I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

[Changsha, five-star hotel, late at night]

A thin layer of mist covered the bathroom mirror.

Gu Qing, shirtless, rested her hands on the sink and gazed silently at her reflection in the mirror.

This body is perfect.

After the initial reshaping of his "Innate Dao Body," his muscle lines were smooth and firm, and his skin had a healthy ivory white color. Even without exerting force, one could feel the explosive power contained beneath his skin. Gu Qing acquired the physique that Zhao Feng had achieved through years of arduous training and life-or-death trials in just one night of "pay-to-win" (spending real money).

but.

Gu Qing reached out and gently pressed her hand against her stomach.

There, deep within the stomach, still lingers a shadow that cannot be dispelled.

In the system's view, this seemingly perfect body still bears a glaring blood-red debuff (negative status):

[Status: Genetic Collapse (Temporarily Suppressed)]

[Lesion: Small cell gastric cancer (advanced stage)]

[Current Health: 124 / 10,000 (Health Draining...)]

[Estimated remaining lifespan: 72 hours, 15 minutes, and 06 seconds]

"The innate Dao body is merely a vessel."

Gu Qing stared calmly at the rapidly ticking countdown numbers. "It's like giving a scrapped engine a brand new shell. Although it looks shiny and durable on the outside, the core inside is still rotten."

If this fundamental problem is not solved, even if he is a "superman," he will die suddenly three days later due to malignant cell proliferation.

"I had been putting off treatment because I was acting and trying to gain the most credibility in a desperate situation."

Gu Qing straightened up, dried herself off, and sat down on the sofa in front of the French windows.

"Now, the play is over, and I've made the money."

"It's time to redeem myself."

Gu Qing closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking deep into the system.

"System, open the [Life Shop]."

hum-

A pale blue interface unfolded in his mind. Unlike the dazzling array of special effects and props in the [Script Shop], the [Life Shop] had very few items, and each one was ridiculously expensive.

[Low-Tier Life Potion]: Restores a small amount of health and relieves pain. Price: 1,000 Faith.

[Organ Regeneration Surgery (Systematic Custody)]: Repairs damaged organs, excluding genetic aspects. Price: 50,000 Credits.

【Gene Lock Repair Solution (Type I)】: Clears all malignant mutated cells in the body and repairs gene defects. Price: 150,000 Credits.

【Longevity Pill (Ten Years)】: Forcibly adds ten years to one's lifespan. Price: 500,000 Faith Points.

Gu Qing's gaze immediately locked onto the [Gene Lock Repair Fluid (Type I)].

150,000.

This is a number that would drive an ordinary host to despair. If he didn't stage those earth-shattering dramas, Gu Qing might not be able to save enough money even in a lifetime by just telling fortunes on the street or pretending to be a ghost.

But now.

Gu Qing glanced at the balance in the upper right corner.

Current Faith Value: 185,600 points

He risked his life to win this.

"I used 150,000 to buy out the pain of the past 25 years and to buy out my identity as a 'cancer patient'."

Gu Qing's finger hovered over the golden "Buy" button.

Although he already possessed the power to command the wind and rain, and had already shaken the state apparatus, at this moment, Gu Qing's fingers trembled slightly.

Only those who truly face death understand the weight of the word "living".

"call……"

Gu Qing exhaled a breath of stale air.

"exchange."

The finger fell.

[Ding! 150,000 Faith Points deducted.]

Transaction confirmed.

[Item: Gene Lock Repair Fluid (Type I) has been delivered to your system space.]

【Should we use it immediately?】

"use."

There were no flashing golden effects after the command was given.

Gu Qing felt her heart suddenly contract.

Boom!

The thud was extremely strong, as if a large drum was being struck inside the chest cavity.

Immediately afterwards, a warm current pumped out from his heart. This warm current was not the warmth brought by the previous "spiritual liquid," but a scalding, magma-like life energy.

It flows through the blood vessels and instantly spreads throughout the body.

[Initiating gene-targeted elimination...]

[Target identified: Cancer cells (Total: 4.8 million)]

[Cleanup begins.]

In Gu Qing's field of vision, a holographic image of a human body appeared that only he could see.

In the picture, his stomach, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are densely covered with black spots. Those are cancer cells that are devouring his life.

And now, a golden torrent surged forth.

This is not just about drugs; it's about "erasure" at the rule level.

Those cancer cells that were originally incredibly stubborn and couldn't be killed even by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, instantly disintegrated and melted away when they encountered the golden torrent, just like snow meeting boiling water.

[Health points updating...]

Gu Qing looked at the number on the panel.

The number [124], which was originally red, started jumping wildly.

124 -> 200 -> 500 -> 1,000...

That feeling was wonderful.

It's like a drowning person slowly surfacing.

It's like a person carrying a heavy burden, with stones being removed one by one.

[Clearance progress: 50%... 80%... 99%...]

With each heartbeat, tens of thousands of cancer cells die.

With each breath, toxins that have accumulated in the body are carried away.

Gu Qing's body began to feel slightly warm, and some black, foul-smelling oil seeped from her pores.

But he doesn't care.

He stared intently at the number that represented "fate".

4,000 -> 8,000 -> 9,999...

at last.

With a final, heavenly "ding".

All the black dots on the hologram disappeared.

The stomach, which had been somewhat shrunken and shadowed, regained its pinkish color and fullness under the nourishment of the golden light.

[Clearance progress: 100%]

[DEBUFF removed: Small cell gastric cancer.]

Current status: Healthy (Perfect).

Current Health: 10,000 / 10,000

The numbers freeze.

No more losses, no more deductions.

That's full of vitality.

Gu Qing slumped on the sofa, drenched in sweat, as if he had just finished a marathon.

But he smiled.

The laughter grew louder and louder, from low to unrestrained.

"Haha...hahahaha!"

He stared at the ceiling, a tear sliding down his cheek.

This tear is neither a sign of sadness nor a sign of being moved.

It's just saying goodbye.

Say goodbye to Gu Qing, who was desperately waiting for chemotherapy in the hospital corridor.

Say goodbye to Gu Qing, who was tormented by pain and couldn't sleep every night.

Say goodbye to Gu Qing... who was always ready to die.

Starting from this second.

Gu Qing, who "had to lie to survive," is dead.

The one who is alive is—the immortal, Gu Qing.

He glanced at his dwindling credit balance: 35,600 points.

Although he was back to square one overnight, Gu Qing felt that this was the most worthwhile money he had ever spent in his life.

"His life has been saved."

Gu Qing stood up from the sofa, walked to the window, and looked at the night view of Changsha outside.

"Since we can't die..."

"Then, we should seriously consider... how to make this play more exciting and longer-lasting."

His gaze became deep and ambitious.

"System, bring up the next stage of the permission tree."

"I want to see just how far this so-called 'Refining Qi into Spirit' can take me."