My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world

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"Spiritual stones are very important for a cultivator. Kent, think about it again," Ethan said, his voice laced with concern.

Kent took a step back, putting on a sorrowful expression. He was trying to create tension before delivering his next words.

"Alas! Do you think I don't know how important and precious these spiritual stones are?" he sighed dramatically. "I'm an orphan, and I have a little sister. We survive on the small stall I set up before school. You don't know how hard it's been for us all this time."

Ethan looked at him, puzzled. "But what about your cultivation? How will you progress without them? Your growth will be painfully slow."

Kent shook his head, his face a mask of determination. "I don't have the luxury of focusing on my cultivation. I have to make a living for my sister and me. Most of the time, I'm working, leaving no time for cultivation. So, it doesn't matter if I use the spiritual stones or not. My progress will always be slow. Besides, look at today—I levelled up unexpectedly."

He shrugged, almost nonchalantly. "Don't worry, I'll just do some more arm wrestling with Ryan if I need to level up further. You're around, aren't you? You can help me with a few matches, too."

Ethan frowned. "You really plan on using that? You'll be back to square one."

Kent waved him off. "We'll get more spiritual stones next month. I'll use those for my cultivation then."

"Damn it, how long do I have to convince him?" Kent thought, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Just agree to my request already."

Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, I'll help. Meet me after school. I'll take you to a secret place. We'll sell the stones, and if there's anything left, I'll buy it."

Kent smirked, an expression of triumph flickering across his face. "Plan a success."

"Do you have a bank account?" Ethan asked suddenly. "We'll need a secret one. These spiritual stones are worth a lot. Each one is going for fifty thousand dollars."

Kent's eyes widened in shock. "Fifty thousand dollars?" He gulped. "I've never had more than five hundred dollars in my account… With that kind of money, I could give Nima the life she deserves."

He paused, realization dawning. "No wonder Nexus and the Watchers use military-level security to transport these stones. If someone stole even one box, it would be like millions of dollars lost instantly."

"I don't have a secret account," Kent admitted, his voice thoughtful. "Is it a problem if I use my real account?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "It's not a big deal, but if someone from Nexus investigates you, how will you explain the money?"

Kent chuckled. "Nobody's going to care about an orphan boy. I don't think it'll be an issue. It's illegal to check someone's private information anyway."

+99 SP copied from Ethan. (Surprised)

Ethan didn't know how to respond. He knew that by going to the black market and selling the stones, they were breaking the rules, but Kent seemed unfazed.

"Alright," Ethan muttered. "Let's go."

After school, Kent and Ethan met behind the school's back gate, away from prying eyes. Ethan looked around nervously, adjusting his glasses for the disguise.

"You sure about this, Kent?" Ethan whispered. "The black market isn't a joke. One wrong move, and we could be in serious trouble."

Kent smirked, clapping him on the back. "Relax, Ethan. We're just selling some stones, not smuggling ancient relics."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Spiritual stones are practically ancient relics in Dragon County. Nexus and the Watchers keep a tight grip on them. If they find out, we're toast."

"Then let's make sure they don't find out," Kent said confidently.

Ethan sighed. "Alright, follow me. I know someone who can help us."

Ethan led Kent through the winding alleys of Metro City, past bustling marketplaces and quiet, shadowed corners. Eventually, they reached a small herbal shop with a faded sign that read "Herb Haven."

Ethan knocked on the door three times, paused, and then knocked twice more. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a scar running down his cheek. He studied them for a moment before stepping aside. "You brought an unknown kid?" the man asked, his voice gruff.

Ethan cleared his throat. "He's the one selling the stones, Mr. Fang. I'm just here to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Mr. Fang's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kent. "You don't look like someone who'd have spiritual stones. Where'd you get them?"

Kent grinned, holding up the pouch of stones. "Let's just say I'm good at collecting things."

Fang smirked and motioned for them to follow him inside. The shop's interior was dimly lit, with shelves lined with jars of dried herbs and mysterious powders. Fang led them to a hidden room behind a sliding panel, where a small table and two chairs waited. "Show me the goods," Fang said, sitting down.

Kent placed the five stones on the table, their white, crystalline surfaces glinting faintly in the light. Fang picked one up, inspecting it closely. "These are high-quality stones," Fang said, nodding appreciatively. "Where'd you say you got them?"

Kent shrugged. "Let's just say I have connections."

Fang raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright, I'll give you 240,000 dollars for the lot."

"240,000?!" Kent exclaimed, leaning forward. "These are worth way more than that! You're trying to rip me off!"

Fang smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You're lucky I'm even offering that much, kid. The risk of selling these stones is huge. Nexus and Watchers have eyes everywhere."

Ethan nudged Kent, whispering, "240,000 is actually a good deal, Kent. Let's not push our luck."

Kent frowned but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Deal."

As Fang transferred the money to Kent's bank account, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. Fang's expression darkened. "Stay here."

He slid the panel shut and stepped into the leading shop. Kent and Ethan exchanged nervous glances as muffled voices reached their ears. "What's going on?" Ethan whispered.

Kent peeked through a small crack in the panel. Two men in black coats, their Nexus badges gleaming, were speaking with Fang.

"They're Nexus and Watcher agents," Kent muttered.

Ethan's face paled. "We're dead. We're so dead."

"Relax," Kent whispered, pulling out his Spiritual Clock ability. "If they come in here, I'll hide us."

The minutes felt like hours as Fang spoke with the agents. Finally, the footsteps retreated, and Fang returned, his face grim. "They were asking about some random unauthorized trades," Fang said. "You kids need to leave. Now."

Kent and Ethan didn't need to be told twice. They quickly slipped out through a back exit.

The night had grown late by the time Kent finally returned home. Nima was already asleep. He had informed her earlier that he would be late after studying and training with the old man, Xian Yu. She had dinner with them and now was resting.

After some work, Kent went to bed, his phone in hand. He stared at the numbers in his bank account. "One, two, three, four, five, six—" He jumped out of bed, yelling in disbelief. "I'm rich!"

His mind raced as he imagined money pouring down around him. He pictured himself sitting on a throne made of cash, sleeping on piles of money, his thoughts spinning wild fantasies. "What should I buy first? A car? A plane? A ship? Or maybe a noodle shop for Nima?"

As soon as he mentioned Nima, an old memory resurfaced in his mind. ----'Two years ago, they had run away from the orphanage. Kent had just turned 15, and someone had wanted to adopt Nima. But she didn't want to leave Kent. She cried for two days straight. Then, Kent made the toughest decision of his life. He took her and ran away from the orphanage. They lived on the streets for a week before Kent managed to find a cheap house to rent.'

Nima had asked him, "Big Brother, is this really our house?"

Kent smiled softly and said, "It's not ours, but from now on, we'll live here."

Nima had smiled back, a spark of determination in her eyes. "One day, I'll buy this house, and we'll make it our permanent home. We'll live together forever."

Back to the present:

"I know what I'm going to do." Kent's voice was full of purpose. "I'm going to buy this house. I'll talk to the landlord and surprise Nima."

Suddenly, a sound echoed in Kent's mind.

[Ding! Mission: Investigate the Spiritual Land on the outskirts of Metro City.

Objective: Uncover the secret behind the abnormally high spiritual energy concentration.

Reward: Spiritual Treasure (Unidentified).

Penalty: -200,000 SP if the host fails.

Time: 7 Days ]

Kent stared at the mission, his initial reaction one of frustration. "200,000 SP? That's almost a week's worth of farming spiritual points!"