Shi Hanfeng looked up, unconsciously tapping his finger on the cold, smooth terminal surface, producing a faint tapping sound.
The term deeply triggered his veteran gamer’s hoarding instinct and trading reflexes.
It sounded like an officially endorsed flea market.
“Yes.”
Ling Shan’er nodded lightly.
A cold gleam flickered from her silver-rimmed glasses.
“The platform supports voluntary, peer-to-peer bartering between Challengers, allowing both parties to freely exchange what they need.
To improve efficiency, the platform also offers standardized official service channels.
Challengers can submit unused items from other worlds to the official instant evaluation system, which rapidly appraises them and exchanges them for universal currency of the current main world, credited instantly.”
Shi Hanfeng pondered for a moment, finger pausing.
He asked a critical question:
“What are the pricing standards and logic of the official instant evaluation system?
Items from different worlds vary wildly in material, energy, usage, even physical and chemical rules.
How do you establish a relatively fair, unified evaluation system for quick pricing and acquisition?
And fair for whom?”
Ling Shan’er’s pupils seemed to adjust their focus slightly, as if accessing a deeper database.
Her answer remained organized and detailed, as if reading from an internal technical white paper.
“The core logic of the evaluation algorithm prioritizes the unknown value and informational increment contained in the item.
The assessment dimensions include:
First, the unknown material properties, molecular structural stability, and disruptive potential in materials science.
Second, the strength, property spectrum, stability, and replicability of any unique energy reaction present.
Third, the value of knowledge, technological principle fragments, or rule segments the item might embody.
In short, the more unique and divergent an item is from known physical and chemical systems of the main world, and the less it has been cataloged or analyzed by the platform, the higher the initial monetary offer from the evaluation system—often exponentially so.
But please note, she added, her tone flat as she stated a rule, “This high premium usually applies only to newly submitted samples. Subsequent submissions of similar or identical items see their value quickly decrease to standard material pricing.”
Shi Hanfeng understood immediately.
Wasn’t this just collecting samples from countless worlds and reverse-engineering their composition, principles, and uses?
Essentially, thousands of Challengers saved the official side a staggering amount of pioneering R&D trial-and-error costs.
Challengers received instant rewards; the official system continuously absorbed the essence of various worlds, especially those with different rules and knowledge.
Win-win?
No, perhaps the official side won big.
No wonder this world’s technology tree was so lopsided—materials science advanced to extremes, while other fields lagged behind.
With so many ready-made special materials and products from different worlds to analyze, explosive progress in materials science was inevitable.
She paused, as if loading another explanation module.
“Of course, the evaluation system also possesses a basic material value assessment function.”
If certain low-magic, low-tech world items have materials with universal value across worlds—such as high-purity precious metals, specific optical-grade gemstones, rare active woods, or high-energy biomaterials—the system supports direct conversion at the fair value of the main world.
“The platform equally accepts the direct exchange of such ‘hard currency.'”
“However, based on analysis of my service log records, I personally do not recommend Challengers prioritize this approach for large-scale exchanges.”
After all, Destiny Points are relatively fixed and limited in acquisition; directly selling raw materials without processing or maximizing their potential is usually low in cost-effectiveness.”
Miss Ling Shan’er offered her advice—but only as advice.
After all, everyone had their own path.
If someone just wanted to coast, this kind of exchange was the safest; after a single exploration, novice worlds were easy, leaving plenty of time for enjoyment.
It was the perfect iron rice bowl.
“The terminal contains detailed function manuals, an FAQ database, and an intelligent assistance query system,”
Ling Shan’er continued, her calm gaze sweeping the two to ensure every detail was received.
“If you have any operational or rule-related questions later, you can search for answers directly—it’s more efficient than asking me.”
It also features strong encrypted communication, allowing you to contact other Challengers with whom you have exchanged permissions, as well as contact me directly for appointments or consultation.
Important organizational announcements, mission releases, and platform limited-time promotions are also pushed first through the terminal.”
Seeing the two had received the basic information and held their terminals without further immediate questions, she elegantly took a step back, hands clasped in front of her, and bowed slightly—her movement smooth and impeccable.
“With that, my current phase of guidance concludes. Are there any remaining questions I can answer for you on-site?”
Her gaze shifted lightly between Shi Hanfeng and Xu Chaoyun, like a program awaiting end instructions.
“For now… I don’t think so.”
Xu Chaoyun rubbed his temples hard, still clutching the novel personal terminal.
Receiving so much mind-bending information at once, his brain seemed overloaded, his eyes dazed—he clearly needed time to digest it all.
Suddenly, Shi Hanfeng recalled something and looked at Ling Shan’er.
“Can you clarify the results of this physical examination and subsequent arrangements?”
He sincerely hoped for good news.
He didn’t want to end up like a miserable anime protagonist—saving the world today, then obediently returning to school tomorrow.
“Ah? I didn’t mention it?”
Ling Shan’er showed a confused expression.
Crap, was this a Coconut Sheep template?
“Now that you mention it, I really don’t recall.”
Xu Chaoyun thought back, realizing he had no memory of it.
“Apologies, it was my oversight.”
Ling Shan’er rarely revealed a bashful look, making her seem almost human at last.
“We reviewed your academic records and judged you both as passing.
You have graduated early and are now official employees of Qimingxing.
If you wish to continue your university life, we can also provide recommendation letters to relevant institutions.”
Freedom arrived so abruptly that both were stunned.
Good grief, what a sense of security—was this an iron rice bowl?
“Alright, then what about our job description and work hours?”
Shi Hanfeng couldn’t help but care.
He had no interest in reliving campus youth—monthly Destiny Missions were far more stimulating.
But he also didn’t want to start a wage slave life right after coming of age.
“The monthly Destiny Mission is your job.
Except for emergency notices, the rest of your time is your own.
There’s a training room here—you can pay to use it.
If you’re short on money, there are various item bounties listed in the terminal.
Just don’t endanger ordinary people.
That’s all.”
Wasn’t this raising slackers?
Am I a wage thief myself?
Still, it was a clever move.
Although Ling Shan’er said exchanging Destiny Points for funds wasn’t recommended, not all awakened individuals were eager explorers—especially when missions carried risks.
Everyone had their own aspirations.
Those who enjoyed exploration would naturally pioneer on their own, while slackers could take the base reward from each novice mission.
Raising some steady resource-exchanging slackers above wasn’t a loss; any new oddity was a gain.
“I understand. I have no further questions.”
“Understood.”
Ling Shan’er’s voice remained calm and emotionless.
“Then I won’t take up any more of your time.
The dedicated Qimingxing shuttle has been prepared and is waiting at the base’s designated exit.
Your clothes have also been washed and are ready—you can use your terminal privileges to unlock them and leave at any time.”
The standard, perfectly curved professional smile appeared on her face once more.
“Thank you for your attention. I take my leave.”
With that, she turned crisply, her steps even as she walked toward the mirror-smooth wall.
The sliding door opened silently again, swallowing her silver-gray figure, then closed quietly, seamless as if no passage had ever existed.