Chapter Six: Why Is This System Still So Picky?
A few minutes later, Qian Qi added Su Xingyue’s Light Brain ID, returned his jacket and student card, and then left the boys’ dormitory with a sense of satisfaction.
“Today’s analysis technique can still be used once more. Let’s take a stroll in the back mountain~”
At Awakener University, each department has its own exclusive territory: the Beast Magic Department has its dissection laboratory, the Beast Taming Department has the beast storage warehouse, the Command Department has the combat simulation room, and the Skill Department has the battle arena.
The plantation on the back mountain is the exclusive territory of the Magical Botany Department, where students cultivate and study magical plants.
“Let me see… who should I analyze?”
Standing atop the hill, Qian Qi raised her hand to scan the view, taking in the chaotic throng of wild magical plants. Just as she was about to choose one that seemed easy to deal with, the system panel suddenly appeared.
It hovered directly above a deep crimson magical plant, marked with a big, thick arrow pointing downward.
“You want me to analyze this one?”
Qian Qi approached and observed the plant’s appearance—it resembled a variety of the orchid family from her previous life called “Spring Orchid.” Countless blood-red slender leaves circled a flower bud, the edges of the leaves densely lined with sharp serrations. The white bud was adorned with three petals striped with alternating orange-red and blood-red hues.
[Magical Plant Name: Triscale Orchid
Grade: E-level
Attack Method: Leaves attack autonomously when approached; flower petals can launch attacks
Weakness: Strong light exposure
Organ Function Analysis: Roots, stem, leaves, flower, fruit, seeds]
Qian Qi clicked through the “Organ Function Analysis” section one by one, and was soon pleasantly surprised. “The petals of the Triscale Orchid actually have hemostatic properties?”
She checked the Light Brain and found records indicating that research indeed confirmed the petals’ ability to stop bleeding. However, the effect was weak and inferior to the hemostatic medicines humans had invented, rendering this function rather useless.
“This…” Qian Qi glanced at the system panel.
[Dear user, are you feeling lost and unsure of where to go? Is your pocket empty while you dream of becoming a millionaire? Are you lonely and wish to have eight male models as companions?]
“Speak plainly.”
[For just 998, you can obtain the formula for “Potion—Powerful Hemostatic Medicine”! Don’t hesitate; why wait? Only 998, bring the potion home!]
Qian Qi: ???
What is this intense sales pitch feeling?
Qian Qi pointed to the two words on the panel, “Potion?”
[Potions are medicines made from various magical plants in specific proportions, usually possessing miraculous effects! For example, the “Powerful Hemostatic Medicine” can instantly heal and stop bleeding even if a major artery is cut!]
“Is it really that miraculous?” Qian Qi’s eyes lit up. People in this world must be prone to injuries; if she could produce such potions, she could make a fortune!
“No wonder it’s you!” Qian Qi immediately showed admiration and exclaimed, “To possess such powerful capabilities is truly rare in the world. With your protection, I can walk with confidence!”
*Ahem, not at all.*
“So, can we negotiate a discount? I think 20 would be just right.” Qian Qi carefully reserved seven days’ worth of meal money for herself.
“...Get lost!”
Who would haggle like this?!
“Really no way?” Qian Qi pulled out a worn-out 20 bill and waved it in front of the blue panel. “I need to survive first to create more wealth for you, right?”
She realized the system’s operating mechanism was to demand money; once paid, it would provide some intelligence.
The system panel paused for a moment, then replied: [Installment plan for two months: 20 this month, 978 next month.]
“Ninety.”
“978!”
“One hundred twenty.”
“978!”
“Three hundred, no more.”
“778, 778, that should be fine!”
“Five seventy-eight, my bottom line, or I’ll starve.”
“...Six seventy-eight! Take it or leave it!”
“All right then~ Truly generous, System Lord~” Qian Qi quickly stuffed the money into the blue panel.
The panel retreated slightly: [I want the brand-new 20 in your pocket.]
“...Why so picky?” Qian Qi grumbled, took back the worn bill, and handed over the crisp twenty.
After swallowing the coin, the panel displayed the potion formula for the powerful hemostatic medicine.
“Triscale Orchid petals, ground together with equal weights of Vermilion Flame Grass leaves, Monkfruit peel, and peeled, seedless Windfruit pulp into powder, then…”
“Hmm.” Qian Qi stroked her chin. It seemed she needed to gather these materials next.
She recalled that Liang Yuting mentioned every student could apply for ten magical plant seeds free of charge each semester. She decided to go ask her mentor if those seeds were available.
…
Awakener University Administrative Building.
The sun shone brightly today. Mo Yinqiu lounged lazily in a wooden chair on the office balcony, savoring this rare “paid day off.”
Because the Magical Botany Department was unpopular, few wanted to teach there. Even top graduates usually chose the better-paying Magical Botany Research Institute over the 2,000-yuan monthly salary of a Magical Botany instructor.
Thus, the few lecturers in the Magical Botany Department were all personally transferred from the research institute by its director, working part-time to teach students.
Typically, there were five classes a week, with one teacher on duty to answer student questions.
Mo Yinqiu was the first-year mentor for the Magical Botany Department, and today was her duty day.
“Paid days off are the best!” Mo Yinqiu crossed her slender jade-like legs, took a hearty gulp from a nearby beer can. Her striking beauty and alluring figure frequently caught the sneaky glances of male teachers from the Beast Magic Department next door.
Just as Mo Yinqiu enjoyed this leisurely moment, a knock sounded at the office door.
“Come in,” she said, covering the beer can with a small tablecloth.
Qian Qi entered and saw the beautiful woman seated on the balcony chair. Searching her memory, she confirmed this was Mo Yinqiu, the first-year mentor for the Magical Botany Department.
Mo Yinqiu also scrutinized Qian Qi. She knew this student was undisciplined, often fought, and frequently skipped classes. She had personally warned her here before: if she continued skipping and fighting, she would face expulsion.
However, this was the first time Qian Qi had taken the initiative to approach her.
Mo Yinqiu raised her chin slightly. “What is it?”
“Mentor Mo, I’m here to apply for magical plant seeds,” Qian Qi put on a virtuous student expression. “Could you please tell me the application process?”
Apply for magical plant seeds?
Mo Yinqiu eyed Qian Qi suspiciously. She recalled every student had applied several times except Qian Qi, who never had. But Qian Qi had always shown no interest in cultivating magical plants—why suddenly apply for seeds now?
“Qian Qi, you know magical plant seeds cannot be sold externally. Otherwise, it’s immediate expulsion, right?” Mo Yinqiu narrowed her eyes, her beauty imposing without anger.
She could not think of any reason why Qian Qi would suddenly want seeds—it couldn’t be that she was suddenly studious, right?
Qian Qi pondered for two seconds, then honestly replied, “I actually didn’t know that.”
Mo Yinqiu: ???