The blue portal rippled in the night breeze.
Immediately afterwards, a line of characters appeared above the door frame.
[The trial participants will return to their starting location.]
Upon seeing this line of text, Dennis and Lu Zheng exchanged a glance, walked up to Jiangnan, and one bowed while the other kowtowed.
"Senior, thank you so much for saving our lives! We'll head back now!"
Dennis said respectfully.
Lu Zheng echoed, "We will never forget your great kindness, senior. We will definitely treat you well when we have the chance to meet again!"
Jiangnan Nan nodded expressionlessly, indicating that they could leave.
Feeling as if granted a pardon, the two turned and stepped into the blue portal of light.
With a flash of light, the two figures completely disappeared from Blue Star and returned to the Barbaric Realm.
The night wind howled, and only Jiangnan, Mo Wan, Lin Zhu, and Zhang Yan, who was holding the "Fool," remained on the summit of Mount Tai.
The group stood there, waiting both for the distribution of the rewards and for further discussions.
Without wasting any words, Jiangnan took out the rewards that Sky Curtain had just distributed.
Three mysterious blind box gift sets.
Simply open it and you're guaranteed to receive a random premium item.
Hehehe...
Mo Wan rubbed her hands excitedly, her eyes shining as she leaned closer, "It's a deal! You get two portions, and we get one!"
"Bang!"
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Zhu punched Mo Wan on the head without any hesitation.
"Hey! Fatty Soo, what are you doing!"
Mo Wan protested, covering her head.
Lin Zhu ignored her, instead pressing down on the back of her head and bowing towards Jiangnan.
"Dragon God, please forgive me."
"Magic Core is a little slow on the uptake; please don't take it to heart if she offends you."
"We don't need the blind box anymore. Just surviving this game is the greatest gratitude we can give you!"
Mo Wan was initially somewhat unwilling, but Lin Zhu's pressing made her instantly clear-headed.
Yes!
The person before me is True God who could shatter the moon with a single punch!
To fight with the gods for spoils of war—isn't that like an old man eating poison, courting death?
If it were those ruthless villains, they probably wouldn't only not get the gifts, but they might also be forcibly turned into [puffs]!
Thinking of this, Mo Wan quickly changed her tune. "Yes, yes, boss, we don't need this stuff, you keep it all!"
Seeing this, Jiangnan shook his head with amusement.
The next second, with a whoosh.
A blind box fell into Mo Wan's arms.
Along with it, a torn piece of notebook paper also fell to the ground.
[I wouldn't break a contract over such a small matter; let's stick to what we agreed on.]
Looking at the words on the note, Mo Wan and Lin Zhu exchanged a glance, and a warm feeling welled up in their hearts.
In this apocalyptic world where human life is as cheap as grass, it is a blessing to encounter a powerful figure like Jiangnan, who possesses terrifying strength yet values integrity.
It's an incredible blessing they've accumulated over eight lifetimes.
The two expressed their gratitude once again.
At that very moment, Jiangnan Nan, for the first time ever, wrote a sentence in his notebook and handed it to the two of them.
Would you like to join my team?
He had his eye on Mo Wan's Supernatural Ability called [Hundred Forgings].
If I keep this guy with me, won't all my equipment be able to be upgraded without any risk?
This is practically a walking, mobile forging station.
Mo Wan and Lin Zhu naturally understood why Jiangnan had invited them.
They would be more than willing to climb onto such a powerful patron.
Only...
Lin Zhu looked troubled. "But, Dragon God, our starting point is in the [Polar Icefield], while you are on the [Weird Island]."
"How can we find you when we're so far away?"
Mo Wan scratched her head, "Yeah, I can't exactly carry Lin Zhu, this big fat Zhu, all the way over there, can I?"
"That won't do! I'll be exhausted before we even get halfway there!"
Jiangnan picked up his pen and quickly wrote down a few lines.
Don't worry about that, I'll send someone to find you.
He recalled the Sharp Blade Squad that was still in Soul Return Town.
Zhao Yan and his group went to great lengths to come here simply to establish a base for the China government.
As the Polar Icefield are classified as A-Class areas, the China military has certainly been involved in them.
Once I get back, all I need to do is tell Zhao Yan to pick up the two of them on their way; it's such a small favor.
