If I can add many more people, how many points will I even get? Maybe this is the real cheat,’ Ian thought, grinning widely. ’But why 10 points, though? Wasn’t it 20 points before? Is it cut in half for outsiders, maybe? Well, it doesn’t matter for now. What matters is that I get points from them. Now it’s time to check if I can break through using the points I have now.’

​"System," Ian called out.

​[Name: Ian Thorne]

[Age: 17]

[Lifespan: 73]

[Martial Arts: None]

[Cultivation Arts: Adamantine Ox Hide Technique [+]]

[Martial Stage: Late Stage of Skin Cultivation]

​[Prosperity Points: 90]

[Prosperity Shop]

[Notifications]

[External Members: 4/5]

​"No... no... no... no... I fucking knew it. I knew that this shitty system would not have a glitch like that. Tsk." The grin on Ian’s face was short-lived when he saw the new tab. But what really pissed him off was the [4/5] displayed on the system. He could easily guess that David and his friends were the external members mentioned.

​Ian then pressed on the [External Members] tab.

​[System Note: External Members shows the names of clan members who are currently cultivating the clan system techniques. Only they can cultivate the system techniques. The total limit of members can increase with a major breakthrough in the host’s cultivation.]

​[External Members List:]

[David Thorne — Early Skin Cultivation]

[Dion Thorne — Early Skin Cultivation]

[Ivory Thorne — Early Skin Cultivation]

[Dennis Thorne — Early Skin Cultivation]

​’Fuck, is this system just lazy or what? There is not even a sign of a loyalty bar! It is just a name and a cultivation stage,’ Ian thought, looking at the system panel with a pissed-off expression. ’At least the number of members can increase with a major breakthrough. But I only have one spot left! I should choose carefully who I wish to teach. Without a loyalty bar, they could backstab me in the future.’

​"Now it’s time for my favorite part," Ian said, looking at the [+] sign next to his technique. He concentrated on it, and a notification instantly popped up.

​[Notice: Detected that the host would like to consume 70 Prosperity Points to increase their cultivation stage. Do you proceed? [YES / NO]]

​"Yes."

​Suddenly, the hot feeling from before spread around his body. It felt like he had just been thrown inside a blazing furnace. But this time, instead of his skin turning red hot, it became gold. His skin was so shiny it looked like polished metal. Soon, a thick, black liquid started leaking heavily out of his pores.

​His clothes were completely drenched with the sticky black liquid, and even his hair was becoming a darker shade. The smell was awful, like rotten eggs mixed with old sweat. The painful process took about one minute until the bright golden light started to dim and everything went back to normal.

​"This must be the impurities that some novels talk about, and it really stinks too. Did this stuff really come out of me? I should take a bath before I sleep," Ian said. He looked around, touching and smelling his arms and sticky clothes with a disgusted face. ’But first things first, I need to check the system.’

​"System."

​[Name: Ian Thorne]

[Age: 17]

[Lifespan: 73]

[Martial Arts: None]

[Cultivation Arts: Adamantine Ox Hide Technique]

[Martial Stage: Peak Stage of Skin Cultivation]

​[Prosperity Points: 20]

[Prosperity Shop]

[Notifications]

[External Members: 4/5]

​’Still 20 points left, huh? I don’t think this system of mine would have anything that cheap,’ Ian thought, closing the blue screen with a wave of his hand.

​After checking his system, Ian went to the washroom and took a long shower. He had to scrub his skin three times with strong soap just to wash away the sticky, dark impurities and the terrible smell.

​When he stepped out, he wiped the steam off the mirror. ’Wow, my skin is so smooth now. The muscles underneath feel like tightly packed cords. And my face... it looks like it changed a bit, and my hair became much darker,’ Ian thought, smirking as he looked into the mirror. ’Now, let me test the real purpose of this skin.’

​Ian went to his desk and grabbed a sharp iron hunting knife. Holding the knife, he walked back to his bed and sat down. He took a deep breath, knowing this was going to hurt a lot if the system failed him.

​"Let’s first test with half of my strength."

​Just after saying that, Ian stabbed his own leg. Right at the impact, there was a loud ting sound, exactly like he was stabbing an iron wall. It felt as if his smooth skin was actually coated with invisible armor.

He then raised his hand and stabbed himself again, this time with his full strength. There was the exact same metallic sound. This time, the knife left a small white scratch on his skin, but the tip of the iron blade actually dulled. There was no blood at all, and the small scratch quickly closed up on its own.

​’I thought I would be completely invincible when I broke through to the peak of Skin Cultivation. But I guess if an Aura User stabs or cuts me, I would still be a goner. But if a non-Aura User did it, I guess I would be safe. I wonder how many points it will take to break through to the next major stage? I bet new techniques will be opened so I won’t have to rely on my bare fists only.’

​Knock, knock.

​While Ian was thinking, there was a knock on his bedroom door. "Who is it?"

​"It’s me, Trevor, Young Master."

​"Oh, come in," Ian replied, quickly throwing a fresh shirt over his shoulders.

​The heavy door opened, and Trevor stepped inside. He did not look too good. It seemed he had not slept for a while, and heavy dark bags were showing under his eyes.

​However, as soon as he stepped fully into the room, Trevor froze for a second. He rubbed his tired eyes and stared at Ian.

​’Am I seeing things, or did the face of the Young Master change? Even his hair is darker, really bringing out those bright golden eyes of his. He feels much more dangerous,’ Trevor thought, blinking hard. He quickly shook his head, figuring he was just hallucinating from his severe lack of sleep.

​"What brings the new Head Guard to my room at this time of the night?" Ian said, looking at Trevor’s awful state.

​When Trevor opened his mouth and was about to reply, Ian raised his hand in front of him to stop him.

​"Wait, let me guess," Ian said with a knowing smile. "Is it because of a shortage of men in the estate? There are no guys to rotate the shifts with the ones at work, so everyone is working twenty-four hours with no rest. So, you came to me to ask about hiring new guys. Am I wrong?" Ian said, speaking exactly what Trevor wanted to say.

"No you are not young master but First what is this awlful smell, that is in here" Trevor said covering his mouth as if he was about to puke