### Chapter 25: The System Became Sentient!
Back in her cozy little nest, Xu Xiaofeng finally had time to check her loot from the day.
Today, she delivered express deliveries and raked in over thirty thousand gold coins, plus the final haul of equipment she sold brought her total to about forty thousand.
But the real prize was the BOSS first k*ll reward.
First up, the complete Lone Wolf set—five pieces of epic-level gear at level fifteen: top, bottom, hat, shoes, and gloves.
The gear stats looked pretty good, and the set bonus granted a tidy 20% boost to both attack and defense when soloing. However, comparing it to her personal exclusive gear, it felt a bit lacking.
Her exclusive set grew in tandem with her level and had stats so amazing even she couldn’t fathom them. But, sure, it was way better than any basic blue gear at the same level.
The icing on the cake was that this gear had an unactivated set bonus.
By the looks of it, this at least had to be Golden Legend level.
Xu Xiaofeng pondered for a moment before deciding to stash the Lone Wolf set safely away.
Her exclusive gear was way too recognizable. Sure, she could drown herself in a black robe to cover it up, but what if something crazy happened and she lost or ripped that robe? No way she wanted her secret getting out!
So, it was best to switch to another set of gear when she was out and about in player mode.
The second prize was a sword named Wolf Shadow, also level fifteen, and of legendary quality. No need to explain the stats—it also came with a cool active skill.
Wind Howl, a ranged skill used by the Wolf God himself.
Now that was a sweet deal, especially since Xu Xiaofeng didn’t have an exclusive weapon.
Um… the little bamboo basket didn’t count, right? Even though it was technically what she was carrying. But seriously, that thing couldn’t be used to whack anyone!
The rest of the rewards included experience and gold coin bonuses that were quadrupled, but they came with a synchronization rate increase of 5%. There was also an extra reward called the Wolf God Remnant.
[Item Name: Wolf God Remnant]
[Item Tier: Golden Legend]
[Item Description: “Who am I? Where am I? What was I planning to do? What the heck just exploded on me?”] This item is a fusion of the fragmented soul of the Wolf God and its power; details to be discovered by you.
Looking at this item, she couldn’t help but picture the utterly confused face of Wolf Shadow.
Well, since it’s Golden Legend, it must be somewhat useful. It’s not like the system would just grab some random junk as a reward to trick the player, right?
Xu Xiaofeng tucked everything away and then noticed the very last item on the panel—synchronization rate: 12%.
“What is this even good for? The system didn’t bother explaining. System, come out and talk!”
“Synchronization rate can be understood as an awakening rate. It will increase with your level and can also be gained through other means.”
A cold voice suddenly echoed in Xu Xiaofeng’s mind, startling her.
“Eh?” She blinked, then jumped up, “System big shot, you can talk?!”
There was no response, but Xu Xiaofeng could almost feel something rolling its eyes at her in her brain.
She had just meant to shout that out. Turns out the system really responded!
“Ahem… I mean, it’s nice to know you can communicate! I thought you were just a fancy robot spouting programmed responses!”
And she could feel herself getting another virtual eye roll.
“Uh, since you can reply, why haven’t you said anything until now? I have loads of questions!”
“You never asked.”
“Fair point…” Xu Xiaofeng felt somewhat defeated by the system. She was usually the one dishing out the sass!
“Since you can respond, I want to clear up a bunch of things now.”
“Questions I can answer will be answered; those I can’t… well, asking is pointless.”
A riddle master, huh? Xu Xiaofeng absolutely loathed those pesky riddle masters.
“Can you tell me about my character…?”
“Please explore on your own.”
Xu Xiaofeng was taken aback. That sentence was a bit too familiar…
“How about the setting of this world…?”
“Please explore on your own.”
“And…”
“Please explore on your own.”
…
“Can you actually answer anything?!”
After asking five or six questions all leading to the same “explore on your own” nonsense, she was as frustrated as a cat on a hot tin roof!
