CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: THE GAME BEGINS (SECOND UPDATE)

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

What’s going on?

What’s going on? Ren Suo thought as he saw a green jade pendant tattoo suddenly appear on his arm. After a wisp of smoke entered the tattoo, it actually made the tattoo glow slightly!

At this moment, Ren Suo felt as if his body had become a bit lighter, as if he had become "cleaner."

Simply put, it was the kind of satisfying relief one feels after letting out a really big fart.

He tapped the tattoo with his hand and immediately received a piece of information:

"Goddess Jade Pendant"

"Quality Rank: Two-Star Item. Prerequisite: Possess a complete respiratory system."

"Effect: After equipping, the player can breathe freely in any river or aquatic environment. Their vision and hearing will slightly improve, swimming ability will be greatly enhanced, and the effects of water pressure will be significantly reduced."

"Conditional Effect: If the condition ’Defeat any demons and ghosts’ is met, the jade pendant will purify the corrupted Spiritual Energy of the demons and ghosts. During purification, the jade pendant will also purify the Spiritual Energy on the player, slightly increasing the player’s cultivation talent."

"Note: The crystal-clear jade pendant holds a trace of warmth, seeming to inherit the fervor of ancient cultivators slaying monsters and demons."

Soon, the green tattoo gradually faded, and Ren Suo understood what had just happened.

After acquiring the Goddess Jade Pendant, Ren Suo naturally equipped it right away. He had an empty equipment slot, so why not use it?

However, the Goddess Jade Pendant also had a hidden effect that would only appear after defeating demons and ghosts. Although he was unsure how beneficial purifying Spiritual Energy would be, the effect of slightly increasing his cultivation talent was already a pleasant surprise.

But the hidden effect of the Goddess Jade Pendant was likely the reason why I ’so naturally’ charged forward to subdue the Demon earlier.

This time it was a success, but if I still charge forward the next time I encounter a BOSS...

I’m not a cultivator with Champion Bloodline, nor am I invincible.

But by the same token, I don’t have the ’shackles of slaying monsters and demons,’ so the psychological suggestion of the Goddess Jade Pendant shouldn’t be too strong. If I’m careful, I should be able to control my emotions.

To be safe, I plan to go back and free up a backup slot for this jade pendant. I’ll equip it when I next encounter demons and ghosts in a safe situation, to see if I can control my emotions.

"Brother Liang! Brother Liang! Call 120! Brother Liang is in trouble!"

Looking over, Ren Suo saw the train officer who had initially resisted the young man being carried onto the platform, surrounded by people performing first aid. He instructed two officers nearby to keep an eye on the young man and then went over to ask, "What happened?"

The female officer who was administering first aid, the same one Ren Suo had pushed aside earlier, anxiously said, "Brother Liang, Brother Liang’s ribs are broken, and it seems his internal organs are damaged..."

The officer lying there was almost unconsciously spitting up blood, his breaths shallow—more air going out than in. It looked like he wouldn’t last until emergency help arrived. Ren Suo knelt down. "Let me try."

He placed one hand on the officer’s chest and quietly switched to the "Strong Heart Technique."

One ability slot, two backup slots. I put the most commonly used ’Clothing’ and ’Lock’ in them. As for ’Strong Heart Technique,’ that was for just in case—just in case I got killed. I hadn’t expected it to actually come in handy.

The Strong Heart Technique had no visible effects. Ren Suo only felt himself channeling Spiritual Energy into the officer’s heart, but the officer’s breathing soon evened out, and he stopped spitting blood. A colleague of the officer quickly thanked him. Ren Suo waved his hand and returned to continue monitoring the young man.

...

The Tactical Bureau and Public Security arrived quickly. Even though this incident involved an Awakener, they still had to take statements and conduct an investigation. This wasted an hour, after which Ren Suo had to return to the Tactical Bureau to explain the situation again.

At the Tactical Bureau, Ren Suo was questioned privately by Yu Kuangtu. Ren Suo wondered why Yu Kuangtu hadn’t gone home yet, despite the late hour.

