> "Behind every successful man is a woman. Behind Chen Fan? Several. All armed."
— Ancient Cultivation Proverb (probably)
---
Chen Fan stared at the beautiful woman beside him—long silver hair, piercing eyes, and a face that could bankrupt nations. Her icy aura chilled the air around her, freezing puddles and giving innocent bystanders early-stage hypothermia.
She sighed, then handed him a scroll.
"What's this?" Chen Fan asked.
"Your system contract. Standard terms: You fight, earn coins, and ascend. I assist in battle, maintain the books, and handle any debt recovery with… extreme efficiency."
"Wait, you're literally a goddess of debt collection?"
"I've repossessed planets. Your enemies will not escape interest charges."
"…I think I'm in love."
Xian'er didn't blink. "You're already 3 seconds late paying back the Spirit Coins you spent on your slap."
Chen Fan's grin froze.
"W-wait. The system has a credit policy?!"
> [Warning: Host is currently in debt – 25 Spirit Coins.]
[Interest begins accruing in 24 hours. Collect Spirit Coins soon or forfeit one kidney.]
"ONE WHAT?!"
"Kidding," Xian'er said, completely deadpan. "Probably."
---
Back at the small, single-room inn he could barely afford before the system, Chen Fan lay on his bamboo mat, watching his glowing system screen float in front of him like a divine menu from a fantasy-themed restaurant.
> [Balance: 0 Coins]
[Debt: 25 Coins]
[Available Missions:]
– Scam a scammer (Reward: 50 Coins)
– Defend a merchant from bandits (Reward: 80 Coins)
– Charm a noblewoman (Reward: 20 Coins + Mystery Box)
– Win a duel against a sect outer disciple (Reward: 100 Coins)
"Guess I'll start with the bandit thing," he muttered. "Sounds easy."
Xian'er raised an eyebrow. "Bandits often come in groups. You have zero cultivation."
Chen Fan stood. "I have you."
She blinked. "You're… not wrong. But I charge per strike."
"Wha—?! How much?!"
"Five Coins per frost attack. Ten if it's dramatic."
Chen Fan clutched his chest. "You're an emotional support weapon with microtransactions!"
---
One Forest Ambush Later…
A group of bandits surrounded a caravan wagon. Inside, a fat merchant screamed, holding a bag of Spirit Coins close to his chest like a newborn.
The leader of the bandits laughed. "Hand over the coins, and we might leave your legs unbroken!"
A shout came from the treetops.
"HEEEEY!"
Everyone looked up.
Chen Fan stood dramatically on a branch, wind blowing his hair. Xian'er floated beside him on an ice lotus.
"Who the hell are you?" the bandit leader growled.
"I'm the guy who's gonna take your bounty… and your girlfriend, if she's cute."
The bandits laughed.
Then Xian'er raised her hand.
FWOOOSH!
A massive ice spear shot from the sky, pinning one bandit into a tree like a meat kebab. The others froze. Literally.
> [+80 Spirit Coins Earned: Bandit Extermination!]
[Bonus: +10 Coins for Entrance Style – "Hero From the Trees."]
[Debt Cleared. Balance: 65 Coins.]
The fat merchant waddled out of the wagon and bowed deeply. "Young hero! My savior! Who are you?"
Chen Fan puffed his chest. "I'm Chen Fan, cultivator, coin collector, and charming champion of justice."
"And that?"
"My… ice accountant."
---
Later That Night…
Chen Fan scrolled the system's menu while lying flat, face stuffed with dumplings the merchant gifted him.
> [New Unlock: System Store (Tier 1)]
– Upgrade Spiritual Root: 50 Coins
– Cultivation Technique: "Cash Flow Body Refinement" – 20 Coins
– Mystery Egg: 30 Coins
– Buy Pants With Pockets (Limited Edition): 5 Coins
He bought the technique.
A scroll appeared. Glowing light surged through his body.
> [Cultivation Technique Learned: Cash Flow Body Refinement.]
[Effect: Spirit Coins spent directly enhance body strength. The more money you waste, the stronger you become.]
Chen Fan grinned. "So the system rewards me for spending irresponsibly?"
"Yes," Xian'er said. "Your cultivation method… is capitalism."