It's hard to tell how much time has passed. A streak of azure dawn appeared on the horizon, and the light pierced through the thin mist, illuminating the earth.
"It's already bright out!"
"It seems I need a titanium alloy kidney!"
Hode sat on the hood of the car, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The corners of his exhausted face lifted slightly, though his left hand, propping him up, still trembled.
He struggled to pull a ZIPOO from his pocket. A flickering flame ignited.
This experience was likely one Hode would never forget.
"Hah..."
Hode took a deep drag from his cigarette.
Once again, driving a Cayenne seemed to summon women from the heavens.
This time, even a superhero dropped in.
He turned to glance at the windshield behind him, his gaze softening a bit.
Wanda lay there with her eyes shut tight, likely too tired to stay awake.
[Ding! You've had a wonderful night!*
[Reward Received: Fragment of Phoenix Power (No Will)!*
Just as Hode was savoring the afterglow of the night, a system panel suddenly appeared before him. The unexpected appearance of the system panel took a moment for his weary mind to register.
"Wait, I actually gained a fragment of Phoenix Power?!"
Hode was stunned. He never expected this night would come with a reward!
He had thought that to truly enjoy life, one must embrace every experience it offers. Thus, he tried everything the world had to offer.
Besides, he had also engaged in activities like mountain racing, skydiving, and extreme biking. Essentially, he sought out anything that could make life more exciting.
And he had indeed gained plenty of rewards.
But he never imagined he would acquire Phoenix Power this time.
What is Phoenix Power!?
Phoenix Power is a universal, omnipotent force!
It's the embodiment of the primal forces of cosmic life and emotional power!
No matter which universe it exists in, Phoenix Power is the most potent entity!
It's one of the forces that countless beings revere, capable of slicing through or reshaping any part of the universe.
It can even completely obliterate it, incinerating what should be discarded—this is called the Phoenix's Judgment.
Descriptively, Phoenix Power is the personification of all things' fervor; sparks bring life to the universe, while flames ultimately lead to its destruction.
At its peak, Phoenix Power is even more formidable than the five great deities!
Though he only received a fragment of it, Hode could distinctly feel a surging, terrifying energy flowing within him.
This very power even seemed to cleanse his body!
In the next moment, an image of a fiery red phoenix emerged in his mind.
As soon as the phoenix materialized, it bore down on him with an overwhelming pressure that rushed toward him.
In an instant, the pressure made him feel as if his very will could be crushed to dust!
Then, in a heartbeat, the phoenix's image dissipated from his mind.
"Is this the Phoenix Power?!"
Hode's throat bobbed as he murmured, a hint of barely concealed fear lacing his voice.
Just moments ago, he had even worried that this Phoenix Power might tear apart his consciousness, leaving him like a vegetable.
However, it was fortunate that without consciousness, the Phoenix Power was considered true Phoenix Power.
Otherwise, it would allow one to lose control over it at any time!
Jean was a prime example!
Yet even she had never possessed the complete Phoenix Power!
Moreover, in the films from his original world, Jean's abilities had been significantly weakened.
In the end, she was defeated by Wolverine through a combination of love and immortality!
Despite being merely a fragment of Phoenix Power, it blessed Hode with abilities on par with a lesser celestial being!
"I never expected just one night of passion would yield such a rewarding outcome!"
Hode exhaled with a grin, flicking away the cigarette butt, sending sparks flying in an arc through the air.
He couldn't deny, this reward genuinely surprised him.
Previously, he had also received various rewards, like defensive gifts—such as *Ultimate Combat Mastery, *Ultimate Firearms Mastery, and a *Mini Pistol - Little Cricket*...
But compared to the current Phoenix Power, those seemed insignificant.
"What on earth is happening?"
Hode placed his right foot on the hood, propping his chin with his hand, deep in thought.
The most crucial thing right now was to figure out how the system determines rewards!
If he could pinpoint exactly how to earn more advanced rewards, it would be fantastic!
Appearance?
Education?
Wealth?
Race?
As the thoughts floated one after another, Hode dismissed each of them.
Despite not being extraordinarily wealthy, he had never lacked for money over the past year.
So he had already sought out the best in every aspect!
If it were merely due to these factors, he certainly wouldn't have never triggered a reward before!
"Wait!"
At that moment, an idea popped into his head.
"It seems the system's rewards are related to the 'quality of life'."
"But this time, I received a reward alongside Wanda!"
"Does it mean to collect fragments, I must...?"
It made sense.
When he rode his bike, he hadn't received nearly as many high-value rewards.
With this thought, Hode's gaze shifted to Wanda in the back seat, softly snoring.
A contemplative look crossed his face, he abruptly jumped down from the hood and vigorously stretched his shoulder blades.
"Then it seems I have no choice but to share an umbrella and weather this storm!"
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