Chapter 2

"I've boarded this black ship, and it seems there's no turning back. It's a gamble. Everyone else seems to have an uncle, a system, or something similar guiding them. But I have no choice but to move forward step by step."

He paused, contemplating his situation, then brightened a bit. "This so-called system... What if it could hear my thoughts?"

He hesitated, then decided to test it. "System, can you hear my thoughts?"

"The system has no intention of intruding on the host's mind. Please rest assured."

Zhao Yu rolled his eyes, feeling a bit relieved yet skeptical.

He was certain now that the Fate Seizing System couldn't read his mind. Otherwise, just calling it a 'bastard' would have likely led to some punishment.

But if the system had such great power, why couldn't it understand his intentions from his voice alone?

He was puzzled.

However, to protect his privacy from the system, Zhao Yu had some other ideas in mind.

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his thoughts and asked, "System, where can I find my starting benefits?"

"To enhance the host's experience, the system is fully digitized. Simply call out to the system, and you'll see it."

Zhao Yu exhaled and tried, "System, reveal yourself?"

At that moment, a familiar light barrier, resembling a game menu, appeared before him.

Zhao Yu was startled, staring at the large light barrier displaying an unfamiliar figure and its accompanying data. "Who is this?"

"According to the game attribute mode most familiar to the host, the host's body attributes are presented in data form. Yes, this is you."

"Me?" Zhao Yu pointed at his own nose. "I look like this? The blue eyes and slightly higher nose bridge... Am I mixed-race? Handsome, but how is this me?"

"Reminder: the host is currently experiencing a transmigration."

"Ah..." Zhao Yu suddenly understood.

"Okay, transmigration it is then? Mixed-race is mixed-race. Anyway, Asian heritage seems to dominate..." He chuckled to himself, then focused on the data beside the full-body portrait.

Name: Zhao Yu (Owen Green) Race: Human Lineage: Unknown Physical Strength: 2 (Average Adult: 1) Soul Strength: 2 (Normal: 1)

These simple lines of data roughly outlined Zhao Yu's physical attributes.

He studied them carefully, pondering, "An average person's attribute is 1, which means I'm now twice as strong as an ordinary person. Is this the benefit of my transmigration?"

He focused on the 'Unknown Lineage' item again, concentrating slightly.

"This system is definitely not ordinary. Just look at the tasks it's assigned, targeting the Boss of the Marvel Multiverse. It can understand spoken words. But it couldn't identify my lineage... There must be a reason for this." He couldn't figure it out, and the system wouldn't likely disclose it either.

Zhao Yu felt this might be a good thing. The system initially gave him a bad impression. It would be unsettling if everything about him was exposed without any privacy.

It seemed this system also had its weaknesses.

This realization gave Zhao Yu some peace of mind.

Next, Zhao Yu focused on the two remaining options: tasks and exchanges. He closed the character option and opened the exchange option.

The exchange option resembled a game mall, divided into three areas: methods, items, and miscellaneous. The method area offered various cultivation arts, combat skills, spells, diving abilities, and arrays.

However, the most expensive items Zhao Yu saw were only a few methods worth 100 Fate Value, such as basic talismans and the One Origin Qi Refining Art.

Looking at the 100 Fate Value balance in the lower right corner, Zhao Yu realized his purchasing power. If not for the 100 Fate Value from the initial benefit, he wouldn't have seen anything.

The item area displayed various items like magic artifacts, treasures, array disks, and talisman brushes, with the most expensive items also worth 100 Fate Value.

Finally, the miscellaneous area offered every imaginable item, including forging skills, pill refining formulas, and even finished pills and talismans for sale.

After browsing, Zhao Yu focused on the method area. Being thrust into the Marvel World by the enigmatic system, whether for his own sense of security or to fulfill tasks without penalty, in this bizarre world, power was paramount.

And power came from cultivation arts.

While Marvel World's powers relied on mutation and technology, which were also means to gain power, the world lacked a complete power system.

