Chapter 33: A High-Risk New Assignment

Yunzhi spoke to Ziji about the two ability awakening serums she had received, hoping he would serve as her guardian. She also asked if he wanted the other vial.

Ziji took a vial from Yunzhi and channeled a wisp of his divine soul into it to examine it closely. With the memories of Lu Ziji in his mind, he quickly discerned the differences between the ability-based system and the immortal cultivation path. Abilities were far simpler and cruder in their absorption and utilization of energy, offering faster progression but with an upper limit far lower than that of the cultivation path. Given a choice, any fool would choose the cultivation system; although growth was slower, the combat power and potential were significantly higher.

However, they were on Earth, an environment completely devoid of spiritual energy. Even if he had Lu Ziji send a massive quantity of spirit stones to Earth, they would vanish like a bottle of ink poured into the ocean. Once absorbed into the human body, spiritual energy could only serve to briefly nourish and optimize the physique; it could not be stored long-term. Thus, the cultivation path was out of the question.

The ability system, however, was worth a try. Although the various energies floating in the air on Earth were extremely thin, they were indeed part of the ability system. His method of strengthening his body through excessive eating could only build physical durability and could not grant him powerful offensive capabilities, but abilities could.

Ziji asked, "There are only two of these. Are you sure you don't need to save them for your parents' protection, or for others? Why give one to me?"

Upon hearing this, Yunzhi knew that Ziji also had a use for the serum. She shook her head and said, "My parents plan to open a private kitchen restaurant and won't be running around. Even if they do go out, they can take bodyguards and carry safety charms for protection; that’s basically enough. You need to refine your state of mind in this life, which means you'll inevitably be traveling, so you need this more."

If there were a surplus of serums, Yunzhi would certainly want one for her parents and Tang Panpan. Cen Junfei had only managed to secure three so far; he had used one himself to awaken wind-type abilities and had given the other two to her. Once he obtained more, he would trade them with her or use them as rewards for commission tasks. Prioritizing Ziji not only stemmed from the fact that he was likely to face more danger, but also because Yunzhi felt embarrassed to keep taking from him without giving back. If it happened too often, she would feel too awkward to ask him for help in the future. Since she didn't have much that Ziji could use, if this serum was beneficial to him, he should have it first.

Ziji smiled and said, "Fine, then I will accept it. The absorption of this serum should be relatively quick, about ten minutes to half an hour. Do you want to take it now? I will watch over you."

As he spoke, the colorless serum in his hand disappeared, presumably placed into his storage ring.

Yunzhi nodded. She had heard from Cen Junfei that after taking the serum, body temperature would rise, similar to having a fever. There was an 80% chance of awakening, a 19% chance of remaining an ordinary person, and a 1% chance of turning into a zombie. This was because the raw materials for the serum were derived from mutant beasts, mutant plants, and zombie cores, thus containing trace amounts of the zombie virus. However, according to the chat group system's prompt, the serum had been processed by the system, rendering the zombie virus completely inactive. While one might not necessarily awaken an ability, there was absolutely no danger of becoming a zombie.

Yunzhi took out a brand-new syringe and injected the serum intravenously. She could have drunk it, but knowing it contained components of a zombie core—which was dug out of a zombie's head—she preferred the injection.

This was Ziji’s first time seeing someone "get an injection." Although he had the relevant memories, seeing it in person was different, and he leaned in to watch. ...Hmm, all he could tell was that Yunzhi’s arm was very fair.

Soon after the injection, Yunzhi felt her body temperature rise significantly, but there was no severe discomfort, and her mind remained clear. She even had the mental space to wonder, "I wonder what ability I will awaken?"

Ziji replied, "When you took the Marrow Cleansing Pill last time, I used my divine soul to probe your condition. You have a mutant water spirit root with heaven-grade aptitude. Although the cultivation methods for the immortal path and the ability system are different, the ability you awaken will likely correspond to this."

Yunzhi was stunned. "What is a mutant water spirit root?" She had read many cultivation novels; water and ice spirit roots were common, but she had never heard of a mutant water spirit root.

Ziji explained, "A mutant water spirit root means you can freely transform and control water in its three states: water, ice, and mist. It is more powerful than a single water or ice spirit root."

Yunzhi was delighted; that was indeed excellent! In an environment without water, using obvious water or ice attacks would be too conspicuous. In such cases, using mist attacks, which had a much weaker presence, would be perfect for sneak attacks, especially if she could incorporate sedatives into the water vapor.

