Chapter Forty-Two: Where Can We Refuel?

Staring at the system panel with only 12 Tyrant Points left, Jiang Yuan fell deep into thought. Just moments ago, he still considered himself a nouveau riche—how had he suddenly gone bankrupt? The key issue was that this damned system didn’t seem to have cheated him this time. Had its merchant-like cunning reached a point where it operated so subtly as to be undetectable?

“Does the host wish to conduct any more transactions?” The system’s cold voice echoed, as though Jiang Yuan had no further value now that he’d been thoroughly squeezed dry.

“Where am I supposed to get more Tyrant Points to trade with you?” Jiang Yuan replied irritably.

“The host still possesses many valuable magical treasures, especially those belonging to Nezha. Most are innate spiritual treasures. Should you exchange them for Tyrant Points…” The system’s tone took on a subtly persuasive note.

For someone as impoverished as Jiang Yuan, extracting every last drop of value was the system’s final act of defiance.

“Get lost! I don’t need more Tyrant Points right now, and I’m in no rush to break through to the next realm,” Jiang Yuan snapped.

If he advanced too swiftly, he’d attract the attention and suspicion of the Sages. He wasn’t in Zhaoge City anymore; breaking through to the Golden Immortal Realm would trigger a feedback of fate from heaven and earth, something the Sages’ watchful eyes would not miss.

Besides, if he sold off Nezha’s treasures, would Nezha still be Nezha? Jiang Yuan felt it was necessary to maintain some lines he wouldn’t cross. Nezha was such an interesting fellow—he would protect him as best he could.

“Has the host made up his mind? There’s currently a special offer for trading magical treasures—this is a one-time deal! In the future, you’ll only get seventy percent of the original value, but right now you’ll get ninety percent. Are you sure you don’t want to consider it?” The system pressed, seemingly unwilling to give up.

The system is actually trying to tempt me? I, Jiang Yuan, the Sovereign of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, would never fall for such paltry enticements!

“How much would the treasures I got from the South Sea Dragon King fetch in Tyrant Points?” Jiang Yuan asked, testing the waters.

It’s definitely not because of the system’s special offer—I just find these treasures useless to me, Jiang Yuan convinced himself.

“After the battle with Zhang Kui, many treasures belonging to the South Sea Dragon King are quite damaged. The system’s valuation is low. In total, there are nine treasures—most are acquired spiritual treasures, two are acquired supreme treasures. Given the host’s sincerity in selling, the system offers 666 Tyrant Points!”

Jiang Yuan was stunned. What do you mean ‘sincerity in selling’? I was only asking the price, and suddenly I’m a committed seller?

Looks like it’s you, damned system, who’s actually eager to fleece me!

But then again, these treasures really are of no use to him. In that case, why not exchange them for the Tyrant Points he actually needs?

“Let’s do it. Exchange all the treasures from the South Sea Dragon King for Tyrant Points,” Jiang Yuan decided without hesitation.

“Ding! Transaction successful. Host loses the Trident, the Dragon King’s Basket, Heavenly Dragon Armor, Heavenly One Holy Water… Gains 666 Tyrant Points. Current Tyrant Points: 678!”

What an auspicious number! Three sixes have turned into a straight! Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but mock in his heart.

Now I’m wealthy again! With so many Tyrant Points, how should I spend them? Jiang Yuan pondered, feeling that sitting on so many Tyrant Points without spending a bit was making him uncomfortable.

He couldn’t raise his cultivation for now—that would have to wait until he returned to Zhaoge City. After all, Zhaoge was still the place with the densest concentration of fortune in the world. Achieving a breakthrough there would be much less likely to attract the Sages’ notice.

So, what could he use these Tyrant Points for? Jiang Yuan was a bit at a loss. Who would have thought he’d ever have so much money he didn’t know how to spend?

He was no longer inclined to spend Tyrant Points to help others break through their realms—in fact, he was quite resistant to the idea. It was simply too much of a loss.

Suddenly, something occurred to Jiang Yuan, and his eyes lit up. Of course! I can use the system’s lottery feature!

“Hey system, how much does one lottery draw cost in Tyrant Points?”

“The system offers two lottery pages—one is ten Tyrant Points per draw and supports ten consecutive draws; the other is one hundred Tyrant Points per draw, also supporting ten consecutive draws.”

“What’s the difference?”

“The more Tyrant Points you spend, the better the items you can obtain. The chance of receiving high-level items is highest with ten consecutive draws,” the system explained.

“I have a question—this lottery system isn’t developed by Penguin, is it?” Jiang Yuan quipped.

If that were the case, even with a ninety-nine percent chance, he wouldn’t draw.

“Host, you’ll know once you try,” the system replied blandly.

Jiang Yuan was itching to try. In his previous life, he’d spent quite a bit on lotteries. Sure, gambling dogs always died in the end, but wasn’t it all about the thrill?

“Alright, give me a ten-point draw first!” Jiang Yuan said, somewhat excited.

“Ding! Ten Tyrant Points successfully deducted. Current Tyrant Points: 668! Host receives one lottery draw.”

Jiang Yuan eyed the lottery button. At least the system had the decency not to force the draw automatically. He lightly pressed the button.

“Ding! Draw successful. Host draws… loneliness.”

Jiang Yuan’s brow furrowed. Again? This is just like those ten consecutive draws at the start of a game—at least let me win something first!

“System, are you screwing with me? I’m not drawing anymore!” Jiang Yuan snapped.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try again?” The system’s voice was dripping with temptation, as if it had seen right through Jiang Yuan.

