Limei Hotel.
When Guan Tong arrived late at night, no one was on duty in the lobby. Room cards for all vacant rooms were laid out on the front desk, available for anyone to take as needed.
It made sense. In the Apocalypse Rules Era, aside from jobs people genuinely enjoyed, most work went undone.
Mechanical, assembly-line work like producing food and electronic devices in factories was now handled by specialized machines. Most factories had become lights-out factories, with no need for people to screw in bolts anymore.
Guan Tong casually took the key card for Room 306, went upstairs, and swiped himself into the room.
It was an ordinary king room. He tossed his backpack onto a chair and lay down on the bed. Though it was already late, the sudden danger he had faced today left him wide awake.
No, I need to find a way to gain some power to protect myself.
Guan Tong sat up, his expression grave.
Before this, he had always thought there was no need to get involved in outside affairs. He could just develop himself slowly.
But now it seemed that even if he did not want to get involved in certain matters, they would come looking for him anyway. Without the ability to protect himself, he could easily end up in danger.
Guan Tong did not know what the two people who had gone to his home today wanted, nor could he determine whether it had been an isolated incident. But it had undoubtedly sounded an alarm for him.
So the key issue now was how to gain the power to protect himself.
Guan Tong got out of bed, walked over to the small table in the room, and sat down to think.
The Ascension Shop did sell weapons, namely the [Bronze Grade Primary Weapon Crate]. This crate allowed him to choose one cold weapon, which he could take out of the Storage Box for use at any time.
But the cold weapons it produced were no divine blades. Against multiple enemies, they would still be powerless.
In Guan Tong's view, such a weapon could only serve as a backup.
If I want truly great power, I still need to start with Mind Power.
He remembered the Hidden Rules of [Mind Wins] under Rule Two. Its note had stated: "Mind Power is the source of all strength. Unearth it, use it, and you will be unstoppable."
With a thought from Guan Tong, the [Wordless Book] appeared in his hand.
He flipped to the blank third page and thought that, based on his experience with the first two pages, if he wrote a new keyword such as "weapon," he might actually obtain a weapon.
But opening another page would greatly increase his Mind Power consumption.
Guan Tong had only discovered in the past few days that writing on the second page consumed more Mind Power than writing on the first.
If it was a progressive process, then writing on the third page would definitely consume even more Mind Power than the second.
With his current Mind Power Cap, it was simply not enough.
Then what if he wrote on one of the first two pages instead?
Guan Tong flipped back to the first page. The two words "Guan Tong" written on it were exceptionally clear.
What would happen if I added something to "Guan Tong"?
The thought surfaced in his mind.
It was known that the result of the words "Guan Tong" was Shadow. What if he added a few more words?
Guan Tong found this Shadow very convenient, but its drawback was that he had no physical form.
Then what would happen if I wrote the two words "Solidified" before "Guan Tong"?
That way, "Guan Tong" on the first page would become "Solidified Guan Tong." Would that change Shadow's nature?
After thinking for a moment, Guan Tong decided to give it a try.
Just as he had dared to write the three words "Ascension Coins" on the second page, some things would remain impossible to know unless he tried them.
So he picked up the pen and began adding words.
The next day.
Guan Tong was catching up on sleep when a sudden knock sounded at his door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
He opened his eyes, got up, and asked, "Who is it?"
A young man's voice came from outside. "Hello, are you new here? I live next door in 305!"
Guan Tong asked again, "What is it?"
"Nothing much. People staying at Limei gather in the lobby every morning. It's kind of a habit. I thought you might be interested in taking a look."
Guan Tong opened the door upon hearing that. Standing outside was a very young man in an anime T-shirt, with a few freckles on his face. He looked around Guan Tong's age, only eighteen or nineteen.
"Hello, new neighbor. My name is Xu Xiaotian. When I went downstairs earlier, I saw that the Room 306 key card was gone from the front desk, so I knew someone new had arrived." Xu Xiaotian grinned. "Welcome to Limei!"
"Hello, I'm Guan Tong."
"Looks like we're about the same age. I'm in my third year of high school. What about you?"
"So am I."
"Oh?! Which school do you go to?"
"Yunhua First High School."
"So you're one of Yunhua First's top students! I'm from Third High, hehe. Come on, let's go to the lobby. Everyone's downstairs."
Guan Tong went downstairs with Xu Xiaotian and asked along the way, "You said people who live here gather every morning?"
"Yeah. But calling it a gathering is really just everyone chatting and sharing their experiences," Xu Xiaotian explained. "Like those Mutual Aid Societies in TV dramas."
"I see."
"Mm. After everyone speaks, we encourage each other. I think it's pretty helpful. A lot of people keep living at Limei instead of applying for free housing just for this gathering."
Guan Tong nodded. He could understand that feeling.
The two reached the first-floor lobby. Just as Xu Xiaotian had said, several dozen people were gathered there, seated in a circle.
Xu Xiaotian led Guan Tong to a place to sit. At the moment, a middle-aged man was sharing his experience.
"I'm the only one left in my whole family now. My parents didn't make it through Rule One. I had a child who had just turned one, and he didn't make it either... His mother was so overwhelmed with grief that she fell asleep and left too. I thought about simply falling asleep and leaving as well, but I still don't want to die. Is that too cowardly...?"
After hearing him, everyone offered words of comfort.
"What a terrible experience. At least it's all over now..."
"How is that cowardly? That should be called courage!"
"Exactly. Facing such misery and still finding the courage to keep living—that is a true warrior."
"Stay strong. Your family would definitely want you to live well. So do we. We all need to support one another and do our best to survive."
The heartfelt comfort made the middle-aged man unable to hold back his tears. Many others empathized and wiped at the corners of their eyes. Watching them, Guan Tong felt that Xu Xiaotian had been right—this really was a gathering much like a Mutual Aid Society.
Afterward, several more people shared their experiences and thoughts. Finally, everyone sang the widely popular song "Tomorrow Will Be Better" together, and the gathering came to an end.
After the people dispersed, some made plans to go out while others returned to their rooms. Guan Tong was also about to return to his room when he heard a series of loud slurping sounds beside him.
He turned his head and saw Xu Xiaotian happily eating from a cup of Instant Noodles.
"You... gave up on the challenge for Rule Three?" Guan Tong asked. There were still more than ten days until the rule's activation period ended.
Xu Xiaotian froze for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, right, Guan Tong, you don't know yet. These aren't Instant Noodles from outside. They're my Mind Power Artifact. Look."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the Instant Noodles vanished. They had clearly been returned to the Storage Box in his Personal Terminal.
Guan Tong was a little stunned. Instant Noodles could actually be a Mind Power Artifact?
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