Volume One, Chapter Two: A Frenzied Ascent

Three days—three whole days! Yun Qianbai was like an tireless sponge, frantically absorbing the poisonous gases around him. The ever-present gray-black toxic miasma that hung over the slums year-round had visibly thinned, dispersing at a speed evident to the naked eye.

Within himself, he could feel a volcano gathering immense power, ready to erupt at any moment!

“Ding! Toxin value +1, Strength +0.1.”

“Ding! Toxin value +1, Agility +0.1.”

…

The system’s notifications had long since numbed him. Yun Qianbai slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his pupils.

“Body Tempering, Third Level!”

He clenched his fists, savoring the torrent of strength surging within him, and the corners of his lips rose in an irrepressible smile.

This feeling was just like opening cheats in a video game—exhilarating beyond words!

However, the surrounding toxic gas had nearly all been absorbed. If he wished to continue leveling up, he would have to find a new place.

“It seems it’s time to venture out!” Yun Qianbai murmured to himself, excitement flickering in his gaze.

He rose to his feet, stretching his limbs, feeling power coursing through every fiber of his being—as though he could kill an ox with a single punch!

“The toxic gas in this wretched place is delectable, but it can’t fill my stomach.” Yun Qianbai rubbed his belly with a wry thought. “I’ll need to earn some money first and make sure Miyang is settled.”

After all, he had no intention of letting his little sister suffer alongside him.

At the thought of Miyang, a wave of tenderness welled up in Yun Qianbai’s heart.

He was determined to give Miyang a good life, free from the torment of this poisonous air!

“Miyang, wait for me. Your brother will be back soon!”

Yun Qianbai swore quietly to himself, then opened the door and strode out.

In the slums, the pale, sickly poor—long weakened from inhaling the toxic air—suddenly felt the atmosphere much fresher, and astonishment appeared on every face.

“Hey? The toxic gas seems much lighter today!”

“Yes, I feel like I can finally breathe easily!”

“Could it be Heaven has taken pity on us?”

People chattered in confusion, unaware that all of this was Yun Qianbai’s doing.

Yun Qianbai walked through the slum streets, taking in the sight of ramshackle houses and tattered passersby, his heart filled with complex emotions.

“This world is truly cruel…” he sighed, quickening his pace.

He was heading for the Mercenary Guild in Boulder City. They often posted various jobs there—dangerous, but with generous rewards.

With his current strength, he should be able to accept some of the simpler tasks.

“Once I earn some money, I’ll get Miyang to the hospital for the best treatment possible!” Yun Qianbai plotted silently. “After that, I’ll leave the city to level up and become even stronger!”

Determination blazed in his eyes, as if he could already see a brighter future.

Striding quickly, Yun Qianbai soon reached the Boulder City Mercenary Guild—a place alive with noise. Mercenaries boasted and laughed, or drank alone; the air was thick with the scents of sweat, alcohol, and cheap perfume, rowdy and chaotic.

He didn’t head straight for the mission counter, but scanned the crowd for his target.

He didn’t yet have a mercenary badge—his previous lack of power had kept him from qualifying, not to mention affording the steep registration fees.

Now, though his abilities had changed, he was careful not to expose his secret of leveling up by absorbing poison; that would be courting disaster.

“I need to find the Hyenas,” Yun Qianbai thought.

The so-called Hyenas were merchants who specialized in reselling missions. With their sharp senses, they sniffed out lucrative jobs at the guild, then sold them off to those without badges or those seeking off-the-books work, pocketing the difference.

Yun Qianbai’s gaze settled on a corner, where a merchant as round as a ball was boisterously bragging to a few mercenaries, his greasy face split with a foxy grin, like a thief who’d just made a killing.

“That’s the one,” Yun Qianbai decided, quickly walking over.

“Hey, young man, you look impressive—a man bound for big things!” The fat merchant, sharp-eyed, spotted Yun Qianbai at once and greeted him warmly. “Interested in a lucrative job? I guarantee you’ll walk away with a fortune!”

Yun Qianbai scrutinized him without expression. “What’s the job?”

“Outside the city, in the Mandrake Fields—collect seeds.” The fat merchant lowered his voice, all mysterious, “It’s a sweet deal. Those fussy alchemists love this stuff. A single seed fetches a high price!”

Yun Qianbai saw through him instantly. Mandrake seeds were valuable, but the fields crawled with venomous beasts and insects—not to mention the toxic bees guarding the flowers. For most people, it was a death sentence.

This fat man truly had no qualms about sending others to their doom.

“How much?” Yun Qianbai asked coolly.

“Fifty thousand Blue Stone coins!” The fat merchant named an outrageous price.

“One hundred thousand—take it or leave it.” Yun Qianbai halved it without hesitation.

“Ow! That’s a brutal cut, young man!” The fat merchant acted wounded, clutching his chest. “You’re killing me here!”

“One hundred thousand Blue Stone coins will cover my sister’s medicine for a month.” Yun Qianbai’s voice was low. “I’ll take the job.”

The fat merchant’s eyes flickered. He realized he’d met a tough customer and haggling further was pointless. Gritting his teeth, he agreed, “Fine! One hundred thousand it is! But you’d best be careful—the place is no joke!”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die.” Yun Qianbai took the mission scroll, turned, and left—clean, decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

“This kid is interesting…” The fat merchant watched Yun Qianbai’s retreating back, stroking the fat beneath his chin with a sly smile. “Let’s hope he comes back alive. Then I can fleece him again next time…”

Yun Qianbai weighed the mission scroll in his hand, calculating silently.

One hundred thousand Blue Stone coins—enough for Miyang’s medical expenses for half a month.

In the past, he’d have to risk his life for months to earn that much. Now, it only took a single mission!

The feeling was damned exhilarating!

But he knew well—this was money traded for his life.

“Wait for me, Miyang. Your brother will make you well again!” Yun Qianbai gripped the scroll tightly, his eyes shining with unwavering resolve.