-014- Selling the First Spirit Egg

Yun Zishan gazed at the Mareep egg in Tong Si’s hand, stars practically shining in his eyes.

He was truly tempted.

Before setting out, he had listed Mareep among his potential choices for a spirit companion.

The two breeding centers they had visited earlier did have Mareep eggs, but most were only of standard aptitude.

Even the ordinary-quality Mareep eggs started at seventy or eighty thousand Alliance credits. Depending on the individual’s condition, the price varied. And if you wanted the breeding center to handle incubation, all the costs would total up to a hundred thousand credits.

It was as if the breeders had calculated their budget to the last coin.

That was why the three members of the Yun family decided to wait and compare their options.

Who would have thought that at JOJO Breeding House, a Mareep egg of ordinary aptitude would only cost fifty thousand credits?

A truly honest merchant!

The whole family was tempted.

“So... does incubation come included?” the man in the suit asked, wiping sweat from his brow, hoping for even more perks.

“Of course! If you purchase an egg from me, incubation is included,” Tong Si replied without hesitation. The nutrient solution needed for incubation wasn’t cheap, but it only cost a few thousand credits. He had acquired these eggs for about ten thousand credits each; he didn’t mind including incubation. In fact, he had something even better prepared.

“Not only do we handle the incubation, but we’ll also teach the skill Thunderbolt. Surely you know how rare Thunderbolt is among Electric-type moves?”

The three nodded; even as laymen, they understood how powerful Thunderbolt could be.

“If you purchase the egg and pay an additional fifty thousand credits, I guarantee that when you receive your Mareep, it will already know Thunderbolt!”

Tong Si flashed a knowing smile.

To catch a big fish, you need a long line.

What were a few bottles of nutrient solution worth, really?

If they bought the Mareep egg and had him teach Thunderbolt, he could earn a hundred thousand credits in one sale. Even if they didn’t go for the Thunderbolt training, he’d still clear thirty thousand credits from the fifty-thousand sale price.

No matter how you calculated it, there was no way for him to lose.

“Really?” Yun Zishan’s eyes shone with excitement.

Buying the egg was just the beginning. Training a spirit after obtaining one was a whole other challenge.

They had looked into the Thunderbolt skill before: a single skill disc went for twenty or thirty thousand credits in the market, and even then, there was no guarantee the spirit would learn it.

If JOJO Breeding House could truly provide them with a Mareep that already knew Thunderbolt, then a hundred thousand credits would be well worth it!

“Of course. When I do business, I pride myself on honesty,” Tong Si said, patting his chest with solemn sincerity.

“All right! It’s decided then.”

Seeing how much his child wanted the Mareep egg, the man in the suit made up his mind.

Naturally, they weren’t worried about Tong Si selling fakes—his shop was right here, and if he did, would JOJO Breeding House still be in business?

As for the spirit’s aptitude, any Spirit Association could test it. No breeding house would be foolish enough to sell counterfeits.

Reputation always comes first.

Especially during the post-exam season when so many new trainers were setting out.

“Please make your payment over here. The Mareep egg is fifty thousand credits; for Thunderbolt training, please pay a ten thousand credit deposit now. The remaining forty thousand can be settled later,” Tong Si said, displaying a QR code.

The man in the suit, hands slightly trembling, scanned it with his phone.

“Ding~ Sixty thousand credits received,” was the prompt on Tong Si’s phone.

For many ordinary families, saving up a hundred thousand credits would take years. Tong Si understood their excitement.

He quickly issued them a receipt.

“Hatching will take about a week, and teaching Thunderbolt will take another week. So, you can collect your Mareep in half a month,” Tong Si told Yun Zishan.

“Ah? Half a month? Can I come visit during that time?” Yun Zishan frowned, clearly impatient.

“Of course,” Tong Si replied with a gentle smile.

The gloom from Yun Zishan’s earlier skepticism toward JOJO Breeding House had long since vanished. Now, he was elated to have made his first sale.

After the family of three left, the system’s voice suddenly sounded.

[Beep-boop]
[Congratulations, Host, on completing the task of selling your first spirit egg. Reward: ten thousand points.]
[Congratulations, Master, for selling a spirit egg. Reward: ten thousand points.]

“There are points for selling eggs too?” Tong Si couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. Points rewards really did pop up everywhere!

[Three new tasks have been added:]
[Have Eevee participate in an official spirit battle.]
[Raise a spirit’s aptitude to Gym Leader level.]
[Win the Newcomers’ Championship at the Spirit Battle Club.]

…

Tong Si rolled his eyes at the new tasks, a little exasperated.

Wasn’t this making things difficult for him?

He glanced at Eevee, who was still napping on the stairs.

“Eevee, Eevee, you’re so lazy even the system can’t stand it!”

“Choo~” Eevee sneezed in its sleep.

As for raising a spirit’s aptitude to Gym Leader level, Tong Si wasn’t worried. It was just a matter of time.

But earning those fifty thousand points would take some effort. He’d have to be patient.

The last task, winning the Newcomers’ Championship at the Spirit Battle Club, made Tong Si smirk.

He had seen the announcement on the chalkboard at the club the other day, but hadn’t really wanted to participate. In his eyes, the rookie trainers’ strength was rather pitiful, and he hadn’t wanted to embarrass them.

Now, with the system assigning the task, he’d have to join the Newcomers’ Championship just to complete it.

Back in the yard, Tong Si noticed the sparks at Elekid’s antennae had faded.

“Elekid, have you used up all your stored electricity?” Tong Si asked.

“Beep beep!” Elekid nodded.

“So, your stored energy lasts about three days,” Tong Si mused, jotting down the important detail in his notebook.

So far, Elekid could absorb enough electricity to unleash two super-charged Thunderbolts, with a storage period of three days.

…

Leaving Elekid to guard the house and Eevee asleep on the stairs, Tong Si set out to buy some spirit egg incubation fluid. After all, since he’d taken their money, he had to handle things properly.

Arriving at a Spirit Department Store, Tong Si was startled by the crowds pressing in and out.

He couldn’t help but feel a little daunted.

“I didn’t expect the malls to be so packed as soon as the students’ holidays began!”

Frowning, Tong Si braced himself and joined the line.

It took some effort to squeeze inside, and when he saw the dazzling array of goods, he almost felt overwhelmed.

Each section was clearly labeled: “Restoration Items,” “Skill Items,” “Evolution Stones,” “Spirit Accessories,” and so on…

… (to be continued)