Invincible Copy System
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Chapter Summary
Fang Qiang kept talking, but Liu Ning wasn't listening; his side was already set, and when the time came he'd simply have Fang Qiang move. Liu Ning didn't go home—his mother wouldn't come out this late—so he fetched Zhang Jing and told Fang Qiang to bring Liu Ting, and the four of them ate out together. He didn't know why the System had awarded the point, but looking over all his skills, he could only combine the fist techniques.
Fang Qiang kept talking, but Liu Ning wasn't listening; his side was already set, and when the time came he'd simply have Fang Qiang move.
It was almost mealtime again. Liu Ning didn't go home—his mother wouldn't come out this late—so he fetched Zhang Jing and told Fang Qiang to bring Liu Ting, and the four of them ate out together. From Now on they'd all be familiar faces; they had to stay in touch.
Liu Ting was a girl in her early twenties, fair and delicate. Her looks weren't top-tier, but well above average—more than enough for Fang Qiang.
At Liu Ning's signal Zhang Jing produced the gift she'd prepared long ago: a jewelry set worth about a hundred and fifty thousand. Liu Ning hadn't chosen anything pricier; he was afraid it would make things hard for Fang Qiang later. Liu Ting came from an ordinary family; shower her with millions and you might warp her values. How much money did Fang Qiang have to support a Liu Ting with warped values?
“Thank you, Brother Liu, thank you, Sister Zhang…”
Liu Ting glanced sweetly at Fang Qiang; only after he nodded did she accept the gift. During the meal she bustled about serving Everyone.
Liu Ting's family had originally disapproved. They felt Fang Qiang had lost his former edge and his future earnings would drop, so they didn't want her with him. Later, hearing that Fang Qiang and Liu Ning were close—and Everyone knew Liu Ning's capabilities—her parents kept pressing her: was Fang Qiang really in touch with Liu Ning?
Liu Ting had always answered vaguely; today she could finally report success. The two of them got on splendidly. They didn't go far for drinks, just the little tavern near the Community Martial Arts Hall, and plenty of people at the Gathering Point saw them.
Her parents' thinking was natural—they wanted their daughter's later life to be better. Everyone knew what Fang Qiang was like, but these past two days Li Tie and Second Wu had been the community's stars.
They'd come back from the Wilderness having made a fortune, all thanks to Liu Ning, it was said. If your future son-in-law was Liu Ning's Brother, how bad could life be?
“This key's for the apartment upstairs from us. After you two marry, move straight in. Only the old lady and I live there; We three can keep each other company.”
Zhang Jing produced a second gift: the deed and a key to Liu Ning's upstairs flat. Paperwork was tedious, but in these days, if you had money, anything could be fast-tracked; one afternoon was enough.
“This is too much. When you mentioned it I already said no—and you actually had Sister-in-law go through with it?”
This was different from the jewelry. Fang Qiang had his pride; small gifts were acceptable, but a whole apartment? At least seven or eight million, maybe over ten with the furnishings—he couldn't accept that.
“Brother Qiang, just take it. Your Brother told me long ago. I'd been thinking about it, but didn't give it earlier because the big matter wasn't settled. Now that Sister Liu Ting's almost yours, if We don't produce a grand gift, what will people at the Gathering Point say about your Brother? They'd rip him apart. Think of your Brother for once.”
Liu Ning said nothing; Zhang Jing's words were blunt. Reputation mattered. Liu Ning told Everyone Fang Qiang was his Brother; if he didn't give a lavish wedding gift, outsiders would gossip.
Liu Ning had been racking his brain for a way to make Fang Qiang accept, and Zhang Jing had solved it. He'd always thought her tongue-tied; Now he silently gave her a thumbs-up. Zhang Jing was the best at flanking maneuvers. Look at Fang Qiang Now—caught. Accept, and he'd owe Liu Ning too much; refuse, and Liu Ning would lose face at the Gathering Point.
“Quit dithering. We've saved each other's lives in the Wilderness. Without you I'd have died out there. What's an apartment? Drink up.”
Liu Nin cheerfully raised his cup and clinked it against Fang Qiang's. Fang Qiang's health had declined; he no longer had his old capacity, so he used a small cup while Liu Ning stuck to the big one, yet both drank happily—pure brotherhood: drink what you can.
Though one used a large cup and the other small, both put away plenty that night.
The next morning Liu Ning woke with a pounding head. He had no idea how much they'd drunk; he only knew he was dizzy. A bowl of hot soup sat on the table; Zhang Jing and his mother had gone for a walk.
Liu Ning shook his head hard and checked the messages on his smart device—nothing important—so he put it away. Just as he was about to drink the soup, he noticed a red exclamation mark on the System.
Whenever that thing appeared, it usually meant a surprise, so he didn't delay and opened it at once.
He tapped the red mark; a single Synthetic Skill Point appeared.
Liu Ning was puzzled. He'd synthesized skills before but had never seen a Synthetic Skill Point. When Thousand Jin Fist and Iron Fist had fused into Thousand Jin Iron Fist, nothing like this had happened.
He didn't know why the System had awarded the point, but looking over all his skills, he could only combine the fist techniques. After synthesis they were still called Explosive Fist; apparently Explosive Fist's power eclipsed the rest.
Back when Thousand Jin Iron Fist was created, its power had jumped more than tenfold. This time Liu Ning wasn't sure, but he knew it marked an inflection point in his strength.
In Liu Ning's experience synthesis was just a matter of money—standard System practice. However much you want, Brother, I've got it.
He had tens of billions in cash; take what you will. But, unfortunately, it wasn't that simple…