Chapter 161: Advancement

David gazed at the gene repair device installed in the underground combat chamber. It resembled a life pod, a sophisticated apparatus that alone had cost him two million credit points, not counting the gene therapy fluids required for each treatment.

This method was the most widely used form of therapy within the Interstellar Federation, renowned for its exceptional efficacy in treating various external injuries.

Emma, the intelligent steward, placed a bottle of gene repair fluid into the raw material slot of the gene repair pod. Each bottle contained roughly one liter—a modest quantity—but the price was staggering, five hundred thousand credits per bottle. Its function was limited to rapid recovery from bodily injuries; it could not address missing limbs or internal diseases.

The more severe the injury, the longer the repair time required, and the greater the quantity of gene repair fluid needed.

In essence, gene repair fluid was an expensive means of accelerating physical recovery. Yet, in environments where rapid restoration of combat strength was critical, or for those with ample wealth, it was the optimal choice.

Watching the liquid inside the repair pod gradually turn blue, David removed his combat dagger, shed his clothing, and stepped inside.

The fluid within the pod was saturated with oxygen, so David had no concerns about breathing. He curled his body as a fetus might within the womb, adopting the most comfortable posture to feel the transformation within his body.

His bones, muscles, and blood vessels—every damaged part—were slowly restored, nourished by the blue fluid.

Though David’s wounds appeared severe, the actual damage was not extensive. Were it not for the continuous, daily practice demanded by the Advanced Armored Warrior Physical Technique to achieve ideal results, his body would have naturally healed within a few days.

An hour later, David emerged from the pod, his body free of the red blotches, muscles and bones fully repaired.

As his injuries healed, he sensed changes brought about by practicing the Advanced Armored Warrior Physical Technique.

Summoning his Shadow Servant and activating his attribute panel, he observed his enhancements more directly.

Name: David Kerr
Strength: 3.63 (1)
Agility: 2.41 (1)
Constitution: 3.63 (1)
Spirit: 5.05 (1)

His strength had surged from 1,200 kilograms to 1,300 kilograms, with a strength value rising to 3.63, accompanied by a simultaneous increase in constitution.

David smiled with surprise at his strength gain. Yet, even now, he did not fully grasp that the true benefit of the Advanced Armored Warrior Physical Technique lay not merely in strength enhancement but in the synchronized elevation of both strength and constitution.

This was much like when he was a non-armored warrior, having mastered the eighteen forms of proficient physical technique, which balanced his strength and constitution development.

Such an advantage gradually faded after becoming an armored warrior.

However, at this moment, he had attained mastery at level 66 in advanced physical techniques—a feat rarely achieved even among advanced or peak armored warriors.

Time was finite for everyone. Investing considerable effort and time in advanced physical techniques inevitably curtailed improvements in combat power.

Without corresponding combat strength, one could not acquire the resources necessary for training—a vicious cycle that deterred most armored warriors from pursuing mastery of advanced techniques.

The following day, David resumed his rigorous daily training in Perlan City.

Rising at six o’clock in the morning, he first consumed a level-one fortified meat, practiced the Advanced Armored Warrior Physical Technique, and then underwent treatment with gene repair fluid.

Due to the enormous energy expenditure of the technique, he could only train once daily, consuming one portion each of fortified meat and gene repair fluid per day.

Yet, even with twenty million credit points in reserve, such consumption was unsustainable in the long term.

With gene repair fluid costing five hundred thousand credits per bottle and fortified meat supplied by the transcendent Garen, David finally understood the vast resources required for his training.

After completing all his skill exercises, it was already midday. Following lunch, he found some free time.

The medium-sized server had been installed in the study on the first floor. He entered the study to consider his credit point situation.

Although two-thirds of his earnings were secured in the C117 Shelter of the Naan City underground network, he was uncertain whether the income was calculated monthly or annually.

Even if monthly, it would take at least a month before any credit points were received. Yet, his current reserves might not last that long.

At a daily consumption rate of five hundred thousand credits, his funds could sustain him for just over thirty days. But having just arrived in Naan City, the demands on his credit points were numerous.

He opened the management page of the Mountain and Water Investment Company on the medium server, noting his forty percent shares each in the Central Hotel and the West City Hotel of Perlan City.

“It’s time to sell these shares,” David muttered to himself.

Previously, he had hesitated to relinquish them, fearing exposure—after all, a minor possessing such wealth could invite covetousness.

But now, with his current status, owning shares in two hotels within a small city was but a trivial matter.

David was unfamiliar with stocks; in both his past and present lives, he had never handled stock transactions.

Consequently, he did not intend to manage this matter himself. He thought of his friend Myron in Perlan City, checked the time, and initiated a contact request.

“David, have you settled in Naan City? I’m applying for permission to go there—should be about three weeks!” Upon connecting his identity bracelet, David immediately heard Myron’s voice.

“Myron, I’m living alone in a small villa. You’re welcome to visit!” David smiled, delighted by the familiar voice.

“Wow! You actually live in a villa in Naan City? I must come see it!” Myron exclaimed.

No wonder he was astonished—Naan City was the safest place on the Rock Planet, and correspondingly, real estate prices there were the highest.

Owning a villa in Naan City was unimaginably valuable.

“Myron, I have some hotel shares in Perlan City I want to dispose of. Can you help?” David got to the point.

“My dad’s right here. Send me the details. I’ll ask him and get back to you shortly,” Myron said after a pause.

“Alright.” David wasted no time and sent the relevant information.

At Myron’s home in Perlan City, his family was dining when Myron stepped aside upon receiving David’s message.

Mayor Bernard’s expression shifted immediately upon hearing David’s name.

Myron was unaware that David had been taken as a disciple by the transcendent Garen. But Mayor Bernard had learned of this through friends in Naan City.

In high society, such significant news, not bound by confidentiality, could not be concealed.

Mayor Bernard was pleased that Myron and David maintained a strong friendship—this bond would benefit his son for life.

“Father, David wants to handle some hotel shares. Can you do anything?” Myron asked without even reviewing the documents, forwarding them directly to Mayor Bernard.

“No problem. I’ll take care of it,” Mayor Bernard replied firmly.

Upon opening the information sent to his identity bracelet, he was taken aback. The documents were authorization contracts for forty percent shares each in the Central and West City Hotels, duly signed by David.

This meant Myron could liquidate this substantial asset at any time—a profound mark of trust.

Yet, who in Rock Planet dared to infringe upon the assets of Garen’s disciple? The transcendent held certain special powers in this war zone, sometimes even above the law.

“Myron, tell David it will take ten days to ensure the asset yields the best return,” Mayor Bernard said. Though not a finance expert, he had witnessed enough asset cases to make an immediate judgment.

Certainly, his approach would significantly impact the two hotels, but who cared about their feelings?