Chapter 3: Eternal (3)
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“Pair!”
“Can’t lose!”
“Take that!”
“I only have two cards left!”
……
Just as Nie Zhengchu walked into the office area, the cheerful game music drifting from the hallway transported him back two years in an instant.
Back then, the Special Operations Bureau was still a secretive outfit, its operatives sacrificing everything for the nation but not getting the recognition and treatment they deserved.
Director Lin was on fire—she was ready to throw down with the top brass of Ocean City just for the bureau’s sake.
Of course, it was the epic battle above the Floating City that really nailed down the Bureau’s status. When the military was floundering, Lin broke through enemy defenses all by herself and took down the Enemy Leader with a flourish. That one act became the foundation of the Bureau in the new era.
He always knew Lin had some extraordinary power hidden inside her.
On ordinary days, she’d lay low; but whenever Ocean City faced a major crisis, that power would come bursting back to life.
However, during such times, Lin’s demeanor and methods were a tad different. For example… the computer she never touched suddenly became her new favorite plaything.
So when they moved into the new office building, he wisely set her up with the top-spec computer of the day, just in case she decided to dive into gaming when the mood struck, avoiding any emotional upheavals.
Looking at it now, that was definitely the right call.
“Director Nie, there are two meetings in Ocean City this morning that might require Director Lin’s attendance.”
Cheng Qiu had returned to her role as secretary.
Nie Zhengchu shook his head. “I’ll go instead. It’s rare for Director Lin to have some leisure time; we can’t rain on her parade. I believe Ocean City’s officials would understand.”
Cheng Qiu held back her laughter. “Director Nie, you’re so considerate.”
In the office, Cold Moon was completely oblivious to the sun streaming in and the loud game sounds. The door was wide open, and she was hot under the collar—she had just lost all her beans in the game.
Should she pull some strings to have the penguin company gift her a few billion beans?
Of course, that thought was fleeting. Cold Moon was above such childish whims and wouldn’t disturb her colleagues for something so trivial.
A deal’s a deal; besides, it was a fine time to take a break.
Cold Moon stood and pulled back the curtains,
“Whoosh…”
Bright sunlight flooded in.
She squinted for a moment but quickly adjusted to the brightness of the morning.
The streets outside were spick and span. Tourists gathered in small clusters in front of the Bureau, occasionally lifting their phones to snap pictures.
Last night’s massive parade seemed like a dream—upon waking this morning, all traces had vanished.
“Lin Nan, I’ll be leaving soon, but I will keep my promise to leave behind suitable cultivation methods for you.”
“Leaving so soon? Why doesn’t the Fairy stay a couple more days?”
A bewildered voice echoed in her mind.
Cold Moon replied nonchalantly, “Because my world is about to face a greater crisis. Even I might not survive.”
Lin Nan, “…”
“So consider this as a farewell gift. Train hard.”
“Yes.”
When Cheng Qiu entered the office with fresh breakfast, she was taken aback to find the Director already gone.
She blinked for a moment but placed the food on the desk anyway.
Her gaze inadvertently drifted to the office computer, only to see the screen still stuck on the “losing” interface of the card game.
[Beans: 0]
[Would you like to recharge?]
Cheng Qiu frowned, a wave of irritation rising from within.
“What’s going on? The great hero who saved humanity is just playing a round of cards as a courtesy, and you want her to recharge?!”
Instantly, she made a call to the penguin company, representing the Bureau.
Before long, Director Lin’s account was topped up with a hefty sum of beans.
Cheng Qiu finally exited the office, satisfied, believing the Director would be quite pleased upon her return.
……
[Ding! The Godhood Value you’ve collected in this world has reached its limit. Any overflow value will no longer be counted.]
Last night, not only did a spontaneous parade pour out from the Floating City, but fans worldwide flocked to her, bolstered by her impressive performance.
Of course, she couldn’t keep endlessly harvesting Godhood Value.
Like skill proficiency, it leveled up quickly at first, but eventually hit a plateau, making further advances exceedingly difficult.
Though the game was fun, lingering in the Small World wouldn’t help the situation on Asking Dao Continent.
So, Lin Nan counted as her first disciple in this dimension.
While time constraints prevented her from sharing everything, even imparting a single skill would ensure Lin Nan could stand unassailable in the Small World.
“Respectful greetings, Master.”
On a seldom-visited mountain cliff high in the altitude, Cold Moon detached from Lin Nan’s body, returning to her true form.
The cold wind whistled past as her dark figure resembled slowly dissolving ink, poised atop the peak, ready to ascend.
Lin Nan knelt behind her, devotion radiating from her every pore.
“Get up, my disciple. No need for any frilly formalities between us.
You might be my first disciple, or possibly my last.”
“Master, you need not be so…”
Cold Moon interrupted, “As my sole successor, you must inherit my legacy. Let’s not say you’ll carry it to great heights, but at least ensure it endures to keep this place safe.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Lin Nan didn’t feel the need to say more. She had a naturally cool disposition, rather reflective of Cold Moon.
So when the system allowed Cold Moon to inhabit her, it wasn’t without reason.
After a brief introduction, Cold Moon wasted no time.
For Cold Moon, skills were like the key frozen inside Frost North Snow. At each level, a new effect would automatically develop.
She could master them easily, but passing them on posed some difficulty.
Yet Cold Moon never considered it an insurmountable challenge.
“System, I’d like to transfer skills to her; can you help out?”
【Um… Fine.】
At least thus far, the system that controlled everything beneath the Sky Tower was on her side.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t have assisted her in fending off the divine punishment aimed at her.
So this small request would be no trouble at all for the system.
【If I intervene, a subordinate system will also be implanted in Lin Nan, and she’ll need to complete missions to extend her lifespan. Can you make that decision for her?】
“Of course, nothing comes without a price. If she wants abilities that don’t rightfully belong to her, she must pay the corresponding cost.”
【As you wish.】
“Lin Nan, I’ll ask you one more time. Gaining my legacy may present unforeseen dangers. Are you still willing?”
“I am willing.”
In this world, there’s no such thing as unconditional love or hatred.
Except for parent-child love that disregards any return, all other investments seek matching rewards.
The system agreed because it deemed Lin Nan in the Small World worthy of investment, just as Cold Moon was.
