Mini World Game Console

"'High Energy Ahead' Items Investigation Report"

"Lin Lang, captain of the First Team of the Tactical Bureau in Fuzhou City, Hujian Province, a third-turn Awakening Monk.

On August 30th, at 13:05, he took a high-speed train, arrived at Wuyi Mountain East at 14:15, and at 15:30, he appeared under the surveillance cameras of the Wuyi Mountain Management Office. By then, he had already lost his captain's tactical jacket and had filed a loss report.

According to overnight investigations by instruments, equipment, psychologists, and interrogators, it was confirmed that Comrade Lin Lang was of sound mind, had ample and reasonable motives, and did not possess any deliberate intent to discard the item.

One: Comrade Lin Lang went to Wuyi Mountain East because his grandmother, referred to as Li, had suddenly disappeared while visiting Wuyi Mountain. Concerned for his grandmother, Lin Lang took leave to rush over, accompanied by his parents and other relatives.

Li was found by Comrade Lin Lang at 15:08, sleeping on a shallow shoal across the river. Anxious, Lin Lang immediately called his family, then removed his clothes to swim over and check on his grandmother. She was found to be unharmed.

After the incident, Comrade Lin Lang discovered that the captain's tactical jacket he had removed had been lost during the time he swam across.

Grandmother Li underwent an initial examination at a local hospital in Nanping City and was found to have no health issues. Moreover, according to her medical records, long-term ailments that had troubled Li, such as rheumatism, high blood pressure, and asthma, had shown significant alleviation or even complete recovery. She has since been transferred to Sky Capital Union Hospital for further detailed examination."

Incredible, this adventurer even gets airdropped deliveries?

Early in the morning, Ren Suo logged onto the internal network to see what waves "High Energy Ahead" had stirred up. He immediately saw this internal push notification—as a special consultant to the "Ren Naiser, Fairy Palace, World Tree Special Case Group," and a Level 2 Researcher, Ren Suo was able to quickly receive firsthand information.

Mysterious Country's actions were also swift. Although Ren Naiser had hidden much true information in the video, he certainly wouldn't protect the adventurer.

As the saying goes, 'To wear the crown, one must bear its weight; if you want to show off, you must reveal your strength.' The adventurer's current strength must have been thoroughly assessed by now. Naturally, the important props he revealed had been studied repeatedly in the past few hours.

Among them, the most noteworthy to Mysterious Country was the adventurer's captain's tactical jacket, also known as the "Advanced Countermeasure Vest."

The difference between a captain's tactical jacket and a regular one is quite significant. Moreover, the captain's tactical jacket was a new, trendy invention from the past few months. The origin and destination of each jacket were recorded, so Mysterious Country could easily start investigating the adventurer's background from this point.

The investigators learned the origins of the adventurer's captain's tactical jacket almost effortlessly: six hours before the broadcast of "High Energy Ahead," its owner, Lin Lang, had reported it missing. The staff of the Wuyi Mountain Management Office had subsequently assisted in the search for the jacket.

After a swift and cautious investigation, the investigators believed that Comrade Lin Lang was not significantly subjectively involved in this matter. He qualified as an unwitting party and had not experienced any mental disorientation during the incident.

The key witness, Grandmother Li, only testified, I vaguely heard a familiar voice and walked over, then I don't remember anything else. Given her advanced age, the investigation could not proceed further.

However, investigators have now largely ruled out Comrade Lin Lang as a suspect because, during the same period, many other tourists in the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area also lost belongings, such as Buddha Beads, boots, and so on.

Using the contact details left by the tourists, investigators conducted overnight follow-up visits. After brief inquiries, they verified their places of origin, travel arrangements, and the specific details of their losses, finding that the reasons for their lost items were all plausible.

Whether they, like Comrade Lin Lang, received any 'compensation' after losing their items would require further verification.

Although the item investigation has not yet concluded, researchers discussing it on the internal network have reached a consensus: this was the work of Immortal techniques.

As the adage goes, 'A fine sword belongs to a hero.' In the past, it was always the hero seeking the fine sword; now, it seems the fine sword seeks the hero. On Lin Lang, the Advanced Countermeasure Vest was merely a jacket with strong stain resistance; on the adventurer, it became Steel Armor that enhanced all Attributes.

"Thought Cultivation," in the hands of a college student, was just an ordinary exam reference tool. In the hands of the adventurer, it transformed into a treasure that spread positive thoughts and morals, protecting the user from all harm.

According to one researcher:

"If these items could think, they would escape when their owner wasn't paying attention. It seems understandable: 'If you love me, let me go. You can't give me the life I desire. I long for a powerful, imposing, legendary owner.

"He is as cruel to his enemies as the bitter winter, yet as tender to me as the warm spring.

"He will protect me like a princess while also respecting me immensely.

"With you, I am just a plain-faced woman, but with him, I can shine brilliantly, transforming into a beautiful, enchanting princess.

"Had I not met him, I could have endured the rest of my life with you.'"

