Chapter 41: Prayer

Jiang Jian raised his identity device.

"13-8."

Blue light swept over.

The building gate split to both sides.

Shi Xuan sighed: "It's a pity that everyone gets an apartment."

"If we could live with roommates, that would be great."

Speaking of this.

He looked at Jiang Jian, expectation in his eyes.

The other three walked over, got on the large elevator, and hearing this, all showed strange expressions.

"Don't think too much!"

Shi Xuan sensed the anomaly and hurriedly explained, "I mean, being by Jiang Jian's side can urge me to cultivate!"

One of them nodded, agreeing: "That's true."

Beep!

The large elevator stopped on the 12th floor.

Shi Xuan turned his head to look at Jiang Jian: "Jiang Jian, do you want to eat together at noon?"

Jiang Jian was noncommittal and said: "We'll see; contact me via identity device."

Shi Xuan responded: "Okay, then I'll go back first."

The elevator door closed.

A few seconds later.

It stopped on the 13th floor.

"Goodbye."

"Okay, goodbye."

Jiang Jian greeted and walked off the large elevator.

What he saw was an elegant corridor decorated exquisitely.

In front of each room door, there was a number plate.

"13-8."

Jiang Jian walked through the wide corridor and stopped in front of a carved wooden door.

"Room 8."

He raised his identity device and swiped it lightly.

"Beep!"

"Verification successful!"

The door lock opened.

Jiang Jian pushed the door and walked in.

Immediately, a pleasant fragrance drifted into his nose.

The wooden door closed behind him.

In front of him was a whole large suite.

"Linjiang Academy, truly spares no cost."

Jiang Jian looked at the living room of over a hundred square meters.

He had a clear understanding of the academy's massive financial resources again.

"Hello."

A gentle voice sounded.

A machine butler walked over and bowed slightly to Jiang Jian, "Welcome home."

Its external image was a young woman.

Her deep blue eyeballs turned, full of mechanical feel.

But only lacked spirituality.

Linjiang Academy strictly abides by laws and regulations.

It does not allow the use, imprisonment, enslavement, or trading of unofficial citizens.

So, there are no demon spirits or ghosts here.

The maintenance and care of external facilities on the academy campus mostly use expensive labor.

Correspondingly.

The daily life of teachers and students relies on machine butlers.

Under the suppression of Godly technology.

Machine butlers are just machines.

They will never escape control.

"Do you want to eat?"

The machine butler reached out and swiped, and a screen appeared.

"Slow-cooked small rib soup, 2 Alliance Credits."

"Sea urchin stir-fried liver, 3 Alliance Credits."

"Clear-stewed beef ribs, 2 Alliance Credits."

The menu was dazzling.

There were hundreds of items.

The prices of the dishes were not expensive.

Even cheaper than the prices in Guangling City.

Jiang Jian shook his head, glanced at it, and said: "Go back to the machine room and wait."

The machine butler responded: "Yes."

It turned around, walked into the small machine room, and stood still.

Jiang Jian walked up the hall steps and sat on the soft sofa.

Immediately.

Fatigue and sleepiness invaded.

He took out the "Hemostatic and Blood-Stasis-Dissolving Oral Tablets" and took one.

The uncomfortable feeling dissipated a bit.

Jiang Jian opened his identity device and looked at the bottom right corner.

There were dozens of new communications again.

"Your account received a transfer: 100,000 Alliance Credits."

"Your balance: 950,112 Alliance Credits."

Looking at his balance.

Jiang Jian's expression was calm.

These funds, although not small.

But if used for cultivation.

It wasn't much.

"Cultivation, and not cultivating."

"The speed of spending money is completely two extremes."

"Ordinary people, if they don't cultivate."

"Only a few thousand Alliance Credits are needed to live well for a year."

"If cultivating."

"This little money isn't even enough to fill the gaps in one's teeth."

Thoughts surged in his heart.

Jiang Jian looked at another communication.

"Your Linjiang Prefecture platform quota has been updated!"

Seeing this.

Jiang Jian opened the Linjiang Network and looked at his balance.

"Your shopping quota remaining: 230,000."

"The quota is equivalent to Alliance Credits, but cannot be directly exchanged for Alliance Credits."

Jiang Jian suppressed his thoughts.

"To accelerate cultivation progress."

"The Linjiang Network and the academy platform are the two most important places."

"Linjiang Network, use shopping quota, or Alliance Credits."

"Academy platform, only recognizes credits."

Fingers swiped the screen, Jiang Jian opened the academy platform.