Ziji continued, "As for heaven-grade aptitude, in modern terms, if 100 is a perfect spirit root, yours is 95, which is very good. This is only because the modern environment lacks spiritual energy, making it impossible to nurture a perfect spirit root."

Yunzhi asked curiously, "Then your body in the cultivation world must have been a 100% pure perfect spirit root?"

Ziji laughed. "Of course! In my previous life, my body not only had a perfect spirit root but also possessed an innate sword bone and an innate Dao heart! Even without active cultivation, spiritual energy would scramble to rush into my body. I also had the most powerful thunder spirit root, capable of absorbing all thunder to use as my own; I was the bane of demons! Advancing through tribulation was easier for me than for others. When others are struck by lightning, it’s a brush with death; for me, it was just tempering my body. If the lightning wasn't strong enough, it was like a massage..."

After Ziji finished bragging about how powerful he was in his past life, he slumped onto the sofa. "Unfortunately, that body is now Lu Ziji’s! Even the only inner demon tribulation that would have blocked his advancement to the Tribulation Stage requires me to help him fulfill it here in the modern world. It’s infuriating! If I can ever go back 'up there,' I will definitely skin that guy who swapped our souls a thousand times over!"

Yunzhi: ...

Yunzhi felt she might have guessed the truth. It was likely that Ziji’s personality before his reincarnation was exactly as it was now—arrogant and irritating. Having offended someone "up there," his rival had deliberately caused trouble by swapping his eighth and ninth life souls to make him suffer. Well, such levels of existence were not for her to speculate.

Yunzhi felt her body becoming warm. Soon, her mind felt clear, and she sensed something appearing in her consciousness. This was likely what Cen Junfei had described as the formation of an ability crystal core. She closed her eyes and, using her spiritual sense to look inward, saw a gradient-blue prismatic crystal. Because she had already been practicing spiritual energy, she could perform this internal observation, which someone who had just awakened their ability would typically only be able to do at Level 2.

As the sensation of overheating faded, Yunzhi felt her body had strengthened slightly. She followed Cen Junfei's instructions and focused her mental intent on her hand. Soon, she felt the surrounding water molecules gathering, and a sphere of water appeared in her palm. However, she couldn't control it well yet, and the water ball burst, splashing onto the floor.

Her awakening was a success; the next step was practice. Yunzhi said happily, "Ah! I really successfully awakened a water-type ability!"

Don't underestimate water-based attacks; the human body is 60% to 70% water. Once she mastered it, she could envelop an enemy’s nose and mouth in a water ball, causing suffocation, or accelerate blood loss if they had a wound. Furthermore, high-pressure water jets could cut through steel plates. Plus, her mutant water ability allowed for switching between ice and mist, which were great for defense, crowd control, and stealth. In short, she was very satisfied.

After forming a few water balls, she remembered Ziji was watching. Fortunately, he didn't mock her, confirming, "Your talent is truly good; you can use it immediately upon awakening."

Yunzhi said sheepishly, "Just a minor trick. Anyway, don't you want to take your serum now? Even if you don't need a guardian, it's better to have someone around."

Ziji nodded and took out his serum. He looked at Yunzhi expectantly. "Can you help me inject it?" He had intended to drink it, but after hearing her reasoning, it made sense.

Yunzhi did not refuse, as she had spare syringes in her space. "Sure."

Upstairs, Yun Xibo and Ran Yao had mostly finished packing their personal items, leaving only some kitchenware. The ingredients had been put in the refrigerator upon arrival. The couple had noticed that the relationship between Yunzhi and the young master Lu Ziji was unusual, and sensing they had things to discuss, they had intentionally stayed upstairs to give the two young people space. But an hour had passed—they wondered if the conversation was over. They knew that since Yunzhi had consumed the body-strengthening serum, her hearing had improved significantly, so they didn't dare say anything or even chat on WeChat, fearing they might be caught. Eventually, they found paper and a pen to communicate.

"Wife, do you think we can go downstairs now?"
"Let's wait. Xiao Zhi and that handsome guy seem to still be talking."
"Wife, that kid doesn't have designs on Xiao Zhi, does he?"

As a father, Yun Xibo felt defensive toward any man who might take his daughter away. Besides, Yunzhi was only twenty-one; she was in no rush to date or marry. But his debts had been cleared by his daughter, and they were living in a house gifted by the Lu family. Even if there was something between them, he lacked the leverage to give the man a cold shoulder. Moreover, given Lu Ziji’s status as a top-tier heir, they couldn't have climbed that high even before the Yun family went bankrupt. Yun Xibo was torn.

