the system gave Chen Fan more confidence. Many things need to be controlled by oneself, including one's own life.

Chen Fan placed the Lingyun Orchid on the balcony and watered it. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a refreshing scent that invigorated the spirit. Somehow, looking at the orchid made him think of Su Qingyue. Perhaps Nurse Su and this potted orchid share a similar aura, both giving a fresh and soothing feeling.

The takeout arrived. Chen Fan wolfed it down and then eagerly headed for Wang Defu's toll station.