Chapter Sixty: Opulence, the Gold Credit Card

Fang Tang strode confidently into the shop. As soon as he entered, he spotted the familiar octopus.

“Why are all the shops in the Abyss filled with octopuses?” he wondered, perplexed, as he made his way to the counter.

“Is there a time limit for me here?”

“Hahaha... Are you new to the Cradle World, guest? Shops in the Cradle World have no time restrictions. You may browse as you please,” replied the octopus, its bean-sized eyes scrutinizing Fang Tang. When it noticed the brand-new badge in his hand, it smiled.

Fang Tang nodded. “I want to purchase sequence abilities. Do you have any here?”

“What level of sequence abilities are you looking for?” The octopus’s tentacles waved with greater enthusiasm upon realizing Fang Tang was a serious buyer.

“The kind you can’t get in a Level Two shop,” Fang Tang replied.

The octopus waved a tentacle. “Please follow me, guest.”

Following behind, Fang Tang noticed the octopus was actually floating in midair. Its eight tentacles undulated gently as if swimming, creating a curious sight.

Man and octopus ascended to the third floor. The octopus pushed open a door. “Honored guest, this is the Level Three shop. Here, you can buy anything.”

Fang Tang merely chuckled at its words, not taking them too seriously.

The third floor was smaller in space but far more luxuriously decorated than the first. Two sofas sat by the window, with a round tea table between them, steam rising from the cups.

“Please, have a seat and enjoy some tea. I’ll fetch the inventory list.” With that, the octopus vanished.

Fang Tang settled on the sofa, poured himself a cup, and gazed out through the glass at the bustling market outside.

After a while, he squinted, a barely perceptible smile curling at his lips.

Just then, the octopus returned, its tentacle curling around a parchment, which it placed before Fang Tang.

“Every sequence ability available in this shop is listed here, guest. Please see if anything interests you.”

Fang Tang nodded and unrolled the parchment.

Sequence 203: Shadow Flash—Supreme speed. Price: 10,000 credits.

Sequence 222: Steel Guardian—Skin as hard as steel, grants partial immunity to attacks. Price: 10,000 credits.

Sequence 251: Unshaken—Exceptional emotional stability. No matter what happens, you will not experience negative emotions. Price: 9,900 credits.

Sequence 300: Insightful Eye—Able to detect details others cannot perceive. Price: 9,700 credits.

Sequence 356: Endurance Supreme—Remarkable physical stamina; appetite increases accordingly. Price: 9,500 credits.

Sequence 399: Bear Strength—Adds twice the power to your inherent strength, with high physical requirements. Price: 9,400 credits.

Sequence 456: Rapid Recovery—Accelerates healing speed. Price: 9,000 credits.

Seven abilities in total, ranging from sequence numbers two hundred to five hundred.

Fang Tang’s breath quickened as he calculated his resources.

Three hundred eighty-two elemental stones—the spoils from last night—plus all his previous reserves. To avoid running short, he must keep ten stones of each element in reserve, leaving him with three hundred forty-two stones to spend.

That equated to fifty-one thousand three hundred credits.

Not quite enough to buy everything, but more than sufficient for two or three abilities.

Buy, buy, buy...

Without hesitation, Fang Tang selected three sequences: Sequence 222 Steel Guardian; Sequence 251 Unshaken; Sequence 456 Rapid Recovery.

He didn’t lack for speed, but defense was his weakness—Steel Guardian was essential.

The first time he encountered the twisted rules, the explosion of negative emotions had left him shaken; Unshaken was a must to guard against that. Its effect was far superior to Tu Jiawen’s Tranquil Heart; after all, the sequence level spoke for itself.

As for Rapid Recovery... He hadn’t truly experienced injury yet; otherwise, Bear Strength or Endurance would be his choice. After being battered to near death, he desperately wished for faster healing. This is what they call learning from suffering.

Knowing your weaknesses and failing to address them is pure recklessness.

One hundred ninety-two elemental stones and six gold bars lay on the table; the octopus’s bean-like eyes shone with fervor.

“Hahaha... Honored guest, you’ve truly surprised me. I never expected you to have so many elemental stones.”

The octopus laughed, and with a sweep of its tentacles, the stones vanished.

Another tentacle brushed the top of Fang Tang’s head.

Fang Tang felt three unfamiliar energies stirring within him, just as he had when acquiring Sequence 666: Sixth Time’s the Charm.

Moreover, he sensed a marked stability in his emotions.

Ordinarily, he should have felt elated at gaining so many sequences. Yet, he was merely pleased for a moment, then nothing more.

Sequence 251: Unshaken.

Impressive!

With his mood calm and unruffled, Fang Tang’s mind grew more agile.

“Should I buy more sequences?”

He pondered, then abandoned the idea. With his evolution level still low, additional sequences would be wasted; better to strengthen himself.

He turned to the octopus. “Do you have spirit-bonded items here?”

“Hahaha, a new batch has just arrived. What kind are you looking for?”

“Anything that boosts speed.”

In truth, he already possessed several speed-enhancing items—like the Lightness Ring and the Mechanical Claw Arm. The former increased agility, the latter not only enabled flight but also provided extraordinary propulsion. Not to mention Yue Yue, who, once grown, could grant him the speed of light.

So, speed items were really just stepping stones for now. With his current wealth, he could afford to indulge.

The octopus smiled. “Hahaha... Please wait, guest. I’ll bring them for you right away.”

Fang Tang nodded and took out a newspaper, using the time to see if Xie Ling needed anything.

“Is there anything you want—like weapons? I’m in the Abyss shop.”

Xie Ling: “Huh? Boss, you’ve found the Abyss shop again... Wait, time’s short, I can’t think of anything I need.”

Fang Tang: “Don’t rush. This shop is special; you have forty-eight minutes to think.”

Xie Ling: “Wow, forty-eight minutes, boss, you’re amazing! I’d better think carefully. Let me check what blueprints I need.”

Fang Tang smiled, took a sip of tea, and glanced out the window with an amused expression.

Before long, the octopus approached, carrying a box with two tentacles.

“Guest, all the speed-enhancing spirit-bonded items are here. Take your time to choose.”

Knowing Fang Tang was a big spender, the octopus spoke with utmost friendliness.

After setting down the box, it produced a golden card.

“Honored guest, this is our shop’s Gold Credit Card. In the Abyss shop, it grants an extra five minutes and a ten percent discount.”

Fang Tang accepted the card and shook his head, laughing.

This octopus certainly knew how to play its cards. Earlier, when he spent nearly two hundred elemental stones, it hadn’t offered the card; now, with cheaper purchases, it handed it over.

It counted every penny to the extreme.

No wonder they call it Little-Eyed Octopus!

A worthy example to learn from.