Ran Yao understood his thoughts and wrote, "I don't think so. Neither of them seems enlightened about romance. There's no ambiguity between them; they are likely just good friends discussing things inconvenient for us to hear."

How did Yunzhi wake the comatose Lu Ziji? They hadn't asked, but they guessed she had given him the same serum they had consumed. Perhaps even more. Their daughter had many "mysterious" aspects, and as parents, they couldn't interfere too much. They knew that if Yunzhi didn't tell them, it wasn't out of a lack of trust, but for their own good. Sometimes, knowing too much without the strength to protect oneself only brought danger.

They fell silent. Yun Xibo sighed softly, "As long as Xiao Zhi is well, we won't interfere." Ran Yao nodded and put the paper through a shredder. She sent a WeChat message to Yunzhi saying they were tired and wanted to nap, leaving her to host Mr. Lu.

After injecting Ziji, Yunzhi saw the message and smiled, knowing her parents were giving them space. Ziji saw it too and said enviously, "Your mother is so understanding! I wish my old man could learn from her."

Unlike his grandfather, who asked him eight times a day about the cultivation world and Lu Ziji, fearing his grandson was suffering, Ziji found it exhausting. He couldn't completely ignore the old man, though. This was his first time feeling such intense family affection—different from his masters in his previous life. While Lu Ziji's grandfather had expectations, he truly cared about his grandson's safety and happiness.

Yunzhi said, "Every family has a different way of getting along. Grandpa Lu cares about you. He said that whether you are Ziji or Ziji, you are his grandson. Stop annoying him and try treating him like your own grandfather."

Ziji, whose face was flushed from the serum's effect, retorted, "I do treat him like a grandfather! If anyone else dared to chase me, I would have hit them back!"

Yunzhi suggested, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. In our world, most filial children let their elders hit them a few times to vent their frustration. Since he’s not very strong and your physique is superior, it won't cause any real damage. If he hits you, you can even pretend it hurts more... that way, he’ll stop being angry and start feeling sorry for you."

Ziji was stunned. "Is that how ordinary families get along? Fine, I'll try it next time!"

They chatted about other things, like opening the private kitchen. Ziji offered to have a friend help with the decoration. Yunzhi agreed, asking for a fair price. Ziji wanted to cover the costs himself, but seeing Yunzhi’s insistence, he relented, though he warned her with a stern face, "Fine, I will remember to be stingy with you in the future. I'll make sure to empty your savings!"

Yunzhi: ...? She hadn't meant that!

Ziji laughed. "I'm kidding! Even the real Lu Ziji wouldn't treat a friend like that!" Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Ah, my ability core has formed! It's indeed thunder-type!" A purple lightning ball crackled in his hand before he absorbed it into his body. Having experience with thunder energy from his past life, he mastered the simplified version easily.

Yunzhi envied him, and Ziji encouraged her to practice. Once the awakening was complete, Yunzhi asked him to leave so she could practice in the backyard pool. Ziji felt a bit discarded, but he understood. Before leaving, he asked her to join him for food in Haicheng later. Yunzhi remembered the local snacks she had packed during her mission in Q City and gave him a portion. Ziji was immediately appeased.

...

In the following days, Yun Xibo and Ran Yao were busy with the restaurant. Yunzhi helped occasionally but spent most of her time decorating her two properties. She chose to live separately from her parents for comfort. Her villa was near the river, perfect for practicing her water abilities.

One day, two newcomers joined the [Traveler Chat Group]: Si Ming and Gu Yaya. They were a couple who had transmigrated into a reality show novel as the "contrast couple" for the protagonists. They were forced by the plot to act in ways they hated, receiving system rewards for doing so.

Cen Junfei asked how they had died. Gu Yaya explained through gritted teeth that they had been kidnapped by a criminal syndicate while shooting wedding photos. They were sold for their organs after the syndicate colluded with local gangs. Si Ming added that after Gu Yaya committed suicide to avoid abuse, he had tried to take as many of them with him as he could but failed, only leaving a bite mark on a leader's hand before being killed.

Yunzhi felt the situation was dire. The criminals were organized, armed, and had many victims. The system prompted that this was a high-risk mission with a reward of 1,500 points. Yunzhi was hesitant; she wasn't a hero, and she needed to protect herself.

Gu Yaya and Si Ming offered their rewards: three "Luck Points" cards (permanently increasing luck by 10) and three "10-Year Lifespan" cards.

Yunzhi’s heart skipped a beat. The luck cards were invaluable, even for Ziji in the cultivation world. After much thought, she replied, "I accept your commission, but I need time to prepare." She planned to bring Ziji along for this task. The luck cards were worth the risk.