Chapter 38: Lying Low in the Early Stages Is the True Path to Success

This time, Ji Boxiao almost lost control; the wind blade had already formed in his hand.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao immediately grabbed Zhou Zhi beside him.

“Old Zhou, protect me!”

Zhou Zhi didn’t say a word, instantly on guard, ready to summon an earth wall the moment Ji Boxiao made a move.

“Ji Boxiao, others may fear you, but we don’t. Stop right now! If you delay us from buying food, watch out—we’ll gang up on you!”

“Exactly. You’ve bought your share, and now you want to cut us off and eliminate us?”

...

These students were still wary of Ji Boxiao. The Ji family wasn’t exactly above the law in Xun City, but few dared to provoke them.

But things had changed. Everyone wanted to seize a future in this assessment.

Besides, the law doesn’t punish the masses; if they stood united, even the Ji family wouldn’t dare escalate the matter.

Ji Boxiao realized he’d stirred up collective anger and could only withdraw his hand in frustration.

“Kid, you’d better watch yourself. Don’t let me catch you alone later!”

Lin Xiao wasn’t bothered at all. He and Ji Boxiao were never friends; even without this incident, Ji Boxiao wouldn’t let him off.

Since that was the case, why bother showing him any respect?

He didn’t even bother acknowledging Ji Boxiao.

“Let’s keep going, next, next! Since everyone stood up for justice just now, I won’t raise the price. Except for the one who called me a donkey—the price for you is doubled!”

“Don’t do that! It was just a metaphor.”

The Lin Family Shop’s business was booming, and Lin Xiao knew his supplies were running low. He soon started rationing.

“What I say you can buy is what you can buy. That’s really it; this is the last bottle of water.”

“Sorry, missed one earlier. There’s another bottle, and a pack of instant noodles. I promise this is the last.”

...

Everyone rolled their eyes; they’d lost count of how many times Lin Xiao claimed he was out of stock.

Yet each time a new customer stepped forward, he’d pull fresh food and water from his snakeskin bag.

In the end, everyone present managed to buy something.

Most didn’t think much of it, but some gave Lin Xiao curious glances.

The snakeskin bag wasn’t that big, yet Lin Xiao seemed able to produce endless supplies from it.

It was a puzzle worth pondering.

Lin Xiao knew he’d aroused suspicion, but at this moment, what was the point of worrying? Making money was the priority!

By now, he’d sold everything he could except what he and Zhou Zhi would need for the next two days.

Looking at his phone balance, he saw it had reached two million.

One million of that came from Ji Boxiao—a thought that made him grin.

“Thank you all for your patronage. The shop is sold out today. Please continue to support my business in the future!”

Everyone: (?? ? ?)

If they didn’t desperately need his supplies, they’d have beaten him up ages ago.

Lin Xiao knew he wasn’t welcome here, so he dragged Zhou Zhi away without hesitation.

Judging by the headcount, many people must have been eliminated last night.

That wasn’t good news; it meant the test was entering its most intense phase.

Soon, the group would split up, and people would start targeting those around them.

The top scorers, especially, would become everyone’s prey. Things were about to get interesting.

But for now, none of this concerned him. His time hadn’t come yet.

Meanwhile, the live-stream comments exploded again.

【5555, I’m so envious! He makes money so easily!】

【I calculated while he sold—I counted a total of two million two hundred eighty-three thousand! God! I want to open a shop in the secret realm!】

【I support the above. Let me know when you go, I’ll collect your corpse.】

【When you go to collect their corpse, let me know—I’ll collect yours.】

【Are you exploiting a bug? No more infinite chain gangs, stop sending food to spirit beasts!】

The comments took a wild turn, but one thing was clear: everyone remembered Lin Xiao.

Zhou Wei watched Lin Xiao on the screen, clenching his fists.

But he was powerless against Lin Xiao. He turned to look at Murong Yu beside him.

“Senior Murong, I guess you gave that kid a spatial ring?”

“Is there a problem? He’s now a member of our retirement home—it’s standard issue.”

Zhou Wei: (*?????)

Jealous tears slid from the corner of his mouth. As city lord, he didn’t even have a spatial ring. Though Murong Yu lived in Xun City, Zhou Wei wasn’t qualified to ask for one.

“Senior, you must be joking. Since I’ve met you, could I perhaps request a spatial ring? I’ll buy it; you can name your price.”

Murong Yu glanced at Zhou Wei indifferently.

“I don’t need money, and today I’m not in the mood.”

Zhou Wei knew he’d been refused, but didn’t dare protest. He could only leave with a frustrated sigh.

...

Sun Zhiyuan watched Lin Xiao on the screen, unable to suppress his smile.

“This rascal, he’s quite interesting.”

“I think you’ve corrupted him.”

“That’s slander! He’s always been like this—it wasn’t me who led him astray.”

If Lin Xiao were here, he’d realize the retirement home elders weren’t always so gentle with everyone.

...

“The common folk—today we’re truly happy~”

Lin Xiao hummed a little tune as he strolled along, feeling confident again now that he had money.

Zhou Zhi looked at Lin Xiao, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.

“Brother Xiao, I don’t know why, but you seem like a completely different person—I wonder if someone’s possessed you.”

Lin Xiao gave Zhou Zhi a surprised look. The kid hadn’t guessed correctly, but he wasn’t far off.

It wasn’t possession, but it was nearly the same.

“What are you thinking? I’ve just come to my senses, that’s all. And the money I earned this time is all mine, so don’t even think about taking any—you don’t care for these trifles anyway.”

“Pfft! I really don’t. Compared to the money, I’m more curious how you talked to Liu Ruyan like that. Is this the awakening of a sycophant?”

Lin Xiao gazed skyward in exasperation. Even his best friend found it unbelievable—no wonder his previous self was so hopeless.

“That’s right! Awakened. Women only slow down my blade.”

“Haha, it’s good you think so. What do we do next?”

“What else? Keep a low profile, stay safe today, and focus on tomorrow—that’s when the real battle for points begins. We’re deep in the secret realm now; spirit beasts will grow more numerous and dangerous.”

Zhou Zhi wholeheartedly agreed.

“So, Brother Xiao, do you really think we can pull this off?”

“You need to have faith in yourself, and in me.”

“True enough. I’m just a slacker anyway—I’ll stick with you. If you tell me to go east, I won’t go west. If you tell me to fight a dog, I won’t chase a chicken.”

“All right, enough nonsense. Stick with me and you’ll eat well and live well!”

Lin Xiao knew the real drama was about to unfold.

But for now, none of it concerned him. Early on, keeping a low profile was the way to go!