In the upper right corner of the page, the remaining credits were displayed.

"Your credits remaining: 800."

Jiang Jian browsed the academy platform.

He had a clearer understanding of the use of credits.

Credits are very important.

They can be used to purchase usage time for campus cultivation rooms.

Campus cultivation rooms are extremely expensive.

One hour requires 10 credits.

Their special feature lies in the room's array.

The array is connected to the Government Office Prayer Hall.

Arranged personally by the prefecture's Godly Envoy, it possesses divine power.

Cultivating in the cultivation room can greatly increase the cultivation speed of the Shenque Acupoint!

Besides this.

Special facilities on campus, as well as precious spiritual materials that cannot be bought outside.

Can all be purchased with credits.

Closing the academy platform.

Jiang Jian took a brief inventory of his assets.

"950,000 Alliance Credits, 230,000 shopping

"These are what I will rely on for my cultivation going forward."

Jiang Jian swiped across the screen and looked at another section.

"Level 1 Talent Light Orb, random type."

"Level 2 Talent Light Orb, self-selected type."

"Level 2 God-Given Weapon, self-selected."

"These items have not been shipped yet."

"But now, I need to make the selections in advance."

He pondered for a moment.

Jiang Jian selected the "Level 1 Talent Light Orb" and opened it directly.

"Congratulations, you have obtained a Level 1 Talent Light Orb: Body, Blood-Activating Body Strengthening."

"Please wait for shipment."

Jiang Jian clicked to delay shipment, then selected the "Level 2 Talent Light Orb."

He opened it the same way and chose "Art."

Generally speaking.

Talent light orbs of the "Art" type are the most expensive.

Therefore, Jiang Jian did not hesitate regarding the self-selected type.

A Level 2 "Art" talent is worth hundreds of thousands of Alliance Credits.

Jiang Jian planned.

To put the talent light orbs he didn't need up on the Linjiang Network to sell them for Alliance Credits.

Light flowed and surged.

A few seconds later.

A ray of light flashed by.

"Congratulations, you have obtained a Level 2 Talent Light Orb: Art, Wind Rise."

"Please wait for shipment."

Seeing this, Jiang Jian's eyes brightened slightly.

He clicked to delay shipment as well.

Then he opened the Linjiang Network and listed the original information from the email for sale.

Talent light orbs are very precious.

To list them for resale, one must provide a clear source to prove their existence.

"Listing failed!"

"Detected exclusive talent light orb from God-Given University, cannot be listed for sale!"

"Please return to your school's platform to reclaim credits!"

The prompts from the Linjiang Network kept sounding.

Jiang Jian was silent for a moment, then reopened the academy platform.

The idea of reselling for Alliance Credits was not feasible.

"Level 1 Talent Light Orb: Body, Blood-Activating Body Strengthening."

"Reclamation price: 20 credits."

"Level 2 Talent Light Orb: Art, Wind Rise."

"Reclamation price: 300 credits."

"Confirm reclamation?"

Jiang Jian did not hesitate and clicked confirm directly.

"Reclamation successful!"

"You have received: 320 credits."

"Your remaining credits: 1120."

At the same time.

The shipping information in the email disappeared.

"I should choose the God-Given Weapon carefully."

Jiang Jian looked at the other email.

"Level 2 God-Given Weapon, self-selected."

This was a benefit for freshmen of the First Academy.

Out of 1,800 freshmen.

Only the 50 students of the First Academy.

Could receive the benefit of a Level 2 God-Given Weapon.

The Second Academy only had Level 1 God-Given Weapons.

"An ownerless God-Given Weapon can be used after performing a simple binding ritual."

Jiang Jian clicked on the email and opened the selection page directly.

"Attack, Defense, Array-Setting, Control, Suppression, Recovery."

The six types of God-Given Weapons appeared.

After pondering for a moment.

Jiang Jian clicked on "Recovery."

Immediately.

Large amounts of information surged out.

"Ring-Heart Bracelet, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, calms the mind and spirit, slowly recovers Qi."

"Grass-Wood Ring, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, increases affinity with gods, increases Qi circulation speed."

"White Bone Pendant, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, enhances physical fitness, increases meridian strength."

"Prayer Jade, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, increases affinity with gods, slowly recovers Qi."

"Silver Necklace, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, cools the heart and mind, dispels evil spirits."

The "Recovery" type God-Given Weapons were diverse.

God-Given Weapons are different from talent light orbs.

The Shenque acupoint can only hold one talent light orb.

