"Eat meat… sunbathe… get strong."
A few strange, awkward mumbles echoed in Wang Xi's mind. Though it wasn't any human language he could recall, he understood its meaning.
Clearly, this was the Weak Goblin's voice.
The characteristic memory echo that preceded the formation of a Card.
BZZZ—
Before Goddalir's astonished eyes, a Card materialized out of thin air in front of the young man.
A blinding green light, invisible to her, was now bursting forth from the Card.
Wang Xi reached out and caught the Card.
「Photosynthesis (Function Card)」
「Quality: Green Two Stars (Not upgradable)」
「The Weak Goblin was once the lowest member of its cave, frail and scrawny. One day, while foraging, it found a Black Apple. After eating it, its body underwent a strange transformation. It grew stronger and stronger by sunbathing, gradually becoming a powerhouse in the cave, feared and respected by its peers.」
「Upon use, your skin will turn green, allowing you to absorb sunlight to draw in Energy and slowly enhance your Physique.」
'Hm?'
Surprise flashed in Wang Xi's eyes.
'So that big goblin was a mutant. No wonder it was so different. The description mentions a "Black Apple"—I wonder what kind of heavenly treasure it was for this goblin to just happen to find and eat it, Awakening a talent.'
A Green Two Stars Universal Card!
And it wasn't a single-use Function Card!
It was reusable!
'Getting stronger just by sunbathing? This is even more simple and direct than a Technique Card!'
Wang Xi was overjoyed.
The only thing that made him a bit uncomfortable was that using this Card would turn his skin green…
'Green is green, I guess. It's not like I'm wearing a green hat.'
Wang Xi silently consoled himself.
'I'm used to seeing white and yellow skin, so having green skin for a change might be interesting. As long as I can get stronger, it's not a big deal. Besides, I just have to use it in secret so no one finds out.'
In any case, at least he had convinced himself.
Wang Xi had no intention of activating the Card to test it right now, lest he frighten Goddalir.
Seeing her handsome childhood sweetheart suddenly turn into a green-skinned goblin would probably leave the simple farm girl with an indelible psychological scar.
Wang Xi was a good man who knew how to treat a lady, so he quietly put the 「Photosynthesis」 Card away.
He was about to get up and continue on his way when he noticed another change in his mind.
The pitch-black chasm, Kaos, spat out some text, forming a series of entries:
「Blueberry-flavored Sugar Coating (Skill Card)」
「Quality: White One Star (Upgradable)」
「Experience: 2/100」
…
「Elite Soldiers (Skill Card)」
「Quality: Green One Star (Upgradable)」
「Experience: 1/200」
…
「Randall Body Refining Technique (Technique Card)」
「Quality: White One Star (Upgradable)」
「Experience: 0/100」
He didn't know what had happened, but Kaos had somehow revealed the Cards' hidden information. And these three Universal Cards all happened to be the upgradable type.
'Experience Points?'
Wang Xi was slightly taken aback.
After comparing them, he quickly had a realization.
He had used the first two Cards during the fight with the goblin, which was why their Experience Points had increased by a tiny amount. The Body Refining Technique, however, hadn't been used, so its experience was zero.
'So, I can only increase a Universal Card's proficiency and Experience to upgrade it through repeated use.'
It was just like the Martial Arts in wuxia novels, where only years of cultivation and practical combat could elevate one's mastery.
Upgrading a Universal Card was similar.
Wang Xi was lost in thought.
'The only difference is that other people trying to upgrade Cards are fumbling in the dark, whereas I can use Kaos to visualize and quantify the process, making it simpler and more intuitive…'
This was an incredibly powerful function.
Wang Xi could clearly see even the tiniest bit of progress and feedback.
'Kaos, you're so thoughtful!'
Just then, the pitch-black chasm in Wang Xi's mind flashed, and more text flowed out:
「Unused Card detected!」
「Shatter into Experience Points?」
Wang Xi froze for a moment, then his heart began to race.
As a former card game product manager, he understood the meaning of the prompt in a single glance.
'Isn't this just "feeding Dog Food"?!'
Game developers often design one or more resource management strategies to help players effectively use redundant, low-value cards to enhance the strength of their Core Cards.
The most common and mainstream method is to feed these redundant, low-value "Dog Food Cards" to a Core Card, achieving a nurturing effect.
Among the Cards Wang Xi currently possessed, only one fit the description of a "Dog Food Card."
—「Hitting Humans and Knocking You Down」
He took out this Green One Star piece of "excellent trash" and unceremoniously tossed it to Kaos.
'Still cursing, are you?!'
'You're about to die!'
Wang Xi focused his attention on his mind and found that whichever Card he concentrated his thoughts on would be highlighted.
In the corresponding Experience Points column, a large, faint silhouette would appear, as if to predict how much Experience would be gained.
「Shattering this Card will grant 50 Experience」
「Shatter?」
'Absolutely!'
Wang Xi responded.
After a moment's thought, he fed this burst of Experience Points to the 「Randall Body Refining Technique」.
As the only Technique Card he currently had, he wanted to build a solid foundation. Only with a firm foundation could he further enhance the effects of his Skill Cards.
A solid slap from an adult is always going to hurt more than a child performing the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. He had to be pragmatic. Without a solid physical foundation, even the most exquisite moves were useless.
KRAK!
