8: Energy Trap and the Xiao Family's Olive Branch

The night was as dark as ink, and Xiao Chen sat cross-legged on the hard bed, not yet asleep.

The blood and danger of the day still echoed in his mind, but even stronger was the post-disaster yearning for power.

The Black-Robed Figure's words were like a warning bell, reminding him of his own insignificance.

“Too weak…” Xiao Chen murmured to himself, his gaze falling on the energy pool value in the system interface in his mind: 5.8 / 10000.

This much energy was barely enough to replicate a few blood coagulation powders, let alone deal with the Jia Lie Family's potential retaliation or investigate the Black-Robed Figure's secrets.

He had to accumulate energy faster.

His gaze turned to the spoils he had plundered from Scarface and the others today.

Besides the short knife and iron rod that had already been recovered, there were some miscellaneous items: several bottles of suspicious-colored powder, a few seemingly ordinary ores, and a small black token of special material that felt warm to the touch.

Xiao Chen first picked up those bottles of powder, and the system performed a Scan:

[Scan: Inferior Soul-Bewitching Powder]

[Grade]: Mortal-tier Low-grade

[Ingredients]: A crude mixture of various hallucinogenic herbs, unstable efficacy, significant side effects.

[Replicable]: Yes (requires energy: 2 units)

[Recoverable Energy]: 0.5 units.

[Scan: Expired Body-Strengthening Powder]

[Grade]: Mortal Item (Expired)

[Ingredients]: Basic medicinal residue, loss of energy activity.

[Recoverable Energy]: 0.1 units.

All garbage.

Xiao Chen directly chose to recover them, and the energy pool subtly pulsed, reaching 6.4 units.

Next were the ores; the Scan results showed they were just ordinary iron ore and copper ore, containing negligible energy, with a total recovery value of less than 0.5 units.

Xiao Chen temporarily gave up on recovering them; perhaps he could use them later if he learned artifact refining?

Although distant, it was still a thought.

Finally, his gaze fell on the black token.

The token was made of an unknown material, neither metal nor wood, cool to the touch.

The front was engraved with a complex, never-before-seen flame emblem, while the back was blank.

This was the most unique item on Scarface.

“System, Scan this token.”

[Scan: Unknown Token]

[Grade]: ???

[Ingredients]: Abnormal structure, contains a stable and highly condensed unknown energy, energy attribute leans towards cold and yin.

[Replicable]: No (insufficient energy, insufficient authority, item rules exceed current analysis scope)

[Recoverable Energy]: 500 units (Warning: The energy structure of this item is stable; forced recovery may lead to energy dispersion or unknown risks, estimated success rate 30%).

[System Evaluation]: Highly dangerous! It is recommended that the host handle this item with caution before clarifying its purpose.

Five hundred units of energy!

Xiao Chen's heart pounded uncontrollably! His eyes were fixed on that number!

If he successfully recovered this token, he could instantly gain five hundred points of energy!

Enough to replicate a large number of Mortal-tier Low-grade pills, or even attempt to replicate Mortal-tier Mid-grade items!

His strength would experience a leap!

Temptation, immense temptation!

However, the bright red “Warning” at the end of the system's message, along with the descriptions “highly dangerous” and “estimated success rate 30%,” were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.

Energy dispersion? Unknown risks? Only a thirty percent success rate?

What exactly was this token? Why was it on a small-time thug like Scarface?

Did Galileo know the value of this token?

If recovery failed, what would be the consequences? Energy backlash? Or would it trigger some mechanism within the token itself?

A series of questions flooded his mind.

Greed and caution fiercely battled in his head.

Recovering it might lead to instant wealth, or it might lead to eternal damnation.

Not recovering it meant following the established path, but it would be slow and fraught with danger.

Xiao Chen's breathing became heavy, his fingers gripping the cool token tightly, his knuckles turning white from the effort.

He seemed to feel the vast and hidden energy slowly flowing within the token, like a sleeping beast.

Should he take the gamble? Or play it safe?

