CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: SEEING KAREN AGAIN (THREE MORE)

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

Upon entering "Devouring the Spirit of the World," Ren Suo gazed at the blockade beneath the Elizabeth Tower and furrowed his brow slightly.

Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower, the Westminster Palace Bell Tower—this iconic Gothic structure in London, Britain, holds multiple meanings for the British. It symbolizes the Houses of Parliament and is also a landmark that Londoners hear every day.

Ren Suo was correct; indeed, Big Ben was the British Spirit Treasury, and it was only Big Ben, unrelated to the Houses of Parliament. If the "Parliament" and "government" locations couldn’t become Spirit Treasuries, Ren Suo could eliminate many potential targets.

In "Spiritual Vision," the entire bell tower of Big Ben appeared like a nearly solid "Golden Column."

Although the interior of Big Ben was not open to foreigners, the Red Fox didn’t need to enter, nor was she able to. The Spirit Treasury, like a Barrier, resisted all Non-Humans.

Big Ben was north of the Houses of Parliament. The Red Fox casually encountered a Spiritual Energy Golden Column on the roadside. After five minutes of contact, she naturally obtained information about the Spirit Treasury:

"You have found the British Spirit Treasury!"

"Do you want to open the British Spirit Treasury? You may open the British Spirit Treasury early. As a reward, you will obtain an exclusive Evolution Ability."

"Note: Opening the British Spirit Treasury will lead to a series of unpredictable consequences."

"Note: After opening the British Spirit Treasury, you will gain one ’Trump Card Evolution.’"

"Note: The British Spirit Treasury will automatically open in 29 days."

"Elizabeth Tower"

"Spiritual Energy Quantity: ???"

"Time Required to Open: 3 sessions, each requiring 12 hours"

"Nation-Protecting: ???"

"Never Set: ???"

Sure enough, as soon as ’Devouring the Spirit of the World’ opened any Spirit Treasury in the world, other Spirit Treasuries would inevitably automatically open after one month, and there was nothing Ren Suo could do about it.

This was undeniably a representation of the game’s difficulty—if ’Devouring the Spirit of the World’ was unable to open other Spirit Treasuries early within a month, he would indeed miss out.

Moreover, he had better achieve the goal of "combat power surpassing the World’s Strongest" within 30 days.

Otherwise, when all the Spirit Treasuries erupted, it was uncertain to what extent the World’s Strongest’s combat power would rise.

However, the British Spirit Treasury was quite unlike the Spirit Treasury of Mysterious Country—it only required opening three times.

This was undoubtedly convenient. Just as Ren Suo thought he could easily and happily obtain the British Spirit Treasury, on the third day, Britain finally showed its hand.

Similar to when the Spirit Treasury of Mysterious Country was opened, the Red Fox would also see a screen of light, visible to the naked eye, covering the sky when she was opening the British Spirit Treasury. However, this was unlike the crimson auroras of Mysterious Country. The British screen of light shifted between white, red, and blue, appearing like a giant Razer keyboard releasing light pollution.

Without a doubt, the shifting light screen also drew the attention of British officials. But unlike the Inheritance Fire of Mysterious Country, London had far too many landmarks: Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey. They gained nothing on the first day.

However, during the Red Fox’s second activation of the Spirit Vein, they seemed to deduce from the light screen’s first appearance that its source was Big Ben, and they immediately blocked off Big Ben!

Ren Suo’s game progress was stalled here.

He tried having the Red Fox approach with her "Charm" activated. Inside the blockade, there were not only soldiers but also some young people with [National Land Survey Commissioner] badges—their Spiritual Energy Columns looked like those of Cultivators.

Ren Suo had long noticed that Cultivators and ordinary people were somewhat different in "Spiritual Vision."

Both emitted Blood Light, but ordinary people’s Blood Light was red mixed with black, while the Black Body Armors, who were undoubtedly Cultivators, had Blood Light that was red mixed with gold, carrying an air of being ’high-end, grand, and classy.’

These National Land Survey Commissioners also had Blood Light that was red mixed with gold; they were undoubtedly Cultivators as well.

However, there was no difference between Cultivators and ordinary people; both succumbed to the Red Fox’s nation-toppling fragrance. However—

They were also equipped with military drones.

These drones WHIRRED as they hovered above the blockade line. One landed every 15 minutes to be replaced, each equipped with guns protruding from underneath—given that the guns were fitted on drones less than a meter long, their power must be limited.

But the problem was, with a direct observational method relying on cameras, the Red Fox could not sneak in.

So Ren Suo had the Red Fox roam around London, Absorbing Spiritual Energy from a few museums.

Even if the museum cameras captured the Red Fox, unless the security personnel reacted, the monitoring room personnel would not fuss—watching several, or even up to a dozen, monitors simultaneously was exhausting.

