The Heart of the Sun could be exchanged at the school for 600 credits and one B-rank exchange voucher.
One word: expensive.
Even taking on tasks through the school platform, he'd need a month to save up—if he didn't run into any high-value missions.
But Su Hao was a busy man.
Busy contracting spirits, participating in the Spirit Cultivation Cup, sorting out the lab construction... he had no time for those bounty missions.
And he didn't need them anymore.
The Spirit Cultivation Cup: Whale Island University's team took the championship.
Su Hao wasn't the captain, but he had the highest contribution, and the rewards he received were very generous.
Prize money: three million.
That was the basic reward.
Most students didn't care about it... yeah, right.
Only experts and masters who weren't short on cash wouldn't bother with a few million.
Besides the money, the organizers gave each of them a set of collector's edition books.
—Works by grandmasters and masters, not even available in Whale Island University's library!
When he got the books, he was told not to circulate them... Su Hao was even more satisfied.
It meant they were packed with substance.
Then there was the experimental support.
Lin Xueguang also received some funding; he planned to form a temporary team back at school to conduct a special experiment.
Those were the official rewards from the Spirit Cultivation Cup.
Whale Island University also rewarded them with credits.
Su Hao got 2,000 credits and one A-rank exchange voucher.
A fat haul!
"More credits!"
But the bulk of his rewards wasn't even these.
It came from the rewards for the 'Spiritual Energy Solidification' paper!
This paper, while not shaking the entire Dragon Kingdom spirit cultivation world, had an influence and impact far greater than the discovery of the Phantom Dream Butterfly's evolution path.
It's just that the news hadn't spread.
'Spiritual Energy Solidification' and 'Spiritual Power Solidification' were techniques only learned at mid-to-high levels.
They wouldn't be made public.
There were no interviews from reporters... there were at first, but at Master Yao's suggestion, they were declined.
And the buzz was toned down.
Su Hao thought it made sense.
The external environment wasn't safe enough; better to keep a low profile...
"Though my brilliance is too bright, I'm afraid I can't hide it anymore."
But now he had some ability to protect himself. Ordinary elite-level opponents, he... his spirits could take down in two strikes, so he wasn't too worried.
At most, he'd just avoid going outside New World City.
He wasn't short on resources for now anyway.
Su Hao counted the rewards from the paper.
"I can pick five rare treasures."
The item list was more advanced than before.
It included Attribute Cores, complete ones.
And the Heart of the Sun he needed.
Others...
Many he coveted, but couldn't use yet.
Su Hao saved the opportunity, planning to claim them when needed later.
"Besides the treasures, the Spiritual Energy Solidification paper has ongoing income..."
Similar to selling improved techniques, whenever someone bought it, there was profit.
But the cut wasn't as high.
The authorities took the lion's share.
He got a small portion.
Dragon Capital University also got a share—their early contributions couldn't be denied.
"Without Dragon Capital University's direction and the opinions of other masters, I wouldn't have touched the unlocking conditions. Besides, without the platform Dragon Kingdom provided, even if I had the technique, I couldn't sell it.
"Spiritual Energy Solidification is high-end knowledge. Even if I only get a small cut, it's still a lot of money.
"Initially, many universities should adopt it, and then I'll have a big influx."
Su Hao was already satisfied.
One shouldn't be too greedy; contentment brings happiness.
He logged into his alliance account again.
[Name: Su Hao] [Authority: LV8] [Rank: Senior Spirit Cultivator, Elite-level Spirit Master]
During the winter break of his senior year in high school, he had Level 4 authority. Before the Spirit Cultivation Cup, he had Level 5. Now, jumping from LV5 to LV8, his authority was higher than many master-level Spirit Masters.
High authority made his posts on the alliance forum shine brightly.
Su Hao found it a bit embarrassing.
Besides that, many restricted items were open to him.
For example, Attribute Cores—he could buy them with money.
12 million each, required a reservation, but a maximum of three per year.
He didn't look further.
"I've heard high authority comes with many conveniences, but I'm just an ordinary... somewhat special freshman, so I can't access them."
...
Villa.
Die Xiaodie lay on the back of the sofa, continuing to practice 'Spirit Orb.'
Three white orbs formed a triangle, fixed on its little head near the antennae.
Like a white hat.
Beneath it sat a treasure shaped like a piece of jade.
About the size of two fingers together, its color similar to the orbs—it was the Marrow Jade that could nurture spiritual energy.
A fairly precious treasure.
Not inferior to the Heart of the Sun.
Su Hao remembered it was given to the little one by a Master Wang.
With the Marrow Jade close to its body, and Die Xiaodie constantly reinforcing the 'Spirit Orb,' its spiritual energy made significant progress every day.
"I'm heading out. Keep an eye on Greedy Bear when you have time, so it doesn't wander off again."
"Gu nuo~"
Die Xiaodie waved a hand.
Su Hao closed the villa door and called over Water Kylin Beast, which was strolling in the garden, and mounted it in one smooth motion.
"Xilu~"
Water Kylin Beast's hooves rose, stepping into the air, and charged into the sky.
...
It was winter again.
The wind was biting cold.
Su Hao rode Water Kylin Beast to the regular battle arena, where he had agreed to meet three friends.
Just like in high school.
The difference was that everyone had grown a lot, and wearing short sleeves was no longer his exclusive thing.
Li Songting wore loose clothes, revealing muscular arms.
Liu Ren still had a pancake face, dressed in casual wear, but you could faintly see some muscle definition.
Gu Lingyao had her hair tied up, still in simple, practical sportswear... Su Hao glanced a few times—fortunately, no muscles visible.
But she had gained a spirited, valiant air.
All from doing missions and catching fugitives.
As for him...
Su Hao looked at himself.
Ever since he got Water Kylin Beast, he'd abandoned shared bikes and cut back on running and exercise.
Not a trace of muscle to be seen.
Probably because he was too handsome that muscles didn't show.
Seeing him appear on Water Kylin Beast, Liu Ren waved and shouted.
"Old Su, let's have a heated battle!"
Su Hao: "..."
He glanced at Li Songting, then at Liu Ren, and silently stepped back two paces.
Afraid of being assimilated.
"We're ganging up on you today, you don't mind, do you?" Gu Lingyao said. "My Lingling has evolved; you might lose, you know."
Gu Lingyao's Tidecaller Spirit had grown to a bit taller than her.
Its long skirt, made of flowing water, dragged on the ground. It clasped its hands together, a sky-blue gem hanging around its neck.
"Water Gem?"
A tool similar to Marrow Jade.
"Yep," she said. "A while ago, Green Shade Supermarket had a loyalty customer lottery event, and I won it, plus a box of Spirit Jade."
Su Hao: "..."
Is the lottery still going on now?
...
On the battle arena.
On the opposite side, Lava Dragon Turtle, Master Hound, and Tidecaller Spirit stood side by side.
Su Hao stood on this side.
Under Water Kylin Beast's expectant gaze, he said:
"In that case, the spirit I choose to battle is...
"Fire Velvet Crow!"
"Caw—"
With a cry, Fire Velvet Crow answered the summons.
Scattering sparks.
Its red feathers were vivid, its black feathers glossy. Even without entering Flame Feather form, rings of red haze spread around its body.
"But it hasn't evolved yet."
Liu Ren thought to himself.
His Lava Dragon Turtle had just evolved, and the tactical system Old Su suggested was also complete.
This was the moment his combat power was skyrocketing.
The moment when the gap in their strength was smallest!
"The best chance to beat Old Su is today!"