Chapter Twenty-Two: Borrowing!

After an indeterminate amount of time, Chen Qi found that the pain in his body was gradually easing. His entire skin was flushed red, resembling a freshly boiled shrimp.

Curiously, he wasn’t even sure if he had fainted or not; all he knew was that he was still alive. After the enhancement, his base attributes were as follows:

Strength: 6
Agility: 10
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 6
Charm: 5
Soul Strength: 104

Seeing that his soul strength had inexplicably increased by one, Chen Qi suddenly felt that his earlier decision to refuse anesthesia had been the right choice.

The enhancement chamber slowly opened, and Chen Qi quickly left the place that had cast such a shadow over him.

“That hurt like hell,” he muttered.

He worried that next time he wouldn’t have the courage to return, hugging his still slightly reddened body in consolation. “Next time, I won’t suffer through this. Next time, I’m getting anesthesia.”

Leaving the attribute enhancement hall, Chen Qi suddenly remembered something and opened up his personal attributes.

His personal information was as follows:

Selected: No. 2FD957. (Each selected/contractor has a unique number.)
Name: Chen Qi (Selected)
Rank: First Tier (You have just passed through a world.)
Health: 100% (This attribute cannot be quantified and changes with injury.)
Mana: 90 (Intelligence x10)
Strength: 11 (You are already as strong as an ox.)
Agility: 14 (Your speed is like an arrow released from its bow.)
Constitution: 13 (Your blood is solid, you can withstand the beating of many ordinary people.)
Intelligence: 9 (Some part of your soul has fed back into your wisdom.)
Charm: 8 (A certain quality of your soul has made you a bit more handsome.)
Soul Strength: 104
...

Chen Qi found that even with the Ring of Youthful Tenacity and the Soul Treasury, he was still a bit short in constitution for the learning requirements of Focused Burst.

He decided to return to the market and try to find a piece of equipment that could boost his constitution.

Looking at his remaining 846 universal points, he decided to settle for a white-quality item.

He wandered through the market for an unmeasured time until, in a corner, he spotted a piece of equipment that met his criteria.

Wild Oxhide Belt
Origin: Any world with wild oxen
Quality: White
Category: Belt
Durability: 17/24
Requirement: Strength 4
Effect: Constitution +1
Rating: 18
Description: This belt is crafted from the fresh hide of a wild ox. Its tough surface, formed through exposure to wind and sun, slightly enhances the wearer’s constitution.
Price: 450 universal points
...

Chen Qi feigned casual interest, asking the stallholder about a few other items’ prices before smoothly inquiring about the belt.

Unexpectedly, the trench-coated stallholder cast a disdainful look at Chen Qi and said, “Looks like you’re just short on constitution to meet some item’s requirement, huh? Fixed price—1300 universal points! It’s just leftovers from my play.”

Chen Qi’s expression didn’t change; he forced himself to bargain, “I only have 846 universal points. How about you give me a break?”

The stallholder didn’t even raise his head: “Get lost!”

Fuming, Chen Qi quickly left the stall. “If you don’t want to sell, just say so—why so aggressive?”

His muttering drew sidelong glances from nearby contractors as he walked away.

After some thought, Chen Qi decided to sell his Proof of Comradeship. Consumables were far less important than improving his strength, and he believed investing in himself was the wisest choice.

He recalled that when he bought Basic Blade Technique at the Law Chamber of Commerce, the bunny-eared young lady there was also buying skill scrolls at slightly reduced prices.

He decided to ask her if she would purchase his Proof of Comradeship.

Soon, Chen Qi returned to the Law Chamber of Commerce and immediately spotted the bunny-eared young lady he had teased earlier.

Bracing himself, Chen Qi forced a smile and asked, “Lovely lady, do you buy items here? I’ve got a blue-quality one.”

Seeing this shameless fellow return, the bunny-eared young lady puffed out her cheeks adorably, but her professional demeanor quickly took over and she replied,

“For items of blue quality or higher, you’ll need to speak to our manager. If you wish to sell, please wait here.”

Chen Qi waved his hand to indicate he wasn’t in a rush. Soon, a plump man with glasses and a mustache walked over, greeting Chen Qi warmly:

“A distinguished guest arrives, and I was in such a hurry. Apologies for keeping you waiting.”

They exchanged pleasantries, then Chen Qi straightforwardly handed over his Proof of Comradeship to the manager of the Law Chamber of Commerce.

The manager examined the item closely, his expression turning thoughtful. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re a newcomer who just finished your first world?”

Aware that the item’s origin would reveal his status, Chen Qi admitted helplessly, “Yes! Boss, seeing as I’m new, could you offer me a few more universal points?”

The manager twitched his mustache and laughed, “I wouldn’t dare call myself boss. To be honest, our Law Chamber of Commerce only buys skill scrolls at high prices. For items like this, our offer might be quite low.”

Seeing Chen Qi’s disappointed look and reluctance, the manager continued with a smile, “Don’t be discouraged! For newcomers with potential, we can offer a universal point loan, and to foster goodwill, your first loan is interest-free!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qi slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly, “I have potential! I went wild in my first world!”

The manager seemed accustomed to such scenes, his smile unwavering. “You can show me the highest-value item you obtained in your exclusive newbie world, and we’ll evaluate your potential based on that.”

He paused, then added provocatively, “It’s not just this blue-quality Proof of Comradeship, is it? If so, the maximum loan I can offer is 1500 universal points.”

Chen Qi fell silent for a moment, glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then privately sent the Focused Burst scroll from his backpack to the manager.

He immediately noticed the manager ignore him entirely, staring fixedly at the skill scroll, his breathing unconsciously growing heavier.

After a long while, the manager snapped back to reality and apologized to Chen Qi, “Sorry, I spaced out—a bad professional habit.”

Then, as if by force of habit, he continued, “As a merchant, I must ask if you’re willing to sell this scroll. Our Law Chamber would pay top dollar. But as a friend, I advise you to learn it yourself—the potential of this skill scroll is immense.”

Seeing Chen Qi’s puzzled expression, the manager explained, “I’ve seen countless skill scrolls—I won’t misjudge. If you have skill points, prioritize this one. Its long-term benefits are absolutely considerable.”

At some point, the manager had produced a pot of tea and two cups from his storage space, pouring Chen Qi a cup as he said, “Let’s discuss your loan further. Since you obtained this skill, I can offer you a maximum loan of 5000 universal points, to be repaid after two more world progressions.”