Therefore.

Most people only have two talents.

The first is the innate talent.

The second is the talent light orb placed into the Shenque acupoint for cultivation.

But God-Given Weapons do not have this restriction.

As long as there is enough Qi.

One could even activate ten God-Given Weapons at the same time.

"Even so."

"The campus materials still provide a warning."

"The number of God-Given Weapons should not be too high."

"Controlling it to one or two is most appropriate."

"Because every God-Given Weapon requires a binding ritual to be used."

"Binding too many."

"Will instead make the Qi murky and delay cultivation."

Jiang Jian pondered for a moment.

He had already made up his mind.

He would temporarily limit himself to one God-Given Weapon.

The Han-Guang Sword is an innate God-Given item.

It does not require going to the Prayer Hall for a binding ritual.

It is not counted among them.

"Prayer Jade, Level 2 God-Given Weapon, increases affinity with gods, slowly recovers Qi."

After looking for a while, Jiang Jian's gaze landed here.

He did not hesitate.

He selected this information directly and clicked confirm.

"Level 2 God-Given Weapon, Prayer Jade, confirm claim?"

Jiang Jian confirmed again.

"Congratulations, claim successful!"

"Please wait for further notification!"

He swiped away the communication and turned off the identity device.

Jiang Jian lay on the sofa, closing his eyes slightly.

Drowsiness swept over him like a tide.

"Since the God-Given ritual."

"I haven't had an episode for a long time."

His thoughts were chaotic.

Countless ideas flashed through his mind.

Unknowingly.

Jiang Jian fell into a deep sleep.

It seemed he had a very long dream.

In the dream, the people at the academy had all turned into terrifying ghosts.

They were hideous and terrifying, passing through building after building.

Making shrill, unpleasant screeches, biting frantically.

The light shed by the stars had all turned scarlet.

Afternoon, 5:00 sharp.

The daylight gradually dimmed.

Jiang Jian woke up with a start.

Fine beads of sweat seeped out on his fair forehead.

"What kind of strange dream is this."

Jiang Jian's face was pale, and he caught his breath, "Robot butler, bring me a mocha."

Dreams, of course, are false.

Jiang Jian, through this, vaguely realized.

His state of mind was very troubled.

The loss of composure in a strange environment.

The confusion regarding cultivation.

The fear of the unknown.

All these things were intertwined.

Forming a bizarre and surreal dream.

"My state of mind is still not enough."

Jiang Jian closed his eyes.

A few dozen seconds later.

He opened them again.

His gaze had become firm once more.

"No matter what, I must persist in my heart and not be disturbed by external things."

As his emotions surged.

The robot butler walked up, holding the coffee, and said gently: "3 Alliance Credits."

The cup was steaming.

Jiang Jian reached out to take it, then tapped his identity device: "Prepay another 1,000 Alliance Credits; from now on, deduct directly for food and drink purchases, no need to report."

The robot butler's eyes flashed with light, and it said: "Okay."

"Your account consumption: 1,003 Alliance Credits."

"Your balance: 949,109 Alliance Credits."

A prompt came from the identity device.

Jiang Jian frowned slightly.

He opened the message notifications.

He set it to "No notification for consumption under 10,000 Alliance Credits."

The next second.

Jiang Jian seemed to think of something.

He found the communication for "Jiang Zhao" and clicked to open it.

Over the past two days.

Jiang Zhao had already sent over a dozen messages.

Most of them.

Were messages urging Jiang Jian to take his medicine.

Through the messages, Jiang Jian knew.

Jiang Zhao had already arrived at Anhe Academy, completed her housing procedures, and officially enrolled.

Although Anhe Academy is also a God-Given University.

Its scale is simply too small.

It cannot be compared to Linjiang Academy at all.

Linjiang Academy, just the freshman campus alone.

Is worth 20 Anhe Academies.

"Since the God-Given ritual, I haven't had an episode, don't worry."

Jiang Jian pondered for a moment and sent a message.

A few seconds later.

A "beep" sounded.

Jiang Jian clicked on the real-time communication.

The girl's pleasant voice came through: "Jiang Jian, you finally replied!"

"Let me tell you, the academy gave us a shopping allowance of 10,000 Alliance Credits!"

"I've never seen so much money!"

"The food here doesn't cost money, it really is free room and board!"

"Even if you go to the cafeteria to eat, 10 Alliance Credits is enough for a whole day!"

She talked to herself for several minutes.

Finally, she stopped for a moment.