Seeing Jiangnan's unwavering determination, the two were completely relieved and readily agreed to join the team.
At this moment, Zhang Yan walked forward, holding the babbling "Fool" in her arms, her eyes filled with trepidation.
"Um... Lord Dragon God, may I... discuss something with you?"
Jiangnan had already guessed her thoughts and simply wrote on the paper: [Where are you?]
Zhang Yan took a deep breath and truthfully explained her background.
"I'm on a pirate ship on Weird Island. The name of that sea area seems to be... the Prayer Deep Pool."
"My current job is... to work as a music box."
"Every night, I was responsible for singing to that female ghost captain until she fell asleep."
"Although there's not much danger to my life most of the time, I've been imprisoned on the ship..."
Upon hearing this, Jiangnan raised an eyebrow slightly.
What a coincidence! I never expected that this married woman in front of me would be at the next destination in my original plan!
He decisively tore off a piece of paper and handed it over.
[Stay there and do your job as an undercover agent. I'll be there soon.]
Upon seeing these words, Zhang Yan was so moved she almost cried on the spot, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
No one could understand how she, an ordinary person with no physical strength, could survive on a pirate ship filled with bloodthirsty and bizarre creatures...
To survive by singing every day in fear and trembling—what kind of mental torture is that?
Mo Wan and Lin Zhu, who were standing nearby, also looked at him with sympathy and wondered how they could help.
"Open the blind boxes first."
Jiangnan snapped out of his thoughts and gestured for everyone to get down to business.
Since everyone agreed, they began to Disassembly their own rewards.
Jiangnan even gave one of the blind boxes to [The Fool].
This little guy did a great job tonight, so let him take one of the pieces and share in the good fortune.
The order of Disassembly is as follows: Mo Wan and Lin Zhu's representatives, the Fool, and Jiangnan.
As three dazzling lights flashed, the premium items inside the blind box were revealed to everyone.
[Item]: Rebecca II Space Compression Chip
[Level]: Special Grade
[Type]: Parts
[Function]: Can be installed on any Mobile Shelter, changing the built-in space.
This allows it to have an internal folding space of 500m x 500m x 3m.
[Information]: A masterpiece from a high-tech city in a Federation Star System, inspired by witnessing real-world events.
[Item]: Pioneer I - Biomimetic Prosthetic Limb Box
[Level]: Special Grade
[Type]: Prosthetic limb
[Function]: A bionic mechanical prosthesis that can automatically adapt to any position of the limbs. After installation, the affected area and the overall physical condition will reach the highest level.
[Information]: The pioneering god from the Federation Star System.
It was his masterpiece created by the Federal Military before he became a god, and it is deeply loved by people with disabilities!
[Item]: Superior Enhancement Potion Box (contains three potions)
[Level]: Special Grade
[Type]: Medicine
[Function]: Ignoring red tape, it forcibly elevates the user's physical fitness to the highest level.
[Information]: From the Federal Military Research Institute, manufactured for the purpose of expanding territory, a priceless treasure.
Looking at these three items that emitted powerful energy, Human Heart.
"This damn chip is useless to us."
Mo Wan glanced at the space compression chip she had created and pursed her lips.
"We were both street urchins who slept wherever we went, and we never had a shelter for it."
After saying that, she directly shoved the chip into Jiangnan's hand, even changing her form of address. "Boss, you should keep this as a gift!"
Lin Zhu nodded in agreement.
"Giggle~"
[The Fool] also held the prosthetic limb box in his hand and grinned foolishly, mimicking Mo Wan's actions, and threw the box to Jiangnan.
Jiangnan did not refuse.
The space chip could be used to upgrade his mobile fortress, and the bionic mechanical prosthetic limb was a lifesaver in his immediate predicament.
He's currently missing his right arm.
In return, Jiangnan directly tossed the [Superior Enhancement Potion Box] he had opened to Mo Wan and Lin Zhu.
"This is exactly what you need right now."
Jiangnan said calmly.
Mo Wan took the box, so happy she almost jumped for joy!
This is something that can completely transform a person!
Then, Lin Zhu leaned close to Mo Wan's ear and whispered a few words.
After the two finished discussing, they turned around and solemnly handed the third vial of medicine, which was extra from the box, to Zhang Yan.
