Confirmation that his "golden finger" wasn't a hallucination sent a wave of fierce joy through Chen Yun's heart.

After a long moment, he suppressed his shock and excitement, focusing his attention on the faint, semi-transparent azure light screen that had appeared before his eyes along with the system.

The interface was starkly simple, featuring only two icons glowing with a soft white light:

One was an icon of precisely interlocking gears—[Upgrade].

The other was a hovering transparent cube—[Storage].

After some experimentation, Chen Yun roughly figured out their functions.

[Storage], as the name implied, was an inventory space capable of storing and retrieving inanimate objects.

The [Upgrade] function was also straightforward: consume points to enhance items.

But how did one acquire these points?

Chen Yun fell into thought, staring at the small text in the lower right corner of the light screen: [Point Balance: 0].

[Newcomer's Gift Pack has been issued. Please check your inventory, Host.]

The cold mechanical voice sounded again. The azure light screen rippled like water.

The ripples vanished as quickly as they appeared, replaced by a gift box icon hovering in the center of the screen.

"There's a newcomer's pack too?" Chen Yun was startled, his gaze locking onto the box.

He focused his intent on clicking the box. A dazzling white light flashed.

[Newcomer's Gift Pack successfully opened.]

[Points acquired: 150.]

[Low-grade Thermoregulation Core acquired × 1]

[Primary Genetic Enhancement Serum acquired × 1]

[System Storage capacity expanded to 1000 cubic meters.]

A series of electronic prompts chimed. Several items emitting a soft white glow now floated in the center of the light screen.

"Whoa..." Chen Yun sucked in a sharp breath, his heart pounding. This newcomer's pack was incredibly generous!

Suppressing his excitement, he examined the rewards one by one.

The 150 points were self-explanatory.

The Low-grade Thermoregulation Core was a fist-sized sphere of matte black metal, sitting on a triangular base. The sphere hovered about two centimeters above the base, rotating slowly.

Focusing his intent on the sphere, a line of text appeared beside it:

[Low-grade Thermoregulation Core: Continuously emits thermal energy. Coverage area: 5-meter diameter. Requires electrical power or can be charged using points.]

"With this thing, the temperature issue is basically solved," Chen Yun thought.

He turned his attention to the tube-like vial filled with a shimmering, phosphorescent blue liquid.

The Primary Genetic Enhancement Serum!

"Using this serum, will I end up with a superhuman physique like Captain America?" Visions of the superhero's powerful build and strength flashed through Chen Yun's mind.

As his intent touched the vial, text popped up beside it:

[Primary Genetic Enhancement Serum: Upon consumption, comprehensively enhances the host's physical attributes (Strength, Speed, Stamina, Reflexes, Recovery, etc.).]

[Based on the host's current physical condition, estimated enhancement effect: Approximately 1.5 times the average level of a healthy adult male.]

[Warning: Temporary adverse reactions may occur after consumption (e.g., weakness, severe pain).]

1.5 times! It wasn't as overwhelmingly powerful as Captain America's Super-Soldier Serum from the movies, but a 1.5-fold increase was still substantial.

In the apocalypse, a strong physique was the foundation of survival. The value of this serum was immeasurable.

A sudden thought crossed Chen Yun's mind: what if he used the [Upgrade] function on the serum before consuming it?

As if reading his thoughts, the system's prompt tone sounded again:

[Warning: Genetic enhancement sequences possess insurmountable tier restrictions.]

[The host is prohibited from skipping primary stages and directly consuming or using higher-tier serums/items.]

[Violation will result in genetic chain collapse, cellular dissolution. Mortality rate: 99.99%.]

[Please follow guidance and proceed step by step.]

"......" Chen Yun fell silent.

"So, trying to leapfrog ahead is impossible," he mused internally. "And there are temporary side effects after taking the serum. Guess I'll have to wait until I get home tonight to use it."

His eyes drifted to the corner of the system screen, where a line of text flickered:

[Point Balance: 150]

Looking at the hefty balance of 150 points, Chen Yun decided to test the [Upgrade] function.

He placed his hand on the steering wheel in front of him and focused his intent on the [Upgrade] option on the semi-transparent azure screen.

[Initiate basic upgrade on current vehicle: 'Volkswagen Sedan'?] The emotionless mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"Yes."

Chen Yun responded instinctively.

[Required points: 1000. Insufficient point balance.]

"......"

Chen Yun was speechless.

So, 150 points weren't actually that much after all.

Upgrading the car was out of the question. He wondered how many points upgrading a smaller item would require.

He glanced around the car's interior, his eyes settling on a windproof lighter tucked away in a corner.

He wasn't much of a smoker, but he always kept cigarettes and a lighter in the car, just in case.

After the apocalypse hit, water and electricity would undoubtedly fail quickly. Once the power was out, fire would be essential for cooking, purifying water, and staying warm.

Spending points to upgrade the lighter wouldn't be a waste.

Chen Yun gripped the lighter tightly and focused his intent on [Upgrade].

[Upgrade target item — Windproof Lighter?]

[Point cost: 5.]

"Yes."

[Upgrade confirmed. Survival points consumed: 5.]

[Upgrading in progress…]

A slowly filling progress bar appeared on the light screen.

Chen Yun stared intently at the lighter in his hand, which seemed to be vibrating faintly.

A few seconds later, the progress bar reached 100%.

Hum—!

Suddenly, Chen Yun's vision blurred for an instant.

When it cleared, the lighter in his hand had transformed.

[Upgrade successful!] The mechanical prompt sounded.

Chen Yun raised his hand, examining the new 'lighter' closely.

The formerly ordinary plastic lighter was gone. In its place was a slightly larger, silver-white metal rectangular prism.

The top featured a heavy metal cap, and the side had a slightly protruding button.

Sliding open the metal cap revealed a precise multi-ring nozzle.

Pressing the side button produced a straight, roughly two-inch-long jet of intense orange-red flame, accompanied by a wave of blistering heat.

"Not bad at all," Chen Yun couldn't help but murmur in appreciation.

New text appeared on the system panel:

[Primary Micro Ignition Torch. Can be recharged using points.]

After fiddling with the new torch for a moment, Chen Yun willed it away with a thought. It vanished instantly from his hand.

He opened the system storage. In the vast, empty center of the space, the silver-white metal rectangle hung suspended.

The system storage, expanded by the newcomer's pack.

A full 1000 cubic meters of space!

Whether for stockpiling massive quantities of supplies or transporting materials, this 1000 cubic meters would make his pre-apocalypse preparations infinitely easier.

Now, it was time to start preparing for the end of the world.

The method for earning points wasn't clear yet; he could only explore that slowly.

Today's mission was to scout the market, understand the lay of the land, and get ready to start hoarding.

Chen Yun took a deep breath and willed the system interface away.

He started the car, shifted into gear, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and drove toward the nearest wholesale market.