Jiang Jian was speechless and said: "You..."

Before he could finish.

"By the way, Jiang Jian."

Jiang Zhao spoke again, "I have the subsidy from the school here; I spent a little, and there's 1,200 Alliance Credits left, I'll transfer some to you first."

Jiang Jian was silent for a moment and said: "I have money."

"You spend money very quickly at Linjiang Academy, I'll give you 1,000 Alliance Credits first."

Jiang Zhao shook her head firmly, "Anyway, I'm at school, room and board are free, I don't need to spend money on food, clothing, housing, or transportation."

Jiang Jian was stunned and said: "Jiang Zhao, don't eat the free food, spend money to buy meals, it's not expensive."

Jiang Zhao chuckled: "It's fine, even the free meals are better than what we ate at home."

God-Given Universities provide free room and board.

But the free meals are not tasty.

If you want to eat delicious food, you have to spend Alliance Credits.

Linjiang Academy also has free cafeterias.

It's just that.

No one goes there at all.

Most students use their robot butlers to spend money on meals.

"1,000 Alliance Credits, transferred to you."

Jiang Zhao left this sentence and hung up the real-time communication directly, "Remember to take your medicine on time!"

Beep.

The call was interrupted.

Jiang Jian stared at the identity device, his expression uncertain.

"Your account received a transfer: 1,000 Alliance Credits."

"Your balance: 950,109 Alliance Credits."

The prompt sounded.

Jiang Jian seemed not to notice.

He turned his head and looked out the window.

The gloomy sky.

Just like ten years ago.

Guangling City, Shadow Zone.

Public Care Center.

"I don't want to go!"

"I don't want to go either!"

"You go!"

"I'm not going!"

People were pushing each other, their faces full of fear.

Every week, the guardian would send someone away.

Calling it "fostering."

But those sent away seemed to evaporate from the world and never appeared again.

In the corner.

The girl sat alone, her expression blank.

Until the eyes of the people.

Landed on her face.

The courtyard suddenly quieted down.

Someone tentatively spoke: "Let her go."

People looked at each other and nodded subconsciously.

"Yes, let her go!"

"That guy isn't here, let her go!"

"Yes!"

They grabbed the girl's clothes and walked out of the courtyard.

"Don't blame us!"

"We don't want to die either!"

"Every week."

"The guardian takes someone away."

"Last week it was your brother."

"This week it's your turn!"

As they spoke.

The fear on people's faces gradually faded.

Becoming hideous.

Suddenly.

One clever person seemed to sense something.

Trembling, they raised their head.

The next second.

Their eyes widened, their face full of fear: "That guy is back!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone seemed to be frozen in place.

Standing there, not daring to move.

One bold person gritted their teeth and said: "Last week, wasn't he adopted? How could he be back!?"

No one dared to answer.

At the entrance.

The boy's expression was calm as he slowly walked into the small courtyard.

These people were shocked and stopped moving.

Someone was shaking all over and explained: "The guardian said that today an adult is coming to adopt, and one person must be sent."

The boy was expressionless and said nothing.

He naturally knew the "rules" of this Public Care Center.

The laws of the Shadow Zone are not called laws.

The laws of the Public Care Center are also not called laws.

Here, "rules" are supreme.

Every few days.

Unofficial citizens would come to the Public Care Center.

Coming to adopt in the capacity of an "adult."

Then.

Someone would be taken away and never return.

At that time.

Jiang Jian was still young.

He couldn't understand.

Why those "adults" all looked so strange.

Without a human appearance.

Why those who were "fostered" out were all so afraid and resisted desperately.

Later.

Jiang Jian understood.

But he had also grown up.

"Guardian?"

The boy held a wooden sword and smiled.

"Are you talking about the person who sent me away last week?"

"She has already gone to a quiet place."

"I was the one who sent her there."

The boy talked to himself.

Walking through the courtyard.

The wooden sword moved.

Like falling leaves and flying flowers, like catkins meeting snow.

The sound of heavy objects hitting the ground kept ringing.

A dozen seconds later.

In front of the boy.

Only the foolish girl remained.

"Bro... brother..."

The girl raised her head, her dry lips moving.

Her small face was pale, and her expression was still blank.

But she recognized the boy in front of her.

The boy looked at her quietly.

After a long while, he spoke: "I met someone when I went out this time."

"He taught me a way to cure your illness."

To his words.

The girl couldn't understand at all.

She just kept.

Muttering words in her mouth.

"Bro... brother..."

(End of chapter)