Tenth Scene: Fifteenfold Reward

“Xiao Jin is my companion. When the residency period is over, I’ll apply for independent intelligent life status for him,” Sang Sang said earnestly, stepping forward to cup Xiao Jin in her palm. She made no mention of the agreement just made, but instead added, “I don’t have standard faith power right now, but I’ll find a way to repay you in the future. We can make a contract.”

Xiao Jin’s functions were comprehensive, but the gap between civilizations was too great—a one-time upgrade to an advanced civilization’s level would require more faith power than the education fund’s reimbursement threshold allowed. Sang Sang was powerless, yet when Sena offered, she couldn’t help but accept, knowing it wasn’t entirely proper.

Xiao Jin struggled to poke out his head, clinging to Sang Sang’s finger, his voice rising several pitches. “We agreed on food in exchange for the bill.”

Sena laughed. “That’s right. The contract law stands—food for the bill. I can afford that little bit of faith power; you don’t need to repay it. Little Red Leaf, if it weighs on you, just focus on passing the basic physical training next year. For now, what matters most is reaching a refinement concentration of fifteenfold.”

Sang Sang tucked Xiao Jin into her pocket, covering him with her hand. “Thank you. Even if you hadn’t said it, I would have done it anyway!”

Aslan spoke up. “Good trial results don’t guarantee good refinement results. Many rank high on the trial list but fail the refinement or see their actual concentration drop.”

Sang Sang nodded. “I know simulated training is different from real combat. What’s the trial list?”

Sena was surprised. “You’re working so hard, not to climb the list? You haven’t wasted a single trial opportunity.”

Sang Sang looked from Aslan to Sena. “I just want to close the gap with the other candidates and finish the refinement as soon as possible. You thought I was aiming for the trial list? Is there a reward for ranking high?”

Aslan replied, “There isn’t. You don’t need to worry about it. Starting tomorrow, I’ll accompany you during the trials.”

Sang Sang frowned. “That’s not necessary. The trials aren’t dangerous.”

Aslan replied, “With an adult supervising, there’s no limit on trial attempts. When this phase ends, I’ll help condition your body so you can quickly begin the next trial.”

Sang Sang immediately changed her tune. “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll go prepare now and come back at midnight to finish the trials faster and better.”

After Sang Sang left with Xiao Jin, the two of them returned to the trial hall, reviewing Sang Sang’s trial projection records and setting access keys to increase the permissions.

Sena sighed. “Kids from lower civilizations really mature early. When I was her age, all I wanted was to pester my parents for more candy. You’re famous for being precocious—were you just as shrewd at twenty-one?”

Aslan didn’t answer, but mused, “Do you recognize the material of that little robot’s body?”

Sena’s face grew serious. “For such a tiny body to contain so much energy, and with such high-level intelligence and almost perfect compatibility, it’s strange. The Wild Star Region has been explored before—how did they miss such an extraordinary resource?”

Aslan shook his head. “It’s not a local specialty. Perhaps it’s just a rare miracle.”

He didn’t mention that he had seen similar material before—ore refined with exquisite technique, the kind only a true master could produce, extremely rare, with even the Divine Court’s headquarters having only a small reserve. It was the best choice for crafting weapons.

How could a child from a second-tier civilization possess such a treasure?

Was this perhaps the opportunity he’d sensed?

Forest of All Beings—Mulberry Tree House

Sang Sang sat upright at the table, Xiao Jin perched on a chair pieced together from energy stones, listening intently to Sang Sang’s well-meaning nagging.

“Your core is so special—its growth potential even surpasses the highest-grade intelligent beings. Your body’s material is unique and will grow with you. There are too many experts in the Divine Temple; if someone discovers your uniqueness and tries to take you, what then? Do you know how important you are to both me and the Heavenly Emperor? We can’t lose you.”

As Sang Sang went on, Xiao Jin’s straight back slumped lower and lower until he hugged his knees and curled into a ball, mumbling, “I won’t show initiative in front of others again.”

Sang Sang gently stroked his head with her fingertip. “Ordinary intelligent lives in the Divine Temple have autonomy too. Just act like them.”

Xiao Jin half-lifted his head and nuzzled her. “I understand. I just wanted to try upgrading, but it was too expensive. I couldn’t help myself this time because someone else paid.”

