[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware-":3,"chapter-just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-90":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Just Became a Mage, and My Skills Got Self-Aware? What the Hell?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2356700,4610,"Chapter 90: Are There Still Fugitives Left After the Anti-Crime Crackdown?","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>The group arrived at the Beijing Railway Station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the capital of Long Nation, it was naturally a transportation hub, with train services to every corner of the country extremely frequent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by the station announcement, Lin Mo’s group arrived at Tianbei City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike bustling Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they stepped out of the station, Tianbei City’s first impression was one of backwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The station hall had no air conditioning—only a few old-fashioned fans whirring overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls were plastered with all kinds of sticky advertisements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“High price for monster corpses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgently hiring suicide squads—daily pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black market transactions—honesty first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passersby mostly hurried along with tense expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had fresh bloodstains on their clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… cough…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Mengqing wrinkled her nose in disgust:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh… is this really a city in Long Nation? It feels like we’ve gone back to the Great Catastrophe era.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang said calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. First, rent a car—the temple dungeon’s coordinates are in the Outer Rock Wasteland, dozens of kilometers from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo nodded, and the group headed toward the station exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the five-clawed golden dragon badges on their chests had been removed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple—it drew too much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this journey, wherever they went, they became the center of attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were here to clear dungeons, not to be treated like giant pandas on display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the station,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a shop with a sign reading “Honest Car Rental.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner was a one-eyed man, lounging on the doorstep smoking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lin Mo’s group—especially the three girls with exceptional bearing—he flashed a shrewd gleam in his single eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were clearly easy targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You folks renting a car?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner exhaled a smoke ring and pointed to a filthy, battered pickup truck in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlucky for you—every other car’s rented out. Only this one’s left. Three thousand per day, ten thousand deposit. No haggling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer, took a quick look, and immediately saw the vehicle was in terrible condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, this car won’t make it back from the Outer Rock Wasteland. Don’t you have anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“None.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner replied dismissively, his tone edged with impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, his abacus was clacking loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within five kilometers, he was the only car rental shop around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These rich kids and girls hated trouble—they’d rent it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This broken-down heap would break down within five kilometers, and then… the ten thousand deposit would be all his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a slightly youthful voice came from the garage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rent it! The brake pads are worn out, the chassis is cracked—this car won’t last five kilometers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man in a grease-stained mechanic’s uniform stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held a wrench in hand, his face smeared with soot, yet his eyes were clear and stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner’s face darkened as he glared fiercely at the young man:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah Jie! What are you talking about? You don’t want to work here anymore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie snorted, yanked off his uniform, and slammed the wrench onto the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve had enough of this job!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sign says ‘Honest Car Rental,’ but you’re clearly swindling people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner trembled with rage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you! Get out! Get out right now! You won’t get a single cent of this month’s pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie didn’t argue. He lifted his chin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine! Keep your money—buy yourself a coffin with it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he turned and walked out of the shop, not even glancing at the furious owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner continued shouting curses behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang had no interest in dealing with such a swindler—he gave the man a cold glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group stepped out of the shop. Han Mengqing frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Xu, that place is dozens of kilometers away—how do we get there? And there doesn’t seem to be another rental shop nearby. We can’t walk, can we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo’s gaze turned to the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man named Ah Jie had just climbed into an old-fashioned off-road vehicle parked by the curb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vehicle looked aged, but clearly well-maintained by its owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo thought for a moment, then walked over quickly and knocked on the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window rolled down. Ah Jie saw Lin Mo and paused in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, thanks for speaking up earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo smiled. “If not for you, we’d have been scammed by that heartless boss today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie scratched his head, embarrassed, and grinned sheepishly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No big deal—I didn’t really help. I just couldn’t stand him cheating people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo asked. “You lost your job, and you haven’t even been paid…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie waved his hand, unconcerned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, no problem! I didn’t want that job anyway. Money earned through dishonesty doesn’t sit right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added with disdain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, I worked for him just to save up for a dungeon scroll—it drops materials to save my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve saved enough now. I bought the scroll. Why would I stay in that job?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo asked immediately:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clearing a dungeon? We’re going to clear one too—where are you headed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Rock Wasteland.