An incomplete power system meant risks and an unclear path ahead.

Since he had boarded this dark ship of the system and couldn't escape, he didn't need the system's resources. He only needed to rely on his wits. Though the system seemed dark and unsettling, Zhao Yu resolved not to interact with it more than necessary to avoid any potential anger.

He gazed at the method area, saying, "System, what are the best Rank 9 Cultivation Arts? List those within 100 Fate Value."

"Due to the host's limited authority, using the system's corresponding functions isn't free. However, 10 Fate Value can be deducted. Shall I proceed?"

Zhao Yu grunted, suppressing his irritation. "Just do it."

The various cultivation art classics in the method area disappeared one by one, leaving only three hanging.

And his Fate Value dropped from one hundred to ninety instantly.

Ignoring the pain, Zhao Yu scrutinized the remaining options.

Nine Revolutions Origin Merit! Three Origins Return to One Qi Refining Art! Saint Shaman Dao Azure Lotus Meditation Law!

"Nine Revolutions Origin Merit?!" He exclaimed. "Isn't this the divine art from Taoist legends? The supreme method where nine refinements lead to fleshly body becoming Saint? Can I afford it?"

He chuckled, then his expression fell.

He remembered he only had 90 Fate Value left.

"Do not misunderstand, host," the system chimed in. "Nine Revolutions Origin Merit is the method of opening the sky. It is the supreme dao proving method. The complete method requires 1 trillion Fate Value."

"Then this..." Zhao Yu gestured at the method area, speechless. "Is this just a tease?"

"The system has no intention of teasing the host. The First Revolution, First Refinement of Nine Revolutions Origin Merit is worth 100 Fate Value."

"I see..." Zhao Yu felt a pang of disappointment, but also relief. At least he knew about these cultivation arts now and could aim to exchange them in the future.

He resolved not to make further requests to the system, as it would only anger him.

He looked at the three brilliant cultivation arts with nostalgia, then forced himself to move on. "What about my initial benefit? Wasn't there a lottery? Where is it?"

"Is the host sure to perform only one lottery?"

"Only one..." Zhao Yu frowned. "Explain, please. Of course, if it costs Fate Value, that's fine."

Having been burnt once, Zhao Yu wasn't going to fall for the same trick again.

"The system does not charge any fees for the host to consult information about the initial benefit."

"Then tell me quickly."

"This system does not have the lottery function. Due to special reasons, the initial reward host has only one.

"Only one time..." Zhao Yu frowned. "Can you explain? Of course, if you want a fate value, that's fine."

Having been deceived once, Zhao Yu was determined not to fall for the same trick again.

"The system does not charge any fees for the host to consult the information about the initial benefit."

"Then say it quickly," Zhao Yu said impatiently.

"This system does not have the lottery function. Due to special reasons, the initial reward host has only one lottery chance."

Special reasons?

Zhao Yu thought about it for a moment and decided not to inquire further. Since he only had one chance, there was no point in relying on the lottery in the future.

He sighed faintly in his heart. "Let's do it."

"As you wish."

A huge roulette wheel appeared before Zhao Yu's eyes.

The roulette wheel seemed chaotic, with colors that seemed infinite yet nonexistent, appearing infinitely small, infinitely far, and infinitely close—a truly extraordinary sight.

Ignoring the system's urging, Zhao Yu examined the wheel closely.

The roulette wheel was roughly divided into hundreds of areas, with a pointer in the middle indicating where it would land. However, all the areas were blurred, and there was nothing discernible. Zhao Yu frowned, feeling increasingly uneasy.

"Has the host started the lottery?"

"What's the command?" Zhao Yu muttered. "Let's start."

"Lottery initiated, until the host stops it."

"Then stop."

The pointer spun rapidly, too fast for Zhao Yu to see. The blur of colors made it impossible to track its movement.

After about five seconds, the pointer came to a sudden stop. In the cleared area, an antique treasure chest appeared, the fog dissipating to reveal it.