Chapter 58: Rewards Obtained, Posting the Video

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Rewards Obtained, Posting the Video

"Ten consecutive wins! Ten consecutive wins!"

"What kind of ability is that?"

"Gigantification! It’s a gigantification ability!"

"Did he really fuse with a Tier One gene? The quality of that ability has to be at least three stars, right?"

"I’ve never seen a Cultivator who fused with a Tier One gene possess this kind of power."

"Who is this kid? He looks like he just graduated. Which school is he from?"

Cheers, discussions, and gasps of amazement intertwined. The waves of sound crested higher and higher, nearly blowing the roof off Radiant Mall.

Under the spotlight, Ji Zhixing’s figure appeared somewhat frail, a stark contrast to the two-point-seven-meter giant from just moments ago. He stood quietly in the center of the arena, listening to the deafening clamor around him. Though he felt the emptiness of his exhausted genetic source energy, his heart surged with excitement.

Several Defenders were helped down and brought before the female healer beside the arena. Ji Zhixing had struck a bit too heavily this time. However, the injuries he caused were nothing in front of a Tier Three Healer.

"Everyone! Please quiet down!"

The mall manager straightened his suit and stepped back into the arena. Standing beside Ji Zhixing with a beaming smile, he raised his microphone. "Everyone, let us give our warmest applause to congratulate this young challenger, Ji Zhixing, for achieving ten consecutive wins in this Glory Challenge!"

Applause and cheers erupted once more.

Ji Zhixing bowed slightly, nodding to the crowd. "Thank you."

His voice was slightly hoarse—a lingering effect of physical exhaustion—but amplified by the speakers, it carried a sense of steady composure.

The mall manager took out a card and offered it with both hands. "This is your prize card containing one million gene coins, after tax. Our mall has completely covered the taxes you needed to pay.

"In addition, you may choose any item within the mall valued up to two hundred thousand gene coins. Have you set your sights on anything?"

Ji Zhixing took the prize card, feeling its cool touch against his fingertips. On the back was an encrypted identification code. All he had to do was scan it with his phone to transfer the funds into his bank account.

Holding the prize card, he felt a subtle ripple of emotion. He had come out today intending to spend money. He never expected to return home having made a fortune instead. Even if his parents worked tirelessly for a decade, they wouldn’t be able to earn this much.

He didn’t let his emotions linger on his face for too long, getting straight to the point. "I’d like to select the Golden Chapter from your mall’s special items section on the second floor. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

"The Golden Chapter?" The manager paused briefly before a look of realization dawned on his face. "Of course not! At two hundred thousand, it falls perfectly within the reward limit."

As long as it was within the limit, Ji Zhixing could choose whatever he wanted. The manager picked up his walkie-talkie and gave an order. A few moments later, someone brought the Golden Chapter over.

Ji Zhixing accepted the Golden Chapter. It was slightly heavy in his hand, its surface engraved with dense, intricate patterns—exactly the one he had seen upstairs.

"Thank you," he said, nodding to the manager.

"It’s what you’ve earned," the manager replied with a smile. "Also, we’ll be editing the footage of this challenge and posting it online. You don’t mind, do you?"

"No," Ji Zhixing shook his head.

The mall’s very purpose for hosting this challenge was promotion. This had been made clear to all challengers before they even stepped into the arena. Naturally, he had no reason to object.

The manager breathed a sigh of relief. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he personally escorted Ji Zhixing down from the arena. A female attendant immediately stepped forward to greet him, leading him to a changing room tucked in a corner of the mall.

The changing room wasn’t large, but it was neat and clean. Ji Zhixing retrieved a spare set of clothes from his genetic furnace and quickly changed. As for the newly acquired Golden Chapter, he stored it directly inside his genetic furnace. Before it was refined, the item was unusable. Refining Genetic Equipment required the expenditure of genetic source energy, and right now, he truly didn’t have a single drop left.

"Zhixing!"

Having changed, he stepped out of the room only to see Zhou Yuan, who had been waiting in the adjacent lounge area for a while. Seeing him emerge, Zhou Yuan instantly dashed over like a mantis.

"Zhixing! You were so fierce just now! Ten consecutive wins! Especially that last battle—one against four, and you won it so cleanly!" Zhou Yuan was so thrilled he was babbling incoherently, his face flushed bright red as he waved his phone. "I’ve been recording since the moment you got in the ring. I didn’t miss a single second!

"When those four Defenders rushed you, my palms were completely slick with sweat. I thought you were done for. But then you suddenly grew huge! When you swept out with that staff—holy crap—that strike was absolutely phenomenal! It was way more satisfying than watching a movie!

"And another thing! The mall said they’d give you a million gene coins. Did they actually pay up, or was it fake? Did you check? Don’t let them scam you!"

Ji Zhixing grew a bit dizzy from being shaken. He grabbed Zhou Yuan’s shoulders. "Calm down. I checked the money. It’s already been transferred into my bank account, so you can rest easy."

"As long as the money is right." Zhou Yuan settled down, then asked him, "Right, Zhixing. I want to post the video in the class group chat later. Is that alright? Those guys will definitely lose their minds when they see it. Especially the ones who were gossiping about you before—they’ll get slapped right in the face."

