New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 184 A friendship forged from nothing, a bond for sharing a melon.

After listening for a while and finding nothing of interest, Yuan Zhu looked confused and asked, "So what exactly is this 'little pumpkin'?"

"A naturally grown, highly stable space device. It is uniformly shaped like a miniature pumpkin, three to four centimeters in size. But inside, it naturally contains a storage space that is the shape (size) of a normal pumpkin."

Yuan Zhu: "Space equipment that grows naturally?"

Meng Xiyue nodded: "Yes, it's the racial talent of the pumpkin head. It is said that in the 'head' or 'body' of each pumpkin head, a unique 'storage space' will be developed as they age. Not only that, among the many pumpkin aliens, a very few have awakened the talent of [planting], and can use starlight to cultivate the 'space pumpkin' I mentioned."

"These 'wild mini pumpkins,' which are not a racially specific breed, are not large in size. They are tiny on the outside, but their internal space is similar to that of a common pumpkin in the market. The smaller ones are only the size of an adult's fist, usually equivalent to a woman's handbag; the larger ones are comparable to backpacks—these are the rarest. Because they can be mass-produced, and despite limited space, they remain precious, so the [Astral Bank] uses them as special gifts for VIP clients."

A-Miao added from the side, "Rumor has it that the foundation of the Astral Bank is related to the mysterious and peculiar 'Space Pumpkin Technology.' It is said that the Astral Bank's main vault is a 'Space Pumpkin Plant' built in another dimension, using starlight as a channel to connect countless independent pumpkin spaces of varying sizes. 'Spatial teleportation' can be carried out wherever starlight shines. Therefore, even the most inconspicuous 'small pumpkin' possesses an incomprehensible positioning function, making it a rare and highly sought-after item on the black market."

After comparing them, Yuan Zhu felt that they seemed inferior to his [Soul Space]?
"Is this thing very valuable?"

Meng Xiyue nodded: "Yes! You can think of it as a 'luxury handbag', but it holds its value better and is more practical. I don't have one yet."

Ah Miao replied simply, "The average price on the black market is 1."

Yuan Zhu finally understood: "Hiss! Terrifying indeed."

Meng Xiyue added, "The most unique feature of the 'Little Pumpkin' is its stability, which is quite different from traditional 'spatial equipment.' Although the internal space is small, it is not affected by the external environment and can be used normally under any circumstances. Your 'Holy Seal' is a 'Sanctuary,' right? I even investigated it specifically. When the 'Holy Seal' is developed to its fullest extent, it can produce a 'spatial anchor' effect. It can lock down a space, restrict instantaneous teleportation, and restrict the opening and closing of spatial items. But the 'Little Pumpkin' ignores these kinds of spatial restrictions, as if it weren't a spatial equipment at all."

According to Meng Xiyue's explanation, in fantasy novels, 'space rings and storage bags' cannot be stored inside another 'space ring or storage bag'. Otherwise, the bugs would stack infinitely, and one ring could contain an entire universe.

The peculiarity of the little pumpkin is that it can be filled with a 'storage device', creating a bug. However, a small pumpkin cannot contain another small pumpkin, or you can break a small pumpkin and still stuff it inside.

Yuan Zhu: "I see, then it is indeed quite precious."

To date, he has not acquired a single piece of spatial equipment. His only two 'spatial skills' are both innate abilities cultivated through his own skill. One is the 'Universe Within' awakened by the 'Boss Template,' which is more like a 'Shadow Contamination Refining Furnace.' The other, 'Soul Space,' was entirely obtained through the 'Sanctuary.'

As for the pseudo-spatial technology, putting a golden Buddha statue inside a shadow might seem like a very sophisticated 'spatial ability.' But in essence, it's just moving around quickly in the 'shadow layer,' dragging a large net. Once exposed, it loses all its prestige and is best left unmentioned.

No wonder Mengxi said: "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away!"
Poor people have no access to spatial abilities or storage equipment, so they're naturally ineligible for the little pumpkin gift from the [Astral Bank]. Any money they have will be siphoned off by the bank, used for investments or life insurance, squeezed dry.

Wealthy people can naturally buy genuine storage equipment with larger capacity, and even learning a spatial ability isn't difficult. At least, A-Miao has repeatedly demonstrated his 'space' ability; and deep within his soul, there is indeed a connection to his own space, which isn't difficult to acquire, as is the case with other systems.

At this moment, Meng Xiyue pointed to the internal map on the wall and said, "We've already passed several vaults, but the specially made alloy doors are still firmly in place, and the anti-theft effect hasn't dissipated. They're impossible to crack, let alone get in. So, I strongly suggest we go to this VIP meeting room inside. I think they should have the [gift. Little Pumpkin] stored there."

