After a brief moment of surprise, Su Yuan had an epiphany.
Could it be that Teachers Li Ziquan and Zhuge Tie thought I was so eagerly cleaning up the leftovers because they saw me as some impoverished kid living off scraps?
Though I'm indeed a bit poor, I wouldn't stoop to such undignified actions!
Or should I explain it to them?
But wouldn't that seem like guilt from a thief when confronted? If the teachers asked Chu Lanxi and found out I didn't have a pet, it would only make matters worse.
So it's better to pretend nothing happened.
After all, increasing goodwill is not a bad thing.
Su Yuan comforted himself with this thought, and just then, a "ding-dong" sounded in his mind.
[Ignoring others' prejudice and ridicule, bearing with humiliation, you are truly worthy of being a Demon Venerable; the system gives you a positive review!]
Is that so, thank you very much.
Su Yuan perked up and continued collecting the students' leftovers. One trash bag after another was exchanged, and the task progress skyrocketed.
When the cafeteria was almost empty, the task progress finally maxed out.
[Task Progress: Resources Plundered (100/100)]
[Task Reward: Demon Technique·Finger Spirit (Issued)]
The next second, a vast amount of information about Demon Technique·Finger Spirit flooded Su Yuan's mind.
At the same time, his Spiritual Power began to circulate within him according to the path of the Demon Technique·Finger Spirit, as if he had practiced it hundreds of times, making it second nature.
And he fully understood the effects of this demon technique.
[Demon Technique·Finger Spirit: Consumes Spiritual Power, extracts Spiritual Energy contained in specified items, and condenses it into a Spirit Pill. The effects of these Spirit Pills vary slightly according to the efficacy of the item.]
Without a doubt, this is an Evil Skill that draws from the essence of all things, deserving of its name as a Demon Technique.
However, when Su Yuan noticed the piles of leftovers beside his feet, he suddenly realized that Demon Technique·Finger Spirit might also be a Divine Skill transforming waste into treasure.
He had collected so much leftover food, unsure how to handle it, yet it indeed contained quite a bit of Spiritual Energy. Throwing it away would be a pity.
But now, he could entirely rely on Demon Technique·Finger Spirit to directly extract the Spiritual Energy, transforming it into a Spirit Elixir for his use.
A thought arose in Su Yuan's mind:
"In ancient times, when demon cultivators were called to be hunted down, they likely couldn't avoid stealing the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures left behind by the Righteous Dao for cultivation. Demon Technique·Finger Spirit might have been born in such a setting."
"So, the ancient demon cultivators were actually a gang of scavengers, and I inherited their legacy?"
Thinking of this, Su Yuan felt quite odd.
However, Su Yuan quickly shook his head, suppressing this peculiar thought.
As someone poor, wanting to carve a path through countless obstacles into a top-tier Immortal Dao Academy requires using whatever resources he can lay his hands on, doesn't it?
Demon Technique·Finger Spirit was like a timely rain.
Looking around to ensure no one was watching, Su Yuan carried the pile of leftovers to an unmonitored corner.
Opening the trash bags, he looked at the heap of leftover food mingled together with a strange odor, yet he gazed at them as if they were treasures, and activated Demon Technique·Finger Spirit.
His Spiritual Power depleted rapidly, while little starlights emerged from the leftovers, slowly converging toward Su Yuan's hand.
Each point of light was incredibly pure Spiritual Energy, causing Su Yuan to marvel secretly.
When this cluster of lights fused into a solid form in Su Yuan's hand, the effect of Demon Technique·Finger Spirit ceased.
Those leftovers were only left as empty shells, like burnt-out charcoal.
Su Yuan impatiently opened up his hand to see the new item in his palm.
It was a fingernail-sized, deep blue pill.
Upon seeing this pill, a line of text immediately appeared on the system panel in front of him.
[Unnamed Blue Pill: Upon consumption, digestive function significantly improves, muscle growth rate dramatically increases, body muscles automatically adjust for aesthetic, functional purposes. Side effects include extreme mental excitement, inability to feel fatigued, and a pointy top for two hours.]
Su Yuan: "..."
What the hell is this beastly drug?
Let me ask you—let me ask you if this pill is legitimate... cough cough—is this drug legal?! Am I going to fail a urine test and get caught if I take it?
I don't want a pointy head!
And why did I extract such a weird drug from cafeteria leftovers?
Didn't it say the elixir's effects would vary based on the extracted item's efficacy? Are you telling me the cafeteria uses mythical ingredients in their seasoning?
Just as he pondered this, another line of text appeared below the drug description.
[Note: The Spirit Pill extracted by Demon Technique·Finger Spirit contains no poison, and its side effects can, in some cases, be regarded as the drug's efficacy itself! Please ingest with confidence!]
Confidence my ass!
Annoyed, Su Yuan closed the system panel, almost wanting to toss the blue pill away.
But just one second before tossing it, Su Yuan halted that thought!
He forced himself to calm down and took a closer look at the blue pill's effects.
Aside from those strange side effects, the pill's effects were quite impressive, worthy of being called a Body Refining Holy Medicine! Regular and consistent consumption of these blue pills should significantly enhance my athletic performance... I think.
"The first class this afternoon is physical education, should I trust this dog system? If the side effects are truly unbearable, I just won't take it again in the future."
Su Yuan contemplated in secret.
Ultimately, he steeled his heart and clenched his teeth, deciding to take the pill!
With no one around, Su Yuan swallowed the small blue pill in one gulp, and it dissolved upon entry.
In the next second, Su Yuan felt a warm current rising in his abdomen, and then, the food in his stomach started digesting at a frightening speed!
All his muscles visibly began to grow and strengthen, while the stubborn fat he could never lose started turning into energy to further refine his body.
Damn! So this is the effect of going... wrong, this is the impact of a cheat?
It's several times more potent than mere training! What if I train while taking the pill? Will my physical enhancements be even more pronounced?
Amazed, Su Yuan suddenly felt an overwhelming hunger washing over him like a tide.
Oh no! The drug's effect was too potent; my body can't keep up with nutrition!
Su Yuan quickly looked towards the food counter, seeing that the food hadn't been fully cleaned up, and dashed over!