Chapter 20: I, Xia Feng, Don't Live Off Others!
Although the Six-Tails Society's social atmosphere was oppressive, they were quite generous when it came to money.
After Xia Feng handed over the life fruit, the Finance Department bought it for 120,000 imperial coins, which was 20% above the market average.
In addition to prolonging life, the life fruit was also a raw material for many medicines and an essential component for the company's experimental research.
As for the fruit of wisdom, the market price was 10,000 imperial coins each. Since the prices were clearly marked on online shopping platforms, the Finance Department directly bought all twelve fruits of wisdom in his possession at 10,000 each, totaling another 120,000 imperial coins.
Xia Feng looked at the 241,040.30 imperial coins in his bank account and felt deeply moved. The adventurer profession was indeed profitable, and it had lifted him out of poverty in an instant.
If I go into the Evil Dragon Forest a few more times, wouldn't I become a millionaire?
But after some thought, he realized this wasn't feasible. The reason they had found the Tree of Wisdom and the Tree of Life was because experts from the club had already explored the forest, mapped the locations, and provided guidance.
Thus, the 240,000 imperial coins were essentially a reward from the Six-Tails Club for the winner.
There weren't many extraordinary trees in the Evil Dragon Forest, and they weren't as easy to find as one might think.
But it didn't matter anymore. With this much money, he should have enough to buy the materials needed to construct the "Gate to the World."
However, one problem troubled him. While fading ink and elephant fish blood were easy to acquire—he had spent 30,000 to buy two grams of each—the Infinite Stone was a different story.
The Infinite Stone was a highly dangerous prohibited item. Trading it could result in imprisonment or even the death penalty!
To prevent the invasion of the Evil Realm, the entire District 51 was enveloped in a defensive light network called the "Infinite Realm."
The core material for constructing the Infinite Realm was the Infinite Stone.
This substance was extremely rare. The more it was used, the less there was, making it expressly prohibited from trade in the empire.
If anyone discovered a mine containing Infinite Stone, the mineral would belong to the empire.
Of course, the empire would offer a fair bounty.
Generally, 1 gram of Infinite Stone = 100,000 imperial coins.
This made both mining Infinite Stone and smuggling it incredibly profitable industries.
So, the question remained: Where could he buy this contraband?
Xia Feng sat in the classroom, listening to the lecture and sinking into deep thought.
"Okay, that's it for today's class."
Professor Freya rang the spirit bell, and the students quickly dispersed. Xia Feng stood up to leave but was suddenly stopped.
"Xia Feng, please stay for a moment."
"..."
The classroom soon emptied. Professor Freya, wearing a professional suit with a white shirt tightly bound by a black pencil skirt and black high heels, looked both intellectual and capable.
She moved from the podium to Xia Feng's desk in an instant, leaning over slightly. Her deep eyes stared down at him.
"..." She was intimidating. Xia Feng swallowed and shrank his neck slightly. Teacher, please don't do this. I'm scared.
After a long silence, she asked seriously, "Xia Feng, do you have any ideals?"
"Ideals? Of course."
"Oh? What are they?"
"To be a lazy bum who does nothing but eat, sleep, and make money while lying down!" Xia Feng pumped his fist, his eyes shining with ambition.
"..."
Freya hadn't expected such a unique ideal. "Then, Xia Feng, do you desire power?"
"Huh?" Xia Feng stared at her suspiciously. "Teacher, what are you trying to say? Just say it."
Freya pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Regarding what I mentioned last time, have you thought about it?"
"Thought about what?" Xia Feng was confused.
"About becoming my direct disciple!" The woman's mature face showed a hint of anger as she slammed the table. "Xia Feng, it seems you've completely ignored what I said!"
She had learned about Xia Feng's encounter with Qi Xiao the previous night. This guy was undoubtedly a genius, and she trusted her judgment.
"Uh... Teacher, don't worry, I'm still considering it." Xia Feng said awkwardly. "Well, I've considered it now!"
"Hmm?" The red-haired woman's eyes lit up.
Xia Feng spoke seriously. "Professor Freya, thank you for your kindness, but I have no interest in swordsmanship. Besides, I have several part-time jobs to make ends meet, so I don't have time to learn swordsmanship from you."
The red-haired woman frowned. "Part-time jobs? Are you poor?"
No, of course I'm not poor now. Xia Feng's expression darkened, and he whispered, "I'm an orphan. Although I was adopted, my foster father doesn't cover my living expenses. So, teacher, I—"
Snap—
A black and gold bank card was slapped onto the table. The red-haired woman's mature face was serious. "One million. Is that enough?"
Xia Feng: "..."
It was the first time Xia Feng had seen a teacher paying a student. He reluctantly looked away from the bank card and said righteously, "Teacher Fu, although I want to make money while lying down, I have principles. I won't take handouts!"
Snap—
A platinum card joined the first. Freya narrowed her eyes slightly. "Two million."
Snap—
A rose gold card followed. "Three million. This is all my assets. There's no more." The red-haired woman spoke seriously, her eyes filled with expectation.
All your assets?!
Teacher, you're way too easy to scam. Xia Feng frowned and shook his head but suddenly thought of something. He looked up hesitantly. "Teacher Fu, do you know about the Infinite Stone?"
"The Infinite Stone?" The red-haired woman's expression turned serious, her brows furrowing. "That's contraband. Why are you asking? Did you find some?"
Seeing Freya's sudden shift to a stern demeanor, Xia Feng's heart skipped a beat. He coughed and shook his head quickly. "No, no, I was just curious."
He had almost forgotten that, in addition to being a professor, Freya was also the captain of the Eighth Team of the Holy Department, a unit specializing in smuggling cases involving supernatural items.
Seeing Xia Feng change the subject and avoid discussing becoming her disciple, Freya fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.
"Compared to making money, learning more skills in the academy is more important. Think about it again. You can come back to see me when you've made up your mind."
With that, she turned and left without another word.
"Teacher, wait!"
"Hmm?" Freya turned back suddenly, her dim eyes lighting up. "Have you made up your mind?"
Xia Feng pointed helplessly at the three cards on the table. "Your life savings."
Freya: "..."
After the teacher left, Xia Feng sat quietly for a full ten seconds, regretting his lost opportunity for luxury, before standing up and leaving.
However, as he turned a corner, he faintly heard strange, out-of-tune singing coming from ahead.
"Why does this voice sound familiar?"
He walked toward the singing, curious.
But after a moment's thought, he cast "Hide" and "Bronze Mask" on himself.
Hide concealed his body, while the Bronze Mask reduced his presence, making him nearly invisible even to full-view detection fields.
Soon, a translucent outline of a human figure passed by a garden rockery and arrived at a classroom at the end of the corridor.
[3601~3602 Spiritual Song Society—No Entry for Outsiders]
Through the glass window beneath the plaque, he saw the back of a woman in a black dress.
Isn't that Mu Qingtong?
(End of Chapter)