Chapter Seventeen: Then Wait for Me Three Minutes

Men are naturally competitive, and Lin Lei wanted to enhance his abilities in every possible way, not just be an ordinary person who was nothing without high-tech equipment. It was akin to choosing between possessing Iron Man’s armor or Thor’s divine power. Lin Lei’s choice was to have Thor’s power—and still wear Iron Man’s armor. Well, there was nothing for it; money meant he could indulge his whims.

“This system does not recommend the host become an Evolver,” the system prompted.

“What do you mean?” It was the first time Lin Lei had seen the system refuse to make money.

“To become an Evolver requires a vast expenditure of origin, and the potential for future growth is limited. As the host of this system, you should naturally pursue the path of the strongest. There’s no need to sacrifice the essence for the superficial,” the system replied.

“So that’s how it is.” Lin Lei understood. “If I take the strongest route, how many contribution points would it take to surpass Yang Chunxi?”

“Just 288 contribution points.”

It seemed boosting his own combat power was far more expensive than technological enhancements.

“And how many contribution points would it take to become a level-three Evolver?” Lin Lei was suddenly curious.

“The host has a normal human physique. To ascend three levels at once would require 58 contribution points.”

“Ha! I see now why you’re so eager to recommend the strongest route—it’s because Evolvers are too cheap! You keep pushing the most expensive upgrade plan, hoping to squeeze every last contribution point out of me!” Lin Lei saw through the system’s nature completely.

“How can you slander this system’s reputation for no reason? In the short term, Evolvers do have certain advantages, but as I’ve said, their growth potential is limited. The higher the level, the more origin is consumed. Surely you won’t be satisfied with just being a level-three Evolver, the lowest grade?” The system was displeased.

If the upper limit for Evolvers was level nine, then the strongest growth system had no such ceiling—as long as one had enough contribution points (origin), upgrades could continue indefinitely.

Moreover, in terms of cost-effectiveness, the strongest growth system wasn’t expensive. The energy required for Evolver upgrades was converted from biochemical viruses, making it extremely rare and special. Yang Chunxi spent four years to become a level-three Evolver. Normally, further advancement was only possible on this planet.

Lin Lei was not ordinary; he had the system converting for him, so he could upgrade elsewhere as well. But in that case, he would be forced to rely entirely on spending to advance.

The path of the strongest was different. Though upgrades were costly, there was also a civilian route: through cultivation, one could still advance without spending contribution points.

The comparison made the choice obvious.

“Fine, fine! I admit I misunderstood you! I’ll think about cultivation!” After hearing the system’s explanation, Lin Lei’s dreams of enhancement were temporarily dashed—mainly because he had no money.

If he really spent 288 contribution points to instantly kill a level-three zombie, he would certainly establish an impressive image before Yang Xueli. But he had to remember, he still owed 300 contribution points in loans. Even if he wiped out the current zombie horde and paid off his debt with the contribution points earned, he’d be left with about two hundred, and would have to reserve a hundred more for his next time-travel ticket. Where would he find money for cultivation?

Besides, cultivation wasn’t the issue right now—it was how to deal with the level-three zombie facing him.

He couldn’t leave his post, and if Yang Xueli went for help, it would waste time; the other side was fighting fiercely as well, and Yang Chunxi might not be able to spare a moment.

“System, you always say I’m stingy, right? This time, I’ll show you generosity! How many contribution points would it take for an Evolver to go straight from level one to level four?” Lin Lei asked.

“575 contribution points,” the system replied.

“Damn! Are you robbing me? It only takes 58 contribution points for a normal person to reach level three, a jump of three levels. Now, to go from level one to level four—also three levels—you suddenly multiply the cost by ten!” Lin Lei was furious.

“Because the fourth level is a different realm. The first three levels for Evolvers only strengthen basic physical attributes, but the fourth level brings a transformation of the life form. Upon advancement, one acquires unique innate abilities. Besides, if the foundation isn’t solid, rapid upgrades carry great risks. To guarantee success, this system must consume vast origin to neutralize the potent properties of the serum, so ten times the price is not expensive... Actually, if the host chooses the strongest cultivation plan for 288 contribution points, you can directly obtain innate powers right from the start, and your strength can approach that of a level-four Evolver without limit,” the system continued to promote its top-tier plan.

“What’s the point of all this talk? I don’t have any contribution points! Alright, how much for a serum that lets Yang Xueli become a level-three Evolver?” Lin Lei decided on a compromise.

“The host is truly generous!” The sarcasm aside, business must continue, so the system answered, “Yang Xueli is at the peak of level-one Evolver—ready to advance at any moment. A custom serum for her would cost only 40 contribution points. Of course, if the host is even more generous, for 520 contribution points, this system guarantees she’ll immediately reach level four. How about it? Isn’t 520 an auspicious number?”

“Make a custom serum for her to reach level three. Of course, if you’d waive my 300-point loan, I’d scrape together your 520 points even if I had to sell my organs,” Lin Lei retorted.

“Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything. Forty contribution points deducted. Serum in production... Serum produced. Host, please collect it from the supply center. Red serum for injection, blue pill for oral use, and advancement is guaranteed within three minutes.”

Getting the system to waive fees was impossible.

Inside the syringe was two-thirds of the red serum, with a small blue pill alongside it.

Lin Lei retrieved both items, swung his sword to clear a patch, and in the gap before the zombie horde filled in, leapt to Yang Xueli’s side. Handing her the supplies, he spoke quickly: “There’s a level-three zombie ahead. I need your help. This is an evolution serum—red for injection, blue for oral use. Three minutes and you’ll become a level-three Evolver, with no side effects...”

Lin Lei hadn’t finished speaking before Yang Xueli grabbed the syringe, jabbed it into her arm, and swallowed the pill.

“I... I wasn’t done yet!” Lin Lei said instinctively.

“Then wait three minutes, and you can explain all you want afterwards.” With that, Yang Xueli focused her attention and prepared to break through to a higher realm.

If anyone else had handed her a syringe and a pill, claiming it could help her advance, she would never have accepted it lightly. She’d wait for a full explanation and for her brother to guard her before she took the medicine.

But facing Lin Lei, she didn’t even wait for him to finish before trusting him unconditionally.