Mini World Game Console

In the Dispersing Spirit Space, a group of elderly, middle-aged, and young researchers surrounded Ren on the Dispersing Spirit Iron Throne to give their reports.

"Although it was only a preliminary test, after '236' underwent transformations, there were no abnormalities when others came into direct contact with it without physical isolation. The twenty members of the squad that discovered '236' were all found to be fully awake, exhibiting only weakness and physical stiffness from days of inactivity, with no other abnormalities."

"In the emergency tests, three volunteers wearing '236' exhibited significant positive changes in their psychological state and a rapid increase in learning ability after just ten minutes of sleep."

"Among them, the three volunteers reported encountering a girl in their sleep who communicated with them. However, each described the girl's appearance differently, so doubts remained as to whether the girl was an entity born from '236'."

"Within a ten-meter radius of '236,' all testers' feelings of anxiety would rapidly subside, and their learning ability might see some improvement."

"All these changes were caused by the Strong Female Protagonist (from 'If You Are Strong, Climb Ten Thousand Meters') suddenly appearing in '236's' preservation room and putting it on."

The elderly researcher looked at Ren. "Ren, what do you think the Strong Female Protagonist did to '236'?"

Ren looked at the white, pointed hat on the screen. "I've said before that '236' contains too much negative energy. This energy, like Spiritual Energy, exists in another dimension. The hat is merely an energy projection; it can be touched but not destroyed. Although I was only observing from the outside, the Strong Female Protagonist utilized higher-dimensional energy, and she delved deep into the negative energy herself, working from both inside and out to completely transform the hat."

When it came to Spiritual Energy, the researchers lacked the qualifications to refute Ren's words. In the absence of any other explanation, Ren's assessment was provisionally accepted as the conclusion.

A researcher asked, "But why did she do that?"

Ren pondered for a moment, then said, "What would have happened to '236' if the Strong Female Protagonist hadn't appeared?"

"Based on the observations of Mr. Ren and other Scout Cultivators, after devouring the twenty team members it first contacted, '236' would have been able to extract the energy it needed from them, thereby fully activating its negative energy and unleashing its complete power."

A researcher stated, "Although we can't know the exact details, we can speculate based on its current state: '236' would cause anyone wearing it to fall into a deep sleep and induce mental state changes in people within ten meters. Moreover, these effects would inevitably be harmful to humans."

"If that were all, it would already be considered an excellent outcome. However, the energy of '236' is immense. If it were to discharge endlessly, the affected area would likely expand much further, and this absolute radiation would ignore all obstacles."

"It was also highly probable that it would tempt any being that looked at it to put it on, causing them to fall into an endless slumber. Alternatively, it might cause a portion of the negative energy to erupt within the wearer, drastically increasing their strength to gather more negative energy for '236'."

"So," Ren said lightly, "the '236' that we cannot handle, at best, would merely become a dangerous artifact. At worst, it could lead to a series of disasters."

"However, the Strong Female Protagonist's appearance solved this difficult problem. As for '236' becoming a useful treasure, that is of secondary importance."

Ren suddenly hunched over and coughed twice, waving his hand to signal them not to worry. "…Now, let us set aside all our previous views of the Strong Female Protagonist and look solely at this incident."

"She solved this difficult problem and saved twenty cultivators from the Mysterious Country, half of whom were Second Stage Cultivators. If we consider her actions in isolation from those of 'Ren Naiser' and others, then from her appearance until now—although she is most likely a dead Living Being—her actions have not harmed the Mysterious Country's interests; in fact, she has extended a helping hand multiple times."

"I do not participate in decision-making, but regarding the Strong Female Protagonist's actions, I believe she is someone we 'should try to unite with.' Of course, I can understand her actions in breaking into the underground base, and her intentions were good, but this shouldn't be a reason to be lenient with her."

"That is my view. The Strong Female Protagonist has both merits and demerits. As for how to deal with her, that's for the higher-ups to decide. After all, I am just, cough cough… a researcher."

After concluding their discussion on '236', the researchers left the Dispersing Spirit Space.

Two researchers who knew each other were heading to the restroom. Seeing that all the stalls were open, they started unfastening their belts while chatting. "Ren seems quite partial to the Strong Female Protagonist."

The other nodded in agreement. "I feel that way too. Not only does he show goodwill towards the Strong Female Protagonist, but he also seems to have a favorable impression of 'Ren Naiser'."

"Although he doesn't participate in decision-making, given his status, the higher-ups will definitely consider his opinion. However, that's a task for the frontline personnel; it doesn't concern us."

"But that's human nature, after all. The only one who might be able to answer the mystery of the bloodline is 'Ren Naiser.' For both public and private reasons, he wants to win 'Ren Naiser' over to our side."

After the two researchers left, another person entered. He stopped halfway and suddenly turned his head. "Li Dan, what are you doing here? Why do you have 'Invisibility' active?"

Li Dan, sitting on the toilet lid, said, "Nothing much, just heard some interesting things."

As Liang De unzipped his pants to urinate, he had a sudden realization. "Are you practicing? I get it! 'Invisibility' is a Third-Tier Magic. You, a Second Stage, can cultivate it, even if your cultivation isn't perfected yet. Only a Second Stage cultivator like me would likely notice you. You should practice more… Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you like to cultivate in the bathroom."

Liang De zipped up his pants, washed his hands, and walked over, saying, "Don't worry, having your own quirks is perfectly normal—"

SLAP!

