Chapter 468: Future or Present?

Buy everything I want to buy…

After pondering the red-haired director's description, Li Ang frowned and asked:

"This 'everything'—does it mean being able to buy life, soul, will, things like that, just like that toad… or…?"

"Of course, only within the concept of ordinary money. I already said this anomaly cannot be used in combat."

"Alright… then what about the other two?"

Seeing Li Ang, though not outright refusing, had clearly lost interest in his eyes, the red-haired director shook her head with a hint of regret:

"The second concept is trade. Its effect is somewhat similar to what you want.

This time, the core is those coins it spits out. As long as you melt down the toad itself and pour it into those coins, the newly forged currency will gain the power of forced trade—even extending to life and soul… wait, don't get too excited yet!"

Seeing Li Ang's eyes gleaming with anticipation, the red-haired director waved her hand to stop him, then continued explaining:

"This option sounds good, but since it's built on the foundation of the Golden Wheel, it only works on targets who recognize the value of the Golden Wheel. If your target doesn't recognize its value, it's meaningless.

Moreover, this will be a consumable anomaly. After a single transaction is fully completed, you won't just lose the money spent—you won't even get the thing you bought. There's no possibility of using it to gain eternal life."

"Why?"

After hearing the red-haired director's words, Li Ang asked, puzzled:

"Losing the money spent makes sense—after all, trade requires payment. But shouldn't the thing you pay for belong to you?"

"The thing you pay for does belong to you—but there's a precondition: the money you spent must also belong to you."

"…"

The money I spent doesn't belong to me? What does that mean?

Seeing Li Ang frown in confusion, clearly not understanding, the red-haired director paused, then asked in return:

"Didn't the Black Goat tell you that the Sacred Spirits of the Golden Scale Sect total three?"

"Yes, he did."

Recalling the Black Goat's words, Li Ang said:

"Those three Sacred Spirits seemed to be the Wealth-Calling Cat, the Wealth-Devouring Snake, and the Wealth-Spitting Toad."

Since you know that, I can explain more easily.

Satisfied, the red-haired director nodded and continued:

"Among the three Sacred Spirits, the toad's ability is to spit out money and buy anything. The corresponding snake's ability is to swallow money and sell anything.

Their abilities are interconnected: the money the toad spits out is exactly what the snake swallows, and the 'goods' the snake provides are all things the toad bought elsewhere."

After hearing the relationship between the two Sacred Spirits, Li Ang frowned with sudden understanding:

"So… because the money actually belongs to the snake, the things I buy don't become mine—they go straight into the snake's belly, becoming part of its inventory for trading money, and even for recruiting followers?"

"Yes."

Seeing Li Ang frown again, the red-haired director thought for a moment, then offered reassurance:

"Don't worry—about supplying the Golden Scale Sect, you don't need to feel guilty. Though not a proper sect, they're generally honest. Aside from the toad you killed, which was cruel, the other two Sacred Spirits aren't particularly evil.

If you still can't reconcile yourself, then when you face enemies, just avoid buying life or soul—buy limbs instead.

Many wealthy people who suffer accidental disabilities can't accept it; once they learn of the Golden Scale Sect, they join to buy back healthy limbs from the snake. In a way, supplying them could be considered saving lives."

Well, so you can do that too?

Hearing the red-haired director's words, Li Ang asked in surprise:

"The Golden Scale Sect recruits followers this way—and the Bureau doesn't intervene?"

"We do, but not very much."

Our Clearance Bureau's opponents are simply too numerous, and each one is more troublesome than the last; compared to those beings who routinely try to force their physical forms into this world by engaging in massive sacrifices, the Golden Scale Cult is merely a minor nuisance—excluding the toad responsible for "procurement," it could even be considered a neutral force.

"Our Bureau has too many enemies, each more troublesome than the last. Compared to those who try to force their physical forms into this world through mass sacrifice, the Golden Scale Sect is just a minor nuisance. Excluding the toad that handles 'supply,' they're practically neutral.

For example, those who trade money for health—they pay a steep annual fee and join the sect, but it's voluntary. Should we ignore the demonic gods looming nearby just to go around cutting off people's limbs?

Also, when healing anomalies are scarce, some branch agents occasionally trade with the Golden Scale Sect after being injured. So as long as they don't cross the line, most branches are too busy to bother with them."

After gaining a clearer understanding of the Clearance Bureau's boundaries and modus operandi, Li Ang pondered his own needs, then shook his head and asked further:

After gaining a clearer understanding of the Bureau's boundaries and methods, Li Ang considered his own needs, then shook his head and asked:

"So… you're not interested in this one either?"

Seeing Li Ang's interest fade once more, the red-haired director shook her head:

"The third concept doesn't involve the authority of 'money' or 'trade'—it's the most basic concept the toad developed after becoming a Sacred Spirit.

In our view, the toad is evil and mad. But to the Golden Scale Sect's followers, it's a sacred and glorious symbol—because belief itself is power, and the core of a 'Sacred Spirit' is precisely this 'belief.'

An anomaly forged from the concept of 'Sacred Spirit' will greatly strengthen your mental power, enough to influence objective reality—moving or reinforcing objects with your mind. When you grow strong enough, you can even launch mental shocks to shatter an enemy's will.

Oh, and because the toad's followers firmly believe their Sacred Spirit is pure and holy, your mental shock will carry an extra effect—especially potent against demons like that goat."

So… telekinesis + object reinforcement + mental shock + holy bonus damage?

After hearing the third option, Li Ang was overjoyed—this ability's practicality and applicability were perfect, better than even his best expectations!

Sigh… just what I feared comes true…

Seeing Li Ang's eyes gleaming, clearly drawn to these powers, the red-haired director sighed inwardly and urged:

"Li Ang, I know you desperately crave power, but I still hope you'll reconsider.

This choice gives the biggest short-term boost, but it's truly wasteful. Plus, your affinity with demons is high—you're likely incompatible with a Sacred Spirit anomaly. So the third option isn't as good as it sounds.

The first two, though one lacks direct combat power and the other has many restrictions and is consumed after use, both touch upon fundamental rules—powerful anomalies most people could never hope to obtain."

Afraid Li Ang would waste this priceless opportunity, the red-haired director blinked her fox-like eyes and pushed hard:

"Especially the first option—it may seem insignificant now, but once you're powerful enough, you can use it to buy prehistoric mechanical relics, hire a full-strength Lunar Tribe legion, or even purchase an entire nation!"

"The second option is weaker, but with the toad's supreme rank, every human enemy below god-tier who recognizes the Golden Wheel's value will have no resistance against you—just spend money and solve it easily!"

After painting the bright prospects of the other two options, the red-haired director licked her dry lips and continued earnestly:

"Li Ang, believe me—the third option, though appealing, has no upper limit compared to the first. Its power doesn't even reach the tail end of the second.

Anomalies like the third are at least dozens in the Bureau. If you give up the first two and choose it, it would be an unforgivable waste. Do you understand?"

"I understand…"

After listening carefully to the red-haired director's earnest advice, Li Ang nodded at her with gratitude, then said apologetically:

"But I still want to choose the third."

(End of Chapter)