11: Chapter 11 Special Treasures

Gu Changming continued scrolling down the mall.

The variety of goods increased, and the prices climbed steadily, all exceeding one hundred points.

【Defective Vampire Bloodline】: Improves physical fitness and partial recovery speed. Side effect: Photophobia. Price: 150 points.

【Psychokinesis (Basic)】: Can move small-mass objects with the mind. Price: 200 points.

【Elemental Magic (Basic)】: Can control the most basic Elemental Magic. Price: 180 points.

These items costing over a hundred points were rewards for those who achieved a Self-Saver rating or higher in the first Assessment.

This was why Gu Changming said that early-stage points could bring a massive advantage.

In addition to these ability-based goods, there were also items with special powers.

For example, a Frost Dagger that could briefly freeze a wound upon hitting a target, and an Explosive Hand-Crossbow that could create small-scale explosions.

As Gu Changming flipped through, his mind was constantly turning, thinking about how he could maximize the use of these one thousand points to fully secure his early-stage advantage.

His gaze continued to sweep across the list.

Suddenly, his finger stopped.

It was a very ordinary-looking item icon, styled like a jar of wine.

【clear spring brew】: Refreshing taste, contains a faint spiritual energy, can soothe the mind. Price: 20 points.

Seeing this, Gu Changming's eyes narrowed slightly.

It wasn't that he thought the wine was expensive, but rather that he suddenly recalled some memories from his past life.

Because he had spent the entire time staying at home in his previous life, he only had one hundred points after the Assessment ended.

So during the early stages of the Assessment, he was basically like most people—obscure and unknown.

However, since some were obscure, there were bound to be those who were famous and powerful.

Gu Changming remembered there was one such person within their province.

While everyone else was still struggling on the line between life and death, that person already possessed strength far exceeding the vast majority and was crowned with various titles, such as 'Spirit King' or 'Beast Lord.'

Though as time went on, news of them gradually vanished.

Gu Changming speculated that the person had likely died.

But in the early stages, their reputation was indeed prominent and their strength was indeed sufficient; otherwise, it wouldn't have spread so widely.

In the mid-to-late stages, many even lamented that if that person were still alive, perhaps their lives would be much easier.

Of course, none of that was important.

What mattered was that during a certain Assessment, Gu Changming had teamed up with a few people.

Among those teammates, one had run with that 'Spirit King' during the early stages.

He knew the reason why the other party possessed such formidable strength.

Obtaining several hundred points in the first Assessment was a given, but the key was that the person had a fortuitous encounter after the Assessment.

They came across a separate Special Assessment and obtained an item that was nearly a divine artifact from it.

It was by relying on that item that the person accumulated such a massive advantage in the early stages, with strength far surpassing everyone of the same period.

However, by the middle stage, their strength gradually couldn't keep up, leading to their failure and death in a certain Assessment.

Because he was idle at the time, Gu Changming had curiously asked a few more questions.

He learned that the person had seemingly taken a jar of this clear spring brew to enter that Assessment.

That was why Gu Changming's movements had stopped upon seeing this.

After staring for a moment, Gu Changming licked his lips and tapped his finger on the clear spring brew.

Spending 20 points to buy a bottle of wine was certainly extremely luxurious.

But compared to that special item, it was an incredible bargain.

Gu Changming clicked purchase.

After twenty points were deducted, in the next second, a palm-sized wine bottle appeared on the table.

The bottle was carved from some kind of translucent jade, its surface shimmering with a faint glow, and the body was wrapped in fine vine patterns.

Picking up the bottle, it felt warm to the touch, and a faint, ethereal, refreshing scent could be smelled up close.

“That location...” Gu Changming whispered to himself, recalling the fragmented information from his past life, “In the outskirts of another city, it seemed to be in an abandoned park...”

Gu Changming tucked the wine into his sleeve pocket, then immediately stood up and walked outside.

He couldn't delay any longer; that place wasn't close, and he had to get there as soon as possible.

The location information wasn't specific to begin with; if he arrived late, he might get nothing at all.

Going downstairs and just stepping out of the residential area, a wave of clamor hit him.

The streets outside were currently packed with people, all cheering and screaming, venting the fear and pressure they had pent up for three whole days.

Gu Changming narrowed his eyes, looking at the boisterous crowd.

After glancing at the time on his phone, Gu Changming slowly looked up at the sky that had just returned to azure. His lips moved slightly, counting silently.

“It’s about time.”

Before the words had even faded, the sky suddenly darkened.

As if someone had suddenly pulled the world's power switch, the bright daylight was instantly replaced by a piercing blood-red color.

The cheering on the streets came to an abrupt halt.

The blood-red sky reappeared, and massive white characters hung coldly, visible to everyone in the world.

【The Second Civilization Advancement Assessment will take place in fifteen days.】

【Please, all Assessors, be prepared.】

The subtitles lasted for less than ten seconds before quickly dissipating as if wiped away.

The sky brightened again, and sunlight flooded the streets once more.

However, the streets were deathly silent.

The faces that were overflowing with wild joy just moments ago now held only bewilderment and fear.

The atmosphere of joy vanished without a trace; they were pulled back to the cruel reality.

Gu Changming calmly withdrew his gaze, his heart showing no great fluctuation.

The days of the past were gone forever; from now on, this would be the normal state of human life.

Adapt, for those who cannot adapt are all dead.

Gu Changming tightened his clothes and walked expressionlessly through the stunned crowd toward the parking lot.

Hopefully, the owner of the car he stole died in the first Assessment.

Otherwise, seeing their car stolen, they’d likely be cursing him out.

...

A few minutes after Gu Changming left home, his front door was gently knocked on.

Slender fingers curled, and knuckles tapped on the door panel, making a crisp sound. Looking up from those fingers was Su Wan's face, carrying a hint of hesitation.

She knocked a few more times and listened intently.

The inside of the door remained quiet, without any response.

She tilted her head and whispered to herself, “Did he go out?”

At the same time, her gaze lowered slightly, looking at the translucent panel floating before her eyes.

A line of numbers was clearly displayed on it: 【points: 500】

She had originally wanted to come over and thank him; if it hadn't been for Gu Changming's reminder, she wouldn't have known at all about the rule to obtain higher points.