Of course Jiang Yuan wouldn’t give up so easily. This was only just beginning! He was just used to mocking the system—after all, if he didn’t scold it at least once a day, he felt out of sorts.

“Ahem, then let’s do three consecutive draws!” Jiang Yuan coughed and said nonchalantly.

“Ding! Thirty Tyrant Points successfully deducted. Current Tyrant Points: 638! Host receives three lottery draws!”

Jiang Yuan clicked three times without hesitation. With so many Tyrant Points, this was what true dominance looked like!

“Ding! Draw successful. Host draws… loneliness.”

“Ding! Draw successful. Host draws… loneliness again!”

“….” Jiang Yuan now felt vexed and conflicted. With all those Tyrant Points gone, he could have nurtured a subordinate up to the Celestial Immortal Realm.

If something good didn’t show up soon, Jiang Yuan was going to lock the lottery page away in the system’s deepest dungeon!

“Ding! Draw successful. Host receives… one pack of Huazi!”

At the system’s announcement, Jiang Yuan stared in shock. He looked down at the red pack of cigarettes in his hand and fell silent.

Does such a lottery system really exist? Does this damned system even have a license to sell cigarettes?

Still, for Jiang Yuan, who had a mild addiction in his previous life, this pack of Huazi was somewhat satisfying. At least those forty Tyrant Points weren’t completely wasted. In the Shang Dynasty, such modern cigarettes were nowhere to be seen.

But this thing could only be smoked alone and not shared. Was it really smoking if you did it by yourself? Moreover, there weren’t any restrooms around for a smoke break… and now that he was cultivating, did he even need to relieve himself anymore?

In that case, this pack of Huazi seemed a bit redundant.

Feeling a little melancholic, Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but open the pack, take one out, and put it between his lips.

Only when he tried to light it did he realize he had no fire! This made Jiang Yuan groan in frustration—just as his craving hit, he had no lighter!

“Hey system, can I borrow a light?” Jiang Yuan asked, testing the waters.

“A lighter is one Tyrant Point each,” the system replied, never one to let Jiang Yuan get anything for free.

“Fine, I’ll buy one!”

“Ding! Transaction successful. Host receives one lighter (not windproof). One Tyrant Point deducted. Current Tyrant Points: 637!”

Staring at the green, transparent lighter in his hand, Jiang Yuan fell into a daze. Tyrant Points didn’t seem all that valuable, did they? In his previous life, he could buy a lighter like this for one yuan at any corner store.

And yet, here with the damned system, it cost him a whole Tyrant Point…

When did the RMB become equal to a Tyrant Point?

Jiang Yuan, awash with complicated feelings, flicked the lighter. A spark flashed, followed by a small flame.

He leaned in, cigarette in mouth, took a deep drag, closed his eyes, and immediately felt the long-missed taste of tobacco fill his mouth. Without hesitation, he inhaled deeply.

I’m cultivating now—who cares about lung cancer?

Feeling his spirit soothed, Jiang Yuan slowly exhaled a thin stream of smoke, relaxed and content. “System, let’s keep drawing!”

“There was something the system didn’t remind the host about regarding smoking,” the system interjected.

“What is it? Don’t tell me that not even cultivation can cure lung cancer?” Jiang Yuan asked nervously, clutching the Huazi he’d barely touched.

If the system said yes, he’d throw the cigarette away immediately!

“That’s not it. It’s just that the host didn’t need to buy a lighter from the system—did you forget your identity as a cultivator? Controlling fire is just a basic skill.”

How the hell was I supposed to know? I’ve never been in a fight! Against the South Sea Dragon King I only used sneaky tricks! Jiang Yuan grumbled inwardly.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Did you have to make me waste a Tyrant Point?” Jiang Yuan said angrily.

“Why refuse a Tyrant Point handed over so willingly? Besides, wasn’t it just to suit your style? Is it really smoking if you don’t light it with a lighter? The system advises the host not to chase after such fancy things—returning to simplicity is the true way.”

“Screw your ‘returning to simplicity’! All you care about is my Tyrant Points!” Jiang Yuan sneered.

I almost believed your nonsense!

“If the host doesn’t wish to keep drawing, the system will go dormant,” the system replied, ignoring Jiang Yuan’s curses and complaints.

“Draw, of course! Give me the hundred-point draw!” Jiang Yuan declared grandly.

“The host is generous! Today, the host picks up the tab for the whole venue.” The system actually made a joke, sounding oddly excited. Who’d have thought it had this side?

“Proceed,” Jiang Yuan said coolly.

“Ding! Transaction successful! One hundred Tyrant Points deducted. Current Tyrant Points: 537! Host receives one high-level lottery draw!”

Oh? The system actually changed the name? Without hesitation, Jiang Yuan pressed the draw button.

“Ding! Draw successful! Congratulations, host. You have received—a Lamborghini sports car!”

At this point, Jiang Yuan was covered in metaphorical black lines. System, you’ve gone too far. A pack of Huazi I could accept, but what am I supposed to do with a sports car? Buddy, this is Investiture of the Gods—Shang Dynasty! Even with a Lamborghini, how am I supposed to pick up girls?

If the system had a physical form, Jiang Yuan would have smashed it by now! What kind of ridiculous lottery system was this?

Where’s my Fuxi Zither? Where’s my Pangu Axe? My Nuwa Stone, my Immortal-Slaying Sword?

“System, if you don’t give me a proper explanation, I’m not done with you!”

If he didn’t win, Jiang Yuan could accept it, but getting something like this really blew his mind. Where was he supposed to find gas?