The energy required for these miracles had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere was the Spirit Crystals.

  Much like how the System used vast amounts of energy to boost Kael’s own power whenever his Shopkeeper Level increased, it was now doing the same for the players. However, the mana "leaking" back into the real world from the New World Mode wasn't a total transfer—it was only a tiny fraction.

  In terms of real-world strength, Han Ming’s current capacity was roughly equivalent to a Level 1 or Level 2 Mage. Furthermore, since he still lacked natural aptitude, he couldn't meditate or cultivate in the real world.

  In other words: if he wanted to get stronger, he had to keep grinding in the game. If he wanted new spells, he had to keep paying for skill books.

  "System, you really are a master of the craft," Kael marveled once more at the System’s sheer audacity. It was the ultimate realization of the mantra: "How can you expect to be strong if you don't pay-to-win?"

  Greedy as it was, Kael couldn't deny the magnitude of this breakthrough. For the wealthy elite, the ability to cultivate was something they would spend a mountain of Spirit Crystals on—if only there were a place to buy it. Aptitude was supposed to be a law of nature, a biological iron rule.

  But in Kael's shop, iron rules were made to be bent.

  Before Han Ming could leave, Ying Feng’s session ended. As soon as he stood up, he noticed the lingering atmosphere.

  "Hey, aren't you the guy from the New World? Nice to meet you, I'm Ying Feng," he said, introducing himself with his usual easy-going familiarity.

  "Hello, I'm Han Ming," Han Ming replied politely. He then gave Kael a final bow. "Manager, I’ll be taking my leave. I’ll be back tomorrow."

  "Mm. See you then," Kael grunted, leaning back against the sofa in his booth.

  "Why’s he in such a hurry?" Ying Feng leaned over the back of Kael’s booth, watching Han Ming’s retreating figure with a grin.

  "Probably going home to test his new spell," Kael replied casually.

  "Now that you mention it..." Ying Feng paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "I feel like my Battle Qi, which hasn't budged in ages, actually increased a tiny bit."

  Having already experienced the Battle Qi-purifying effects of the potato chips, Ying Feng wasn't entirely shocked by a slight increase in power. He was surprised, sure, but not incredulous. In this shop, increasing power was actually easier than purifying it.

  The sheer frequency of "miracles" in Kael’s shop had gradually desensitized the regulars to the impossible.

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  "And your martial arts?" Kael asked, seemingly at random. He was actually gathering data on the New World Mode's effectiveness.

  "My martial arts... wait, I didn't even notice until you mentioned it!"

  Ying Feng’s eyes lit up like he’d discovered a new continent. "I can actually feel it! There are several techniques I understand far better now. It’s like they've been burned into my muscle memory."

  Mastery of martial arts was far different from a simple increase in Battle Qi. It required comprehension, time, and endless repetition. One had to practice until the technique became second nature, knowing exactly when and how to strike for maximum effect.

  "But... why?" Ying Feng wondered aloud. He racked his brain for the cause and finally realized that the techniques he now performed better were the exact ones he had invested Skill Points into while playing the New World Mode.

  "Boss... is this... because of the game?" Ying Feng looked at Kael, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

  "I know what you're thinking. And yes, you're right," Kael confirmed calmly. There was no point in hiding the truth. To make Spirit Crystals, you had to let the customers know exactly how good the products were.

  "This is incredible! Why would I ever go back to the Single-Player Arena? My academy training missions can wait!" Ying Feng was ecstatic. For someone like him—not particularly gifted in comprehension and lacking the patience for tedious drills—practicing the same move for hours was torture.

  But now? He could just "play" his way to mastery. It was a dream come true.

  [System: Host, a new quest has been triggered. Would you like to accept?]

  Kael was long accustomed to these sudden prompts. He answered immediately in his mind: "Do you even have to ask? Of course, I accept."

  Quest: Expansion Phase

  Objective: Have 30 players activate the New World Mode within three days.

  Reward: Unlock the Second Map of the New World Mode.

  "Thirty people, huh? Shouldn't be too hard," Kael mused, rubbing his chin.

  This quest felt like a gift from the System. The Goblin Mountains was just a starter map; once the player base grew, they’d need more room to breathe.

  "Maybe I should livestream the New World Mode this afternoon to drum up some interest," Kael thought.

  Meanwhile, Han Ming arrived back at the Drunk Cloud Restaurant with a jubilant spring in his step. Just as he entered, he bumped into two other young noblemen.

  Given Han Ming’s status, those he associated with were naturally from the city's highest social circles.

  "Han Ming! You've been a ghost lately. Where have you been hiding?"

  The speaker was a young man dressed in silk and jade, with fair skin and refined features—clearly someone who had never known a day of hard labor. His name was Qin Shi, the son of the City Lord, Qin Ming. Despite his father being a Level 50 powerhouse, Qin Shi had been born with zero aptitude for cultivation, a fact that had caused the City Lord no end of grief before he finally gave up and let the boy live as a pampered socialite.

  "Qin Shi! What brings you to my place today?" Han Ming was in a fantastic mood and followed them into a private booth.

  "Where else would we go? I’ve been bored to death being locked at home since that beast tide ended," sighed another young man, this one slightly plump.

  This was Luo Yuanxing, the son of Cloud City’s Treasury Manager. While a treasury manager might not have the overt political power of a City Lord, every coin the city spent had to cross his desk. In Cloud City, everyone showed him and his family a great deal of respect.

  "Bored? Well, if you stay inside the city all day, of course you'll be bored," Han Ming laughed.

  Cloud City was a thriving border hub, teeming with merchants and entertainment. But for the likes of Qin Shi and Luo Yuanxing, they had already seen and done everything the city had to offer a dozen times over. The only thing they hadn't explored was the Cloud Forest outside the walls—but for non-cultivators like them, that was a death trap.

  They were bored, yes, but they valued their lives far too much to go looking for "excitement" in the woods.