Zhou Yan had planned the black iron set—Stone Helmet, Gauntlet, Armor, Leggings, Boots—for Diao Chan, but she spurned its ugliness, her power outstripping its need. He kept it for himself. Alongside it, several Stone Axes emerged—tools for logging, usable sans skill, though taxing without high strength. Time-starved, he stashed one set and earmarked the rest for sale.
"Chan'er, that hare suit looks stunning on you," he said, turning to see her in the full ensemble—helmet with perky ears, a bunny-girl vision that froze him mid-thought.
"No way," she protested, stowing it with a thought. Equipment vanished or appeared at will—convenient. Six armor slots (helmet, gauntlets, armor, belt, leggings, boots), one weapon, and two rings were standard. Belts rarely joined suits; dual weapons maximized paired attributes. Extra rings added nothing unless special. Women gained earrings, necklaces, and bracelets; men, shoulder armor, cloaks, and pendants. Countless gear types boosted stats—the higher the base, the greater the gain.
Darkness deepened, but territory buildings glowed faintly, staving off total night. Zhou Yan lit a crystal lamp, its adjustable gleam a handy touch. "Chan'er, let's hit the Bronze Sparrow Terrace," he suggested.
"New sisters?" she asked.
"Yeah, battles ahead will be tough, and the territory's too big—we need more fighters," he explained.
"Alright," she agreed, trailing him with a smile.
The terrace, now level 10, had swelled from a single story to two, though its hollow interior begged for decor—unbuyable in the trial. Zhou Yan approached the summoning platform, a stage bathed in white light. With 2,062 soul coins, high-tier summons eluded him; he settled for basic ones. A single draw, he reasoned, could turn a bike into a motorcycle.
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Spend 100 soul coins to summon?"]
"Yes!"
[Soul Coins -100]
Light flared, revealing an item.
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained a wooden table."]
He groaned. "Seriously?" If not restricted to him, he'd have tapped Diao Chan's luck.
"It's not bad," she offered, stepping closer. "Good for holding things."
"True," he conceded, prepped for slim odds.
[Item: Wooden Table]
[Quality: F]
[Introduction: A plain table for items or meals.]
Stowing it, he tried again—motorcycle to BMW, he hoped.
[Soul Coins -100]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained a female bra."]
He blinked, dumbfounded. "What the—?"
"Well, uh, Chan'er, you take it," he stammered, too sheepish to claim it.
[Item: Female Bra]
[Quality: D]
[Introduction: Offers minor breast enhancement—women's favorite.]
Blushing, she snatched the floating garment, retreating with her head bowed. Zhou Yan bit back a quip—her figure, perfection itself, needed no nudge. One of the Four Beauties, after all. He quelled a stir of distraction; composure mattered here.
"Miracles, they said," he muttered. "Lies." Time for a ten-draw.
[Soul Coins -1,000]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained a light bulb."]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained a silk quilt set."]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained a royal pillow."]
…
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained sexy underwear."]
He groaned again. "I'm done with lotteries." No bike, let alone a girl—just trinkets for his black-handed luck.
"What's this?" Diao Chan peered at the lingerie, puzzled.
"Uh, it's… like that bra," he fumbled. Her ancient innocence—pure as blank paper—needed his careful brushstrokes.
Her eyes widened, cheeks aflame. She grabbed it and bolted from the terrace. Was honesty a misstep? he wondered. Deception wasn't his style.
The terrace could conjure wonders like Diao Chan, but its odds were a pit—a pit he kept leaping into. "Keep summoning, or upgrade?" he mused. With 862 soul coins left, he opted for one intermediate try. Basic summons cheated too hard.
[Soul Coins -500]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained skill book 'Seven Star Sword Art.'"]
"Hey! A miracle—skill book, jackpot!" he crowed.