[ Skills: 

[ Spiritual Sense (Innate, F-Grade): General sharpening of all five physical senses, can sense Spiritual power in the atmosphere. (Upgradeable)]

[ Lunar Disc Breathing Method(Not started): Foundational practice of the Su family.]

Su Mu's mental breath hitched as she processed the updated attribute panel floating in front of her eyes. 

Compared to the simple progress bar she'd seen before, this was a complete change. 

The information was detailed, almost overwhelming, confirming that this wasn't just a feature of the breathing method, but her own unique talent – her "Golden Finger," just like in those novels.

Compared to last night, her Physique and Spirit stats had indeed jumped. 

The +0.03 Physique and +0.5 Spirit likely came from practicing the Lunar Disc method, even with the Will Rune still incomplete. 

She did feel subtly stronger, her mind sharper.

But the real game-changer was still her Unique Skill: Upgrade Matrix. 

Looking at the description, she could already feel elated: "perceiving, absorbing, and... an interface with upgraded functions that can upgrade skills, or even external objects". 

This explained everything.

The Empathic Siphon ability confirmed her suspicions. 

It passively absorbed emotional and vital energies, converting them into Source Power. 

That explained the energy surge with Lingxi and the accelerated progress near Xu'er's room. 

Looking at the description, the intensity and amount of energy absorbed are different based on many factors. 

'Since, the intense activities in that room were practically feeding my ability,' she realized, a blush warming her cheeks despite the incredible implications. 

The Source Power currently sat at 0, meaning the energy she'd absorbed had been used to fully awaken the panel itself, and she needs to absorb again.

Then there was Insight Digitization (Constant). As if it constantly analyzed and quantified spiritual phenomena. 

That explained the clear stats, the progress percentages she observed before– it turned the abstract concepts of this world into understandable data.

And finally, the Upgrade ability. The power to actively enhance herself, her skills, even items, using the absorbed Source Power. 

According to the information she received, the possibilities and applications of this unique skill are endless. 

She then focused on the 'Acquired Skills' section. Spiritual Sense and Lunar Disc Breathing method now had a progress bar to the next grade. 

Su Mu could already feel that she can easily upgrade her new skills like the Spiritual Sense, a basic skill practiced by awakeners to sense spiritual power.

Or maybe, she could even refine the Lunar Disc Breathing Method's Will Rune faster, although the method itself was listed as 'Un-upgradeable', due to being incomplete. 

However, looking at the available source power at zero, she shook her head in some disappointment.

Su Mu knew all of this was temporary and all she needed to do was accumulate more Source Power.

In addition to this, she also found that the upgrade process for external equipment was completely different, following a specific quality grade system.

The higher the quality the greater the consumption of the source power.

'So, my path forward is clear,' Su Mu thought, a newfound determination solidifying within her. 

'First, I need to finish the Will Rune for the Lunar Disc method, officially reach Rank F. And I need to accumulate enough Source Power by using Empathic Siphon… then choose a suitable profession path that can maximize my unique skill.' 

The most obvious sources for the source power were intense emotional or vital energy fluctuations. 

Working here, surrounded by the activities of RomantiX, suddenly seemed less like a strange detour and more like an unexpected opportunity.

She glanced again at the Core State: 'F-' Rank Awakener (Initial Phase). 

She was just at the very beginning. But with this Upgrade Matrix, this Golden Finger... her potential felt limitless.

A slow smile spread across Su Mu's face, clearing away her earlier shock and embarrassment. 

The world of Blue Star was dangerous, layered, and complex, but she wasn't just passively drifting anymore. 

She also had a tool, a unique advantage, 'All I need to do is make sure this life doesn't go wasted like my previous life.'

Su Mu mentally reviewed the newly updated attribute panel, her mind buzzing with the possibilities her "Golden Finger" offered. 

The path to power was clearer now, and the slight disappointment of the Source Power being at zero didn't dampen her spirits for long. 

She knew what she needed to do, as she waited few more minutes looking at her attribute panel, but there was no increase in the progress bar next to the source power.

Su Mu became slightly confused at what's happening inside the room, but she didn't bother to spy on them anymore.

The quiet of RomantiX, with no customers currently present, seemed like the perfect opportunity to delve back into the mental construction of her Will Rune. 

"Just a bit more, and I'll complete the prototype," she thought, a focused determination settling over her. 

She closed her eyes, ready to immerse herself once more in weaving her mental energy into the complex patterns.

However, before she could even begin to trace the first line of the rune in her mind's eye, a harsh, angry voice shattered the tranquility of the store.

"Useless! Can't you even walk straight? What am I paying you for, to stumble around like brainless sheep?"

Su Mu's eyes snapped open. 

That was Young Master Zhao's voice, sharp and laced with a cruel arrogance that was unmistakable. 

He was coming out of the private lounge area, and he was clearly furious.

Her gaze immediately shot towards the direction of the commotion. 

Young Master Zhao emerged from the corridor leading to the lounges, his handsome face twisted into an ugly sneer. 

Behind him, the two women who had accompanied him stumbled out, their heads bowed.

It was their condition that made Su Mu's breath catch in her throat.

They were in a terrible state. 

Dark bruises were already beginning to show on their arms and what little she could see of their shoulders. 

One woman had a visible cut on her cheek, a thin line of blood she was subtly trying to dab away. 

The other woman's bunny ear was torn and hanging crookedly, and she held her arm as if it were injured. 

Their movements were stiff, pained, and they were clearly trying their best to hide the extent of their injuries, pulling their now-disheveled bunny costumes around themselves as much as possible.

But there was no hiding the raw pain and humiliation in their eyes.

Su Mu wasn't the only one to notice. 

Mei Lin, who had been quietly restocking some items, froze. 

Even little An Rui, who was sweeping near the entrance, stopped, her small face paling as she looked at the scene unfolding. 

The air in RomantiX grew heavy with unspoken tension.

Su Mu's eyes darted from Young Master Zhao's furious expression to the two suffering women. 

A knot of worry tightened in her chest. "Where's Xu'er?" she thought frantically. Xu'er was supposed to be with them. Why wasn't she coming out?

A cold chill, with a glint of anger, began to fill her eyes. Her mind filled with thoughts 'Was Xu'er also hurt? Had he...?'

Just as Su Mu took a half-step forward, intending to go and check the lounge herself.

Just then, a sudden, soft whisper brushed against her ear, so close it made the fine hairs on her neck stand on end.

"Missy, did you miss me?"

The voice was husky, playful, and unmistakably Xu'er's.