Chapter Four: Make a Billion First

“You don’t want it anymore? So this phone belongs to me now?” Blackfeather rubbed his eyes, scarcely able to believe it.

The scorched smell in the rented room, mingled with the dampness of water, abruptly pulled Blackfeather back to reality. The matter of the phone would have to wait. Uncle Liu’s body was barely cold, and the sudden appearance of the book made him certain that there truly existed some kind of power in this world capable of moving appliances away from a burning scene.

Thieves were despicable in any case, but what was even more hateful was that the thief, present during the fire, must have had the chance to save Uncle Liu, yet chose not to. According to the firefighters’ investigation, the fire was caused by the television short-circuiting. That meant the thief who had stolen the appliances was likely the very culprit behind the disaster.

Perhaps the person had intended to murder Uncle Liu by starting the fire, or perhaps… himself?

He must not let his guard down.

While mulling this over, Blackfeather used the phone as a flashlight and made his way toward his room. His room was on the third floor, and, according to reports, the short-circuited wire responsible for the fire was right outside his door.

He shone the light along the wall, but it was pitch black; nothing could be seen. He decided to leave the inspection for the morning.

He checked his room again. Everything had been charred, a large puddle of water covered the floor, and the bed had collapsed from the flames. He couldn’t even muster the will to step inside.

His university diploma and all his clothes were likely sacrificed to the fire. Fortunately, his ID card was still on him. He’d needed it this morning when the assistant director at the film set registered everyone. If it had been destroyed, he’d have to go back to his hometown to get it reissued.

And that would mean not only the hassle of proving his own identity, but facing the soul-searching interrogations of all the elders and villagers back home—a hurdle far more daunting.

As long as he had his ID card, everything else could be managed. Even getting a new diploma wouldn’t be too difficult.

There was no rush now. He’d take things one step at a time.

As he walked out, he recalled how Fan Xiangdong, a firefighter, had actually brought two geomancers to investigate. Blackfeather was ever more convinced that this world was not as simple as it seemed.

Perhaps many things were secretly manipulated by people who possessed powers beyond those of ordinary men.

His streak of misfortune since graduation, especially compared with his previously smooth-sailing student life, suddenly seemed less like coincidence and more like the result of crossing the wrong person—someone who was now targeting him.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He could not remain passive any longer; it was time to fight back.

“System!” Blackfeather growled in a low voice.

There was no response.

Just as expected, this thing was infuriatingly self-centered.

He was still holding “Thousand-Mile Translocation Technique.” The contents of the book had completely fused with his memory. Perhaps he could find someone to test it on.

With that idea in mind, he set off down the alleyways of the urban village, hoping to find someone to serve as his guinea pig.

After half an hour of wandering, he encountered nothing but a couple nestled in the shadows—no suitable targets.

He did have a system, but unlike the novels he’d read, he couldn’t simply stumble upon some villainous cannon-fodder to boost his standing.

He was still grumbling to himself when, at the next street corner, he saw four men with brightly dyed hair straddling two motorcycles at the end of an alley, smoking.

The red-haired man looked up at Blackfeather and suddenly broke into a broad grin. The others also turned, faces twisted with strange smiles.

“Hey, fatso, what’s so funny?” the redhead sneered mid-laugh.

Blackfeather realized he was smiling as well.

This system really was a troublemaker.

But he rather liked it.

The redhead, clearly annoyed, flicked away his cigarette, twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle roared to life. Blackfeather caught a glimpse of the guy with the afro on the back seat gripping a wooden club.

Blackfeather didn’t interfere. He walked straight toward them.

Curiously, though the bikes seemed about to pass him—afro clearly preparing to take a swing—the motorcycles suddenly veered away, speeding off in the opposite direction.

[System: Threat successfully eliminated.]

[Task: Obliterate Blue Star—Completion 0%]

“Damn you, system. I finally found some guinea pigs, and you just scared them off. Don’t you care about my dignity?”

The text faded from view, ignoring Blackfeather’s protests.

This time, however, Blackfeather noticed the words “Obliterate Blue Star Mission.”

“Hey, system, what exactly is this Obliterate Blue Star Mission? If I complete it, will I get a reward?”

[System: Complete the obliteration mission to receive one Starcore, two Heavenly Origin Fruits, a Heavenly-grade weapon, two Heavenly-grade manuals…]

The list went on and on, filled with treasures that were obviously top-tier cultivation artifacts.

Blackfeather: “So what do I have to do for this mission?”

[System: Contempt.]

“Why the contempt? If you don’t explain, how am I supposed to complete it?”

[System: Obliterate Blue Star means, in common terms, destroy Earth. Contempt. Contempt.]

Blackfeather ignored the system’s disdain. Upon seeing the words “destroy Earth,” he could no longer keep his calm.

So, this system he’d gotten was actually an apocalypse system.

He was the enemy of this entire planet?

After two minutes, Blackfeather managed to compose himself and began coaxing the system: “No one becomes fat in a single bite.”

[System: You’re already fat.]

A bead of sweat formed on Blackfeather’s forehead. “Don’t get smart with me.”

The system did not reply.

Patiently, Blackfeather continued, “Destroying the Earth isn’t something that can be done overnight. We need to proceed step by step.”

[System: Do you have a plan?]

At last, the system seemed to listen.

Blackfeather went on, “Let’s set a small goal first—make a hundred million.”

[System: That makes some sense.]

[And then?]

It was the first time the system had followed up a question, and Blackfeather felt a surge of satisfaction.

“We’ll talk about the next step when we get there. For now, don’t interfere with these minor threats—I need to find the perfect scapegoat.”

[Understood. Canceling local protection mechanism.]

[Cancellation successful.]

[Sub-task input: Make a hundred million first.]

[Sub-task created successfully.]

[Make a hundred million—Current completion 0%]

Blackfeather grinned with satisfaction. Now he could finally use the system openly to make money.

Based on his experiences today, the system could eliminate threats for him and had even made that self-proclaimed ghost-catcher hand over his phone. And just now, it had driven off those punks who clearly intended to attack him.

The power hidden within this system was clearly immeasurable. Destroy the Earth? Impossible. Not in this lifetime.

He’d use it to make a fortune. As for the “Thousand-Mile Translocation Technique,” the first level required patting someone on the shoulder to activate?

Blackfeather had originally planned to pat the redhead’s shoulder to test it, but now he’d have to find a new target.

…

At the same time the system canceled the local protection mechanism, a man stood on the wall at the other end of the alley, sword in hand, watching Blackfeather with ill intent.