Chapter 036: Sleeping Fairy

Having just completed a five-star main quest, earned a fortune, and acquired an Earth-level martial art manual, Xin Lang’s experience bar for the Leveler suddenly shot up by sixty points. But his good mood was instantly dashed when a ten-star main quest abruptly appeared; now, not only was his cheer gone, but a cloud of gloom hung over him.

After Fatty Gu made all the necessary arrangements, Xin Lang slipped out of the auction hall through a special passage and entered a private room. On the table awaited tea and refreshments, as well as the Earth-level, low-tier martial art manual "Inch Force Fist." Beside the manual, five piles of gold coins were stacked, each containing ten thousand coins.

Fatty Gu said, “Boss, this is all the cash the auction house can manage for now. If you want more, we’ll have to withdraw it from the bank.”

Xin Lang replied, “That’s fine, let’s exchange this much for now. The rest you can help me with when there’s an opportunity.”

With that, Xin Lang took out eight gold notes, each worth ten thousand coins, and handed them to Fatty Gu. Three of these, totaling thirty thousand coins, were for the purchase of the Earth-level manual; the remaining fifty thousand were to be exchanged for gold coins.

Fatty Gu accepted the notes and said, “I’ll give these to the old man at home. We can return to the Academy together in a bit.”

After Fatty Gu left the room, Xin Lang quickly stashed the fifty thousand gold coins into the storage section of his “backpack.” The coins filled only half a compartment; out of ten compartments, he’d used just two, and not even to their full capacity. The remaining eight compartments were still empty.

Having put away the gold, Xin Lang’s gaze fell upon the Earth-level, low-tier manual "Inch Force Fist." He had been quite enthusiastic about this manual, but the ten-star quest had dampened his spirits considerably.

Xin Lang picked up the manual, and as his hand touched the book, the Leveler popped up its usual message: “Earth-level, low-tier martial art ‘Inch Force Fist’ detected. Required level: Rank 1 Martial Artist. Level insufficient, unable to use.”

“Can’t learn it?” Xin Lang exclaimed in shock.

He hadn’t expected that learning an Earth-level martial art would require him to reach Rank 1 Martial Artist. If the Leveler could help him study this manual, he could quickly grasp the essence of the “Hidden Force.” But now, it seemed there would be no shortcuts.

Since the Leveler couldn’t assist him with the “Hidden Force” technique, Xin Lang would have to rely on his own efforts and gradually comprehend it on his own.

Although he couldn’t yet use the Leveler’s learning function, Xin Lang could still store the manual in the Leveler’s “backpack” for easy access whenever he wanted to read it.

He skimmed through the manual "Inch Force Fist" to confirm its authenticity before placing it in the Leveler’s backpack.

A few minutes later, Fatty Gu returned. Xin Lang was seated at the table, munching on fruit and snacks. Fatty Gu glanced at the now-bare table and exclaimed, “Boss, where—where are the coins?”

“I’ve already put them away,” Xin Lang replied, biting into his apple.

“You put them away?” Fatty Gu had feared they’d been stolen. Though relieved, his astonishment only grew. He scrutinized Xin Lang from every angle and asked, “Boss, do you have one of those legendary immortal artifacts—a ring that can store items?”

“No,” Xin Lang answered readily.

“Then maybe a slightly less powerful storage bracelet?” Fatty Gu pressed on, unwilling to give up.

“Also no,” Xin Lang replied, still chewing his apple.

“A storage belt, then? Like the ones from the legends?” Fatty Gu persisted.

“Stuff like that doesn’t exist in this world,” Xin Lang said, growing impatient.

“Maybe it’s just a legend, but where there’s a legend, there’s a kernel of truth! I believe immortals are real! And so are the legendary storage rings!” Fatty Gu declared with conviction.

“Enough. Most people have left—the two of us should head back to Xuyang Academy,” Xin Lang said.

“But, Boss, you still haven’t told me where you put those fifty thousand coins!” Fatty Gu insisted, his plump hand reaching to take advantage.

“Get your filthy hand away from me!” Xin Lang dodged aside, face full of disgust. “You’re too much! Fine, I admit it—I do have an immortal artifact that can store items.”

“Are you serious, Boss?” Fatty Gu looked at Xin Lang with hopeful eyes.

Xin Lang pulled out his old money pouch and said, “Here it is.”

The pouch looked flat and empty, but when Xin Lang reached inside, he pulled out a handful of gold coins.

Fatty Gu checked the pouch and found nothing inside, yet Xin Lang could pull out handful after handful of coins.

“Boss, it really is a storage pouch!” Fatty Gu was both shocked and delighted.

Xin Lang didn’t answer, only smiled to himself. “All this money came from the Leveler’s backpack. This is just an ordinary pouch, nothing special about it.”

“Boss, is this immortal pouch bound to you? Why can’t I see anything inside?” Fatty Gu asked curiously.

“Mm,” Xin Lang replied.

Fatty Gu admired it for a while longer before reluctantly returning the “storage pouch” to Xin Lang.

Xin Lang watched his expression and asked, “Do you want it?”

Fatty Gu grinned lecherously. “If I said no, Boss, would you believe me?”

“No,” Xin Lang replied.

“Who wouldn’t want something so amazing? But I know, since you let me see it, you’re not afraid I’ll try to take it. I’m not stupid—I can tell you’re testing me,” Fatty Gu analyzed slyly.

Xin Lang merely curled his lips into a faint smile at Fatty Gu’s insight.

“If you know I’m testing you, why are you still so happy?” Xin Lang asked.

“Of course I’m happy! If you possess a storage pouch, that means immortals really exist!” Fatty Gu said.

“What, do you want to become an immortal yourself?” Xin Lang frowned, feeling a vague, unexplainable disgust for immortals deep in his heart.

“Becoming an immortal isn’t the point! If there are immortals, there must be immortal maidens, and I’ve heard they’re all stunningly beautiful! If I could sleep with a few thousand of them, with my constitution, haha… I might even become a god!” Fatty Gu gazed up at the ceiling, eyes full of lecherous dreams.

“Good grief…” Xin Lang was speechless. “This fatso’s ambitions are truly outrageous! My wish is for revenge, to trample immortals beneath my feet, but this lecher just wants to bed immortal maidens!”

P.S. Yesterday my daughter had a re-examination. Before the pupil dilation, her myopia measured four hundred degrees, but after the re-exam, it was only twenty-five—it turned out to be pseudo-myopia! Haha, what a relief! Such wonderful news deserves a celebration. On the 23rd I’ll do another big update—no fewer than five chapters, and if you all keep supporting, even ten might be possible!