The sound of two hands clapping together boomed through the air. Li Dan looked up, his gaze cold as he stared at the squinting Liang De, and at Liang De's hand, which had been hovering over Li Dan's head, now blocked by Li Dan's own hand.

"Don't touch my shoulder with your wet hands. Not even if you wipe them dry."

At that moment, Li Dan's eyebrows twitched. In the Dispersing Spirit Space, Ren, sitting on the Dispersing Spirit Iron Throne, coughed. One possessed a marvelous Awakening Insight Spell; the other was a top-tier cultivator, a hair's breadth from the absolute peak.

They simultaneously sensed that something seemed off about the flow of Spiritual Energy.

"This kind of injury can just be treated at the school hospital..."

In the Heavenly Lotus Academy's Cultivation Ground, Ren Suo was helping a second-year high schooler, Little Fatty, heal his injuries. He said to Gu Yueyan with a helpless expression,

"As an Emergency Doctor, you should do your utmost to treat the students," Gu Yueyan said, hands on her hips. "I was wondering how you always have time to eat with Teacher Dong. It turns out you've been skipping work at the school hospital, you tax thief! This is a Practitioners' Academy established by the state!"

"What do you mean, I don't work? Who do you think healed Xiaoyu's hand?" Ren Suo retorted.

"Then what are you complaining about? Shouldn't you heal students when they're injured? You have no professional ethics at all! Do you even deserve your salary?"

Anger surged within Ren Suo. He turned his head, glared at Gu Yueyan, and shouted,

"I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

"Huh?" Gu Yueyan, startled into taking half a step back, paused her intention to tattle to the teacher. It seemed to be the first time she had seen an adult admit their mistake so loudly. Other students in the Cultivation Ground looked over, and she hastily added, "Oh, it's good that you know your mistake... After you finish treating him, this... this Little Fatty should leave quickly."

The fatty being treated by Ren Suo was speechless. Class President, you spoke so passionately, but it seems you don't even know who I am.

"Leave? Your class is almost over too. It's time to find her for a late-night snack."

Ren Suo left the Cultivation Ground as soon as he finished treating Little Fatty.

Gazing at the night sky, where only the moon was visible due to light pollution, Ren Suo tugged down the brim of his cap, feeling rather frustrated.

Even if it only offered '+10% Comprehension,' Ren Suo was willing to wear the 'Seeker of the Dao Correction Hat' prop. This prop had to be attached to a physical hat to activate, and since Ren Suo had been wearing a hat lately, he had naturally equipped it.

However, all the hat's functions were passive. This meant that when Ren Suo felt he 'should apologize,' 'should comfort,' or 'should be grateful,' its passive abilities would automatically trigger.

Enhancing the effect of his words was one thing; the main point was that if Ren Suo wasn't careful, he would involuntarily blurt out some deeply embarrassing truths he didn't want to voice.

"Sigh..."

"Why the sigh?"

"Because it's going to be hard to be a gentle scoundrel from now on... Huh?"

Realizing it was Gu Yueyan, that little rascal, Ren Suo glanced at her, unconcerned, and continued to lean against the wall, playing on his phone.

Gu Yueyan's hair stood on end as she heard this. "You really do have improper designs on the teacher!"

Ren Suo rolled his eyes. "Tsk, go ahead and report me if you dare."

The difference in their status left Gu Yueyan fuming but unable to retort. However, being highly proactive, she also waited at the entrance for Dong Chengling, apparently planning to have a late-night snack together and, incidentally, keep an eye on Ren Suo, the former gentle scoundrel.

But she seemed somewhat afraid of Ren Suo. When Lin Xianyu passed by, Gu Yueyan grabbed her. Lin Xianyu looked like she wanted to go back to the dorm to shower, but under the 'spell' of 'my treat,' she obediently relented, eagerly preparing to snag a free meal.

"Aren't you two afraid of getting fat from late-night snacks?" Ren Suo asked with a smile.

"We'll cultivate when we get back anyway, so we'll burn off the energy quickly! A late-night snack is perfect!" Gu Yueyan immediately replied.

Lin Xianyu blinked. "We?"

"As for you," Gu Yueyan taunted, "forget breakfast and lunch; why do you eat a late-night snack every day? Are you trying to prematurely become a greasy, bald, middle-aged man with a beer belly? You don't look like the type to go back and cultivate. You should quit this bad habit soon."

Gu Yueyan waited to see how this tax thief would retort. She could personally attack the teacher, but a teacher couldn't personally attack a student. Thanks to that earlier 'gentle scoundrel' remark, Gu Yueyan, having missed recording that classic line, had already activated her phone's recording function, ready to catch this guy's slip-up at any moment.

However, the tax thief was intently focused on his phone, saying nothing.

So this guy does have some sense of shame... Or perhaps he's thinking about how to phrase his response? She'd heard that many cowards, when wanting to retort, couldn't process things quickly enough and had to think for a good while before figuring out a comeback, which was quite pathetic.

Just as Gu Yueyan was thinking this, the other party said, "You're right."

"After these next few days, I won't eat late-night snacks anymore either."

Huh? Gu Yueyan looked at him, surprised. Why is he being so unusually timid today? Has he finally realized his barren inner self isn't fit to stay here?

Ren Suo glanced at the news on his phone: 'Red Aurora Appears Over Sky Capital.' He then turned to Dong Chengling, who was walking out of the Cultivation Ground, and declared with immense dominance,

"Your late-night snacks for the next few days—I'm covering them all!"

"You really are plotting something!" Gu Yueyan said through gritted teeth.

"Do listeners get a share?!" Lin Xianyu asked excitedly from the side.