4: Conditions for opening the system store

The test continued in an eerie atmosphere.

However, no one's mind was on the test anymore.

Before stepping up, every student couldn't help but glance at the pile of debris on the side of the field.

They would glance at Lin Fan, who stood in the queue with his eyes closed, resting his mind.

Only then would they throw a punch absent-mindedly.

Scores were generally 0.1 to 0.2 lower than usual.

Their mentalities had crumbled.

Completely crumbled.

Lin Fan, on the other hand, was very calm.

He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was communicating with the System.

[Ding!]

[Detected that the Host has completed an "Epic Prestige Act"!]

[Calculating bonus rewards...]

[Reward 1: prestige value +1000!]

[Reward 2: Intermediate Gacha Draws ×2!]

[Reward 3: Buddha's Palm Second Form "Golden Top Buddha Lamp" Insight Fragment ×1 (Collect 3 fragments to comprehend).]

[Current prestige value: 3600 points!]

[Current Gacha opportunities: 3 Intermediate Gacha draws!]

Lin Fan's heart stirred slightly.

A fragment of the second form?

Not bad.

Although he was still two pieces short, at least there was something to look forward to.

"System, how much prestige value is needed to open the Mall?" he asked silently.

[To the Host, opening the Mall for the first time requires reaching 10,000 prestige value.]

[Once opened, the Mall will unlock corresponding items based on the Host's strength and world level.]

[Currently, the preview function is activated. The Host may view some of the exchangeable items.]

"Preview? Then... let's have a look!"

With a thought from Lin Fan.

A new translucent panel immediately appeared before his eyes.

On it, several lines of item names were listed in grey text:

[1. Interstellar Individual Combat Suit (Damaged Version) - 15,000 prestige value]

[2. Elementary Gene Optimization Fluid - 8,000 prestige value]

[3. Basic Mental Telekinesis Cultivation Method - 12,000 prestige value]

[4. Random Earth Rank Martial Skill Scroll - 5,000 prestige value]

[5. Small Storage Ring (1 cubic meter) - 20,000 prestige value]

[...]

Lin Fan's eyelids twitched as he looked.

Good stuff!

They were all good things!

But the prices were also ridiculously expensive.

The cheapest random Earth Rank Martial Skill cost 5,000 points.

His entire net worth was only 3,600 right now.

"A long way to go..."

Lin Fan sighed inwardly and closed the preview.

It seemed he had to continue showing off.

Show off hard... the test finally ended amidst a wave of absent-mindedness.

Except for the anomaly that was Lin Fan, everyone else's results basically met expectations.

Xiao Zhan's 1.94 was still the highest among the boys.

Su Muyu's 1.98 ranked first by a slight margin.

But everyone knew who the real number one was.

That monster who shattered the strength testing monument with a single palm strike.

"Each class, return!"

The Dean of Academic Affairs announced:

"Lin Fan, stay behind for a moment."

The crowd began to disperse.

But many students kept looking back, their gazes still glued to Lin Fan.

Xiao Zhan lowered his head and walked away quickly.

His departing figure looked pathetic.

When Su Muyu reached the door, she looked back once more.

She happened to meet Lin Fan's raised gaze.

She nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Soon, only Lin Fan, Principal Wang, Colonel Zhao, and a few school leaders remained in the venue.

"Lin Fan."

Principal Wang walked over with a complex expression:

"This is Colonel Zhao from the military. He wants to talk to you."

Lin Fan looked at Colonel Zhao.

Colonel Zhao was also looking at him.

Their eyes met.

"Principal Wang, you all head out first."

Colonel Zhao spoke, his voice steady.

"Yes."

Principal Wang led the other school leaders out and conveniently closed the door.

Only the two of them remained in the venue.

Colonel Zhao walked up to Lin Fan and sized him up from top to bottom.

His gaze was like a blade, as if trying to see right through him.

"Lin Fan, seventeen years old, Yuncheng Third High School, Senior Year Class Seven."

"Both parents deceased, living on pension funds."

"In three years of martial testing, your blood qi value never exceeded 0.9."

"But today, you shattered a Standard Type-III strength testing monument with one palm."

Colonel Zhao said slowly:

"Explain yourself."

Lin Fan was silent for two seconds:

"If I said I had a dream three days ago where a Golden Buddha passed on techniques to me, and I knew them when I woke up... would you believe me?"

Colonel Zhao stared at him.

He suddenly laughed.

"I believe you."

Lin Fan was stunned.

"Why?"

"Because this world is inherently full of the incredible."

"Dream transmissions, ancient book empowerments, Legacy ruins... though rare, they are not non-existent."

"You are just one of them."

Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed this reason had successfully fooled him.

"However."

Colonel Zhao's tone shifted:

"That palm strike of yours, is it a Buddhist martial art?"

"It should be." Lin Fan didn't lie.

Colonel Zhao nodded and didn't press further about the origin of the technique.

That was a taboo among Martial Artists.

"Lin Fan, I'll be blunt."

He looked at Lin Fan with a serious expression:

"Your potential has exceeded my expectations."

"The military has a Special Recruitment Preparatory Camp dedicated to absorbing and cultivating promising young people in advance."

"I am inviting you to join."

As he spoke, he took out a dark gold badge from his pocket.

The badge was engraved with a sword crossing a spear.

The background was the stars.

"This is the badge of the Preparatory Camp, and also a token."

Colonel Zhao handed it over:

"It's not mandatory or restrictive; it simply represents a qualification."

"Holding this badge, you can enjoy a portion of military resources, including intelligence, training facilities, and even access to some restricted zones."

"Correspondingly, when the nation needs it, you have an obligation to step forward."

Lin Fan took the badge.

It felt cold and heavy in his hand.

"What do I need to give in return?" he asked.

"Nothing for now."

Colonel Zhao shook his head:

"When you truly grow up, you will naturally know what to do."

Lin Fan rubbed the badge and was silent for a moment.

"Alright, I'll join."

Colonel Zhao showed a smile.

"Smart."

He patted Lin Fan's shoulder:

"Do well in the Martial Arts Examination; bring back a top score."

"The Preparatory Camp also needs people of significance."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

When he reached the door, he stopped.

He turned back and gave Lin Fan a deep look:

"By the way."

"I'll have a word with the Xiao Family."

"But you yourself should also be careful."

"This world..."

"Doesn't only have rules on the surface."

The door opened and then closed.

Lin Fan stood in place, looking at the badge in his hand.

His eyes gradually deepened.

The Xiao Family.

The military.

And that so-called "Special Recruitment Preparatory Camp"... Sure enough, strength is the ultimate truth.

Without that palm strike today, Colonel Zhao wouldn't have even spared him a glance.

And now... [Ding!]

[Received a personal invitation from a military Colonel! prestige value +500!]

[Obtained qualification for the Special Recruitment Preparatory Camp! prestige value +300!]

[Current prestige value: 4400 points!]

The System prompt sounded at the right time.

Lin Fan put away the badge and turned to walk out of the venue.

"Xiao Family..."

Lin Fan whispered to himself.

Then, the corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

"You'd better not come looking for trouble."

"Otherwise..."

"I don't mind putting on an even bigger show."