456: Money is a bastard! Upgrade now! (3k words)

"Tell me, how much national treasure value are you going to ask for this time?"

Lin Yang sighed and asked.

Since the System had already spoken, it would probably be difficult to hold onto this national treasure value.

He only hoped that this System would be a little more conscientious this time and not ask for too much.

However... "The more, the better! Respected Host!"

The System's four words, "The more, the better," immediately made two black lines appear on Lin Yang's forehead.

"Are you trying to deduct all of my national treasure value?" Lin Yang glared.

"If the Host is willing, that would, of course, be even better..."

The System's answer was slightly shy.

"...I'm not willing!"

Lin Yang immediately rolled his eyes.

Did this System really think national treasure value was so easy to earn?

It always wanted everything.

It was simply outrageous.

He paused, and before the System could answer, Lin Yang suddenly asked with some suspicion:

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Did you deliberately tell me before that this hibernation upgrade would take a very, very long time, and now you're just waiting for an excuse to ask for my national treasure value?"

He was a little suspicious.

And he had every reason to be suspicious.

The System replied seriously:

"Respected Host, the System will never exaggerate or lie, nor will it misreport any information. This is one of the System's highest operating rules, and you can rest assured about this!"

Lin Yang slightly curled his lips.

He wasn't really suspicious of the System; he was just curious why the System always hoped he would spend more national treasure value.

But he didn't ask, because if he did, the System would definitely say it couldn't tell him yet.

He understood the System very well now.

Immediately, Lin Yang continued to ask about the hibernation upgrade:

"You said before that you couldn't estimate the time required for this hibernation upgrade. So, if a large amount of national treasure value is deducted, can the shortened time be estimated?"

"Host, if national treasure value is used to shorten the hibernation upgrade time, the specific time still cannot be estimated for now, but the overall percentage of time can be reduced."

"The specific time required after shortening can only be estimated after you authorize the deduction of the corresponding national treasure value and the overall percentage of time has been shortened."

Lin Yang's eyes lit up when he heard this: "What is the ratio between national treasure value and the overall percentage of time shortened?"

"To the Host, the specific ratio still cannot be given as an exact number."

The System began to explain:

"Because there is more than one information module to be unlocked in this hibernation upgrade, and unlocking different information modules consumes different amounts of time."

"But if you are willing to pay at least 800 million national treasure value, the overall hibernation time can be shortened by approximately 40% to 60%."

"..."

"Oh... it's quite complicated."

Lin Yang curled his lips again and began to bargain: "At least 800 million? Can't it be less?"

"Sorry, Host, it cannot be less. If it's less, the cost-effectiveness of the reduction will be greatly discounted."

"For example? What if it's 700 million or 600 million?" Lin Yang asked.

"If it's 700 million or 600 million, then it can only be shortened by about 10% to 15%, which greatly reduces the cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the System still recommends that the Host pay at least 800 million national treasure value."

"...Just 100 or 200 million less, and the difference is that big?" Lin Yang was a little speechless.

"Yes, Host, 800 million is the most cost-effective choice." The System replied.

"Well... alright, 800 million it is. Deduct it now, then tell me approximately how much time is still needed after shortening." Lin Yang sighed.

He still managed to keep 200 million, which was pretty good.

"Okay, Host, thank you for your generosity!"

The System responded, then directly deducted 800 million national treasure value, and said:

"Respected Host, after deducting the national treasure value and shortening the time, this hibernation upgrade will still require approximately 60 to 80 years. Do you wish to start the upgrade?"

Lin Yang: ...Lin Yang froze.

What the heck.

What did he hear?

After spending 800 million national treasure value, it still needed 60 or even 80 years to complete the upgrade?

???

Was this not a joke?

"System, are you kidding me? A single hibernation upgrade, after deducting national treasure value, still needs decades?"

Lin Yang was somewhat unable to comprehend.

After reducing the total upgrade time by 40% to 60%, it still took so long. Wouldn't it have taken almost 200 years to complete this hibernation upgrade before the reduction?

Was this really not a joke?

How long was a human lifespan?

A System upgrade actually took one or two hundred years.

For an ordinary person, that was two lifetimes.

Outrageous, but not this outrageous!

Even if he was a Super Gene Warrior now, and his lifespan had been greatly extended.

Yet, his entire life so far had only spanned over twenty years.

To spend another few decades waiting for the System's hibernation upgrade was simply unimaginable!

Of course, it wasn't that he was used to the System and couldn't do anything without it.

During the period when the System was in hibernation upgrade for one or two years, he had already adapted to the System's absence.

So, his dependence on the System had greatly decreased later on.

Including this time in the Unknown Space, since the System hadn't upgraded and unlocked the corresponding information modules, it couldn't provide much help, and he didn't feel he had to rely on the System.

Rather, given his current life span, he simply found it hard to imagine spending decades to complete a System upgrade.

After all, for such a powerful System to take so long for an upgrade truly made Lin Yang feel incredibly unbelievable.

