Mental Involution (Grade B)
What man wouldn't want his own Gundam?
But Lu Ping is a man with principles.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
You accepted the greeting with composure, and then asked,
"Sect Master Gongshu, who exactly was the person who turned you into a puppet back then?"
Gongshu Ke's expression froze, his fingers tightened slightly, and a hint of apprehension appeared on his face.
"Over the years, I've been nothing more than a puppet, merely transporting supplies to designated locations according to orders. I know very little about the inner workings of the Dark Hall."
"But judging from the few orders I've handled, this Dark Hall is a High Antiquity power with a very deep foundation. Its strength is probably no Supreme Unity Sect than that of the Taiyi Sect, which rules the Azure Dragon Upper Domain!"
"As for the powerful figure who captured me back then, it must have been the elusive and mysterious ruler of the Dark Hall, Shenjizi!"
[Your expression was somewhat strange as you listened to Gongshu Ke's solemn admonition.]
[Not inferior to the Supreme Unity Sect?]
[You picture that drab little shop on the side street of Baodi City, and that Golden Core Deacon with dark circles under his eyes, offering a "second assassination, half price" deal for information worth two thousand Spirit Stones.]
[That dilapidated sect, which can barely afford to maintain its Illumination Formation, can it really be considered on par with the Supreme Unity Sect?]
[Could it be that Gongshu Ke has been imprisoned for too long and is trying to regain some face by artificially elevating his opponent's status after being captured years ago?]
[You already knew the name Shenjizi during the fourth simulation of the Black-Clad Leader Soul Search souls.]
[An old monster who could wield Spirit Transformation level Heaven-Reaching Puppet and control the Thousand Mechanisms Sect Master for hundreds of years, yet his subordinates were so poor they had to solicit customers on the street.]
[And the vast amount of resources that are taken from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect every year, their whereabouts are unknown.]
[The former leader of the Soul Search Dark Hall was said to be able to "Heavenly Secrets Turmoil and Slay the Unusual Threat," indicating that this Shenjizi was skilled at manipulating the Heavenly Secrets.]
[Those who can confuse the Heavenly Secrets and scheme against Jiang Mutian are also proficient in this art.]
[Previously in the Nü Zhi City, when Jiang Mutian activated the Heguang Talisman, the mastermind behind the scenes didn't dare to make a sound, clearly terrified after being counter-killed by Jiang Mutian at the Main Peak the Desire Sea Pavilion.]
[If the person who plotted against Jiang Mutian and the Shenjizi who manipulated Gongshu Ke are the same old bastard...]
[The enemy just suffered heavy losses in the Domain of Chaos, and their Spirit Transformation stage agents left in the Thousand Mechanisms Sect have been completely eradicated. They don't even know who their opponent is.]
[If you were in their shoes, and suffered repeated losses in silence, what would you do next?]
[The natural course of action is a complete retreat, a period of patience and dormancy, to avoid jeopardizing the long-planned grand scheme.]
This means that Shenjizi will not easily reveal himself for a very long time.
[Once you understand this, look to Gongshu Ke.]
"I am well aware of the situation in the Dark Hall. If any orders are sent back in the future, simply follow the old procedure and feign compliance."
Gongshu Ke took a deep breath and solemnly replied,
"I understand."
[Take out those two Jade Slips.]
"Alright, the external affairs are settled. Sect Master Gongshu, let's begin."
Gongshu Ke readily agreed, wanting to take you to the best welcoming cave abode and treat you with the utmost respect.
[You're not one to fuss over details, and you found all those formalities troublesome, so you waved them off and simply chose a side hall in Gongshu Ke's Sect Master's cave abode to stay in.]
The art of mechanisms and puppets is no different from the four arts of alchemy, Pills, Talismans, Formations, and Artifacts; ultimately, it requires hands-on practice.
[In this matter, Gongshu Ke acted with extreme self-awareness.]
[Although you previously refused the Thousand Mechanisms Sect vault, he didn't pretend to be confused at all.]
[The next day, he personally delivered Storage Ring, offering you various materials from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect's treasury, such as Millennium Darkwood, Mithril, and Fine Gold, as if they were free, for you to practice with.]
One generously shared their knowledge, while the other humbly accepted instruction.
All the Trait associated with you are now active.
[Multiskilling, effective.]
[The Artisan Spirit is now in effect.]
[...]
You learn extremely quickly.
Time flies, a month has passed, then two months.
[You never stepped out of Gongshu Ke's cave abode.]
Gongshu Ke stayed in the cave abode almost every day, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
[Twenty years old, with two years of work experience.]
[Trait being generated...]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Trait: Mental Involution (Level B) -- You constantly rehearse a thousand crises in your mind that haven't even happened yet. Because you're scaring yourself every day, your Divine Sense is slowly depleted under the continuous high pressure of self-torture. One day, you will break down mentally because you can't handle the pressure.]
[Current Equipment Trait (25/25):]
VIP: I'm the Client (Level S)
Tier S4: Heavy Tomato User / Salty Fish / Reverse Engineering / Work from Home
Grade A A9: I’ll Make Three Points: / Early Leave / Artisan Spirit / Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement / Quality Sleep / Bully at Home / Work Experience / Friend of Women / Men and Women Working Together Don't Tire
Grade B*11: Passive Income / Workaholic / I Love Working / Overtime / Multiskilling / Flattery / Growing Flowers at the Workstation / Exclusive Workstation / Workwear Thug / Work Buddy / Friday Syndrome]
Should we replace it?
Lu Ping was completely dumbfounded when he saw the newly popped-up Trait.
This is the first time the system has revealed Trait that can directly increase Divine Sense.
Although it's only a B-level, it's not because it's ineffective; it's purely because the negative consequences are too severe.
Just like the "Workaholic" back then, the reason he was rated as Grade B was simply because he had a chance of sudden death.
If it weren't for the "Quality Sleep" product providing after-sales support, Lu Ping would still be hesitant to use it indiscriminately.
As for this "Mental Involution"... will the inability to withstand the pressure lead to a mental breakdown?
I already have this after-sales service!
The S-level Trait "Salty Fish " possesses an indestructible Dao Heart, and its State of Mind will never collapse!
He is currently learning Puppet Technique, which has led to the discovery of Trait that increases Divine Sense.
Isn't this like a pillow being delivered to someone who's already sleepy?
Lu Ping silently apologized to the system in his heart.
[The Flattery has taken effect.]
"System, I apologize. I shouldn't have spoken rudely to you a few times before."
"As the saying goes, it takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride. We've been together for over a hundred years, so you still love me after all!"
So, what should we replace it with?