Chapter 103

The furnishings in the room were all very old.

The whole room had a stale atmosphere peculiar to old people.

Zhao Zuo Shizhang sat on a wooden chair and looked at Zhao Chi quietly.

A forced smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.

"Zhao Chi, your instructor Li has already told me about your exam situation at the academy. You performed well today, surpassing quite a few powerful younger generations."

Zhao Chi said modestly: "I was just relatively lucky."

Zhao Zuo Shizhang narrowed his aged eyes and shook his head with a smile:

"Haha, who can be lucky enough to get first place? Those who can win first place have strength.

"Our family hasn't contributed anything to you; I originally thought I could at least let you live safely until graduation.

"But reality is like this; natural and man-made disasters can strike at any time.

"I don't know how much the magical beast quota will be this time, but it definitely won't be small.

"We elders will try to carry it as much as we can, but if we really can't carry it, then we will have to let you share some of it.

"When your head instructor contacted me, she said that due to her special situation, she couldn't give you substantial help, but she hoped our family could give as many resources as possible.

"Actually, she didn't need to say it; the fact that you could win first place in your grade already shows your potential.

"According to custom, the family will also give a reward after the entrance test. The list is here, you choose."

"Usually, you're only allowed to choose 1, but you can choose 2."

After Zhao Zuo Shizhang finished speaking, he just looked at Zhao Chi with a smile.

Zhao Chi said respectfully: "Thank you, clan leader."

"Hehe, go ahead and choose."

【Item List】

【1】Golden Cicada Shell Escape Talisman

【2】Blazing Flame Art Learning Book

【3】Startling Thunder Curse Learning Book

【4】A pair of White Tiger Fangs

【5】Lingfeng Sword

【6】Wing Cloud Armor

【7】Pangu Axe Fragment

【8】Three Lives Stone

【9】Various others...

【37】Skeleton Racial Bloodline

【38】Various others...

The list was very simple, very plain.

But these items were not simple.

Especially the first 8; each one was very useful and worth choosing.

It seemed Zhao Zuo Shizhang had really brought out quite a few good things.

Zhao Chi watched carefully and decided cautiously.

"Golden Cicada Shell Escape Talisman"

Can escape the territory and return to the Great World when receiving a fatal attack.

A life-saving item.

The effect is excellent.

However, if it really reached the point of needing to save his life, the territory would probably be finished too, and Gu Qing and Tang Ruan wouldn't survive either.

Although this item is good, it doesn't increase strength.

It's better to choose something that can increase strength.

"Blazing Flame Art Learning Book"

"Startling Thunder Curse Learning Book"

Both of these are spiritual art learning books, and their power is quite good.

They are indeed worth exchanging for; they can be kept as alternatives.

"White Tiger Fangs"

An excellent material for strengthening weapons, which can significantly increase the power of weapons. If exchanged together with the "Lingfeng Sword," that would also be good.

It's just that this would only increase one person's strength; Zhao Chi still wanted something that could increase overall strength.

And equipment all has durability.

Once the durability is used up, it's useless unless there are corresponding materials for artisans to repair it.

Zhao Chi eventually gave up on these, including the "Wing Cloud Armor," which he wouldn't choose for now.

"Pangu Axe Fragment"

Can expand the territory.

A very good item.

However, the logic is the same; just expanding the territory doesn't increase strength.

The territory can be expanded in other ways.

Although the expansion speed is slower, Zhao Chi isn't afraid of being slow.

Steady progress and increasing strength are the top priorities.

"Three Lives Stone"

Can reset talents.

These five words are enough.

This is a must-choose!

Zhao Chi had always wanted to reset Gu Qing's talent.

Although Gu Qing's current talent, which adds 1 point of physique, is very practical, Zhao Chi still wanted her to have greater functionality like Tang Ruan.

Chosen!

Looking further down, these were relatively ordinary items.

Their functions were all good, but they were quite a bit worse than the first 8.

However, Zhao Chi still locked his gaze on the 37th item.

"Skeleton Racial Bloodline"

This was the only racial bloodline on the list.

But unfortunately, it was a skeleton bloodline.

The skeleton race is a default race and isn't considered very strong.

Especially compared to the Taoyuan human race, it is completely crushed.

However, racial bloodlines can be broken down into various genes, although it's probabilistic, and skeleton genes aren't as numerous as primitive Slime genes.

It's estimated that the "Fearless" gene could be broken down.

The Taoyuan human race already has "Fearless." If it really is broken down, the matching degree might be very high, and it could be used as source data for information.

But if there were other new genes, that would be even better.

Currently, the Taoyuan race's genes have only been improved by 1 type, and there are 2 more that can be improved.

No matter how much the improvement increases, everyone benefits.

Zhao Chi gritted his teeth and chose it too!

Final choice:

【8】Three Lives Stone

【37】Skeleton Racial Bloodline

Zhao Zuo Shizhang was a bit surprised.

"Zhao Chi, why did you choose the Skeleton Racial Bloodline? Do you want to break down genes? What race are you?"

Zhao Chi hesitated slightly, but still said it.

"I am human."

Zhao Zuo Shizhang is the clan leader; hiding racial information from him is meaningless.

After all, when fighting later, it's inevitable to fight together with the clan.

Just like military information needs to be kept secret, but for friendly forces that need to cooperate in battle, at least the troop type must be told to the other party, otherwise, it will be impossible to cooperate later.

And Zhao Chi only said he was human, not that he was a special kind of human.

So it didn't matter.

Zhao Zuo Shizhang shook his head and said: "Silly child, the genes broken down from skeletons have a very low matching degree with humans, and it's very difficult to succeed."

Zhao Chi nodded: "I understand."

"You understand? Then you still want to exchange for it?"

"...Yes, I want to exchange for it."

Zhao Zuo Shizhang narrowed his eyes: "Good, good, I understand."

Zhao Zuo Shizhang nodded.

Although he guessed several possibilities in his heart, he didn't question Zhao Chi further.

He just silently sent these items to Zhao Chi.

【You have obtained items】:

【Three Lives Stone】×1

【Skeleton Racial Bloodline】×1

【Gold Coins】×20

Why are there gold coins too?

Zhao Chi looked up in surprise.

Zhao Zuo Shizhang laughed:

"Your life hasn't been easy; you lost both parents at a young age, but we know you've been very hardworking and diligent.

"It's just that the family is in a difficult situation, and most resources must be given to your uncles to consume; after all, they are the backbone of the family and have to face a large number of magical beasts.

"Among the younger generation, resources can only be tilted toward your older brother and second brother. The family hasn't given you resources, and I hope you can understand.

"But now you've proven yourself, and we will cultivate you later.

"These 20 gold coins can be considered your first batch of funds; I hope you can use them well."

Zhao Chi was a bit moved.

"Thank you, clan leader."

"Haha, no need to thank me. The future of the family might depend on you. If you become successful in the future, I hope you can help out those incompetent brothers and sisters of yours."

Zhao Chi nodded: "I will."

Zhao Zuo Shizhang sighed softly: "The world is not peaceful; ordinary people live difficult lives... I won't say more, you go back first. I still have to have a meeting with your uncles to discuss the next countermeasures..."

Zhao Chi could only nod: "Thank you, clan leader, then I'll go first."

"Hmm, keep it up, little Chi."