"Jietong, have you noticed? It feels like Shu Feng has gotten a little more handsome!"
Wang Lu watched the diligently studying Shu Feng, leaned close to Zhong Jietong, and said gossipingly.
Another girl, Sun Ling, who had ordinary looks, fair skin, and came from a well-off family, also chuckled. "Lulu, you think so too? I thought it was just my imagination!"
"That guy... he really does seem to have gotten a little more handsome!"
Zhong Jietong glanced in Shu Feng's direction, a strange glint flashing in her eyes, and said flatly, "It's all just your imagination."
After the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Shu Feng left immediately and headed outside.
Wang Mo watched Shu Feng's departing figure, a venomous look flashing in his eyes. "Boss, are we just going to let that kid go like this?"
A cold glint flashed in Xu Gang's eyes as he smirked coldly. "Let him go? How is that possible? I'm waiting for an opportunity! A chance to take him down in one blow. I'll make sure he can never get back on his feet."
Xu Gang had never been so humiliated in his entire life. He hated Shu Feng to the bone and wanted revenge. However, he had a bit of cunning and didn't report the fight from yesterday.
If the fight between him and Shu Feng by the small river yesterday were exposed, both of them would get a demerit on their records. He didn't want a demerit on his record, especially with the high school entrance exams just around the corner. He had a better idea for dealing with Shu Feng.
The next few days were very peaceful. Every day, Shu Feng would cultivate with the [Spirit Cultivation Technique 2.0] twice, and the base would extract his Spiritual Power once for storage.
Extracting Spiritual Power once a day wouldn't harm Shu Feng's foundation; in fact, it would make his Spiritual Power cap increase faster. However, frequently extracting Spiritual Power in a short period would damage his foundation, so Shu Feng only let the base extract it once per day.
In addition, Shu Feng went to Beiling Street every day to pay the electricity fee and charge himself, increasing the base's energy reserves.
The Spiritual Abilities that Spiritualists awakened were bizarre and varied, so Shu Feng charging himself didn't cause any stir at all.
"Alright, I've finally saved up enough Spiritual Power to evolve Big Black!"
Inside that incredibly mysterious base, Shu Feng had Big Black walk into the Warrior Synthesis Nest and gave a direct command.
Countless strange tendrils of slime erupted from the Warrior Synthesis Nest, engulfing Big Black and forming a black cocoon, allowing it to begin its evolution.
"Please select an evolution path: 1. Balanced evolution of physical attributes. 2. A major evolution in a specific physical attribute. 3. Claw and fang evolution, with an added Void Demon attack effect."
After a moment of consideration, Shu Feng decisively made his choice. "I choose three, with the added Void Demon attack effect!"
The Void Demons of the Void Demon Realm were bizarre and varied, with countless types. Among them was a major category known as Ghostly Void Demons. Most Ghostly Void Demons had no physical form, making physical attacks almost useless. Only attacks containing Spiritual Power, or attacks containing Extraordinary Power like Magic, could affect them.
Ghostly Void Demons were extremely strange and terrifying. Only bullets imbued with Spiritual Power, or Spiritual Martial Arts, Magic, and Skills containing a Spiritual Power attack could harm them.
Shu Feng's own strength was weak, so he had already decided to call for backup if he encountered a strong enemy. With Big Black around, he wouldn't be completely helpless if he ran into a Ghostly Void Demon.
An hour later, the black cocoon split open. Big Black walked out, its fur even blacker and glossier, with faint wisps of black light coiling around its claws.
"Big Black. Power: 12, Agility: 14, Defense: 12, Spirit: 10, Constitution: 12. Spirit Warrior Apprentice Level Combat Creature. Special Abilities: Invisible to Void Demons, Extraordinary Smell, Extraordinary Perception, Claw and Fang Enhancement."
The corner of Shu Feng's mouth lifted into a slight smile. 'Big Black's All Attributes have increased by one point, and with the claw and fang enhancement, its combat power is now far superior to mine. I need to learn how to shoot as soon as possible, then apply for a gun, so I can have enough combat strength.'
For the next few days, Shu Feng studied hard every day, and on weekends, he went to Beiling Street to practice his Spear Technique and Fighting Art.
As Shu Feng's physical constitution improved, he began to slowly adapt to the power of the [Black Crow]. His progress in the Fighting Art taught by You Meng was also advancing by leaps and bounds.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Ten gunshots rang out at the shooting range. Ten bullet holes appeared in the red center circle of a target ten meters away.
Ma Jin praised, "Not bad, Shu Feng. You've really improved a lot during this time. I'm seeing you in a whole new light!"
Shu Feng smiled shyly. "It's all because you're a good teacher, Brother Ma Jin."
Ma Jin gave a mysterious smile. "There's an operation tonight, a chance to make big money. You want in?"
Shu Feng's eyes lit up, and he pressed, "What kind of operation?"
Ma Jin chuckled. "Tonight, a drug organization is making a deal with drug traffickers in our city. The transaction is worth up to thirty million. Interested in teaming up with me to take them out and pocket that thirty million?"
Shu Feng raised an eyebrow, curious. "Shouldn't we report this kind of thing to the police?"
"Report it to the police, and that thirty million will be handed over to the national treasury! What's in it for us?"
Ma Jin shot Shu Feng a look. "For ordinary Spiritualists like us to evolve to a higher level, we need Cultivation Resources. In other words, money! With money, you can buy lots of pills to consume and quickly condense Spiritual Power. Without money, your cultivation speed is like a turtle's crawl. So, you in or not?"
"I'm in!"
Shu Feng's expression changed several times before he finally gritted his teeth and agreed.
Shu Feng was short on cash, very short. His family's financial situation wasn't good, and besides that, he also needed money to buy [Basic Spirit Cultivation Pills].
From the last operation, Shu Feng had earned 20 Contribution Points, and he didn't want to sell them on the black market.
Ma Jin said, "Good! For this operation, I'll provide the intel. I'll also be participating to guarantee its success. So, for the split, we'll go sixty-forty. I get sixty, you get forty. How about it?"
Shu Feng shook his head slightly. "No!"
"Hm?"
Ma Jin raised an eyebrow, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.
Shu Feng said, "It should be a seventy-thirty split. I take thirty, you take seventy! My strength is far weaker than yours, and you're the one providing the intel. You should take more."
Shu Feng wasn't an idiot; he naturally understood that Ma Jin was looking out for him. Compared to a few million, he was more willing to build a good relationship with Ma Jin.
The five official members of the [Guardian Flame] in Lei Jiang City were all major figures in the city. Shu Feng was also willing to get on their good side.
Ma Jin laughed heartily, looking at Shu Feng with growing approval. "Hahaha! Alright! Shu Feng, sixty-forty. I get sixty, you get forty, and that's final. Consider it my investment in you. When you make it big in the future, just don't forget old Ma. Haha!"