However, after spending a day to Evolve twice, the Red Fox still did not develop ’Invisibility’ or ’Adjustable Temperature’ abilities for stealth.

Maybe the Red Fox didn’t have such evolution abilities, or maybe he was just unlucky, but Ren Suo was unwilling to waste more time.

After all, the world was so vast; he had to explore it everywhere.

Thus, Ren Suo had the Red Fox tap the ground three times.

Then, an old gentleman dressed in a formal suit, leaning on a cane, appeared before the Red Fox.

"Hello, young fox, this gentleman is willing to offer you some minor assistance," he said.

Red Fox: "Aren’t Earth Spirits supposed not to age?"

London Earth Spirit: "Aging is the romance of the British people, young fox."

The London Earth Spirit’s shopping list had more items than the North Wild Earth Spirit’s, including some seemingly powerful Spells. For instance, the ’Dragon King’s Roar Crystal’ could teach the user Dragon King’s Roar. This ability unleashed destructive power ten to one hundred times its standard damage output, definitely enhancing Red Fox’s combat power.

Of course, the price was also sky-high. If he wasn’t confident enough that he could catch up with the World’s Strongest with this Spell, he would definitely leave it for now and just remember this shopping spot.

He had sought out the Earth Spirit with only one purpose in mind.

Red Fox: "Can you provide a service that allows me to teleport to the Elizabeth Tower?"

The London Earth Spirit glanced at the Elizabeth Tower in the distance and suddenly realized, "So it’s you who is opening the Spirit Treasury... No wonder you have such a powerful Blessing from the Spirit Treasury. I see."

Red Fox: "I hope you can dig a hole underground at the periphery of the Elizabeth Tower and teleport me there, just so I can reach its foundation."

London Earth Spirit: "It’s not impossible, but... it will cost this much."

25 Merit Points!

Ren Suo was shocked. This gentleman, despite his refined appearance, was thoroughly British—his predatory style of taking everything, leaving no scraps, was just like the British of the 19th century.

Even he knew that using such a service was like cheating in the game, bypassing the surveillance of surface humans and almost certainly opening the Spirit Treasury without fail. Naturally, the price wouldn’t be cheap.

But 25 Merit Points was just too outrageous!

Red Fox: "That’s too expensive!"

London gentleman: "You may choose not to use it. I won’t force you. However, if you buy this service, I can also teleport you out in a timely manner when needed."

Off-screen, Ren Suo tugged at the corner of his mouth and used ’Charm,’ pleading, "Make it a bit cheaper, please!"

Ren Suo hadn’t expected it to work, but the old London gentleman’s face turned red, and he said, "Well then... let’s make it this price."

The price dropped from 25 to 24 Merit Points. Unsatisfied, Ren Suo tried several more times, but it only went down to 20 Merit Points and wouldn’t budge further. Moreover, the London Earth Spirit was starting to get angry.

Ren Suo was already very satisfied that his Skill could affect the in-app purchase price. He tentatively had Red Fox ask, "Can I pay in installments? Say, 10 payments?"

The London Earth Spirit was somewhat puzzled. "That’s not impossible..."

Ren Suo’s eyes lit up. He then asked, "Then, for purchasing items, can payment also be made in installments?"

The London Earth Spirit said, "That’s possible too, but you’ll have to buy premium goods."

Overjoyed, Ren Suo began making the 10 payments.

This kind of expense was, indeed, recognized by the Player’s Privilege ’meticulous calculation.’ Out of 10 payments, 7 triggered the privilege, which was considered above-average luck, costing him only 13 Merit Points.

Nevertheless, he still felt the pinch—this kind of in-app purchase for cheating could be used only two more times before he went bankrupt.

After obtaining the British Spirit Treasury, he definitely needed to choose an Evolution that allowed perfect Invisibility.

However, cheating through in-app purchases was exhilarating. Red Fox was directly teleported to the ground right below Big Ben, allowing her to perfectly access the Spiritual Energy without alerting anyone above.

Even if he had used a Pangolin, it might not have been achievable—London’s underground was already riddled with pipes and cables, and one wrong move could cause a cave-in, leading to complete exposure.

Red Fox, delighted, clung to the energy column and initiated the final opening, fast-forwarding 12 hours.

However, after just 1 hour and 13 minutes, Ren Suo saw the fast-forwarding forcibly interrupted.

A translucent blue figure appeared in the hole dug by the London Earth Spirit, looking curiously at Red Fox.

"Miss, what are you doing?" she asked.

Her mouth did not move, but the sound of a young girl speaking Mandarin came from the screen.

And Ren Suo, lying on the couch, almost flipped over in shock.

He hadn’t expected to see her again in this game—

Karen Lanpelucci.

She was the protagonist’s protection target in the ’Blood Feast’ Chapter of ’Assassin’!