Chapter 23

Chapter 22: Jade Pendant, Items

Unexpectedly, the day after Grandma left, Shizong received a package. When he opened it, inside was a piece of jade.

The jade was clear and flawless, shaped like a crescent moon, very beautiful.

Grandma just said yesterday that his life spirit was unstable and needed jade. How did someone send one today?

Who sent it?

Shizong habitually looked at things from a conspiracy-theory perspective.

However, there was actually no basis for any conspiracy here.

Grandma’s identity had no doubts.

Moreover, when he held the slightly cool jade in his palm, he felt the badge on his palm heat up faintly—his intuition at work.

And his intuition told him that this jade was indeed greatly beneficial to him.

Still, Shizong decided to trace the origin of the jade.

He saw no address on the package, so he handed the box to Zuo Sanqiu to pass it to Zhou Lü, asking Zhou Lü to use his connections to find out.

As expected of a CEO with powerful connections on the billionaire list, Zhou Lü quickly gave an answer.

The package had been sent from Qingquan Temple in Yulong Mountain.

Qingquan Temple was in the western region, very far from Jinning City. Shizong was considering whether to go there himself when a jolt on the back of his hand sent a system notification directly to his mind—

【Next game start time: October 22 (Saturday), 9:15 PM】

【When entering the game, please stay alone; do not be seen by anyone】

Sure enough, 9:15 again.

Shizong held up the crescent-moon-shaped jade.

Sunlight passed through it, making it both cool and warm, like moonlight.

Staring at it, Shizong continued receiving system messages in his mind.

【Hello player Shizong, I am system 0237】

【Your next dungeon is about to begin】

【The system will try to match players from the same batch in one dungeon to ensure fairness】

【Your pre-matched role is: a film screenwriter】

【Game difficulty: E level】

【Number of players: 6】

【Note: If you are dissatisfied with the script or role, you may use items to change them】

【Your score is 300 points】

【Currently your score allows access to the beginner store, where you can select desired items】

Like his soul had detached, Shizong entered a place resembling the world of consciousness.

The consciousness world was dark, only filled with countless items displayed in showcases, seemingly waiting for players to purchase.

Perhaps because it was the beginner store, Shizong did not see any items that could defy fate or cheat the game.

So far, most items related to scripts, roles, teammates, and clue searching.

【Item name: Spy】

【Item price: 150 points】

【Item function: Select a player, input their ID, obtain the name of the dungeon they will enter and basic role information】

【Use before: October 22, 2X22】

【Item name: Abandon a Role】

【Item price: 200 points】

【Item function: If dissatisfied with the system-assigned role, use the item to change it】

【Use before: October 22, 2X22】

【Note: This item only blacklists a role. When the system reassigns roles, it will exclude this role in advance. Players cannot freely select roles】

【Item name: Abandon a Dungeon】

【Item price: 200 points】

【Item function: If dissatisfied with the system-assigned dungeon, use the item to change it】

【Use before: October 22, 2X22】

【Note: This item only blacklists a dungeon. When the system reassigns dungeons, it will exclude this dungeon in advance. Players cannot freely select dungeons】

…

These items for avoiding roles or dungeons had a time limit, all before October 22.

The game itself started on October 22.

Shizong now understood why the system had used the term “pre-matched” when assigning his role.

Before the official game began, the system would adjust based on item usage by players.

So the role he received now might not be the one he would actually play.

Shizong ignored these items, glanced at them, and left.

For him, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Obtaining the deceased’s role might give a better path to understanding the story.

Thus, he didn’t care which dungeon or role he got.

After browsing, he only bought two items—

【Item name: Bring Teammate】

【Item price: 150 points】

【Item function: Select a player and bring them into the dungeon you will participate in】

【Use before: October 22, 2X22】

【Item name: Discover Clues Anytime, Anywhere】

【Item price: 50 points】

【Item function: Intelligent clue search, frees your hands!】

【Use before: October 22, 2X22】

He chose “Bring Teammate” because he had promised Li Rongjing of the Dingjun Mountain Army—that his disciple Zhang Qijun, a newcomer not good at the game, would be accompanied to survive the dungeon.

When the system store closed, Shizong came back to his senses and saw Zuo Sanqiu looking at him immediately. “What did you buy?”

Shizong told him truthfully. Zuo Sanqiu said, “I bought nothing. I only have 50 points, so I thought I should save them to buy something big next time.”

Shizong nodded. “Hmm. So stingy, just like you.”

Zuo Sanqiu: “……”

“Not stingy! It’s called careful planning! I could only afford clue-searching items anyway, and only one at that. I don’t think it’s necessary to buy more!”

Zuo Sanqiu looked at Shizong. “Why did you buy this item? Compared to others, this is cheap. Cheap means it might be useless.

