[Intelligent race: Ghost] [Aptitude: King (Common, Elite, Lord, King, Epic, Legendary, Mythic)] [Tier 4: 0/50,000] [Name: Liu Tongtong.] [Skills: Not awakened.] [Faith: Li Yuqing, Tier 3 deity of the Undead System] [Devout (Provides 100 faith points daily to the deity she worships)] [Mood: Happy] [Analysis: Originally a Tier 3 Hell System deity. To protect the host, she offended a Tier 4 Demon System deity and died horribly at their hands. Fortunately, Li Yuqing found her body and expended countless expensive materials to transform and resurrect her as a powerful ghost.]
Zeng Shen stared at the panel floating above Liu Tongtong's head, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Is something wrong?" Liu Tongtong asked, looking at Zeng Shen in confusion from inside the elevator.
"No, nothing," Zeng Shen stammered.
"Then I'm off." Liu Tongtong pressed a button, and the elevator doors slowly closed.
"Yeah, go ahead."
Zeng Shen nodded, a complicated look in his eyes.
He had never expected a casual use of the Eye of Observation to reveal that Liu Tongtong's transformation into an intelligent race was connected to his future self.
And she had offended a Tier 4 Demon System deity because of him, only to die horribly at their hands? It was only after Li Yuqing recovered her body that she was transformed into a ghost, becoming a member of an intelligent race.
What exactly happened over those three years? Why would a Tier 4 Demon System deity target me and cause this woman's death?
A flicker of confusion crossed Zeng Shen's eyes before another question suddenly occurred to him.
With his intelligence, how could he possibly remain a useless Tier 0 after three years?
Could that Tier 4 Demon System deity be the reason?
At that thought...
A sudden flash of inspiration struck Zeng Shen.
If that really was the case...
Then everything made sense, including why he was still only Tier 0 after three years of the cataclysm.
I knew it. With my brains, how could I spend three years doing worse than a little kid?
After muttering to himself inwardly, Zeng Shen's expression grew somewhat grave and worried.
In the future, I'll have a Tier 4 Demon System deity as an enemy?
[Congratulations, host. You calmly drove back the Tier 4 ghost chieftain without alerting the Tier 3 deity of the Undead System. Survival points +1,000.]
Hearing that notification, Zeng Shen snapped out of his somber mood. Another 1,000 survival points?
His mood instantly improved considerably.
After all, survival points were the key to growing stronger.
As long as he strengthened himself quickly before the apocalyptic cataclysm arrived...
His strength would surely far surpass that Tier 4 Demon System deity's by then, and Liu Tongtong would no longer need to protect him and die horribly as a result.
Having figured that out...
Zeng Shen decided to earn more first-time survival point rewards of every kind so he could grow stronger quickly.
He turned and headed down the corridor to the left.
Soon, he stopped in front of a room.
The number on the door read 1314. Hanging above it was a delicate little wooden plaque bearing the words "Like Family Studio."
"This should be it."
Zeng Shen knocked.
With a creak, the door opened.
"Class rep, I thought you were going to stand me up." Li Yuqing opened the door and immediately teased him when she saw him.
"Something held me up on the way."
As Zeng Shen looked at Li Yuqing, a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes.
Unlike her usual sweet, innocent style, Li Yuqing wore a black off-the-shoulder top that exposed her delicate, snow-white shoulders, defined collarbones, and the pale upper curves of her chest, making her look especially fair and alluring.
"Come in, class rep," Li Yuqing said with a smile.
"I just ran into Liu Tongtong." Zeng Shen followed Li Yuqing into the studio, looking around as he spoke.
The studio was spacious, but also very empty.
It had four large rooms, a main hall, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a balcony with several pots of unfamiliar plants.
"Why is the studio so empty? There aren't even any desks, chairs, or cubicles," Zeng Shen asked in confusion.
"Because we only established it yesterday. Liu Tongtong and I just ordered those things online. They should be delivered on Monday, three days from now," Li Yuqing said matter-of-factly.
"I see." Zeng Shen nodded. "So right now, your studio consists of just you, me, and Liu Tongtong."
"Aren't the three of us enough?" Li Yuqing asked with a smile.
"Of course we are. But how are you planning to run the studio?"
"We'll start by building up a few video channels with different styles, then see which..."
Li Yuqing had clearly done plenty of research and went into considerable detail. Zeng Shen also shared a little of his experience and offered a few opinions.
Before long...
The distant setting sun slanted through the window, bathing the delicate face of the beautiful, driven young woman in a rosy glow. She looked so adorable that he found himself drawn to her without realizing it.
Captivated by her energy, Zeng Shen unconsciously took a small step closer, gazing at her sweet, cherry-red lips.
He lowered his head slightly.
Her eyes widened, and her body trembled.
But she did not push Zeng Shen away.
Only then did Zeng Shen come back to his senses.
When he realized that Li Yuqing had not pushed him away, he grew bolder. His hands roamed over her back, and their breathing quickened, then grew heavy, turning into gasps...
[Congratulations, host. Under the temptation and ravaging of a Tier 3 deity of the Undead System, you successfully turned the tables and claimed first blood, severely depleting her vitality. Survival points +1,000.]
"?"
Four hours later...
Li Yuqing, radiating sensual charm, drove Zeng Shen back to his little apartment building.
Li Yuqing leaned out of the car window. "Honey, I'm going back to my hometown with my parents to pay respects to our ancestors over the next two days. I won't be back until Monday, so remember to collect some interesting video material for me."
"Got it. Go home and get some rest." Zeng Shen smiled and reminded her, "Drive safely."
"Okay. I'll let you know when I get home."
"All right."
Only after watching Li Yuqing drive away did Zeng Shen turn and happily head back to his apartment.
In truth, Zeng Shen had noticed Li Yuqing's feelings for him a long time ago.
He had simply always felt that he was not good enough for her.
But in that moment earlier, he had no idea where he had found the courage to kiss her.
In the end, they had made their relationship official.
And slept together.
Maybe knowing the apocalypse is coming in a year changed my mindset. I don't want to have any regrets in the future.
That was what Zeng Shen thought.
He returned to his apartment.
The moment he stepped inside, Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai came dashing over and rubbed against his feet nonstop, as clingy as lovers reunited after a long separation.
"Meow~"
"Woof~"
Looking at the two little fellows circling his feet, Zeng Shen burst out laughing.
"You must be starving, my little darlings. Come on, your owner will pour you some dried fish."