The Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant-Just Think of It as a Toothpick Prick

Intricate runes wove themselves across his hands and feet.

The most striking change centered on the closed, vertical Blood Eye between his brows.

Three hair-thin arcs of light guarded the innermost ring, unfurled flame patterns intertwined in the middle, and a ring of ancient cloud patterns encircled the outside.

The unopened Blood Eye seemed to have been set into a miniature, burning altar of crimson gold, radiating a sacred aura like that of a god.

Su Nian studied the markings on his hands. Armor! Before he could make himself a suit of gold armor, the pendant had given him one. That was an unexpected bonus.

Until you upgraded something, you never knew what strange new abilities it might gain.

[Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant]

[Type: Apocalyptic Wraith Artifact]

[Rank: 138]

[Abilities]

[Nine Suns Prison-Calming Light: Creates a "False Sun Domain" within fifty meters of the user. The domain weakens wraiths' killing rules to a certain extent. Wraiths within the domain are exposed as though standing in sunlight, and their bodies are continuously scorched.]

[Nine illusory "Sunflame Chains" can spread autonomously throughout the body, freely switching between enhancing physique, providing physical defense, and blocking curses (killing rules). They can also extend autonomously to bind wraiths.]

[Containment conditions: A man with a pure yang body must soak it with his own warm blood at the time of day when his yang energy is strongest, continuously supplying blood until all crimson markings light up. (Losing his virginity after containment will cause a backlash.)]

[Note: If you are Su Nian, you can use it without containment.]

Su Nian deactivated the Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant. The crimson-gold radiance contracted, and the mark emerged from his chest, extending a cord of light that hung around his neck.

It really was powerful, but its consumption was just as real. Without enough mental power, he would be drained dry in no time.

He couldn't imagine how formidable it would become with another upgrade, but... it was too expensive.

[Ding. Spend 4,100 Survival Points to upgrade the Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant?]

Using just the Sin-Cleaving Butcher's Knife and the Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant already placed a considerable burden on his mental power.

Without the system, his current mental power would be drained in no time.

He still needed to focus on improving himself. His equipment only needed to be good enough; he was already progressing very quickly.

Sequence Eight, three Wraith Artifacts, and physique and mental stats far beyond Gong Qing and the others.

He no longer feared ordinary Class C Wraiths.

He wondered whether that white forest fruit could be grown. If he could mass-produce it, eating while fighting to restore his mental power would feel incredible.

Restoring it with Survival Points was too expensive.

[Survival Points: 6,290]

Modifying his vehicle would also require a fair number of Survival Points.

Su Nian glanced out the window at the six neatly parked vehicles. The convoy members were still draining their fuel.

He rubbed the Nine Suns Prison-Calming Pendant hanging around his neck. Upgrading the Cinnabar Jade Pendant had cost a little more than upgrading the butcher's knife, yet its final ranking was lower.

A Wraith Artifact's ultimate quality depended not only on Survival Points, but also heavily on the quality of the original item.

The butcher's knife wasn't a Curio, but it was more precious than one. If he hadn't been carrying it around, leaving it in the Gray Fog might have transformed it into a Curio within a few hours or days.

"System, how many Survival Points would it take to modify my vehicle using those six outside? While you're at it, use this bag of gold to give it a gold coating."

The system replied, "Does the host have any functional requirements?"

"I want plenty of living space and storage space. The ride can't be too bumpy, and it needs good soundproofing. Add a water tank and build me a bathroom where I can shower, like an RV."

"Basically, make it as comfortable as possible. The exterior armor needs to be tough enough."

The system replied, "Level-four composite blast-resistant armor, a scratch-resistant alloy exterior, a cushioning honeycomb interlayer, bulletproof glass, a soundproof inner layer, additional puncture-resistant undercarriage armor..."

"Living area, a shock-absorbing leather driver's seat with ventilation, heating, massage, suspension cushioning... a double bed, storage cabinets..."

"A separate bathroom, a high-capacity clean-water tank, a wastewater separator, a hot and cold water supply system..."

"Ding. Spend 3,100 Survival Points on the modifications?"

"Let them remove a few things first. I'll call you when they're done," Su Nian replied.

It was a little expensive, but still necessary. Besides staying alive, wasn't the whole point of fighting tooth and nail to make himself a little more comfortable?

It was like before the apocalypse: people worked themselves to the bone so they could eat, drink, and take a trip when they had time.

Wherever he was, he needed to live well, not merely survive.

The system replied, "Host, removing things means additional Survival Points."

"They're only taking a few parts. Buddy, you're the Badass Survival System. You can't be as stingy as those other systems. You said it yourself-you're the most badass," Su Nian said.

The system replied, "...All right. I really don't need that little bit of performance credit anyway. But no more next time, host."

"I promise." Su Nian placed a hand over his conscience.

This was the first time, but definitely not the last. If he got the chance, he would ask whether it offered loans.

Having an AI-equipped system was great. Unlike those systems that couldn't talk, this one was easy to use.

Tang Chen came to Tang Zhou's vehicle to tell her about handing it over.

She had said she was going to drive for Su Nian, but instead she had hidden in the vehicle and hadn't come out.

Opening the door, he saw that his sister's formerly soot-black face had turned fair. She was patting her cheeks with both hands, slap after slap.

She had always looked dark before. Now, that pale complexion seemed almost glaring.

She had traded her somewhat grubby hoodie for a cropped red tank top that exposed her waist, paired with light denim shorts that showed off her well-muscled legs.

"Why did you wipe off the soot? Where did you get baby moisturizer? Who told you to dress like that?" Tang Chen demanded.

"I've had the baby moisturizer for ages. It's been in my pocket all along. It's only a little sachet, so it doesn't take up space. I almost forgot I even had it."

"The other two questions. The baby moisturizer isn't important," Tang Chen said.

"I'd have to wipe it off sooner or later. What if Captain Su asked about it?" Tang Zhou replied. "Look at my face. Doesn't it look dry and a lot more weathered?"

"Change your clothes. Never mind your face."

Men understood men best. With her dressed like that, who could resist temptation?

"All right." Tang Zhou agreed at once.

Tang Chen looked deeply suspicious.

"You're just asking for it. You get angry when I talk back, and when I listen to you, you look at me like that," Tang Zhou snapped.

"Tch! Hurry up and get changed. We need to hand the vehicle over." With that, Tang Chen climbed out and shut the door.

Tang Zhou put on a baseball cap to hide her greasy hair.

Su Nian had already made himself perfectly clear. Although she was a college girl who hadn't graduated yet, she and her dormmates sometimes hid under the covers to watch some "study materials."

She had fantasized about those things long ago. Su Nian was handsome and capable, exactly her type, so she wouldn't be losing out in that regard.

And once Su Nian slept with her, the connection between them would deepen. That was another benefit.

It was just that the sweet romance she had once dreamed of, giving herself to someone she loved, was no longer possible.

She had heard it would hurt a lot... Her mind wandered through all sorts of thoughts.

Just think of it as getting pricked by a toothpick. It should only hurt that much, right?