Sword Soul Resonance (First Update)

"So, she is..."

Lin Qingying didn't suspect that Xiao Ai was a mistress, but when she saw Xiao Ai come out of my room, her expression was obviously unnatural.

"Ruolin, close the door."

After telling Ruolin to close the door, I gestured for Xiao Ai to come to Lin Qingying.

"She is a lifelike robot."

"Ah, a robot?!"

Lin Qingying was taken aback.

Although Yue Ning Group is considered a high-tech company, in reality, its only globally leading technology is the nuclear-powered backpack. As for Xiao Ai, this S-class lifelike robot is the culmination of the country's cutting-edge technology. Therefore, even Lin Qingying was quite surprised to see such a lifelike robot.

"Um."

I nodded. "Her name Xiao Ai, and I plan to have her as your personal assistant."

"Then wouldn't I be free?"

Zhang Ruolin chuckled softly, then said with a deep gaze, "Ding Han, you spent a lot of money to get this robot, didn't you?"

"It didn't cost much; it was mostly obtained through personal connections."

I looked at Lin Qingying and said, "Xiao Ai has super strong perception abilities and can identify all kinds of dangers. For example, she was most likely able to scan out the toxins in the tea canister last time. Moreover, Xiao Ai is equipped with a combat module, which can protect your safety. I feel more at ease with her by your side."

As I spoke, I gestured and said, "Xiao Ai, this person in front of you is Lin Qingying, your true master. Let's bind your identity immediately."

"Yes, Master!"

A glint flashed in Xiao Ai's eyes, enveloping Lin Qingying's entire body as she began the identification and binding process.

"Identity already bound, Lin Qingying. Triggered Protocol 1, Protocol 2, Protocol 3, Protocol 4..."

Almost every protocol I established in the underlying code was related to Lin Qingying.

"Alright, alright, no need to read it aloud."

I looked at Xiao Ai: "From today onwards, you will be Lin Qingying's personal assistant, responsible for protecting her safety."

"OK."

Xiao Ai smiled, then looked at Lin Qingying with a slightly restrained expression. "Manager Lin, from now on, Xiao Ai will be by your side. Please take good care of me!"

Lin Qingying was taken aback at first, then joy appeared on her pretty face. She turned to me and said, "Ding Han, Ruolin is right. You must have spent a lot of money on this android. How much exactly? I'll transfer it to you!"

"Need not."

I waved my hand and said what she had said before, "I'd be happy to spend this money for you."

She smiled faintly through her dimples and said no more.

"Oops..."

Zhang Ruolin, standing to the side, facepalmed and said, "I feel like I've been fed a huge mouthful of dog food. It's so uncomfortable. Let's wash up and go to bed early. I'll mooch some breakfast from you guys tomorrow morning and then go home."

"Ruolin, you've had a hard time these past two days~~" Lin Qingying said.

"It's okay, since you've already slept with me, you're mine!"

Ruolin talks like a female hooligan, making you really want to beat her up.

Just then, a bell rang, signaling the completion of the mission involving the lifelike robot.

[Congratulations! You have completed the daily quest "Lin Qingying's Personal Bodyguard" (S-rank)! Rewards: 44 million character experience, 1 Charm Value, and an additional reward: "Sword Soul Resonance" (SS-rank Skill Tome)!]

Sword Soul Resonance?

I was slightly taken aback. I hadn't heard of this name in the system update's expansion. Could it be a seventh-tier skill?

He hurriedly opened his storage space, and sure enough, it really was a seventh-tier item!

[Sword Soul Resonance] (SS-rank Skill Tome): The sword's cry triggers a resonance in the sword armor, dealing massive damage to enemy units within range and having a certain dispel effect on subspace creatures. It lasts for 45 seconds, consumes 10 Essence Points, and has a 120-second cooldown. Required level: 70, Required class: Sword-type Super Weapon.

It is an SS-rank skill, and without a doubt, it is also a trump card skill for sword-type super weapons!

It only costs 10 points of energy to unleash an AOE attack that lasts for 45 seconds. More importantly, this skill has a dispel effect on warp creatures, and the main nemesis in version 4.0 is the Chaos Faction in the warp. This skill is a perfect counter!

Good stuff, keep it safe. I need to reach level 70 soon, otherwise I won't be able to learn it.

It's late at night, time to go to bed.

Next door, Ruolin was telling Lin Qingying dirty jokes, making Lin Qingying laugh out loud. The two of them were making a ruckus. Actually, if there were no scheming or backstabbing between women, they could be quite happy together.

I'm not very sleepy.

Although Lin Qingying's safety is no longer an issue with Xiao Ai serving as her personal assistant, the poisoning incident is not something that can be resolved so easily. If it were handled in this way, it would be too passive and would hardly be worthy of my identity as a player.

So, I sent a voice message request to Aji.

"Boss?"

Aji answered immediately and laughed, "What's up? It's the middle of the night, something important must have happened, right?"

"It's not really that important."

I smiled slightly, "Aji, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

There are no arrangements yet.