The One Star Green Card shattered in his mind.
Countless specks of green light rained down and were absorbed by the Technique Card. The Experience bar shot up, stopping only when it was halfway full.
「Randall Body Refining Technique (Technique Card)」
「Quality: White One Star (Upgradable)」
「Experience: 50/100」
'This way, my Energy wasn't wasted.'
Wang Xi was quite satisfied.
'If I take the time to practice this Body Refining Technique, I'm sure I'll be able to achieve a Star Promotion soon. I wonder what a Two Stars Body Refining Technique will be like...'
…
…
The sun set in the west, painting the sky with crimson clouds.
Two tired figures emerged from the edge of the forest. Across the fields and intersecting dirt roads, they could see a peaceful town in the distance.
Wang Xi, leading Goddalir, had finally made it to Buchanan before sunset.
Their journey had been relatively smooth, with no further unexpected incidents. They hadn't even seen a shadow of the pursuers from Randall they had been wary of.
He didn't know if it was because they had avoided the main road or because Count Bato was slow to react in his senility, but in any case, nothing had happened.
"Gai, what are we doing next?"
The girl asked Wang Xi, her face weary.
"First, we'll stay in town for the night and get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll ask around and see if there are any merchant caravans heading to the Royal Capital. We'll try to hitch a ride."
Wang Xi said, looking at the distant town.
Goddalir nodded and hummed obediently.
From the moment she decided to follow Gai and stabbed a Count's Guard for his sake, she had abandoned everything in Randall.
Gai had become her sole support.
Wang Xi led the girl across the paths between the fields and into the town.
There was only one guard at the palisade gate. He wore old, studded Leather Armor, a Pot Helmet, and leaned on a Long Spear, dozing against the wall. He cut a rather shabby figure.
This was only natural. Buchanan was just a small merchant town within a Viscount's Domain; it couldn't compare to Randall.
The guard didn't question Wang Xi. He just gave the two of them a few glances before going back to his nap.
Although Wang Xi was travel-worn, his appearance was extraordinary. He wore fine Leather Armor, a sword at his hip and a Back Crossbow on his back. The black and gold silk of his inner tunic, peeking out, also hinted at his status as a young nobleman.
The guard didn't want any trouble, so he simply ignored them.
He only made a few Silver Coins a week, why should he go looking for trouble? The fact that he hadn't run off to a tavern to drink and gamble was already the mark of a diligent guard.
Seeing this, Wang Xi raised an eyebrow.
The story he had prepared in his mind went unused.
'Still, this saves me some trouble.'
He led Goddalir straight into the town.
Most settlements in the various domains had a curfew, but it wasn't a complete ban on going out at night. You just had to carry a torch and would be questioned by patrolling guards, which was a huge hassle.
Goddalir had told him this on the way.
That was why Wang Xi wanted to find an inn and settle in as quickly as possible.
As they walked deeper into the town, groups of commoners in tunics or long-sleeved dresses passed them, heading out of town.
These were Buchanan's lower-class citizens. They didn't own houses in town and generally lived in dwellings by the fields outside.
They came into town during the day to work or sell produce, then returned home in the evening.
Wang Xi glanced at them.
Then he whispered something to Goddalir.
The girl nodded obediently, ran over to a gentle-faced farm woman, and briefly asked for directions.
When she returned, Goddalir whispered:
"There are over a dozen inns in Buchanan. The closest one is on the next street, called the 'Three Trout'."
"Alright, let's go."
Wang Xi smiled and started walking.
A short while later, the two arrived at the "Three Trout Inn."
The inn was on the side of the road. Its main structure was a large, three-story building of stone and wood, with a courtyard enclosed by wooden planks.
The sky was growing dark. Beneath an awning in the courtyard, several simple dining tables had been set up. Many guests were eating, drinking, and chatting in the torchlight. Some were huddled in a group, seemingly gambling with dice, their cries of surprise, frustration, and laughter filling the air.
Wang Xi looked up at the wooden sign painted with three trout, then led Goddalir inside.
He waved over a young maidservant who was wearing an apron and carrying a tray, and had a brief conversation with her.
In the end, he spent two Silver Coins to book two rooms on the second floor. This included a hearty dinner and bathing services.
Wang Xi had actually intended to save some money, but with Goddalir by his side, he couldn't just have them squeeze into a communal sleeping area in the attic with a bunch of rough men and drunks.
He was also tired and didn't want his rest disturbed by snoring and smelly feet. Spending a little extra was worth it.
The night deepened.
After eating and bathing, Wang Xi felt completely refreshed.
Although the bread, vegetable soup, and unseasoned roasted meat cutlets were hard to describe, the maidservant's bathing technique was on point, and he felt some of his vitality return.
Inside the cramped, seven-or-eight-square-meter room, a few candles were lit. Their faint light dispelled the darkness.
Wang Xi sat cross-legged on the bed and silently activated the 「Randall Body Refining Technique」.
BZZZ—
A white light flashed.
"Hngh!"
Wang Xi's expression changed slightly, and he let out a muffled groan.
Pain suddenly shot through his body!
It felt as if someone were relentlessly beating his limbs, chest, and back with a Staff. His flesh burned with a searing pain, and his bones seemed to cry out in agony.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
An invisible force was hammering his body, producing a series of dull thuds.
Wang Xi gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as sweat streamed down his face.