He thought of Scarface's ferocious face during the day, the Black-Robed Figure's unfathomable strength, and his own powerlessness when facing danger...

“Power... I need power!” a voice cried out in his heart.

But another voice simultaneously rang out: “Only by living can there be a future.

Rashly taking risks might lead to everything being for naught.”

Ultimately, rationality triumphed over impulse.

The Black-Robed Figure was right; power was not achieved overnight.

This token's origin was unknown, the risks were unknown, and the success rate was too low.

Winning the gamble would be good, but if he lost, he wouldn't even have a chance to turn the situation around.

“Can't rush it... At least, I need to first figure out the origin and purpose of this token.”

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the thought of recovery.

He carefully tucked the token close to his body.

This might be an important clue, or even an opportunity, but it was definitely not a trump card he could easily use right now.

Having suppressed the temptation to immediately acquire a large amount of energy, Xiao Chen began to plan a more stable path.

He tallied his current assets: approximately eighty gold coins (from selling blood coagulation powder + plundering) and 6.4 units of energy.

“I still have to start with blood coagulation powder.”

Xiao Chen made up his mind, “Use gold coins to buy raw materials, synthesize blood coagulation powder for sale, earn the price difference, and simultaneously recover scraps to accumulate energy.

Although slow, it's stable.”

He planned to buy large quantities of blood coagulation grass and bone regeneration flower tomorrow.

With his previous experience, he was more confident in synthesizing blood coagulation powder.

Just as he was meticulously planning, a faint knock sounded at the door.

“Young Master Xiao Chen, are you resting?” A slightly familiar old man's voice came from outside the door.

Xiao Chen's heart tightened.

It was the old servant who delivered food yesterday! Someone from the Third Elder's faction! Why was he here so late?

He quickly hid the gold coins and the token, adjusted his breathing, walked over, and opened the door.

Standing outside the door was indeed the old servant, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face.

He still carried a food box, but this time, next to the food box, there was also a small wooden box.

“Young Master Xiao Chen, I apologize for the disturbance.

The Third Elder heard that Young Master seemed to have been startled today, so he specifically ordered this old servant to bring a calming soup, and some small trinkets, to help Young Master settle down.”

The old servant handed over the food box and the wooden box, his tone even more polite than yesterday, even using the respectful address of “Young Master.”

Startled today?

Xiao Chen's heart was shaken!

He believed he had handled the matter in the alley quite cleanly; how could the Third Elder know?

Was the Xiao Family always monitoring him? Or was the Black-Robed Figure's whereabouts discovered?

He suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, displaying just the right amount of surprise and gratitude on his face: “The Third Elder is truly too kind!

How could a junior like me deserve such concern from an elder? Indeed, I encountered a few ruffians in the market today and had a minor dispute, but fortunately, a passerby intervened, and there was no serious harm.”

His words were half-true, half-false, acknowledging the conflict while blurring the process and outcome, testing the other party's reaction.

The old servant chuckled, as if he hadn't detected Xiao Chen's probing, and handed over the items, saying in a low voice: “It's good that Young Master is safe.

The Third Elder said that Young Master Xiao Chen is Young Master Xiao Yan's guest, and thus a guest of the Xiao Family.

In this Wutan City, if anyone is so blind as to provoke Young Master, just mention the Xiao Family's name.

A few petty villains are nothing in the eyes of our Xiao Family.”

The intention to recruit and show goodwill in these words was almost undisguised!

Moreover, it subtly hinted that he knew the ones who provoked him were “petty villains,” seemingly unaware of whether they were specifically from the Jia Lie Family, or perhaps, not caring?

Xiao Chen took the food box and the wooden box, thanking him again: “Thank you for the Third Elder's generosity; this junior is immensely grateful.”

The old servant nodded with satisfaction and continued: “Inside this wooden box is a small token of the Third Elder's regard, some basic medicinal materials and a first-tier wood-attribute magic core, which might be helpful to Young Master... in studying medicinal materials.

