66: Affection Leveling Guide, Atlas's Declaration of War

By the time he returned to the academy, it was already noon the next day.

Qin Lang didn't rush to catch up on sleep; instead, he sat on the sofa in his dormitory and opened the System interface.

After a long night of conversation, he had gained a deeper understanding of the value of this "Treasure Trove girl," Ye Linger.

Apothecary, Rune Master, Formation Master.

Any one of these three professions would be highly sought after in the outside world.

Yet Ye Linger actually possessed all three.

"System."

Qin Lang called out in his mind.

"I want to bind Ye Linger as my third target. What are the requirements?"

If he could bind Ye Linger, even if he only received a tenth of her talent feedback...

...then the evolution resource issues for both Shangguan Xue and Su Muyue would be easily resolved in the future.

As a "Soft Rice King," he could also act with a bit more confidence.

[Ding!]

The cold, mechanical female voice rang out instantly.

[Answering host: To bind the third target, the host's own cultivation must reach the Third Tier (Gene Liberation Realm/Element Control Realm).]

[Binding method: Engage in deep genetic exchange with the target, or kiss them after reaching 100% favorability.]

[Note: The binding target must be their first time.]

Third Tier?

Qin Lang frowned.

Although he was already at the peak of the eleventh layer of core condensation, he was still some distance away from the Third Tier.

The main issue was those damn 108 gene nodes; he needed time to clear them one by one.

However, he could start working on favorability in advance.

"Query Ye Linger's current favorability."

[Querying...]

[Target: Ye Linger.]

[Current Favorability: 16%.]

[Evaluation: Slightly favorable. Primarily stems from the host's refusal of the Atlas Group's acquisition and last night's companionship.]

Only 16%?

Qin Lang rubbed his chin.

This little girl seemed quite enthusiastic toward him, but he didn't expect her mental defenses to be so high.

It seemed that because she had experienced betrayal since childhood, she was quite wary of others.

"No rush, I'll take it slow."

A confident smile curled at the corners of Qin Lang's mouth.

Since it would still take some time to achieve a Breakthrough to the Third Tier, this period was perfect for winning over this Tsundere little Loli.

Over the next few days, Qin Lang became a regular at the Moon God Pavilion.

Not only did he volunteer to stay and help out with chores, but he also took the opportunity to ask Ye Linger for knowledge on potion concoction.

"Look, you must stir the juice of this Starlight Grass clockwise to maximize its medicinal properties."

Ye Linger stood before the lab bench, teaching Qin Lang personally.

The two were very close, and the faint scent of herbs from the girl wafted into Qin Lang's nose.

"I see."

Qin Lang put on an enlightened look and took the opportunity to praise her.

"Teacher Linger is still the best; details like this aren't written in books."

Hearing herself called "Teacher," Ye Linger's face flushed slightly, yet the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"Of course! This Young Miss is a Genius!"

Under Qin Lang's offensive of "humble inquiry" and extravagant flattery...

...after three days, the favorability prompted by the System successfully broke through 20%.

During their chats, Qin Lang finally figured out the reason for Ye Linger's damaged Gene Lock.

It turned out she wasn't born Trash, but possessed an extremely rare Life Gene.

But two years ago, this gene suddenly locked up, causing the entire energy circuit to clog and even began to backfire on her.

"I've looked through a lot of information,"

Ye Linger said softly while fiddling with a test tube.

"The only way is to find the legendary 'life source liquid' and use it to force open the locked gene again."

"But this thing is too rare; it's only likely to appear in those S-rank Deep Space Ruins."

As she said this, her eyes dimmed.

Qin Lang silently made a note of this.

life source liquid?

If he could successfully bind her, knowing the System's typical behavior, that Newbie Gift Pack might just contain that stuff.

Just as things were peaceful and their feelings were warming up...

...a storm targeting Lingxin Pharmacy Pavilion was quietly brewing.

The top-floor office of Atlas Pharmacy.

Zhuo Qingyao, known as the "Third Miss," was coldly looking at the financial statements in her hand.

"Business across the street has been quite booming these past few days, hasn't it?"

She threw the statements onto the desk, her voice carrying a bone-chilling coldness.

"Even that little girl from the Fu Family went there to buy medicine?"

The middle-aged man standing before her wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"It's... because the top-grade potions concocted by that Ye Linger really do have better effects than ours..."

"Better effects?"

Zhuo Qingyao sneered, stood up, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"In business, it's useless to rely solely on good products."

"Since that Qin Lang doesn't know what's good for him, and that bastard refuses to change her ways..."

"...then don't blame me for being ruthless."

She turned around, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.

"Send down the order."

"Starting tomorrow, all basic potions at Atlas Pharmacy will be sold at half price!"

"At the same time, purchase all low-level medicinal materials on the market at a price 30% higher than the market rate!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression changed drastically.

"Third Miss! We will suffer heavy losses this way!"

"Losses?"

Zhuo Qingyao curled her lip in disdain.

"The one thing Atlas doesn't lack is money."

"I'm going to use money to crush that pathetic shop to death!"

"I want them to know who the true Dominator is in this market!"

Early the next morning.

A bombshell news exploded across the two academies of Kunlun and Olympus.

Atlas potions, half price storewide!

This news was like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake.

Countless students moved upon hearing the news, surging toward Kunao Avenue like a tide.

The previously deserted Atlas Pharmacy was instantly packed to capacity.

The queue even stretched to the street corner hundreds of meters away.

In contrast...

...Lingxin Pharmacy Pavilion across the street was dead silent.

Those students who used to stay up all night just to queue for top-grade potions were nowhere to be seen today.

After all, for most students who were not financially well-off...

...top-grade potions were good, but the price was also truly expensive.

While Atlas's half-price potions were slightly lower in quality, they were much cheaper!

Cost-effectiveness is king!

When Qin Lang arrived at the shop, this was the scene he saw.

Ye Linger, who was usually full of Origin Qi, was now sitting all alone behind the counter.

Looking at the bustling scene across the street, her large eyes were filled with loneliness and helplessness.

The counter was covered with top-grade potions she had just concocted.

But no one was interested.

"Qin Lang..."

Seeing Qin Lang enter, Ye Linger sniffed, her voice carrying a sob.

"Am I... really useless?"

Looking at her like this, Qin Lang felt a strange tightness in his chest.

He walked to the counter and reached out to rub her drooping head.

Turning to look at the magnificent behemoth across the street, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Is this the power of capital?

Simple, crude, yet effective.

However... a playful arc curled at the corner of Qin Lang's mouth.

Want to crush me with money?

Then you might have really picked the wrong person.

"Who says you're useless?"

He picked up a bottle of potion and tossed it in his hand.

"The real show has only just begun."