What Has Changed

Monday, early morning.

On the bed, Ye Chuan suddenly opened his eyes, no longer feeling sleepy.

He glanced out the window before getting up to wash up and eat breakfast.

It wasn’t because cultivation had rid him of fatigue—it was the 4,000 yuan deposited into his account that filled him with an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

Damn, that instantly woke him up. The smell of money was just chef’s kiss.

He almost wished he could sleep for a whole week and get a lump sum of nearly 30,000 yuan at once.

Checking his balance, Ye Chuan realized he needed to plan how to use this money. Since Bai Qianshuang’s favorability hadn’t increased further, he had to ensure at least one of his attributes—either his spiritual root or his physique—hit the pity system once.

Without strength, he’d be completely useless in that upcoming adventure. As for cultivation speed, his auto-grinding system had that covered.

The system was just a freeloader handing out rewards—he, as the host, had way more to worry about.

"To get more rewards, early investment is a must," Ye Chuan concluded. With that in mind, he tapped open the physique draw page. While spiritual roots were important, if given the choice, he’d prioritize physique.

Spiritual roots affected cultivation speed, elemental affinity, and innate abilities—more internal aspects.

But physique determined survival. Plus, certain physiques could also boost cultivation speed or provide other perks.

After all, only those who lived could deal damage.

Ding.

-1000—

[Drawing physique…]

[Congratulations! You’ve obtained Mid-Grade Earth Mystic Body. It has been added to your inventory.]

Expected.

"Please don’t tell me I’ll hit pity at 99 draws," Ye Chuan muttered, barely bothering to check the description. It was part of the same series anyway—he already had a High-Grade Fire Mystic Body, which synergized with his fire spiritual root. This mid-grade Earth Mystic Body could just sit in his inventory as fusion fodder.

But as he skimmed through his inventory, his eyes landed on a skill quietly sitting there—Spirit Sight.

[Skill: Spirit Sight]

[Allows the user to see spirits after learning.]

He had left this skill unlearned, but now that he thought about it—wasn’t he already a Qi Condensation realm expert? Why should he be afraid of some measly ghosts?

Screw it, he’d learn it!

Ye Chuan activated Spirit Sight, his eyes faintly glowing gold as he scanned the room.

Nothing.

Good. At least there weren’t any weird things lurking around.

Otherwise, it’d be awkward if some ghost had been spectating his solo "training sessions" all this time.

---

In the living room, after freshening up and changing, Ye Chuan checked on Bai Qianshuang’s status. The chibi version of her in the logs was still meditating, motionless after absorbing all the spirit stones.

Seeing the adorable cartoon figure in deep cultivation, Ye Chuan decided not to disturb her and left the house.

The weather was still scorching. The faint scent of mildew mixed with sunlight lingered in the air as Ye Chuan walked leisurely, the gravel beneath his feet occasionally crunching.

"Chuan Chuan!" A familiar voice called out before something bumped into his shoulder.

Turning, the fragrance of shampoo filled his nose as he met Luo Xi’s lively gaze.

"Hey, slept well?" she asked, hands behind her back as she studied his face. His complexion was radiant, his skin fair and smooth, his sharp brows and bright eyes making her pause for a second.

Why did he look so different?

His features hadn’t changed much, but…

It was like he had a beauty filter on—even his skin looked airbrushed.

"What’re you staring at?" Ye Chuan poked her forehead.

"Wait, is it just me, or did you get hotter?" Luo Xi blinked.

"I’ve always been this handsome. You were just blind before," Ye Chuan sighed.

"Bullshit!"

As they walked to school together, chatting casually, Luo Xi suddenly brought up, "Chuan Chuan… my mom’s condition’s gotten worse. What can I do to help her?"

"Didn’t your dad take her to a bunch of doctors?" Ye Chuan asked.

"Yeah, but the meds only work at first, then stop being effective." Luo Xi sighed, her expression dimming.

"I wish there was some miracle cure, like in dramas."

Ye Chuan considered it.

Could he get some healing pills from the adventure or Bai Qianshuang?

He still had a Tiger Strength Pill in his inventory, but that wouldn’t help with illnesses. Deer Blood Pills might work, but he’d have to wait for Bai Qianshuang to randomly drop one.

"My family has some old folk remedies. Wanna try?" he joked.

"Let’s not mess with those." Luo Xi wasn’t buying it.

Ye Chuan shrugged.

---

The first class of the day was in a large lecture hall. When Ye Chuan and Luo Xi arrived, they noticed quite a few eyes on them.

"Hey, that’s Ye Chuan from the other class—the one challenging Huang Haotian to a fight."

"Seriously? He’s taking on the entire Taekwondo Club solo?"

"He’s gonna get wrecked. How’s he even daring?"

"When’s the match? Can’t wait to see him get stomped."

"Keyboard warrior. No way he’s actually showing up."

Most students who recognized Ye Chuan whispered among themselves, with nearly 90% doubting him—especially given his lean, delicate appearance.

He didn’t look like someone who could fight.

A few thought he might have some skill, considering he’d taken down multiple people in a sneak attack, but even they had little hope for him in an actual match.

Ignoring the stares, Ye Chuan scanned the room until someone waved at him.

"Oi, over here." An Shiyu had arrived earlier, snagging a prime spot in the back row. She gestured for them to join her.

"You’re early," Ye Chuan remarked.

"I’m a model student," An Shiyu said, propping her chin on her hand. "Got a problem with that?"

As they sat down, Luo Xi leaned in and whispered, "Chuan Chuan, everyone’s talking about last night."

"Let them." Ye Chuan couldn’t care less. He was a Qi Condensation expert now—since when did he need to fear Huang Haotian?

If anything, Huang Haotian was the one digging his own grave by hyping this up online.

Ye Chuan smirked, then suddenly turned his gaze toward the door—as if sensing something.