Ah Miao: "I agree!"

Yuan Zhu: "Then let's get started!"

Yuan Zhu, who had the chance to participate in a bank robbery team-building activity for the first time in his life, never expected that a professional bank would have such advanced anti-theft measures. Even with no external force around to stop him, and the doors wide open for him to roam freely, he could only return defeated outside the alloy doors. Even if I had the chance, I wouldn't be able to do it!

Overwhelmed by his distress, he sighed, "Sigh! We've gotten so deep inside the bank, how come we still can't steal any money? Come to think of it, all the ill-gotten gains we've made since we got trapped have come from looting passersby in the outer branches. Does this even count as robbing a bank?!"

Since entering the bank through the large hole in the wall, it had been almost completely deserted. It was only just now, when we managed to get a bunch of small-denomination bills from an open box, that we realized how ironic it was.

He was a notorious bandit who had robbed the Golden Bodhisattva of the Vajra Temple and committed a series of major robberies in Chan City, yet he ran into trouble in front of a bank?

Ah Miao maintained an excellent attitude: "What's the big deal? We're at the headquarters of the Star Bank in [Sigh], so the security level is naturally the highest. Even if no one stops you and lets you steal, the probability of success is extremely low. This is such a large [structure], mainly providing various 'safe deposit box' services. Even if you break through the alloy doors, there are even stronger security measures inside. It's too difficult to rob. The VIP lounge is indeed a good place."

Having abandoned his delusion of robbing the vault, Yuan Zhu became completely at peace, staying by A Miao's side and cherishing this rare and precious time spent with the beautiful young lady.

Hoping to forge a bond through their shared experience of shopping at the bank, they kept bringing up various topics to get closer, which made Meng Xiyue roll her eyes. "Why aren't you this attentive to me and Zhou Chu?" she thought.
Finally, after winding their way through several alloy vault doors with different numbers, the three of them arrived at the VIP meeting room.

Ah Miao raised her pistol and repeatedly blasted the door lock, breaking through the already weak and expensive wooden door and successfully storming inside.

Meng Xiyue then began searching, and soon they found several small wooden boxes on shelves filled with various statues, porcelain, famous paintings, and handicrafts.

Opening the wooden box, one finds delicate, miniature pumpkins arranged in soft silk. Each one is smaller than a ping-pong ball, even more exquisite; each one is unique, like a naturally formed fruit.

Okay, this thing is an 'astral plant' grown by the pumpkin-headed aliens. Some are green, some are the stereotypical orange-yellow flat pumpkins, and there are other styles.

Yuan Zhu pressed, "Is this it?!" He had only scanned it with his spiritual senses and found nothing unusual about it.

Meng Xiyue affirmed, "Yes, that's it." With that, she tossed a wooden box to Yuan Zhu.

At this moment, Yuan Zhu also lifted the lid, revealing miniature pumpkins of various shapes. He picked one up and gently examined it, finding it quite heavy and substantial, more like a lump of metal than a plant fruit.

After grasping the 'little pumpkin' in his hands, he focused his senses and a blurry spherical space appeared in his mind, about the size of a shoebox, containing a metal card. With a thought, the 'card' appeared in his hand. The front read 'Astral Bank. Savings Card,' and below it was a string of scribbled 'vine script,' the common script of the aliens in the 'Plant Universe,' which even Little Spicy Strip didn't recognize.

"What is this card? Is it a unique number for each little pumpkin?"

Meng Xiyue: "No, it's just a simple red envelope."

A-Miao: "These anonymous savings cards usually allow you to deposit a sum of money directly into them for transactions. Anyone who gets one can withdraw it. Putting it in the 'Little Pumpkin' is naturally a small holiday gift to reward users."

Under the guidance of the two experts, Yuan Zhu quickly mastered the 'reading' technique and determined that each small pumpkin contained a deposit of 500-1000 yuan.

The larger the pumpkin inside the card, the higher the credit limit. The smaller the space, the less money is in the card. Regardless of the amount, it's still a very small sum.

"Wow, it really is a free gift. These 'mini pumpkins' are probably for kids, right?"

Yuan Zhu thought for a moment. According to Running's standard of living, a card with a face value of 1000 yuan would be enough for an ordinary family to save for half a year. But for Taixi's important figure, it should just be the holiday allowance for his naughty child.

As for the "little pumpkin"? Isn't it perfect as a schoolbag, pencil case, snack box, toy box...? How incredibly thoughtful! Banks give out small gifts during holidays, along with a "shopping savings card" for purchasing extracurricular books, snacks, and stationery, and then you can put the purchased items into the 'little pumpkin'.