His tone was a little awkward. "It's just that Aunt Wang downstairs said it's such a waste that such a handsome and promising young man like me is still single, so she introduced me to her colleague's second aunt's daughter. She said we've arranged a blind date tomorrow afternoon."

I was shocked. "Blind dates... Do players need blind dates to pick up girls in Star Abyss? Aji, how did you, a player, end up like this? You're a disgrace to all players..."

I think so too.

Aji said, "It's just that Aunt Wang is too enthusiastic, and I feel a little embarrassed to refuse."

"You refused, but you'll be coming with me on a mission tomorrow."

"OK!"

"I'll help you set things up later... With your looks, cough cough, with your wealth and talent, picking up a girl in this world won't be a problem at all, don't worry!"

"Brother, I'm counting on you regarding my girlfriend!"

"You son of a bitch..."

Hahaha~~~

The next morning, at the breakfast stall downstairs in the residential area.

After quickly finishing their meal, Zhang Ruolin took a taxi and left, while Xiao Ai got into the driver's seat of the Bentley and skillfully fastened her seatbelt.

"Don't run red lights, and always drive safely, understand?" I reminded him from the window.

"Okay, Ding Han, you're so long-winded. I won't let anything happen to Manager Lin."

She said in a slightly impatient voice.

Excellent, that's exactly the expression and tone I wanted. There's not a trace of mechanical behavior. Plus, with realistic skin, hair, and facial features, no one can tell it's a robot.

"Alright, let's go."

I waved and watched as Xiao Ai drove away with Lin Qingying in her car.

Afterwards, I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed Lin Yue's number. I had never called this brother-in-law before; this was the first time I had taken the initiative to contact him.

"Ding Han?"

He had my number saved and said with a smile, "It's rare for you to call me first. What's up?"

"Brother Lin Yue, you know about the tea that Xiao Ying brought home being poisoned, right?"

"Yes, the police have sent people to the company to inquire."

"Let's find somewhere to talk. This needs to be resolved as soon as possible."

"OK!"

Lin Yue said, "I don't have a meeting this morning. Why don't you come over to Yuening's place? Let's meet at the Shangdao Coffee downstairs?"

"Okay, I'll be right there."

"Um!"

I drove to Yue Ning Group, parked my car in the plaza, and went straight into Shangdao Coffee.

Lin Yue was already at work, standing up and waving, "Ding Han, over here..."

After I sat down, he smiled and said, "I didn't know what your taste was like, so I ordered you a latte with sugar."

"I'm fine with anything, thank you, Brother Lin Yue!"

"Um!"

He sat down again, picked up his coffee, took a sip, then looked at me meaningfully and smiled, "Tell me, what information do you want from me? As long as it's for Xiaoying's safety, I'll tell you everything I know."

"That's good."

I picked up my coffee, took a sip, and put it down. I gave him a deep look and said, "If something really happens to Xiaoying, given the current situation in Yuening, who would benefit the most?"

"Of course it's Xie Zheng."

Lin Yue took a deep breath and said, "But Ding Han... Although I've been in the business world for so many years and know how treacherous people can be, I really don't want to believe that Xie Zheng did this. After all, Xiao Ying and I have always treated him like an uncle since we were little, and he has always been very good to us."

"So, what is your inference?"

"Although Xie Zheng is the prime suspect, I really don't think he's the mastermind behind this. Given the huge opportunity in Yue Ning, it's understandable that Xie Zheng would sideline Xiao Ying and try to control Yue Ning alone; that's human nature. But to say that Xie Zheng would be so ruthless as to want Xiao Ying dead... I really refuse to believe it..."

He frowned. "Of course, these are just my personal opinions, and because I've known Xie Zheng since childhood, these ideas might be a bit naive and sentimental. They are only for reference; you should maintain your own judgment."

I nodded. "Continue."

"The second suspect is Xie Zheng's business partner, Zhong Baiyan."

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Zhong Baiyan is the CEO of Xiajiang Group. He invested in Yuening before my father passed away, and after my father's death, with Xie Zheng's assistance, Zhong Baiyan continued to increase his investment in Yuening. When Yue Ning Energy had its last problem, Zhong Baiyan acquired a large number of high-quality shares. Now he owns 10% of Yuening's shares."

He smiled faintly, "If Xiaoying really gets into trouble, Yuening will become Xie Zheng's domain. And in order to eliminate me, Xiaoyun, and Xiao Chen of Tianchen Group, Xie Zheng will have to join forces with Zhong Baiyan. At that time, Zhong Baiyan's share in Yuening will be even higher, and his benefits will be second only to Xie Zheng."

"Zhong Baiyan..."

I nodded and made sure I remembered the name.

"But Xiajiang Group is state-owned capital. Logically speaking, Zhong Baiyan wouldn't take such a risk, since he might lose even more if he were exposed."

I was slightly surprised that Xiajiang Group was actually a state-owned enterprise; I hadn't known that before, it was my oversight.

"As for the third suspect..."

Lin Yue took a deep breath. "It should be me..."