“What if the clues it finds are obvious or already discovered by players… That would be frustrating.”

Shizong asked him, “Have you realized something?”

Zuo Sanqiu: “What?”

“Although this item is cheap compared to others, most new players start with only 50 points. Except for me and He Zhen, the others are almost all like this.

“Without joining the guild and guidance from seniors, ordinary players wouldn’t know which dungeon or role is dangerous, so how could they avoid risks?

“Also, most new players can’t afford expensive items unless seniors transfer points to them.

“So those expensive items you covet are never meant for ordinary players.”

Shizong continued, “The system provides basic clue-searching items for most prepared players.

“Assuming the system isn’t malicious, if it provides these items, they must be useful.

“They might seem useless, but in extreme scenarios, they could be unexpectedly valuable.

“One more thing—guess what?”

Curious Zuo Sanqiu asked, “What?”

Shizong said faintly, “A miserly iron rooster usually has bad luck.”

Three minutes later, Zuo Sanqiu rolled his eyes at Shizong. “Then I’ll just smile more! Boys who smile often don’t have bad luck!”

After a moment of silence, Shizong looked at him with satisfaction. “You’ve grown.”

Friday. One day before entering the game again.

Shizong had finished the book he borrowed from Wu Gou.

He then borrowed Zuo Sanqiu’s campus card, planning to sneak into Jinhua University library.

Passing the front desk, he saw Zuo Sanqiu had just finished checking the cook’s and cleaner’s wages and was holding knitting yarn.

“What’s this…” Shizong asked. “You can do this?”

“My family’s poor, I have to do many things myself, so I know a bit of everything,” Zuo Sanqiu blushed. “Don’t laugh. Knitting isn’t just for girls.”

Shizong: “……”

Zuo Sanqiu added, “I plan to knit a pair of red socks for you and myself. Tomorrow we enter the dungeon. Red socks will protect us.”

Shizong: “…………”

Zuo Sanqiu: “What’s with that expression? Worried I won’t finish knitting? Then rest assured! I work fast!”

Shizong: “…………”

At the library entrance, Shizong saw a rather interesting scene—

He Zhen had also come to the library.

A young girl ran after him, spreading her arms to block him. “You really won’t go watch a movie with me?”

Out of the corner of his eye, He Zhen caught sight of Shizong.

Perhaps not expecting to be seen, He Zhen’s expression changed slightly. Without looking at the girl, he bypassed her and headed toward the library.

“What's the point of liking a bookworm? Especially one who looks cold and indifferent, without a hint of charm.”

Just as he swiped his card to enter, He Zhen heard Shizong speak.

He paused, turned, and saw Shizong handing the girl the coffee he had just bought, speaking softly to her. It was unclear whether he was sincerely comforting her or intentionally teasing.

The end result was the same—the girl accepted a business card with “Hide-and-Seek Inn” printed on it, blushed, and ran off.

He Zhen: “……”

Shizong was just too handsome; his long hair and suit made him extremely eye-catching. Before long, he attracted attention in front of the library.

He didn’t care at all. Walking to He Zhen’s side, he casually nodded in greeting and swiped his card to enter.

A moment later, on the third floor, west wing of the library.

This section was mostly computer-related books.

Shizong, suspecting he was once a programmer, and He Zhen from the computer department sat here, separated by a table, not too far, not too close.

He Zhen sat slightly behind Shizong’s side, probably able to see his actions.

Shizong frequently picked up his phone, replying to messages, quite often, chatting with someone unknown.

Eventually, he stepped outside to take a call.

The call was from Peking Opera master Li Rongjing.

“Boss Shi, sorry to bother you. I want to apologize again for last time.

“The matter has been clarified. I lost my temper before and scolded an entertainment reporter. This time, the photos were taken by him, deliberately to blacken my name.

“How are things on your end? I’ve had my manager and assistant contact the big fans to inform them not to disturb you.”

Shizong said lightly, “I’ve already handled a few people. No problem. Hardly a disturbance.”

“Then I leave my apprentice to you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he comes out alive.”

After hanging up on the third-floor terrace, Shizong turned to go back inside, seeing He Zhen coming through the door.

“What’s up?”

“Let’s talk.”

“About what?”

“Currently, my assigned role is an actor, playing the male lead in the ‘Shan Hai’ crew. What’s yours?”

Shizong frowned, seemingly reluctant to talk further, but thinking of the recent call, he spoke: “The system matches players from the same batch. But the player assigned Wang Zhien has issues. I think he’ll use avoidance items and won’t participate in ‘Shan Hai’.

“So I’ll bring someone in. Waiting on the system’s match results, but he should be able to join.

“You need to tell our guild members not to reveal to him that we’ve formed a guild, and not to mention anyone’s real-world identity.”