The researchers pushed this discussion to the top, labeling it 'terrifyingly realistic.'

However, this sentiment—'once you've met the adventurer, you're forever changed'—found a receptive audience.

In the "'High Energy Ahead' Items Investigation Report," the two most-supported discussions concerned the working mechanism of Immortal Palace Magic. One of them suggested that Immortal Palace Magic is about 'animating the inanimate.'

"Among 'Demons and Ghosts,' a Strange Creature is a being that arises from inanimate objects. All the adventurer's props are Extraordinary Items with ordinary appearances. Their transformation, aside from the unique environment of the 'Village of the Deceased,' is likely because these items were previously enchanted by people from the Fairy Palace. The props developed consciousness and, when their owners weren't paying attention, fled to find the adventurer.

"The adventurer's props possess the power of 'Strange Creatures' yet remain inanimate. Therefore, the adventurer, or rather, the people of the Fairy Palace, can awaken these 'Strange Creatures.' This is the truth behind the adventurer's mass production of Extraordinary Items.

"So, let's return to the video 'Opening the Spirit Treasury.' The animals of the Fairy Palace 'opened' the World Spiritual Repository, causing Spiritual Energy concentration to rise. What does this 'opening' truly mean? We've never known.

"However, various countries' Spirit Treasuries have been studied repeatedly, before and after their opening, yielding virtually no results.

"We previously thought a mysterious power might be hidden in the Spirit Treasuries. Now, we can propose a new hypothesis.

"Just as the adventurer empowers ordinary props, granting them extraordinary effects, the 'Opening the Spirit Treasury' by the Fairy Palace animals might be an empowerment of the Spirit Treasury itself. This would make the inanimate Spirit Treasury structures produce an extraordinary effect: increasing Earth's Spiritual Energy concentration!

"The adventurer's methods are just a simplified, convenient version of the spells used by the Fairy Palace animals, but the principles of their magic likely share the same origin!"

This conjecture was well-founded and even connected to the Devouring the Spirit of the World's act of Opening the Spirit Treasury; no wonder it gained so much approval.

Ren Suo particularly appreciated these researchers. Watching them rack their brains to add lore to his game characters made him feel that true dedication existed in the world, and that there was always someone better. When it comes to elaborate theories, I admit defeat, he thought.

Then Ren Suo looked around and found that the internal network was basically flooded with topics about "High Energy Ahead," ranging from "Who is qualified to live in the Village of the Deceased?" to "Personality Model Analysis of Ren Han"—Everything One Expects to Find.

Of course, the most conspicuous of all was the "New Interpretation of the Peach Blossom Spring Story."

Even Ren Suo could link this article to the adventurer's experiences, and many researchers slapped their thighs, exclaiming, "I memorized this text before!"

Could the fisherman in the "Peach Blossom Spring Story" also have inadvertently wandered into a Village of the Deceased? Why did the scholar who searched for Peach Blossom Land die of illness in the end? Are the villagers of Peach Blossom Village descendants of the Qin and Han dynasties, or are they actually the "ancestors" they speak of? Most importantly, how does one enter the Village of the Deceased with a living body?

Just as when "Over My Dead Body" appeared, all the historians specializing in the Three Kingdoms Period went mad studying ancient texts; now, scholars of the Jin dynasties had also gone mad.

Some even questioned: "The 'Peach Blossom Spring Story' is not far from the Three Kingdoms Period, and the Ren Family rose to prominence during the Three Kingdoms Period. And in the video, Ren Han entered the Village of the Deceased with remarkable ease."

Even without other evidence, extracting these few keywords was enough to let one's imagination run wild and fabricate an entire narrative.

Since the primary location for missing items was the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, it had already stopped admitting visitors and was completely sealed off pending the conclusion of the investigation.

At this time, not even a full day had passed since the video was broadcast, and everything was still brewing.

Ren Suo checked the time, ready to go for a meal. He turned and saw the "middle-schooler level equipment" he had bought in his bedroom for a hefty price, scratching his head. It would be a waste to throw these things away, yet there's no other use for them, and they're just taking up space… The game mechanics of 'High Energy Ahead' are quite unique.

Should I give them to Zhao Huo? Ren Suo thought, picking up a Relic of the Saint. He decided to give Zhao Huo the larger items to handle and keep the smaller ones as gifts.

Ren Suo then remembered their lunch gathering for five people, so he casually picked up a few small gadgets to take along.

Upon arriving at the Dong Chengling Family's house, Gu Yueyan, Lin Xianyu, and Ren Xingmei were all present, but there was also a guest Ren Suo hadn't expected.

"Good afternoon," Bai Ji, still dressed in his winter attire, turned his head to look at Ren Suo and said with a smile.

Since they shared a Bond, Ren Suo's attitude toward him had naturally improved. "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. I heard Cheng Ling is a good cook, so I came to scrounge a meal," Bai Ji said with a laugh, handing a cup of pink-ball ice cream to Ren Suo. "But I didn't come empty-handed. Want to try the ice cream I made?"