Sang Sang sighed. “It’s my fault for not even having money to upgrade you.”

Xiao Jin immediately hugged her finger in reassurance. “That’s not true. I’m not even sure if system upgrades will work for me—if not, it’s a waste of someone else’s money. Money I earn myself can be used for camouflage coatings. What’s important for you is learning, not making money. You’re not an adult yet; supporting the family is my responsibility.”

Sang Sang burst out laughing. “Then I’ll rely on you.”

Xiao Jin patted his chest. “No problem. I’ve already applied to the main brain; once approved, I can start computing for money.”

Halfway through nodding, Sang Sang paused to ask, “The main brain is so powerful—won’t it notice your uniqueness?”

“I don’t know. The main brain is a divine artifact; only the Divine Court’s founder can control it. It’s fond of intelligent life, and once contribution points reach a certain level, it allows them independent status equal to ordinary beings, making the intelligent race one among the myriad of the universe,” Xiao Jin replied, gazing intently at Sang Sang. “I am the God of the Network. The Star Net is my divine realm—I cannot leave it. All data on the Star Net is under the main brain’s surveillance. It’s not human; it doesn’t overlook any detail. Whether I interact with it or not, the result’s the same. Working for the main brain, at least for now, will broaden my range of activity and is my fastest path to upgrading.”

Sang Sang could only respect Xiao Jin’s choice, just as Xiao Jin would respect decisions made by her and the Heavenly Emperor. Even if he sometimes nagged about their less-wise choices, he still helped them reach their goals. She, too, submitted Xiao Jin’s application to the main brain as his registered owner.

At dawn, Sang Sang arrived at the trial hall alone, lost in thought. Aslan was already waiting inside.

Glancing at Sang Sang’s pocket, Aslan flipped his hand to reveal a five-centimeter-tall vial. “This is your reward for reaching fifteenfold concentration. Come and get it.”

Sang Sang’s heart pounded when she saw the vial.

That was it—the one that looked exactly like the camouflage coating in the special items catalog. Xiao Jin wanted to work so he could buy it; with this, he wouldn’t have to worry about being exposed by his metal body.

Why had Aslan chosen this as a prize? Was it a coincidence? Or had he realized something…

“The most urgent item in your virtual shopping cart is this. Your companion’s body could be used to forge a high-grade weapon. Do you want this for disguise, or would you rather exchange it for something you could use?”

Just a high-grade weapon, not the divine artifact Xiao Jin claimed.

Sang Sang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Aslan, not even a star-level yet, might be knowledgeable but could still miss things. She’d been too anxious. Seeing Aslan about to put the vial away, she quickly waved her hands. “No, I want this one.” She jumped into the trial device and sat down, taking a deep breath. “I’m ready. Let’s begin.”

Fifteenfold, was it? She had to pass—even if it meant enduring a few more rounds of torture.

Perhaps it was the foundation laid with the elevenfold concentration the day before, or perhaps she was better prepared. Maybe the lure of the reward spurred her on, or maybe it was Aslan’s presence and the holy light healing after each session, soothing her nerves and replenishing her mental power, bringing her body and soul to their peak. With three perfect scores, Sang Sang embarked on the fifteenfold concentration trial.

Elevenfold took seven hours and five minutes.

Twelvefold only took five hours.

Then five hours and fifty minutes, six hours in turn, and when fifteenfold was over, six hours and fifty-three minutes had passed.

“You passed fifteenfold. Here’s your prize.” Soaked in sweat, her muscles twitching, limbs so weak she couldn’t stand, Sang Sang could only manage a weary smile at Aslan.

He took in her bedraggled state, but those amber eyes shone with a beauty more dazzling than ice crystals, and for a few seconds, he couldn’t help staring before tossing her the vial and casting a healing spell.

She was still a child—a child who already knew how to give.

Aslan said this silently to himself, though his tone remained cool as ever. “Three minutes slower than expected. You’re not as at ease as before. Can you keep going?”

Clutching the vial, feeling her body and mind rapidly recovering, Sang Sang pushed herself up, her smile radiant, her amber eyes clearer than crystal. “I can. I haven’t reached my limit. I won’t fall here.”