He Zhen didn’t press further about Wang Zhien or ask who Shizong would bring.

He just nodded and asked again: “So your role is?”

“I’m the screenwriter. My position in the crew is relatively high. So…”

Shizong gave him a faint smile. “Be careful. If you perform badly, I can fire you.”

That evening, Jinshui Grand Theater.

The performer was Zhang Qijun. Li Rongjing, devoted to the stage, rarely sat in the audience to watch a show.

Zhang Qijun performed “The Palace of Eternal Life.” At the end, countless opera fans were moved to tears.

The applause was thunderous, almost exceeding Li Rongjing’s own performances.

Li Rongjing’s manager, Li Caiye, who ran a fan group with her secondary account, saw a fan comment: “Wow, Junjun sings so well, her movements are perfect! I want to climb over, even for a day!”

Li Caiye immediately deleted the message, glanced at the darkened stage, and quietly said to Li Rongjing: “Teaching a disciple to perform, starving the master. You know this, right?

“The opera world is small; the audience rotates among the same few. If they tire of you, they’ll go watch Zhang Qijun. You’re too selective, unwilling to do anything but sing. So tell me… why take on such a disciple?”

“I just wanted to test my ability,” Li Rongjing said, eyes deep as he watched the stage. “Guiding those willing to sing, bestowing talent, the king gave me this ability for inheritance.

“I should pass on Peking Opera, and through my influence, make more young people love it.

“This is my mission and responsibility. But…”

Li Rongjing smiled bitterly. “The king of the game didn’t teach me how to face jealousy. I want more people singing Peking Opera, but I don’t want… one of them to surpass me, or replace me.”

Li Caiye was not a player, but both she and Li Rongjing’s assistant knew about the game, realizing supernatural elements existed in this world.

Concerned, Li Caiye asked: “What do you want to do with this apprentice?”

“Either change his identity. Or…

“Make him disappear from this world.”

Li Rongjing’s gaze was dark, his features sharp like sculpture.

Li Caiye studied him a few more moments, exhaling lightly. “Seems you’ve decided on a plan.”

Li Rongjing nodded. “I’ve made arrangements, don’t worry.”

That was three hours ago.

Backstage, while Zhang Qijun was doing makeup, Li Rongjing said: “Based on the latest info, Shizong has contacted the Fifth Corps. He’s not truly on our side. People like him cannot be used.

“Now is the best time to eliminate him. Otherwise, as his skills improve, he’ll master dungeons, and we won’t be able to kill him.

“Logically, I or the guild elders should do it personally. But he’s still in the novice stage, matched with novice teammates. Using items in a low-level dungeon might arouse suspicion.

“So I assign this task to you. This is your chance to repay me and prove you’re qualified to stay in the Dingjun Mountain Guild.

“I’ll use points to buy you items. Once you kill him, you can take his identity.”

Zhang Qijun showed a brief moment of surprise but quickly lowered his head obediently, following his master.

Seeing this, Li Rongjing felt a bit moved.

His apprentice had always been obedient and agreeable, very likable.

If not, he wouldn’t have shared everything.

But if he hadn’t shared everything, how would they have reached this situation?

Though feeling many emotions, Li Rongjing’s face remained calm.

He said in a soothing tone: “Don’t worry, no matter what his ability is, he only has one badge now, so his power is limited. He won’t discover your intentions.

“You were born to perform, and can act. Perform well, and don’t let him see through your plan.

“Also, I’m not asking you to take risks. This time, your role has a special advantage.

“From the info we gathered, you’ll enter a dungeon called ‘Shan Hai.’ The key hint: ‘The mountain kills the sea, the sea engulfs the mountain.’

“You can ponder what that means in advance.

“This time, Shizong’s role is an ordinary person, but you have strong spiritual power, able to kill invisibly.

“You’ll reach an ancient castle. It’s mysterious, with talking crows and a nightly executioner.

“Also, many strange, locked doors. Be careful; not all doors are freely accessible.

“But don’t worry, Shizong’s role is a mere ordinary person. You can easily kill him with your powers.

“Of course, you must be careful, observe who the executioner is early, don’t get chopped.”

The unspoken part in Li Rongjing’s mind:

Information collected by the guild is limited. I can only say that the situation favors you.

You should be able to kill Shizong and take his identity.

But if you fail… he will kill you.

Shizong is no easy target.

If you can’t kill him, he will kill you, and you cannot replace me.

Author’s note:

The ‘Shan Hai’ dungeon is about to begin~

【The mountain kills the sea, the sea engulfs the mountain】

(May be a bit hardcore? hhh, just a little)

New readers might be confused in the comments about who Mingyue is.

In previous infinite-flow works, Mingyue made cameo appearances as part of dungeon design. Many readers were curious about his past and future, so I decided to write a book fully about him. His appearances in previous books were very