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Ah Jie’s answer, Lin Mo’s eyes lit up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Small world—we’re going there too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’re heading the same way, how about you give us a ride? Don’t worry—we’ll pay you for the fuel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie looked at his car, then at Lin Mo’s group of four, and hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I’m not refusing to help,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Jie said with a wry smile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This car’s my own modification—it runs fine—but I still have to pick up my three childhood friends. We made plans to clear the dungeon together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this car… really can’t fit so many people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo felt a pang of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Ah Jie thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this—I’ll rent you the car. My friends have another vehicle—a three-wheeled rickshaw—but we can squeeze in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just give me a little for fuel—how’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo blinked, then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid was genuinely honest—and endearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d quit his job to stop strangers from being cheated, and now he was willing to give up his own car to ride in a rickshaw to help them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, it’s settled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Lin Mo pulled out his phone and scanned the code. “Five thousand—enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Five thousand? That’s way too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajie jumped back, waving his hands frantically, “Just give me some gas money and—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo transferred the money directly. “Consider it thanks for earlier, plus advance payment for repairs—in case we scratched your car.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving the money, Ajie’s face flushed bright red with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shoved the car keys into Lin Mo’s hands, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and sprinted toward the intersection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks, bro! I’ll hitch a ride with my friend. This car’s got nothing wrong except the AC isn’t cold enough and the suspension’s a bit stiff—but the power? Absolutely solid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Ajie’s figure vanish around the corner, Han Mengqing couldn’t help sighing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk tsk, this kid’s really honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Lingxuan nodded quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s a good older brother. I hope he manages to gather the materials to cure his sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Don’t waste his kindness. Onward—Rubble Wasteland!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The off-road vehicle left the city, and the scenery around it rapidly turned desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubble Wasteland—its name was fitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bare brown rocks and withered yellow grass stretched everywhere; occasionally, a few low-level demonic creatures wandered in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vehicle drove for roughly three hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this stretch, originally only dozens of kilometers long, had taken Xu Wenchang nearly three hours to cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Xu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Mengqing, sitting in the back, was thoroughly shaken, her face pale with exhaustion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have we gotten lost? How long has it been? We should’ve arrived by now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang’s face flickered with embarrassment, then he chuckled cheerfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph… How could we be lost? Back when I was on duty here, I could navigate this place blindfolded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The main road’s blocked, so I’m taking you a shortcut—understand? A shortcut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, we’re almost there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Xu Wenchang sneakily glanced at the navigation, then yanked the steering wheel sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a violent jolt, the vehicle finally came to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead lay an extremely complex and steep pile of rocks—the car could go no further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… Guess we’ll have to walk from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang pulled the keys out, smiling awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone reluctantly got out and trudged forward, stepping unevenly into the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking about ten minutes and climbing over a small hill, the view suddenly opened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large crowd had gathered on the open ground ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the perimeter of that area, a long chain-link fence had been erected, forcibly enclosing a vast stretch of land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outdoor leveling zones and dungeon activation points were public resources—why had they fenced it off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Mengqing, sharp-eyed, gasped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey? Isn’t that Ajie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo squinted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, on the muddy ground at the fence’s entrance, Ajie and his three friends lay battered and bruised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened? Who beat them up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Mengqing’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nearby young onlooker sighed, lowering his voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Girl, who else? The Shark Gang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shark Gang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man nodded, grimacing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, dungeon scrolls can activate dungeons, but only within specific coordinates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of fury crossed his eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That trash from the Shark Gang has seized this entire coordinate zone and set their own rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone wanting to activate a dungeon here—whether solo or in a party—must forcibly hire their members to lead the run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minimum fee: one hundred thousand! No money? Then don’t even think about entering!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man pointed at Ajie and the others, shaking his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those guys insisted on forcing their way in, saying they didn’t need guides and refused to pay—and this is what happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s outrageous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Mengqing’s face flushed with anger. “Isn’t this coercion? Where’s the law?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bald, muscular giant with a face full of scars bellowed at the crowd:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you all staring at? Listen up, every last one of you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, the Shark Gang is the law!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re a dragon, coil up! If you’re a tiger, lie down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No money? Then get out of here and don’t block the view—this is your fate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he roared, the bald man glared viciously at Ajie on the ground, causing many nearby cultivators to step back in fear, too terrified to speak up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Lin Mo’s eyes grew cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Wenchang’s previously cheerful expression vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The state has been cracking down hard on organized crime for years… yet here, in a place like this, such vermin still slip through the cracks…”\u003C\u002Fp>",1796,"2026-06-21T04:41:49.398Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","072d39ddd48cdb19452a9cd805ba5ae6b4a9d7f6b303a74805211bf4a8e752c8","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-91","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-89",374,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjust-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--cover.jpg"]