50: Celestial Elixir

"You're something else, kid."

"To think you could actually pick out Dark Cultists with just your eyes."

On the way back to Magic City, Mo Fan clicked his tongue in wonder.

"I really thought you were just pointing at random."

Lin Yan smiled at him.

"I told you, as long as you're willing to trust me..."

"...then there's definitely no problem."

Li Ping glanced at the rearview mirror.

"If the other branches find out about this ability of yours, they'll definitely try to poach you."

Mo Fan scoffed.

"Let them try."

"I'll make sure to twist their heads right off."

Lin Yan smiled silently and turned to look at the scenery outside the car window.

Going on his first mission felt pretty good.

They traveled in silence.

It was already late at night by the time they returned to Magic City.

Since there wasn't anyone back at school anyway, Lin Yan chose to rest at the base.

Early the next morning.

Shi Lanzhi, who had just returned from the Imperial Capital, sought him out immediately.

"I've already heard about what happened last night."

"Good job."

His eyes were filled with amazement.

This kid...

When he had heard the news in the Imperial Capital last night, he had immediately reported it to Shi Yuan.

The result...

...was naturally the higher-ups taking him even more seriously.

This ability made him a natural-born candidate for Black Ice.

Lin Yan smiled.

"Where are we going today?"

Shi Lanzhi caught the anticipation in his eyes and was slightly speechless.

Did this kid think Dark Cultists were as common as cabbages?

"Although Dark Cultists are hidden all over Blue Star..."

"...they aren't as numerous as you think."

"In our jurisdiction, the Pan Family was the only case that was right on the verge of turning."

Lin Yan nodded.

True.

If Dark Cultists were everywhere, Blue Star would have been in chaos long ago.

It was a pity, though; he wouldn't have many more chances to use this new method of harvesting charge value.

This kid...

Shi Lanzhi smiled inwardly.

He's actually disappointed.

"Since you have this ability, you can keep an eye out in your daily life."

He paused, then continued.

"I came to see you for another reason as well."

"You should be clear on the contribution System by now, right?"

Hearing this...

Lin Yan's spirits rose, and he nodded immediately.

"I am."

"Good."

Shi Lanzhi didn't beat around the bush.

"Headquarters has approved the contribution for capturing Brady alive."

"Since this is the first time we've captured a Dark Cultist Extreme Seat alive..."

"...you've been awarded one hundred contribution points."

Lin Yan's eyes lit up with surprise.

"One hundred?"

Shi Lanzhi smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

"Although your strength didn't contribute much to last night's mission, your role cannot be overlooked."

"I'm giving you two points for that."

"You now have a total of one hundred and two contribution points."

"What rank of cultivation resources do you need?"

It was clear.

He knew Lin Yan well.

He definitely wouldn't want Dragon Coins.

As for Martial Skills, the ones at Haotian University were enough for his current stage.

And the kid already had a spirit weapon.

Just as he thought...

Lin Yan was already considering the rank of Spirit Medicine.

One hundred and two points... a Rank Six medicine is twenty, so exchange for five?

But if he absorbed them all at once, he wouldn't have enough charge value.

Should he try exchanging for a single Heavenly Extreme one?

Would that be a waste?

When in doubt...

"System?"

"Ding."

"Host."

"Five Rank Six Spirit Medicines will consume 300% charge value. Considering the reduced effectiveness as your cultivation level rises, your cultivation is estimated to reach Rank Four, Fourth Layer."

"One Heavenly Extreme Spirit Medicine will consume 100% charge value. Absorbing it at your current level, your cultivation is estimated to reach Rank Three, Ninth Layer."

The System helpfully laid out the options.

I see... Lin Yan mused.

Seeing him deep in thought, Shi Lanzhi wasn't in a rush.

"You can take your time to think."

"Come to me for Heavenly Extreme rank; you can handle the others yourself."

Having said that, he prepared to leave and attend to his own affairs.

"I've decided!"

Lin Yan looked up.

"The Heavenly Extreme Spirit Medicine."

Although five Rank Six Spirit Medicines offered a bigger boost, they also consumed much more charge value.

Accumulate charge value slowly and exchange them over time?

It was better to boost his strength first and then find more ways to get charge value and cultivation resources.

So, this choice...

...seemed complicated but was actually quite simple.

Shi Lanzhi's eyes flickered slightly.

This choice was somewhat unexpected.

He thought the kid would ask for Rank Six Spirit Medicine, just like he did during the Freshman Grand Competition.

Could it be just as his elder brother said?

This kid could very likely absorb any rank of Spirit Medicine without any loss, which is why his cultivation improved so ridiculously fast.

What kind of talent is this?

"Alright."

"If they're fast, it will be delivered from headquarters today."

Lin Yan nodded.

"Okay."

He could also take the opportunity to absorb the few Rank One and Two Spirit Medicines he got from the Yellow-Tier Secret Realm yesterday... Suzhou Security Bureau.

Jing Pengtian walked out of the main gate in a daze.

"Finished signing?"

Jing Anhe rolled down the car window and glanced at him.

"If you're done signing, get in the car."

Jing Pengtian got into the car and swallowed hard.

"So..."

"...he has joined that terrifying organization now?"

Jing Anhe nodded.

"Ninety-nine percent likely."

Jing Pengtian's gaze was complicated.

"No wonder you told me to come home immediately back then, Dad."

"You must have received an order or some news, right?"

Jing Anhe glanced at him.

"The Zuo Family heard you were there and kindly warned me."

Jing Pengtian fell silent.

Now that everything was clear, he felt even more hopeless.

How could he ever catch up to such a monster of his own generation?

"In this golden age, some will shine across the globe and lead the way."

"While others will be like brilliant companion stars, rising with the wind."

"Do you understand?"

Jing Anhe spoke softly.

Jing Pengtian clenched his fists, his gaze becoming firm.

"I understand."

"Dad."

"Don't worry, I will definitely become one of those brilliant companion stars and lead the Jing Family..."

"Slap!"

A slap landed on the back of his head.

Jing Pengtian winced in pain and turned his head in shock.

Jing Anhe said irritably.

"I'm not dead yet! Who asked you to lead the Jing Family?"

"My point is, you just stay alive and well for me!"

"Don't go thinking about all that nonsense."

...That night.

Black Ice Base.

Inside Lin Yan's private room.

He quietly stared at the box in front of him, as if trying to see the secrets hidden inside through its special casing.

The efficiency was indeed high.

Then let's see what exactly is so different about a Heavenly Extreme Spirit Medicine.

He reached out and carefully opened the box.

Instantly...

...a powerful and dense aura of spiritual energy washed over him, quickly filling the entire room.

A translucent Spirit Medicine, shining with a captivating glow like a brilliant gemstone, was revealed before his eyes.

A hint of infatuation flashed in Lin Yan's eyes.

He could feel that the three meridians and every cell in his body seemed to be stimulated by this powerful spiritual medicinal property; even the powerful cultivation capability of his Overlord Body began to operate involuntarily.

If the Heavenly Extreme rank is like this...

...then what about the King Rank above it?

With that curiosity...

"System."

"Absorb."

"Ding!"

"About to consume 100% charge value to perform Spirit Medicine absorption."

As the prompt ended...

Boom—!

The Spirit Medicine in front of him suddenly erupted in a burst of light and then instantly withered.

An incredibly strong and violent surge of spiritual energy rushed directly into Lin Yan's body.

In a certain private room within the base.

Hmm?

Shi Lanzhi, who was cultivating with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open and tilted his head slightly.

This direction... it's that kid's room.

What kind of cultivation commotion is this?