First of all, this crystal can release a type of energy, part of which can participate in the body's blood circulation, strengthening the body and improving physical fitness.

Secondly, the energy released by this crystal can open up the crystal space, allowing it to store anything that is non-living.

Third, the energy released by this crystal can be projected outside the body, with a current range limited to three meters in all directions! Within this range, Ethan Bolton can clearly perceive the internal structure of any object! Of course, this sensory scan must be controlled; otherwise, if the energy spreads out, it may be left behind and wasted outside, unable to be recovered!

As for the means of control, Ethan Bolton has instinctively mastered them, and feels very adept at using them—this is thanks to a special inherited memory.

This ability can be unexpectedly useful for gambling games like cards or Russian roulette, and of course, it's even better for stone gambling!

Fourth, complete devouring: the energy released by the crystal surrounds the crystal space, then completely captures a living being into the crystal space, and carries out a full devouring! This devouring not only preserves the creature's innate abilities, but also performs gene recombination and optimization, making those innate abilities even stronger, and then activates its own evolution system for genetic evolution!

Fifth, partial devouring: the crystal releases its energy into the outside world, scanning a living being and extracting some of the cells and genes responsible for its outstanding abilities, then copying them, allowing oneself to quickly learn the creature's special skills in a short time.

After summarizing these five major abilities, Ethan Bolton couldn't help but reveal a contented smile.

Chapter 9: First Stone Gambling【1】

“This crystal definitely has great potential to be tapped. Just imagine, if I reach the level of ten golden rings on the golden crystal, how powerful would I be? That’s really something to look forward to. But whether everything will go smoothly is hard to say! After all, life isn’t a novel, and I’m not the protagonist. So, I can’t guarantee what will happen in the next second, but I will walk this path with no regrets!

I was just an incompetent homebody. If my pineal gland hadn’t awakened, I might have spent my whole life following my mother’s wishes—finding a girl through a blind date, living an ordinary life, and that would be it. Now that I have this chance to change myself, I must seize it tightly!

The space inside this crystal will be called the ‘crystal space’ from now on. The pineal gland, that is, the crystal at the center of my brow, will be called the ‘Heaven’s Eye’. The cultivation method will be called the ‘Heavenly Evolution Technique’, and the energy emitted by the brow crystal will be called ‘crystal force’. With these fixed names, everything will finally settle and find its place!”

Ethan Bolton murmured softly, then composed himself and began his restorative cultivation for the night.

Complete devouring had almost entirely depleted his crystal force. The consequence of forcing its use was that the size of the second white ring of the crystal had shrunk—a truly terrifying thing to imagine!

Calming his mind and visualizing the starry universe, at this moment, Ethan Bolton entered a meditative state and began cultivating once again!

Nine cultivation sessions per day, never changing! This cultivation has already become ingrained in his soul and bones, becoming a bodily instinct! Now, even his breathing and other actions can be adjusted to match the frequency of cultivation without making a sound, turning cultivation into ordinary breathing. Those who don’t practice this method would never suspect a thing!

Therefore, Ethan Bolton never worries about exposing his cultivation secret. He can even continue cultivating while talking to others, by speaking, breathing, and subtly contracting his skin! However, at this moment, due to severe depletion, his cultivation is only for recovery.

……

Early the next morning, Ethan Bolton packed some essential daily items, brought along a few favorite books to store in the crystal space, and then packed some clothes and other things into a large suitcase.

The large suitcase was just for storing clothes and such—mainly for appearances, so that his mother Diana Parker wouldn’t worry.

“Feng’er, after you settle down out there, remember to call home. Here’s a thousand yuan for you—there are many places where you’ll need money. Don’t rush to find a job. Your writing is actually pretty good; most people your age can’t compare to you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Her gentle tone, full of deep care and affection, was truly moving.

A mother worries when her child travels far—this feeling can perhaps only be truly felt when one is at their lowest.

“Mom, I don’t need the money, don’t worry! Just look at how energetic your son is—you know I’m not an ordinary person. I’m all grown up now; of course I know how to take care of myself. Don’t worry, once I’m settled, I’ll call to let you know I’m safe!” Ethan Bolton said with a smile, but did not take the thousand yuan. As for his mother’s nagging, he was not as impatient as before; instead, he felt deeply moved.