Early in the morning... Lu Cheng unhurriedly cut the fried egg on his plate.
Gu Qingcheng, being pregnant, had been sleeping a lot lately and was still resting upstairs.
Xia Qinghe, dressed in a white casual dress, softly reported some "interesting news" from last night.
"According to the police report, a large-scale, vicious armed brawl occurred in the underground black boxing market last night."
"When the police intervened, only a single... remains, gnawed on by an unknown beast, was left at the scene; its identity is still being verified."
Lu Cheng gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, a faint smile playing on his face.
"Understood."
He answered casually.
"Go accompany Qing He, she'll be bored alone."
Lu Cheng waved his hand, signaling that she could leave.
It wasn't until Xia Qinghe departed that he truly began to deal with last night's "main business."
Before him, the System's screen quietly appeared.
Last night, after discovering Chi Baobao, Tianming Pavilion's emergency meeting had been fully recorded.
Lu Cheng's fingertip gently slid across the screen, as if he were watching a dull palace drama, dragging the progress bar directly to the end.
"This child's temperament is unstable, like an out-of-control beast; if he remains in the Pavilion, he will surely become a great disaster!"
"But... his abilities are so special. He might prove remarkably effective against our enemies who also possess Systems."
"Outsourcing! We must outsource him! Let him bite our enemies! Use this uncontrolled blade of his to cut the hardest bones!"
Ultimately, the meeting reached a conclusion that, in Lu Cheng's view, was both foolish and inevitable.
To "outsource" Chi Baobao, this "mad dog," to serve as Tianming Pavilion's "scavenger."
The smile on Lu Cheng's lips grew even wider.
"Very good."
He murmured in a low voice, filled with the pleasure of a superior.
"I merely threw two restless stones into the pond, and you yourselves established a perfect ecological cycle."
"A mad dog that could turn on its master at any moment, a King of Destiny on whom great hopes are placed, and a self-proclaimed clever, ambitious undercover agent..."
He closed the video and pulled up two other files.
Those were the "performance reports" belonging to Chi Baobao and Ren Shitou.
Name: Chi Baobao
Current Strength Rating: Purple (Beginner)
Loyalty: -10 (Mentally unstable)
Return on Investment: 90%
Overall Assessment: A high-risk, high-reward futures product with extremely strong growth potential.
Name: Ren Shitou
Current Strength Rating: Purple (Intermediate)
Loyalty: 99.9% (Completely trusts the System)
Return on Investment: 99.9%
Overall Assessment: The most trustworthy blue-chip stock, loyal and reliable, with immense potential, he is the highest quality core asset at this stage.
Lu Cheng's gaze was like that of a cold capitalist, scrutinizing his most successful investment projects.
Chi Baobao was a fierce beast; while he could bring surprises, he was ultimately difficult to control.
As for Ren Shitou... this "leek" he had personally planted and Tianming Pavilion had carefully nurtured, was his most satisfying creation at this stage.
Lu Cheng's lips curved into a wicked smile.
"Good boy, you must run faster to be worthy of my fatherly love."
As his voice fell.
He activated the System Furnace.
"Begin upgrading the King of Berserkers System."
Buzz—!
On the virtual screen, countless data streams poured down like a waterfall, surrounding Ren Shitou's file, beginning a complex reorganization and optimization!
...Meanwhile.
Tianming Pavilion, inside the underground medical room.
The cold metal room was filled with the strong, mixed scent of disinfectant and herbs.
Ren Shitou sat cross-legged in the medical pod, his face pale.
The Butcher's final desperate strike had wounded him fundamentally; even with the best medicine, he would need a long period of rest to recover.
What made him feel even more humiliated was that, in the end, he actually needed Jueying to save him!
That look, that condescending attitude, was like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart!
"Power..."
"I need stronger power!"
Just then!
In his mind, the familiar System interface began to flash wildly, without any warning!
Ding!
Detecting Host's unyielding will and loyalty to the System!
Your valor has gained the attention of the Supreme Will!
A series of notification sounds left Ren Shitou completely bewildered.
Supreme Will?
What was that?
Before he could react.
"Grace" is descending...
The "King of Berserkers System" is about to undergo a version update!
Version 1.0 is upgrading to Version 2.0...
Upgrade complete!
The "Berserk Blood Burn" function module has been upgraded!
The Host can, during combat, temporarily enter a "Rage" state by consuming vitality, increasing all attributes by 300%! Note: After this state ends, a period of weakness will ensue.
A warm current instantly surged from the depths of his soul, sweeping through his entire body!
Crack!
All the bones in his body emitted a reorganizing roar under the rush of this power!
The deep, bone-visible knife wound on his chest healed at a visible speed, leaving not even a scar!
His strength, which had been depleted, was replenished again, and it was several times more powerful than before!
This was... a miracle!
This was absolutely a miracle!
Ren Shitou felt the terrifying power surging and roaring within him, trembling with excitement, his eyes instantly turning red.
He leaped from the sickbed, dropping heavily to his knees on the cold floor with a loud thud!
He lifted his head, facing the empty ceiling, and with all his might, let out a fanatical roar from the deepest part of his soul:
"Thank you! Great System!"
"Thank you! Supreme Will!"
"I, Ren Shitou, pledge to fight for you... until the end of the world!!!"
...Lu Family Manor, in the study.
Lu Cheng clearly heard Ren Shitou's "prayer" like that of a fanatic.
The expression on his face was as if he were listening to the most beautiful hymn.
On the virtual screen before him, the number in the "Return on Investment" column for Ren Shitou had quietly changed from [99.9%] to [99.99%].
He casually turned off the monitoring interface.
He stretched, his gaze turning to the window.
On the lawn of the back garden, Gu Qingcheng was holding Lu Xuan's hand, leisurely strolling, enjoying the afternoon sun, a picture of tranquil years.
Lu Cheng's lips slowly curved upwards, forming a playful arc.
"Good children deserve more candy."