Young Master is new here, and if you have any difficulties in cultivation, perhaps... you could also tell this old servant, and I might be able to ask the Third Elder for advice on your behalf.”

Medicinal materials! Magic core! And a hint of cultivation guidance!

The olive branch thrown by the Third Elder was indeed heavy!

Clearly, through some channel (most likely surveillance), he believed Xiao Chen was worth investing in.

Was it because of his relationship with Xiao Yan? Or because of the “discernment” he showed at the Mittel Auction House today? Or both?

Thoughts raced through Xiao Chen's mind.

Accepting it would mean being labeled, to some extent, as part of the Third Elder's faction, and getting involved in the Xiao Family's internal struggles.

Refusing it might offend this powerful elder, making it even harder to establish himself in the Xiao Family.

Currently, it seemed that the benefits of accepting outweighed the disadvantages.

At least he could obtain tangible resources and temporarily deter the Jia Lie Family with the Xiao Family's prestige.

“The Third Elder's generous gift, this junior humbly accepts.

If I achieve anything in the future, I will never forget the Elder's kindness today.”

Xiao Chen bowed again, his tone sincere.

He didn't make a definitive statement, only expressing gratitude, without explicitly pledging allegiance.

The old servant seemed not to be in a hurry, smiling: “Young Master, you exaggerate.

It's late; Young Master should rest early, this old servant will take his leave.”

After seeing off the old servant, Xiao Chen closed the door and looked at the wooden box in his hand, his mood complex.

He opened the wooden box, and inside were five well-preserved blood coagulation grasses, three bone regeneration flowers, and a pigeon-egg-sized magic core emitting a faint green glow.

[Scan: First-tier Wood-attribute Magic Core (Complete)]

[Grade]: Mortal-tier Mid-grade

[Ingredients]: Contains pure wood-attribute energy.

[Replicable]: Yes (requires energy: 15 units)

[Recoverable Energy]: 20 units!

Twenty points of energy! And these medicinal materials!

The Third Elder's “token of regard” was indeed significant.

Xiao Chen didn't hesitate, directly choosing to recover the magic core and some of the medicinal materials.

He urgently needed energy to start the replication cycle.

[Ding! Recovery successful, obtained 20 units of energy!]

[Ding! Recovered blood coagulation grass x2, obtained 4 units of energy!]

[Ding! Recovered bone regeneration flower x1, obtained 3 units of energy!]

[Current Energy: 33.4 / 10000!]

The energy pool broke through thirty points for the first time!

A sense of stability naturally arose.

Looking at the remaining three blood coagulation grasses and two bone regeneration flowers, Xiao Chen's eyes flashed with excitement.

Startup funds and initial energy were all in place!

He didn't delay for a moment and immediately began to operate.

“System, synthesize blood coagulation powder!”

[Ding! Consumed 5 units of energy, starting synthesis...]

[Synthesis successful! Obtained blood coagulation powder x1!]

[Current Energy: 28.4]

“Continue synthesizing!”

[Synthesis successful! Obtained blood coagulation powder x1!]

[Current Energy: 23.4]

Synthesizing two blood coagulation powders consecutively, with a one hundred percent success rate!

Looking at the delicate red powder in the two small jade bottles in his hand, Xiao Chen let out a long sigh of relief.

The virtuous cycle could finally begin!

He carefully put away the blood coagulation powder and the remaining gold coins, his gaze becoming firm and deep.

The Third Elder's olive branch was both an opportunity and a trap.

The threat from the Jia Lie Family was like a sword hanging over his head.

The Black-Robed Figure's purpose was shrouded in mist.

The road ahead was perilous, but with the replication system as his foundation, he at least had the qualification to fight!

“Tomorrow, I'll go to the Mittel Auction House!”

Xiao Chen clenched his fist, “First step, establish a firm foothold!”

In the night, the lights in the Xiao Family's small courtyard extinguished one by one, leaving only Xiao Chen's window, illuminated by a faint but persistent light.

A storm centered around replication and growth was quietly brewing in Wutan City after this seemingly peaceful night.