He had to ask for Ji Zhixing’s permission on this. If Ji Zhixing didn’t agree, there was no way he’d dare. That was especially true after recalling the strength Ji Zhixing had just displayed. If that staff strike had landed on him, he felt like his soul would have been knocked clean out of his body.

Ji Zhixing hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You can."

He knew that even if Zhou Yuan didn’t post it, the footage of his battle would inevitably spread once Radiant Mall released their promotional video. The only uncertainty was how far it would reach. After all, while he had showcased decent strength in this fight, at the end of the day, he had only fused with a Tier One gene. In this world, the ones who truly commanded attention had always been high-tier Genetic Cultivators.

"Mr. Ji Zhixing." At that moment, a man in a black uniform walked over, his manner deeply polite. "Our young master would like to see you. I wonder if you might be available?"

"Your young master?" Ji Zhixing paused, taken aback.

"Our young master is the boss of Radiant Mall. He is just upstairs, and it won’t take up much of your time." The man stepped aside, clearing a path. "Your friend may wait in the lounge area. We will provide the finest tea and refreshments."

Ji Zhixing and Zhou Yuan exchanged a glance. Zhou Yuan opened his mouth, seeming like he wanted to say something, but upon seeing the imposing aura of the man in uniform, he wisely shut it again.

Ji Zhixing hesitated for a moment, then nodded. This was a base city with strict laws; no one would dare to cause reckless trouble here. Moreover, for Radiant Mall to open such a massive establishment on Nanshan Avenue, their background couldn’t be simple. They wouldn’t stoop to doing anything shady to a recently graduated student.

"Zhixing, I’ll wait for you here then." Zhou Yuan wavered slightly, lacking the courage to follow.

Ji Zhixing patted his shoulder and turned, following the staff member toward a private elevator. He was quickly led up to the third floor and stopped before an office.

The staff member knocked on the door, and a youthful voice called out from within. "Come in."

The door pushed open to reveal an incredibly spacious office. However, its layout didn’t resemble a standard workplace; it felt more like a private reception room. A young man sat on the sofa. Looking to be in his early twenties, he was dressed casually, with handsome features and a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Please, have a seat." The young man stood up and gestured for him to sit opposite him.

Ji Zhixing sat down.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Qin Xiaoran. I’m a senior at Yu City University and also the boss of this Radiant Mall." The young man smiled, his gaze falling upon Ji Zhixing. "I invited you over for no other reason than to ask: are you interested in working under me? Don’t worry, I definitely wouldn’t mistreat you."

Ji Zhixing shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Boss Qin. However, I plan on entering Yu City University soon."

Qin Xiaoran’s eyes lit up. "I knew it." He leaned back against the sofa. "I knew an ordinary Cultivator who fused with a Tier One gene couldn’t possess that kind of strength. If I’m not mistaken, your gene is about to evolve, isn’t it?"

Ji Zhixing nodded. "That’s right. I’ve already met the conditions for gene evolution. If nothing unexpected happens, the evolution should be complete within a few days."

"Haha!" Qin Xiaoran laughed out loud. "Then in a few days, I’ll have to call you Junior Ji."

He sat up straighter, his tone turning a bit more serious. "But for now, I hope Junior Ji can display your Three-inch Stone Monkey gene.

"Otherwise, after your gene upgrades in a few days and our video spreads, people might accuse us of faking it."

"That’s only fair." Ji Zhixing nodded.

Qin Xiaoran gestured to the side. Someone immediately set up a video camera and aimed it at Ji Zhixing.

Ji Zhixing stood up. With a shift in his thoughts, he mobilized the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene within his body. Inside his genetic aperture, the phantom silhouette of the Three-inch Stone Monkey slowly lit up, forming an illusory vortex at his Dantian. At the center of the vortex curled a Three-inch Stone Monkey. Its grayish-brown fur was faintly visible, and its eyes were half-open, appearing as though it were deep in slumber.

The camera focused on his Dantian, capturing the scene clearly.

"Alright." Qin Xiaoran nodded in satisfaction and signaled for the camera to be turned off.

Filming complete, Ji Zhixing took his leave. Qin Xiaoran walked him to the door without saying anything more.

After the door closed, Qin Xiaoran leaned back on the sofa and shook his head, muttering to himself, "Another one who achieved gene evolution. How did Yu City Third Middle School manage to produce another freak like this?

"Still, this guy is only evolving a Tier One gene into a Tier Two. Compared to that monster Chen Ye, he’s still quite a ways off."

Elsewhere, Ji Zhixing regrouped with Zhou Yuan, and the two left Radiant Mall.

Zhou Yuan had held his tongue the whole way. Only after they stepped out of the mall did he finally fail to hold back. "Zhixing, their boss was looking for you. Is everything okay?"

"It’s fine. We just casually chatted," Ji Zhixing replied, shaking his head.

"As long as you’re alright." Zhou Yuan sighed in relief. "Then should I post the video I recorded to the group chat now?"

"You haven’t posted it yet?" Ji Zhixing looked at him.

"How could I dare just post it? I had to wait for you to confirm it again!"