"Hmm... so it really exists? Can we find any descendants?..." Yu Kuangtu murmured, then put down the phone as Ren Suo entered.

"Please sit. Sigh, I just got back and there’s already a pile of issues to deal with."

He still had that aloof demeanor, yet possessed a thrilling allure. Ren Suo carefully maintained his focus and responded cautiously to Yu Kuangtu’s questions.

After briefly asking about the situation, Yu Kuangtu pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Have you awakened?"

Ren Suo was taken aback, but since he wasn’t looking at Yu Kuangtu, Yu Kuangtu couldn’t see his expression.

"The hospital just sent word," Yu Kuangtu continued. "They said a train officer’s condition is strange; he was critically bleeding internally, yet his heart worked overtime to keep his bodily functions going. They asked if we gave him any special medication. I just brushed them off."

Ren Suo thought about it and decided to tell a bit of the truth. "I did that."

Yu Kuangtu said, "The country doesn’t pay as much attention to research on awakened spells as it did a short while ago. After all, it’s hard to come up with anything.

"Nowadays, at most, we need you to register your awakened spells. Additionally, active members of the Tactical Bureau who are Awakeners receive an extra subsidy of 3,000 yuan per month."

"I am an Awakener," Ren Suo stated firmly. "My ability is that if someone is dying, I can help them live for a few more hours."

I don’t dare claim I can keep someone alive for 12 hours. I should downplay my ability—too much expectation could lead to trouble.

"Hmm... not bad. A rather rare logistical healing awakening technique," Yu Kuangtu commented.

"Alright then... for now, you’ll continue to stay with Team Three. If nothing unexpected happens, you’ll soon have a more important task."

At that moment, the phone rang again. Yu Kuangtu signaled Ren Suo could leave and picked up the call.

"Hmm... what? Another episode is out?"

Ren Suo sighed with relief, pushed the office door open, and walked out.

Finally, I can go back to gaming...

Even though today was a day off, it was busier than a workday.

Only games can soothe the soul!

...

Back home, Ren Suo cooked a box of instant noodles. Then he lay on the sofa, eating his noodles while booting up the Mini-World Game Console.

The disc icon for "Over My Dead Body" was still spinning. I remember the icon for ’If You Are Strong, Climb Ten Thousand Meters’ didn’t spin for long before it stopped.

But none of that matters as much as ’Jedi Priest’!

The main reason Ren Suo had to buy "Jedi Priest" was because of its exclusive reward: "Touch of Healing"!

This is the first time I’ve seen an exclusive reward that looks like actual magic!

And from the name, it sounds like a healing skill!

If I was unsure before, after using ’Strong Heart Technique,’ I’m fairly certain that the skills from the game console can be used in reality. So, if I can get a healing skill...

If nothing else, I could basically say goodbye to minor illnesses and pains. Of course, there’s also the possibility that ’Touch of Healing’ is very ’scientific’—maybe it can’t even cure a common cold and can only enhance the body’s natural recovery capabilities...

But even just that would be enough.

Ren Suo’s grandmother had passed away three years ago from various illnesses common in old age.

He, who had always been close to his grandparents, had almost switched to a medical major because of it.

However, partly because he didn’t think he was smart enough, and partly because time had eased his grief, Ren Suo eventually came to terms with it.

This is the limitation of modern medicine, the limitation of the era.

People have to adapt to life, get used to life and death. Not to mention, if nothing unexpected happens in my future, I’ll probably have to watch my own father and mother pass away.

If the future doesn’t bring technologies like neural interfaces, soul digitalization, or hibernation techniques, then all of this is unstoppable.

However, the moment he saw "Touch of Healing," Ren Suo couldn’t stay calm.

If science can’t save those who are meant to die, then... what about non-science?

Even if this skill can only treat illnesses and pain, then in the future, I wouldn’t have to see my loved ones suffer anymore.

Not to mention, I could eat all the spicy, fried, and other unhealthy foods I want without worrying about issues like acne breakouts!

For myself, for my family, for the 49 Merit Points I spent.

Game start!