Rise of the Ultimate Profit System

[Updated Attribute Panel] Host: Ed Val

Strength: 37 → 39

Speed: 30 → 33

Endurance: 26 → 28

Luck: ???

Skills: Basic Combat, Market Manipulation, Enhanced Reflexes, Pressure Point Strike, Shadow Evasion

Special Skill: Personal Space Storage

The sheer pressure emanating from the towering figure made Ed's breath hitch. His instincts screamed at him to retreat, but his body refused to move. The man's crimson aura coiled around him like a living entity, suffocating and absolute.

Lucian's eyes narrowed, his usual smirk gone. "That's no ordinary cultivator. He's at least at the Earth Realm, possibly higher."

Ed barely had time to register Lucian's words before the figure's deep voice rumbled. "This city is now under the rule of the Scarlet Moon Sect. Those who resist will perish."

People scattered like ants, their survival instincts kicking in. A few cultivators from smaller factions gritted their teeth but knew better than to challenge such power.

Ed's hands curled into fists. "So they're just declaring war like that?"

The man's gaze fell on him. "You. I see potential in you. Kneel, swear fealty to the Scarlet Moon Sect, and I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams."

Ed scoffed. "I'm not interested in joining a bunch of power-hungry tyrants."

A hush fell over the battlefield.

Lucian chuckled under his breath. "Bold move, kid."

The cultivator's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Then you die."

With a flick of his wrist, a shockwave erupted from his body, sending a crushing force toward Ed.

[System Warning: Incoming Fatal Attack! Activate Shadow Evasion?]

"Yes!"

The world blurred as Ed's body instinctively dodged, narrowly escaping the devastating attack. The force of the blast left a deep crater where he had stood just moments ago.

Ed's heart pounded. That was just a casual attack?!

Lucian whistled. "You're still alive. That's something."

The cultivator frowned. "Interesting… You're faster than expected. But let's see if you can handle this."

He raised his hand, and red energy coalesced into a giant spectral claw. It tore through the air, aiming straight for Ed.

Ed gritted his teeth. I can't dodge forever. Time to counterattack.

He activated Pressure Point Strike, his fingers glowing with energy as he dashed toward the claw. At the last second, he twisted his body, evading the main force of the attack and striking the cultivator's wrist with pinpoint precision.

A crack echoed through the air.

The cultivator's eyes widened as his attack faltered for a brief moment. A mere second, but it was enough for Ed to retreat and recalibrate.

[New Mission: Survive Against an Earth Realm Cultivator for Five Minutes]

Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Speed, New Skill: Phantom Step

Five minutes. Against this monster.

Ed exhaled sharply. I have no choice. Let's do this.

Lucian, watching from the sidelines, smirked. "This might actually be interesting."

The cultivator's aura surged again, and this time, his movements blurred with speed that surpassed Ed's perception. Before Ed could react, a fist slammed into his gut, sending him flying through a nearby building.

[System Alert: Health Dropped by 20%]

Ed groaned, coughing up a bit of blood as he pulled himself from the rubble. His vision swam, but he steadied himself. He had felt pain before—this was nothing new.

"Still standing?" The cultivator sneered. "Your resilience is admirable but futile."

Ed wiped his mouth, smirking. "I've had worse."

The cultivator scowled and lunged again. This time, Ed activated Phantom Step, a new skill that made his movements unpredictable. He twisted away just in time, delivering a counter-kick to the man's ribs. The force barely made the cultivator stumble, but his eyes flashed with mild surprise.

Lucian laughed. "He's adapting. I like this kid."

The battle continued, with Ed barely managing to evade fatal blows, each time using his system to analyze patterns and adjust his approach. He was growing faster, stronger, and more precise. Every second counted.

A sudden voice rang through his mind.

[Special Condition Met: Hidden Skill Unlocked – Adaptive Combat]

Ed's eyes widened as his mind felt clearer than ever. His body moved almost on its own, dodging attacks with fluidity he had never experienced before. He was evolving mid-fight.

The cultivator growled, his patience wearing thin. "Enough of this game. I'll end this now."

He raised his hands, summoning a crimson energy sphere larger than anything before. The air trembled under its power.

Lucian's face turned serious. "That's not good."

Ed clenched his fists. He needed a way to end this—fast.

Then an idea struck him. If I can't overpower him… I'll outthink him.

He sprinted forward, dodging smaller energy blasts as he closed the gap. The cultivator smirked, thinking Ed was walking into his own doom. But just as the final attack descended, Ed activated Personal Space Storage—not to store himself, but to store the incoming energy!

The battlefield fell silent.

The cultivator's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"

Ed smirked. "Didn't see that coming, did you?"

With a flick of his hand, he released the stored energy right back at him.

The explosion rocked the city.

As the dust settled, Ed stood tall, breath heavy but victorious. The cultivator was nowhere to be seen.

[System Notification: Mission Completed! Rewards Gained]

Lucian clapped slowly. "Well, well. You're full of surprises."

Ed chuckled. "I aim to impress."

Little did he know, this was only the beginning.