Chapter Twenty-One: Advancement!

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[Super Bandage]
Origin: Sprout Space · Cloud Veil Trading Guild
Quality: Green
Category: Consumable
Effect: Upon use (must remain motionless for two seconds), instantly restores 18% of maximum health. Consecutive use decreases health restoration, but will not fall below 8% of maximum health.
Rating: 58
Description: What? You ask why simply wrapping bandages restores health? The answer is magic!
Price: 600 universal points

Chen Qi glanced at the price the young woman offered. A full 1040 universal points!
Watching as numerous contractors chose this item, Chen Qi couldn’t help but sigh that life truly was the most precious thing.
He checked his remaining universal points: 2726.
With a contemptuous look toward the crowd, he spoke coolly,
“Only the weak place their hopes in medicine.”
Before anyone could respond, Chen Qi quickly distanced himself from the shop; he was off to buy basic mastery, not to squander his points here.
Not far ahead was the central plaza, surrounded by many large shops. Chen Qi spotted a store labeled “Arcane Trading Guild,” pushed through the crowd, and entered.
Upon seeing him, the bunny-eared young lady behind the counter offered a professional smile, her ears twitching adorably.
“What skill scroll are you looking for?”
Chen Qi returned what he believed to be a suave smile and got straight to the point:
“I need a basic specialization. Can you recommend a few?”
“Of course!”
Seeing that Chen Qi truly intended to purchase, unlike the other contractors who merely flirted with her, the bunny-eared lady replied warmly,
“I recommend the [Basic Swordsmanship Scroll] for 1440 universal points, [Basic Footwork Scroll] for 2880, [Basic Blade Technique Scroll] for 1280, [Basic Firearm Mastery Scroll] for 2020, and [Basic Meditation Scroll] for 3440.”
Chen Qi asked, puzzled, “Why such a price difference? Aren’t they all basic white-quality scrolls?”
She answered,
“Demand determines price, naturally! Take the [Basic Meditation Scroll]—it’s the foundation for mages, so its price is high. [Basic Footwork Scroll] is the most in demand; who doesn’t need survival skills?”
Chen Qi continued, curious,
“Hmm, how much for the [Basic Whip Technique Scroll]?”
Her smile faded slightly, but she quickly replied,
“The [Basic Whip Technique Scroll] is quite unpopular, only 470 universal points, nearly the space’s buyback price.”
Chen Qi laughed and said,

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“My whip technique is formidable. Maybe one day I’ll show you in the mission world. No need for that scroll—give me a [Basic Blade Technique Scroll].”
Before she could react, Chen Qi took the scroll and left.
Finding a quieter corner, he eagerly used his new scroll.
[Use Basic Blade Technique Scroll? Usage requires 500 universal points and 1 basic skill point.]
“Damn, this ‘Sprout Space’ charges at every turn.”
He cursed, then chose “yes.”
[You have used the Basic Blade Technique Scroll.]
Chen Qi immediately checked his skill list. In addition to his grasp of basic footwork, a new skill appeared.
[Basic Blade Technique lv.1] (Passive)
Skill effect: Increases blade damage by 6%, grants the user basic blade techniques and knowledge about wielding blades.
...
Chen Qi felt his mind fill with knowledge and techniques concerning blades. He swung a flourish through the air and said,
“This strike—two years’ worth of skill!”
A purple-haired man passing by shot him a strange look, prompting Chen Qi to awkwardly turn away.
After distancing himself from the purple-haired man, Chen Qi recalled the plus sign beneath his skills. He currently had four basic skill points and one golden skill point.
He quickly reopened his skill panel and focused on the plus sign.
[Upgrade Basic Footwork lv.1? This upgrade requires 500 universal points and 1 basic skill point.]
He refrained from acting rashly, instead using his ‘Sprout Contract’ privileges on Sprout Space.
“How should I allocate my basic skill points now?”
The space quickly responded.
[Based on your physical condition, it is not recommended to directly upgrade basic blade technique or footwork. You may train these skills yourself to save basic skill points. Alternatively, you may choose to break through in times of danger to resolve crises.]
[Beep... detected golden skill point.]
The space continued its prompt.
[Skills can be leveled up to 10. At levels 4, 7, and 10, you can select a specialization. Golden skill points allow rarer specialization options to appear.]
“Got it, learned something new.”
Chen Qi nodded. Though the space’s answer was somewhat perfunctory, he felt it was worthwhile and decided,
“When I return to Earth, I’ll train hard!”
Seeing only 946 universal points left, Chen Qi left the market and headed to the Attribute Enhancement Hall.
Upon entering the hall, Chen Qi found it vastly different from the exterior. The space inside was immense, with contractors constantly coming and going.
It was a gigantic hall bathed in a pale green glow. Rows of individual pods stood neatly arranged, each bearing a faint green seed emblem.

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Nearby, a pod opened and a little white-haired girl crawled out. Without further observation, Chen Qi hurried into the next pod.
Once inside, the pod closed slowly. A prompt from the space followed.
[Welcome to the Attribute Enhancement Pod. Please pay the activation fee: 100 universal points.]
“Damn it! This space charges for everything.” Chen Qi cursed inside the pod, resignedly paying the fee.
As soon as the payment was made, the enhancement pod began to operate. Mechanical sounds echoed in his ears, and a prompt appeared on his retina.
[Your base attributes are as follows:
Strength: 6
Agility: 5
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 5
Soul Strength: 103
]
[You may freely allocate 8 basic attribute points.]
He tried, but found that soul strength could not be increased via basic attribute points. Chen Qi began to consider how best to enhance himself.
He quickly recalled the prerequisites for learning [Focused Burst].
In the end, he allocated his points: Agility +5, Constitution +3.
The space promptly continued its prompt.
[Attribute allocation complete. Enhancement beginning. Because the process involves intense pain, would you like to use the anesthetic function? It’s free.]
Indeed, becoming stronger comes at a price!
Chen Qi gritted his teeth and chose “no.” He believed that enduring the pain would yield greater gains than anesthesia would, otherwise the space wouldn’t even ask.
He felt his body warming, a sense of fullness enveloping him, as if every cell was absorbing energy.
“That’s it?”
Chen Qi complained to the pod.
Then, an excruciating pain surged from every cell, a sensation of tearing and swelling from within.
He clenched his teeth, struggling to stay conscious, suspecting that fainting might somehow diminish his progress...