It had been said that Gu Chen’s professional training allowed him to keep a straight face through anything. But this "golden finger" of his still made the corners of his mouth twitch into an irrepressible grin. "I knew it. Every transmigrator gets their own cheat." "Let's see what this thing can do." A translucent panel flickered into view before his eyes, like an attribute screen from a video game. [Current Zhandou Jifen: 1720] [Click to view details and sources of Zhandou Jifen.] [Video playback over 1 million views: Zhandou Jifen +1000] [Consumed ‘standard-grade’ Farfetch'd Set: Zhandou Jifen +20] "The first one makes sense… but I get points for eating a Farfetch'd Set, too?" [Zhandou Jifen, or ‘Battle Dian,’ can be acquired by consuming quality food. This enhances the host's physique and provides an equivalent number of points.] [Completing system tasks, unlocking achievements, engaging in Shenqi battles, and meeting hidden conditions can also earn Zhandou Jifen.] The system’s response was mechanical, devoid of emotion. Gu Chen rubbed his forehead. "And what does Zhandou Jifen have to do with video views?" [Using the internet to expand one’s influence is an essential skill for a legendary Xunlianjia.] “Huh? But I don’t even want to be a Xunlianjia!” After a long pause, a new line of text slowly materialized. [This system is also known as the ‘Legendary Xunlianjia Development System.’] [Binding is permanent. Non-refundable. Please acknowledge.] “Can’t you be a little more reasonable?” Gu Chen’s mouth twitched. He let out a deep sigh. "Fine. I guess if being a streamer earns Zhandou Jifen, it’s all the same in the end." "From this day forward, this system shall be called the 'Ultimate Streamer Development System.' Any objections?" [Ding—Would you like to spend 1000 Zhandou Jifen to rename the system to ‘Ultimate Streamer Development System’?] "I only have 1720 Zhandou Jifen, and you want 1000 just for a name change? What a ripoff!" Gu Chen shot back confidently, “No!” "It's just some junk system anyway. Is it really going to drag me into being a Xunlianjia against my will?" The system fell silent for a moment before presenting him with a lottery interface. [Available Functions: Ten-Consecutive Draw, Store... First Ten-Consecutive Draw guarantees SR, limited-time discount.] "Are you run by the same people from Pig Factory or Goose Factory? What's next, a one-dollar top-up to unlock a battle pass?" Despite his frustration, Gu Chen couldn’t resist tapping the "Ten-Consecutive Draw" button. "Well, the animation is flashy, I'll give it that…" [Host may set the visual format of the Ten-Consecutive Draw. Options include: box opening, drawing talismans, briefcase...] "Are you sure this won’t cause copyright issues?" Gu Chen’s eye twitched. "Isn’t this the CSGO crate-opening screen?" "And you’ve got R6S and Onmyoji… even Shenlu Zhanji and the UI from Rhode Dao?" [Parallel world. No copyright precedent.] Gu Chen sighed. “Fine. Set it to the Shenlu Zhanji card pack style.” [UI has been set. Drop rates are now displayed. Host, please review.] [Drop Rate: 60% White Common, 30% Blue Rare, 9% Purple Epic, 1% Orange Legendary] He didn't even know where to begin with his complaints. Gu Chen rubbed his forehead and muttered: "They even disclosed the drop rates… keeping up with modern regulations, I see." "Whatever. Let's do one ten-pull just to see." [Spend 1000 Zhandou Jifen for one Ten-Consecutive Draw?] Two ornate, antique-looking card packs materialized out of thin air. Gu Chen grabbed one and gave it a customary spin. With a shower of glittering motes, the pack burst open, five cards fanning out in mid-air. Out of the five, only one was rare: a carton of nutrient-rich "Moomoo Milk." [Moomoo Milk: 100% nutritious milk, consumable by both humans and Shenqi. (Also a Tauros favorite.)] The other items were three common cards—two Yuanqi Guo that restored a small amount of health and one Taotao Guo to cure poison. "Just as I thought. Commons and a single rare. My luck hasn't changed a bit." Shrugging, Gu Chen opened the second card pack. Three ordinary cards flipped over, and then the system announced the next one with a bizarrely loud chime. "Do you have to be so loud?!" Gu Chen’s eyes fell on the purple-bordered card, and he froze. [Japanese Lv3: You can proficiently use Japanese, accurately applying various dialects, honorifics, and accents. (Don’t shoot! I’m one of you!)] In an instant, a flood of new knowledge filled his mind. He tested it immediately. He let out a crisp Japanese curse that rolled off his tongue with startling familiarity. The system's explanation gave Gu Chen a rough idea of the skill tiers. Lv1 was something you could achieve with hard work. Lv2 was a commendable level of proficiency. Lv3, however, was professional-grade expertise. Lv4 was master-class, and Lv5 was the absolute pinnacle of human potential. With Japanese Lv3, it probably wouldn’t be too difficult to write something in the style of Natsume Soseki. Though that sounded like a lot of work, he filed away the idea of "borrowing" a novel from one of the masters back home for a later date. "Just one card left." After steadying himself, Gu Chen flipped over the final card. The system roared again, but this time, the sound was music to his ears. With a roar like that, I was expecting a Legendary. What’s this? The so-called Jin Hui Rare card turned out to be a can of alkaloid—a suspicious, bright blue beverage labeled "Jisu Enhancer." [Jisu Enhancer (Enhanced Version): Temporarily boosts a Shenqi’s speed stat. The enhanced version has a stronger effect. Not recommended for human consumption.] Although it explicitly stated "not recommended," the description practically dared him to chug it. After a moment of tense deliberation, Gu Chen stashed the suspicious blue drink in his cabinet. "I'll try it on the first Shenqi I catch…" "It came from the system, so it should be fine," he reasoned. "And even if I don't become a Xunlianjia, it wouldn't hurt to be able to run a little faster." "Speaking of which, I'll need to get a Shenqi Qiu. I'll stop by the Shenqi store tomorrow." With 720 Zhandou Jifen left, Gu Chen decided he would save up for another ten-pull once he hit 1000 again. Before bed, Gu Chen downed the Moomoo Milk in one gulp. He smacked his lips. "A little sweet." [Consumed ‘delicious-grade’ Moomoo Milk: Zhandou Jifen +40] [First-time consumption bonus: Host’s physique +1!]

Chapter 5: The Unreasonable Trainer System