"Sister Zhang, this one is for you."
"This... this is too much trouble."
Zhang Yan was stunned, and waved her hands repeatedly before backing away.
She lowered her head, looking at the dust at her feet, her eyes filled with self-doubt.
She felt like the dust on the ground, just a burden who freeloaded.
Even though she has now been fortunate enough to stand atop Mount Tai, she is still the person struggling at the bottom.
"Take it."
Just then, Jiangnan's cold, sharp voice rang out.
"We're all on the same side now, and I won't look down on anyone because of their humble origins."
Jiangnan looked directly into Zhang Yan's evasive eyes and said, word by word, "A person's value is defined by themselves, not by others."
As he spoke, Jiangnan stepped forward and took [The Fool] from Zhang Yan.
At the same time, he forcibly shoved the Sha Qi [Godslayer Spear] into her hand.
"This..."
Zhang Yan was stunned, feeling the terrifying power emanating from the spear, and was at a loss for what to do.
Jiangnan didn't give her a chance to refuse.
"This is for you."
"Remember, keep your life until I reach the Prayer Deep Pool."
"Do your job as an undercover agent well."
"Yeah yeah!"
The easygoing Mo Wan also stepped forward and patted Zhang Yan on the shoulder to comfort her.
"Didn't Cao Cao say that a man's wife can hold up half the sky? Sister Zhang, have more confidence!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Bang!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Lin Zhu delivered a flying kick to Mo Wan's face, sending her flying two meters away.
"Go to hell! That's women holding up half the sky, not wives!"
Lin Zhu flew into a rage, pointing at Mo Wan on the ground and shouting, "And that wasn't what Cao Cao said!"
"That's what a great man said! You, a fish that slipped through the net of nine years of compulsory education, can't you at least get some more education!"
Mo Wan covered her swollen cheek and scrambled to her feet, her survival instinct kicking in.
"I made a mistake! I've been surfing the internet so much that I've gone mad, I really got it mixed up!"
Lin Zhu rolled her eyes, too lazy to bother with this idiot anymore.
She turned her head, casually took Mo Wan's [Cosmic Ring] as well, and stuffed it into Zhang Yan's arms along with the top-grade enhancement potion.
"Sister Zhang, please accept it."
"We're all comrades now, and we're all Huaxia Person. Helping each other is only natural; there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Feeling the genuine kindness of everyone, Zhang Yan could no longer hold back her emotions.
She bit her lip, tears streaming down her face, and bowed deeply to thank everyone.
"Thank you... thank you so much!"
"Don't cry!"
Jiangnan's stern rebuke interrupted her tears.
Immediately afterwards, Jiangnan tossed his notebook into her lap as well; inside was written...
[Don't you dare embarrass me! If you're going to be my undercover agent, then be the most arrogant and domineering undercover agent in the world!]
[If we meet again on the Weird Island and you're still acting like this timid, spineless coward, then get the hell out of here!]
Hearing this stern yet protective reprimand, Zhang Yan knew that Jiangnan was forcing her to stand up for herself.
She forced back her tears, revealing a resolute look in her eyes.
"Yes, sir! I will definitely not let you down!"
Without hesitation, she picked up the premium enhancement potion and plunged it directly into her thigh!
There were no painful cries or complicated transformation processes accompanying the injection of the medicine.
Just as naturally as breathing, Zhang Yan's physical fitness soared to [Special Grade] in two seconds!
Jiangnan, who witnessed the whole thing, couldn't help but feel his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
"This [priceless treasure] is indeed different from my [priceless treasure] system, which requires me to grind for points of great love..."
"It's so convenient, and it doesn't even hurt."
Jiangnan silently complained to himself.
After carefully feeling the power surging through her limbs and bones, Zhang Yan bowed to everyone again in farewell.
Then, she held the [Godslayer Spear] in one hand and gripped the [Cosmic Ring] in the other.
He pressed the notebook, which carried his responsibilities, to his chest and walked toward the blue portal.
At this moment, her mindset has undergone a complete transformation.
The most arrogant! The most outrageous!
When she gets back, she's determined to shove the gun barrel into that damned female captain's mouth and tell her that loudly.
Who... who the hell is the music box?!