"You made it?" Ren Suo took it and tasted it. It was surprisingly delicious. "Tasty!"

"My Ability is quite suitable for this," Bai Ji said. "I'm glad you like it. There's more here. Do you like the cantaloupe flavor?"

The three female students eating ice cream nearby watched this exchange, each with different thoughts.

He's showing off his skills to Big Brother! Ren Xingmei thought. My brother's cooking skills are limited to making instant noodles; how can he compete with Teacher Bai?

Although Ren Xingmei had such thoughts, she didn't want to see her brother defeated so inexplicably. So she secretly slipped into the kitchen and said to Dong Chengling in a roundabout way, "Teacher Bai kept asking my brother what he thought of the ice cream but didn't ask us students, and my brother doesn't even know how to make ice cream. Teacher Dong, don't you think Teacher Bai is trying to pick on my brother…?"

Generally, girls dislike petty men who make things difficult for others, so Ren Xingmei intended for Dong Chengling to see through Bai Ji's ploy to embarrass her brother.

Dong Chengling did not disappoint her. While still preparing the ingredients, her calm voice drawled slightly, as if in contemplation, "Is that so… Teacher Bai really cares about Ren Suo's opinion of his skills…"

"Yes, yes," Ren Xingmei nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking rice.

"…I see. Thank you," Dong Chengling replied, her expression unchanged.

Having achieved her goal, Ren Xingmei left the kitchen. Dong Chengling looked at the ingredients, lost in thought.

Is he trying to show me his strength?

Competing for a man, especially competing with another man for a man—this was something Dong Chengling could never have imagined, not even in her wildest dreams.

What should I do?

Dong Chengling took out her phone, deciding to consult her romance advisor.

Not long after, Ren Suo, who hadn't even finished his ice cream, saw Qiao Muyi arrive at the Dong Chengling Family's house.

"You must be busy today. You have time to slack off?" Ren Suo asked.

"The trouble is over at Wuyi Mountain; what does that have to do with us in Lianjiang?" Qiao Muyi said carefreely, sitting next to Bai Ji. "Cheng Ling mentioned your get-together. Since we share a secret and are such good friends, of course, I had to come and celebrate with you all."

She turned, her lips curling into a smile, and said to Bai Ji, "Pleased to meet you. Tactical Bureau's Qiao Muyi."

"Heavenly Lotus Academy, Bai Ji."

The two exchanged smiles, simultaneously judging the person before them:

A strong one!

Their attire was impeccable, their looks and speech above average; if they chose to be coquettish, they would be devastatingly charming, and if they chose to be innocent, they would be peerless!

At that moment, Ren Suo remembered something and took items out of the backpack he had brought. "Right, Sister, Xiaoyu, Yueyan, I have gifts for you."

"Really?" Lin Xianyu immediately flew over. "Why are you giving gifts?"

"To celebrate that tomorrow is September, and it's time for you to start school. School is starting, aren't you happy?" Ren Suo came up with a casual reason.

[Negative emotions from Lin Xianyu, +233.]

"You two quietly skipped grades to get into university; you definitely deserve a reward for that," Ren Suo said with a look of satisfaction. "It means my painstaking efforts in Healing you weren't in vain."

Of course, the most important reason was that he had gifts to give.

"Thank you, Brother!"

"Thank you, Big Brother Ren!"

"Thank you."

Then Lin Xianyu's eyes darted around. She hugged Gu Yueyan's arm and asked, "Right, Big Brother Ren, we haven't celebrated your advancement to the second turn yet! Why don't we give you a gift too?"

Ren Suo wasn't averse to the idea. "You really want to give me something?"

"Really!" Lin Xianyu exclaimed. "Class Rep and I will definitely put a lot of thought into it!"

Ren Xingmei added, "I'll give you something too!"

"But I don't need anything," Ren Suo remarked. "Can it be converted to cash?"

[Negative emotions from Lin Xianyu, +233.]

[Negative emotions from Ren Xingmei, +666.]

[Negative emotions from Gu Yueyan, +666.]

Why are there different amounts of negative emotions? What's up with that mechanic? Ren Suo wondered.

After the meal began, Dong Chengling learned about what had happened earlier and just "oh"-ed. "Xiao Yan and Xiaoyu skipping grades to university is indeed worth celebrating. I'd forgotten."

Qiao Muyi said, "Yeah, they might catch up to us soon."

Bai Ji said, "I look forward to your performance."

Where's my gift? Dong Chengling's voice echoed in Ren Suo's mind.

Where's my gift? came from Qiao Muyi.

And mine? from Bai Ji.

Touching his earpiece, Ren Suo quietly stood up. "I forgot something at home…"

Fine, you all have your Bonds, so you're special. I'll just consider these gifts maintenance fees for those Bonds, he grumbled inwardly.

But Ren Suo's celebratory mood wasn't fake.

Tomorrow would be September, meaning the new Four-Star Game was about to arrive!