“Regarding your earlier question, the bamboo basket is not a weapon but an important binding item.”
Ahh, who in their right mind would use a bamboo basket as a weapon? It’s basically just lip service!
But an important item, huh? Thinking about it, she could pull various things out of it, like Doraemon’s four-dimensional pocket.
Lost in thought, she stared at the bamboo dragonfly she had pulled out from the bamboo basket.
Holy moly! She actually found a real treasure!
Excited, she carefully tucked her beloved little bamboo basket away.
Suddenly, a critical question popped into her head.
“System big shot, if I d*e, can I revive?”
“You can, but when players revive, NPCs d*e.”
The system remained its icy self, but this time it was downright chilling.
Xu Xiaofeng fell silent. Even though she had suspected something along those lines, it was still hard to swallow when confirmed.
As a player, dying was pretty standard. No matter how careful, accidents could happen. Did this mean she’d have to act like an NPC from now on? What if Little Loli just vanished one day?
“System big shot, is there a way to avoid this?”
“Yes. You can use a d*ath-proof item specifically bound to an NPC; when a player normally dies and revives, the NPC transfers instead.”
“d*ath-proof item? Where can I get one?”
“The Jade Emperor of the Jade Emperor Kingdom bestows them upon those who have done great deeds.”
Hold on, there’s more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading; the best bits are yet to come!
“Got it, thank you for clearing that up, System big shot.”
Even though it was a difficult path, at least it was a way forward.
Xu Xiaofeng had already made a plan. After figuring things out in the Imperial Capital, she’d lay low until she could snag that d*ath-proof item.
“Goodbye, System big shot, I’m logging off now.”
“Before you go, could you change how you address me?”
“Uh… if not System big shot, then what should I call you?”
Little System? Tong-chan? Wancai? Ahua?
While Xu Xiaofeng was mulling it over, she suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of her hand. Glancing down, she realized the flickering candle on the table had magically glued itself to her hand.
“Ow! Sister Tong, I’m sorry! It was just a joke!”
Xu Xiaofeng immediately backed down. She remembered the system had somehow known she wanted to use that bamboo basket to smack someone without her saying it outright. So, could it really read her mind…?
Talk about risking it!
After saying that, she thought she heard a cheerful hum.
Then the flames settled back into place, and everything returned to silence.
“Well, this isn’t so bad; it’s like having an all-powerful big sister. Not a bad deal, hehehe…”
She logged off with a silly grin.
Once Xu Xiaofeng logged off, a middle-aged man stood in the shadows watching from afar. It was none other than Edward.
Watching the lights flicker out in the window, he couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh before turning back home.
At Edward’s house, a woman who looked no more than thirty, full of life and energy, sat in the hall waiting for him to return. This was Edward’s wife, Frieda.
Hearing the noise and seeing Edward come back alone, she asked curiously, “Why are you all by yourself?”
“That girl didn’t agree to come. She was quite resistant.”
“She’s just a kid; you should try persuading her more.”
“In what capacity should I do that?”
“You passed down that trick to her, right? At least you’re like half a mentor now.”
“It’s a complicated issue.” Edward shook his head. That trick wasn’t originally his creation either; it came from elsewhere. Passing it down again was just fulfilling his duty.
Frieda gritted her teeth. “How about we just apply to adopt her tomorrow? I really like that kid.”
“No way! Our situation is special.”
“What do you propose we do?”
Edward closed his eyes and contemplated for a long while before finally opening them again.
He took off a ring from his right hand and handed it to Frieda. “Tomorrow, have this crafted and give it to that girl.”
“No way! This is your…”
Edward raised a hand to interrupt her. “My body has healed; I won’t be needing it anymore. It’s just right for her. I’ve made up my mind.”
Sigh! Frieda let out a breath and took the ring. “You’re too stubborn.”
When Edward made a decision, Frieda could only acquiesce.
It had always been this way, and it still was.