Which parent could resist such a thoughtful children's meal? It's full of good intentions, without a trace of bribery.

The three huddled together and counted the items. They found a total of five wooden boxes on the storage shelf. Each box contained an average of 13 small pumpkins. However, one box only had eight left. The missing five pumpkins were probably given away as gifts.

13×4+8=60
Meng Xiyue: "Great! Everyone gets 20 pieces, that's fair."

Yuan Zhu: "How do you calculate the internal size? According to common sense, the larger it is, the more valuable it is, right?"

Ah Miao, who was experienced in dividing spoils, said directly: "Look at the credit limit of the anonymous card, and determine the total volume of the little pumpkin according to the total face value."

"clever!"

The three of them quickly went to the large table. Yuan Zhu transformed into a master of instant clearing, clearing away all obstacles on the table. Then he poured out the small pumpkins, arranged them neatly, and took out a series of 'debit cards' from them, placing them in front of the small pumpkins.

The three of them transformed into mental calculation masters. Yuan Zhu had the "Smart Spicy Strip" by his side; Meng Xiyue had the "Skull Servo" for protection; and A Miao was a professional consignment expert. Thus, the three of them quickly, accurately, and harmoniously divided the small pumpkin into three piles and tacitly put them away.

Mengxi's face lit up with an irrepressible smile as she eagerly shoved all the little pumpkins into her backpack; Yuan Zhu, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised to discover that these 'little pumpkins' could be stored in her [Soul Space]!
Moreover, after the little pumpkin was taken into his soul space, he was even more surprised to find that each 'little pumpkin storage space' was simultaneously within his perception and could be stored freely, just like a large toolbox with 20 clearly organized 'space blocks' unfolding at the same time, without affecting the original use of the soul space.

Yuan Zhu couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. This is awesome! I'm going to collect even more 'little pumpkins' to fill my [Soul Space]; it's so satisfying!

He had 20 pumpkin-shaped spaces in his mind, the smallest being the size of two fists, and the largest comparable to a backpack. They were the kind of enormous Halloween pumpkins you only see on TV!

Just as Yuan Zhu was reveling in the fact that the Little Pumpkin had a bug in the [Soul Space] and simultaneously added 20 secondary spaces, Meng Xiyue and A Miao on the other side had already taken action.

The two went to the storage shelves in the living room and began to carefully select some religious and mythological statues, exquisite porcelain, or jade carvings... calligraphy and paintings. Anything that caught their eye or was the right size was directly added to the "Little Pumpkin".

Once one pumpkin is full, it's replaced with the next, like the Golden Horned King with his golden gourd, constantly collecting! Collecting! Collecting!
"Wait, let me do it!"

When it was Yuan Zhu's turn to approach, he didn't even need to take out the little pumpkin. He simply grabbed whatever he liked and sent it into the [Soul Space, Sub-Space].

Ah! I felt that long-lost joy of plundering again. We were complete strangers who had only known each other for less than a day, yet we inexplicably grew closer, forging a deep, albeit superficial, friendship during this zero-yuan shopping event.

Meng Xiyue, in particular, had only known A Miao for less than an hour and a half, and was now calling her "Sister Miao, Sister Miao" non-stop, as if they were best friends who had known each other for a long time.

After the three of them had thoroughly searched the reception room, even collecting pens and exquisite ink bottles of questionable value, they finally stopped, still feeling unsatisfied.

At this moment, Meng Xiyue suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear! I almost forgot, the purpose of our trip to the Star Bank was to transfer money to Sister Miaomiao to pay for the goods. The pocket money (lucky money) we received from Little Pumpkin is enough to buy the goods."

Reminded by Meng Xiyue, Yuan Zhu quickly took out 20 anonymous cards from his [Soul Space]. He then took out the lowest denomination card to keep for self-defense and handed over the remaining 19 cards, saying, "Please accept these, Miaomiao."

Then, Meng Xiyue also took out a stack and handed it over.

Seeing this, A-Miao accepted the gift with satisfaction and said, "Actually, I've already made a profit from this batch of 'little pumpkins,' and the cost of the weapons is just a small fraction of what I was owed. But the rules can't be broken. Since you're willing to give it to me, I won't refuse. I have a good impression of you two. I'll make you my friend, and my 'reputation' for future transactions will improve accordingly."

Just as the three were happily dividing the spoils, a series of violent tremors came from the ground, shaking the office supplies on the table off.

Immediately, all three simultaneously heard different Buddhist chants. These sounds had no source; they appeared out of thin air in their ears, minds, and consciousness.

(End of this chapter)