The morning sun warmed the cobblestones as Bai Yunfei walked toward the city center. His purse had grown perilously light these past days. Testing the Enhancement Technique demanded resources—especially jewelry, where even the cheapest pieces strained his funds. Food expenses mounted too; he'd abandoned frugality to nourish his training body.
His solution? Sell the fruits of his experiments.
Cutting through a maze of alleys, he neared the main street when a trembling voice froze him:
"Please... Have mercy! My wife and children need this coin—"
A harsh laugh cut through the plea. "Shut it! Got more valuables hidden? Hand 'em over, or I'll smash your legs!"
Another robbery. Common in these slums. Once, Bai Yunfei would've slunk away—another helpless victim. Now, his fist clenched.
"Cowardice ends today."
He spun toward the alley. Three thugs circled a gaunt man. One rifled through the victim's clothes while another waved a dagger.
Footsteps drew their attention. The victim's hope died when he saw Bai Yunfei—just a youth. The thugs grinned.
"Look! Fresh prey walks right in!"
A scarred man swaggered forward, blade glinting. "Empty your pockets, kid. Or else—"
Bai Yunfei moved. His hand shot out, crunching the thug's wrist like dry twigs.
CRACK!
A scream tore through the alley. Bai Yunfei snatched the falling dagger and kicked the man sprawling.
"Third Bro!" The thug behind him lunged.
Bai Yunfei sidestepped, seized the attacker's arm, and snapped it backward. Another sickening crack. He hurled the man like sackcloth onto his moaning companion.
Two down. Five seconds.
The last thug gaped, coinbag dangling from limp fingers. Bai Yunfei stepped closer.
"Give it."
The thug numbly handed over his dagger.
"The money!"
Trembling, the man surrendered both the stolen purse and his own. Bai Yunfei thrust them at the stunned victim.
"Go home. Watch your path."
The man bowed deeply, voice thick. "Thank you... Thank you..."
As the victim fled, Bai Yunfei turned. The remaining thug shrank against the wall.
"I—I gave everything! Don't hurt me—"
"Your friends are injured." Bai Yunfei's smile held no warmth. "Wouldn't be fair if you walked away whole, would it?"
──────
Bai Yunfei emerged from the alley, soul lighter. That heartfelt gratitude had shattered something brittle inside him. Helping others... felt like sunlight piercing storm clouds.
He headed to Treasure Arms Pavilion—the city's finest weapon emporium. Polished blades gleamed behind spotless glass. A portly man waxed a jeweled dagger behind the counter.
"I'm selling a weapon," Bai Yunfei announced.
The shopkeeper didn't glance up. "Try the blacksmith. I deal in masterpieces, not scrap."
Bai Yunfei placed a +9 Enhanced Dagger on the counter. "Look first."
The man snorted. "That? Worth twenty copper coins. Get out before I—"
Bai Yunfei lifted the dagger. Held it thirty centimeters above the ironwood counter. Dropped it.
THUNK.
The blade plunged hilt-deep into solid wood.
The shopkeeper's jaw dropped. "Impossible!" He yanked the dagger free, slashed at a scarred test-stone. The stone split cleanly.
"But... the craftsmanship is crude! The metal's ordinary—"
"Buy it or not?" Bai Yunfei's patience thinned.
The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed. "Young sir must need coin urgently. I'll help... but this piece lacks artistry. Buyers here expect elegance—"
"Enough!" Bai Yunfei's glare sharpened. Soul power pulsed, thick as forge-smoke.
The man staggered back, crashing into shelves. "Y-You're... a Soul Master?!"
"How did you know?"
"Forgive my blindness, honored one!" The man bowed frantically. "This dagger... is worth three gold coins."
Bai Yunfei slapped down three more identical blades. "Four daggers. Ten gold."
──────
Pocket heavy with coin, Bai Yunfei stepped into sunlight. Ten gold! More than he'd hoped. His research could continue.
He merged into the market crowd, planning his next purchases—higher-tier jewelry to test "Spirit" attribute odds.
Then a voice sliced through the noise:
"Junior Sister Liu Meng, the Jewel Pavilion has new gems! Perhaps you'd grace me by choosing one...?"
Bai Yunfei froze. His blood turned to ice. His fists clenched until knuckles bleached.
Slowly, he turned.
Across the street, draped in silk robes, smirking as he fawned over a blushing girl—stood Zhang Yang.