Cheapskate

After showering for thirty minutes, Lucian walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his lower body.

As Lucian was walking to his bed to get dressed, he suddenly remembered he had not checked the Star Essence Fragment in a while.

Using his Mana Sense, he checked the Star Essence Fragment near his heart and realized no change had occurred to it. The Star Essence Fragment was still like a soap bubble as it continued to wriggle and foam as though wanting to take shape but could not.

He sighed in relief.

'Haah, thankfully, nothing happened.'

A few moments later, Lucian got dressed in his chef's uniform and began making his way to the balcony. He wanted to create the Celestial Mana Core as soon as possible. Only when it formed would he be able to truly put his worry at ease. Until then, he would always be worried about a supernova occurring in his body.

Lucian was unsure how big Arcadia's sun was, but he was sure it was massive. It was at least ten times the size of the Earth's sun. It was more than enough to cause a supernova in his body.

Just as Lucian was about to open the balcony door, the System said:

[The Host no longer needs to absorb any more Fragments of Star Essence.]

Lucian's hand paused on the door handle as he frowned.

[What do you mean? Can't you see the Celestial Mana Core has not formed?]

Like a child showing off their achievement to their parents, The System explained in an excited tone:

[Host, after the System was upgraded to Beginner Rank, I now have the ability to autonomously guide and absorb Fragments of Star Essence into your body. If you would like, I can even absorb Mana.]

Lucian furrowed his brows and glanced up at the afternoon sun through the balcony's window.

'If I accept, I will no longer have to worry about actively having to form the Celestial Mana Core and can focus on cooking.'

'And though I hate to admit it, if the System had ulterior motives, I'm powerless to stop it.'

A moment later, Lucian took a deep breath and turned around. As he walked to his bed, he asked:

[How will you handle the absorption and formation process? … Explain fully!]

Despite Lucian's skepticism, the System's enthusiasm did not lessen. After spending a few days with him, it perfectly understood its Host's behavior.

The System replied:

[At regular intervals, the System will plunde… *Cough* borrow one Fragment of Star Essence and guide it into the Host's body. According to the System's calculations, the Host's current body can only absorb and adapt to one Fragment of Star Essence every twelve hours. However, this could change depending on various factors. For example, if the Host's constitution were to change, the time required for the Host's body to absorb and adapt to one Fragment of Star Essence might lessen or increase. The amount of Star Essence Fragments the Host can absorb and adapt to could also be affected.]

Lucian ignored the System's slip-up. In the Universe, whether it was the Mortal Plane, Immortal Plane, Divine Plane, or even the special separate Dimensions like Heaven, Hell, and the Abyss, resources were limited compared to the number of people. The higher a Mage's Rank was, the more valuable the resource they would require. Fighting and killing strangers to acquire resources for improvement was nothing compared to fighting between loved ones. Lucian had witnessed his fair share of the darkness — husbands killing their wives to steal their resources and vice versa, brothers killing their sisters to steal their resources and vice versa. Familial love was secondary as long as a resource could help them improve.

Although not all Mages were like that, Lucian had witnessed it more times than he would have liked to.

A few minutes later, as Lucian was resting with his eyes closed on his bed, he finally said:

[Alright, I'll leave the formation of my Celestial Mana Core to you. ]

A moment later, just as the System was about to excitedly plunder one Star Essence Fragment from Acadia's sun, Lucian added:

[Don't try anything funny, or I won't trust you ever again. Also, you still haven't given me my Restaurant Upgrade Coupon. Cheapskate!]

The System was immediately speechless after hearing Lucian's words.

—-----------

Coupon Added: Free Restaurant Upgrade Coupon

—-----------

After placing the Free Restaurant Upgrade Coupon in Lucian's inventory, The System harumphed and began the process of plundering a Star Essence Fragment.

Meanwhile, Lucian fell asleep, even though it was only a little past five.

—-----------

Meanwhile, back at Harmony City, Wang Ming's Shadow Guards moved with silent efficiency to uncover the truth behind Wang Chen's death, without knowing that it was their Master who had ordered his son's death. 

However, even with the Shadow Guards secretly moving in the shadows, their presence was detected by the equally powerful Yu Family Elders and by the experts from the City Lord's Manor.

In a matter of a few hours, the residents of Harmony City were aware of the news regarding Wang Chen's death.

Many of the public were afraid of the consequences; therefore, they barricaded themselves in their homes. They did not want to accidentally anger a member of the Wang Family now that one of their members had died. Especially since the member who died was Wang Chen. Even though it was common knowledge that he was a useless waste, blood was thicker than water. 

And that was exactly what Wang Ming hoped the public would believe.

—------------

While the entire Harmony City was enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere, Wang Ming was calmly sitting on his throne. His mind was completely calm, unperturbed by the gloom that encased Harmony City.

Sometime later, the shadow created by the chandelier above the throne room moved and then separated before revealing the figure of a black-robed person wearing a white mask with a Number Zero.

Number Zero bowed to Wang Ming and respectfully reported:

"Master, everything is going according to plan. No one suspects Master is behind Wang Chen's death."

Wang Ming opened his eyes and nodded in satisfaction. 

"Good. What about the Shadow Guards? Have they entered Moon Grove Forest?"

Still with his head low, Number Zero replied:

"Yes, Master. The Shadow Guards have entered Moon Grove Forest and will soon find out about Wang Chen's suicide."