"Respected Host, if you still find the remaining time too long, the System has another method that can greatly reduce the upgrade time again!"

"What method?" Lin Yang frowned, "I don't have any more national treasure value!"

"Respected Host, no more national treasure value is needed."

The System spoke:

"If you are willing to pay some more achievement points, then the upgrade time can be greatly shortened again!"

Lin Yang: "..."

He was stunned.

He was truly a bit stunned.

When he heard the System's first sentence, he thought this System had finally changed its ways and was no longer obsessed with money.

But the next sentence immediately left him speechless.

Changed its ways?

Changed its ass!

It didn't want national treasure value anymore, but it had set its sights on achievement points!

This was simply... "Intolerable, simply intolerable!"

Lin Yang exclaimed indignantly:

"You're even thinking about my achievement points now?"

"Do you know how hard it is for me to earn achievement points?"

"Even though you are the System, I have to say, don't go too far!!"

Lin Yang passionately spoke, ready to scold the System.

It was fine to ask for some national treasure value normally, but now it was even thinking about achievement points.

achievement points were not like national treasure value, which was as common as cabbage and easy to earn!

But... "One thousand achievement points, Host, only one thousand achievement points, and the remaining time needed for this hibernation upgrade can be directly shortened to six months!"

"The System can complete the hibernation upgrade in six months!"

"Uh..." Lin Yang was instantly stunned.

The words he was about to blurt out were all involuntarily swallowed back.

What did he hear again?

One thousand achievement points could directly shorten decades of upgrade hibernation time?

This... "Sy-System, are you... serious?"

Lin Yang's tone was a bit strange.

According to the exchange ratio of the two options the System provided for rewards just now.

Approximately ten thousand achievement points were equivalent to one billion national treasure value.

He had just spent 800 million, shortening decades of time, which, converted to achievement points, was roughly equivalent to eight thousand achievement points for decades of time reduction.

However, now it only required one thousand achievement points to shorten decades of time again.

According to this exchange ratio... it seemed acceptable.

So, Lin Yang's eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked:

"System, one thousand achievement points are equivalent to 100 million national treasure value according to the exchange ratio of the previous mission reward options. Can I pay another 100 million national treasure value instead?"

After he spoke, the System seemed to be silent for a moment before slowly replying:

"Sorry, Host, there is no exchange ratio between national treasure value and achievement points."

"national treasure value cannot be exchanged for achievement points!"

"The previous mission reward self-selection option was a special case. You cannot use this method to exchange national treasure value and achievement points."

"Therefore, you cannot use 100 million national treasure value to replace one thousand achievement points."

"...Alright then." Lin Yang was speechless.

He admitted.

He had tried to be clever just now.

After all, achievement points were hard to earn.

Since it didn't work, Lin Yang didn't dwell on it, but asked again:

"Then if I still use national treasure value, approximately how much national treasure value would be needed to shorten decades of time again? Still 800 million?"

If it still only required a few hundred million, then he wouldn't be in a hurry to upgrade.

He would just take a leave after reporting the mission back at the Alien Management Bureau, earn some national treasure value, and then upgrade.

Anyway, it wasn't absolutely necessary to upgrade right now.

However, the System said:

"Host, continuing to shorten the remaining time for this hibernation upgrade using national treasure value will cause the required national treasure value to increase exponentially."

"Therefore, if you continue to use national treasure value to shorten the remaining decades of time, it might require tens of billions of national treasure value."

Lin Yang fell silent.

A moment later.

"Alright, then let's use achievement points to upgrade."

Using one thousand achievement points to shorten decades of time was still quite cost-effective.

He currently had over 100,000 achievement points.

If it cost one thousand, then one thousand it was.

Whether it was national treasure value or achievement points, once earned, they were meant to be spent!

Since using achievement points was more cost-effective, there was naturally nothing to consider.

After all, he couldn't afford to wait decades.

And spending tens of billions more national treasure value to shorten those decades was too low in cost-effectiveness.

"Money is a scoundrel, I'll earn it back after spending it!"

Lin Yang mumbled, waved his hand grandly, and authorized the System to deduct one thousand achievement points.

Over 100,000, spend one thousand.

He could afford it!

"Respected Host, thank you again for your generosity. The System is about to begin this hibernation upgrade. Please confirm authorization!"

After deducting one thousand achievement points, the System's voice sounded not only more excited to Lin Yang but also a little fawning.

"Confirm authorization, upgrade immediately!"

Since it only took six months to complete the upgrade, there was nothing to wait for.

He also wanted to know what secrets existed in the Unknown Space.

And the situation of the High-Dimensional Universe!

At the same time.

While he was talking to the System, Suzaku had successfully returned to the Human Alliance Headquarters.

"Fourth Team members, please report to the Alliance General Affairs Conference Hall immediately for your mission report!"

Upon arriving at the Headquarters, Lin Yang and the others received the order to report their mission immediately.

"They're not coming with good intentions!" Que Tian mumbled.

Lin Yang's eyes narrowed slightly, he organized his thoughts, and stepped into the Headquarters building.