Chapter 19: Shenji Blessing—Never Sick

The wave of prestige sparked by the Haiyan rescue operation had yet to subside when Qin Feng's name had already become a symbol—wealth and benevolence coexisting, capital and responsibility dancing together. Even some traditional finance figures who had once sneered at the term "Shenhou" could no longer ignore this young man and the energy he represented.

Yet Qin Feng, at the center of the storm, remained unusually calm. He clearly sensed that this rise in social prestige seemed to subtly accelerate the system's unlocking process. The progress bars for 【Super Technology】 at 82% and 【Wealth Prediction】 at 68% glowed like guiding beacons, making his future direction clearer than ever.

The system's suggested domains—ocean, energy, information—had marked three focal points on his vast commercial map. He instructed Su Wenqian and Sun Zhe to direct investment and acquisition efforts more deliberately toward these fields, especially toward startups or research teams possessing core technologies but lacking capital.

That afternoon, Qin Feng was reviewing a report on investing in a startup specializing in "ocean thermal energy conversion" when a soft knock came at his office door.

"Enter."

It was Su Wenqian—but her expression was unnatural, her eyes shadowed with unmasked concern.

"Boss Qin, there's something… you should know." Su Wenqian's voice was lower than usual.

"What's wrong, Sister Su?" Qin Feng set down the report, his tone concerned. Su Wenqian was his core aide—steadfast, capable—rarely showing such emotion.

"It's my daughter, Ranran." Su Wenqian sighed, a frown darkening her brow. "Her school held a physical exam; the results came out today… the doctor said her heart might have an issue and recommended we take her to a major hospital for a full checkup."

She paused, forcing her voice steady: "It might be… congenital heart disease, undetected until now. I… I'd like to take the afternoon off to take her to the children's hospital."

Qin Feng's brow instantly furrowed. He had met Ranran a few times—bright, clever, lively, like a little angel. Hearing this news, his heart sank.

"Checkups come first—of course you can take time off. Don't worry about work." Qin Feng stood, stepped before her, voice firm. "Contact the best hospital, find the top specialists. All costs will be covered by the company—no, personally by me. If you need any resources, tell me immediately."

"Thank you, Boss Qin." Su Wenqian nodded gratefully, but her worry remained. She knew money could solve many problems, but some health issues—especially congenital ones—couldn't be fully resolved by money alone. The treatment ahead, her daughter's future… all weighed like boulders on her heart.

Watching Su Wenqian leave the office, forcing composure, Qin Feng's mood grew heavy. He sat back down and instinctively called up the system interface.

The 【Blessing Key】 and 【Skill Key】 were still usable, but the 【Blessing Key】's "minor" effect would be useless against such a serious potential illness. The 【Shenji Blessing】 remained on a long cooldown.

"If only there were a more direct, stronger blessing…" Qin Feng murmured inwardly, a hint of helplessness and concern for those around him in his thoughts.

In that very moment—

【Ding! Detected host's strong protective intent toward the "health" domain, and combined prestige has reached "Revered (Regional)"! Hidden condition met!】

【Unlocked special targeted 【Shenji Blessing】 option: Never Sick!】

A new option, radiating a soft green glow of life energy, suddenly appeared beneath the 【Shenji Blessing】. Though still marked as on cooldown, its meaning made Qin Feng's breath catch.

Never Sick!

This was no mere cure—it granted a permanent "health constancy" at the root! It was a power worthy of myth!

【Shenji Blessing—Never Sick: Grants a permanent "health constancy" state to a designated target (one person only). Under this state, the target becomes immune to all diseases (including congenital, genetic, viral, bacterial infections, and cancer cell formation), and bodily functions remain perpetually at their optimal health level. Note: This effect does not confer resistance to physical trauma or natural aging, but greatly delays organ failure-related aging caused by disease.】

Qin Feng's heart pounded violently. This effect was nothing short of godlike—if he could use it on Ranran…

But then he saw the cost, and his pupils contracted sharply.

【Usage Cost: Each use of this targeted blessing permanently consumes a certain percentage of the host's base Life Energy (not lifespan, but affects host's short-term energy and physical capacity limits), and doubles the cooldown time of all system skills (duration: one month). Host, consider carefully.】

The cost was not light! Permanent loss of Life Energy, all skills' cooldowns doubled! It meant his system power would be severely diminished for a month.

On one side: the health of his trusted aide, someone like family—his daughter. On the other: his own precious energy and the potential risks he'd face over the next month.

Qin Feng hesitated not at all.

"System, confirm targeted 【Shenji Blessing—Never Sick】 for Su Wenqian's daughter, Su Ran!" he commanded inwardly, decisive as steel.

Energy could be regained. Cooldowns could wait. But a child's health couldn't wait. If he had the power to relieve suffering among those close to him, he could not stand idle. This, too, was part of the "peak" he sought—to protect those worth protecting!

【Warning! Using this blessing incurs a corresponding cost. Confirm?】

"Confirm!"

【Ding! Targeted 【Shenji Blessing—Never Sick】 applied to target: Su Ran!】

【Blessing active! Target now possesses "health constancy" state!】

【Cost applied: Host's base Life Energy permanently reduced by 5%. All system skill cooldowns doubled (duration: 30 calendar days).】

A sharp wave of weakness surged through him—as if something core had been ripped from his body. His vision dimmed slightly; he gripped the desk to stay upright. He could feel his physical and mental limits had indeed lowered. Simultaneously, every skill's cooldown timer on the interface stretched into agonizingly long numbers.

Yet he felt no regret.

That evening, Qin Feng received a call from Su Wenqian. Her voice trembled with disbelief, joy, even tears:

"Boss Qin! Miracle! It's a miracle! I took Ranran for the most comprehensive tests—echocardiogram, CT, MRI… all results show her heart structure is completely normal! Extremely healthy! Healthier than many children her age! The doctor said the school's report must have been a misdiagnosis—or… or some inexplicable medical miracle! Boss Qin, it's wonderful! Truly wonderful!"

Listening to Su Wenqian's incoherent joy over the phone, Qin Feng's pale face broke into a relieved smile. Misdiagnosis? Medical miracle? Perhaps. As long as the outcome was good, that was enough.

"Health is what matters. Congratulations, Sister Su. Take good care of Ranran. Don't rush back to work tomorrow."

After hanging up, Qin Feng felt the weakness in his body and the system's long cooldowns—but his spirit was calm, deeply satisfied. This feeling—exchanging his own cost for the peace and happiness of those around him—felt more genuinely fulfilling than amassing billions or winning supreme prestige.

"The path to the peak… protection…" he whispered, repeating the system's prompt.

This "waste" consumed his own energy—but gained something priceless: unshakable peace and absolute loyalty from his team.

He believed that when Su Wenqian returned, he would gain a core member more focused, more loyal than ever before. And this surge in cohesion would become a cornerstone for his upcoming grand plan involving 【Super Technology】.

The weakness in his body reminded him to rest—but his spirit soared, elevated by the right choice.

He gazed out the window as the sky darkened, his gaze seeming to pierce through the clouds toward the starry sea of 【Super Technology】 the system had promised.

Rest. Then move forward.