Chapter 4

Dawn Avenue, located in the most bustling Dawn Commercial District of the ancient city, is also the center of administration and education.

The No. 3 on the street is the office area of the ancient city government, and No. 133 at the end of the street is the ancient city sports center, where various large-scale sports events are held.

Especially the Chaser Sports Hall, with its first-class sports facilities and training mechanisms, is very popular among the citizens.

After breakfast, Lu Pingan saw Xia Qin off to work, played a couple of games, and then came here to meet his old clients and look for new ones...

"Too slow! It's already nine o'clock! If you don't come, we'll leave."

As he just walked onto the track, he was blocked at the entrance.

His not-so-tall body was drenched in sweat, and the tight red sportswear revealed well-formed muscles. His spiky hair stood straight up, making him look like a young man who exudes heat.

Lei Huoren, 24 years old, is not a student... He is a member of Xia Qin's team, described by others as "a very fast man."

"......We didn't set a specific time, did we?"

"Since we didn't set a specific time, the earlier the better! Time is precious, especially for us young people. How can you sleep? We came at four, and if you don't come, we can't run anymore and will have to go home."

Came at four? Waited for over five hours? And kept training? Is this client a bit too disciplined?!

While looking forward to tomorrow's harvest, seeing the eager Lei Huoren, what could Lu Pingan say? Buff up.

[Investment effective, Life Points -1.]

Before the system's prompt could finish, this disciplined young man dashed out, disappearing in a flash.

Lu Pingan sighed helplessly. This client is too disciplined, making him feel a bit like a slacker.

"Truly, you are the 'very fast man,' indeed very fast."

However, aren't you so focused on being fast that you forgot something?

The girl who came with you, why did you just leave her behind...

"Hello, are you Lu Pingan? I was introduced by my brother. I am Lei Shuiyun, a soon-to-be college entrance exam candidate..."

The forgotten sister also had a bitter smile, wondering why the introducer ran away.

She is not tall, or rather, small with big eyes, looking a bit cute. Her chubby cheeks were full of helplessness.

Her stubborn hair, like her brother's, was neatly combed, and the pink hair clip with a cat pattern contributed to her obedient look.

Her clothes also had pink cat patterns, making her look even younger than she is.

Isn't she supposed to be in her senior year? How does she look like a junior high student?

"Hello, new client... cough, Miss Lei, your brother should have told you the specific situation, right? What do you think, can you accept the conditions?"

"We should be the same age, or should I call you a senior? I heard you are also preparing for the college entrance exam?"

"Meow?"

The strange habit made Lu Pingan frown.

But Lu Pingan had been on medical leave for nearly a year, so the term "senior" isn't entirely wrong. However, calling him "brother" upon meeting suggests she has a request.

The girl is only fifteen, with dimples when she smiles, carefree and sunny, yet with a hint of forced flattery.

"Meow? Did you hear wrong? I meant 'Are you also preparing for the college entrance exam?' The confidentiality and other conditions can be accepted, but isn't 500 a day a bit..."

This scene reminded Lu Pingan of his first love in his previous life.

When she didn't do her homework, she would look at the strict homeroom teacher pitifully, trying to evoke sympathy.

So, he smiled.

"Oh, 500 is the friendship price for your brother. From today, it's 1000."

The girl's eyes widened in disbelief. This price hike is too much! I'm begging you! I'm a poor student.

"How can you do this, senior. Can you help me, I'm about to take the exam."

She looked up with a fake admiration, her voice deliberately sweet, and her clenched fists made Lu Pingan even more amused.

"1000 is the friendship price for your brother, as he is part of Qin Sister's team, and I need to give him some face. For you, it's 1200."

Seeing the girl's wide-eyed disbelief, Lu Pingan explained a bit, as she was a high-quality client he didn't want to lose.

"It's a very low price, junior. A side-effect-free ability that makes your day worth two, what's most important before the exam? Time and state. Just over 1000 for a super state, a very reasonable price. It will definitely rise later, and my slots are limited, so the highest bidder will get it."

The girl became even more hesitant. This price hike before even trying it out?

"How do I know there are no side effects? Powerful abilities usually have hidden side effects, how can it be as magical as you say... Eh?"

Lu Pingan patted her shoulder, and she froze. The next moment, her eyes widened in shock.

[Lu Pingan has sent you a 'Life Investment' invitation, providing 'Life Boost' in exchange for 10% life feedback. Do you accept?]

A mechanical voice sounded in the girl's ear.

"A high-level rule-based ability?! How can the voice of the rule be so clear? This must be at least the 'Communicator' level."

Now, Lei Shuiyun understood why confidentiality was required before coming. This ability should not be in the hands of a young person.

According to the usage characteristics, innate abilities are roughly divided into six common types: Transformation, Protection, Elements, Life, Inheritance, and Rules. The sixth type, "Rules," is the rarest and most mysterious.

The power of the rule (anti-rule) system is the analysis of the world, the correction of reality, and the re-interpretation of reality.

Rules form their own universe, opposing the self-power of the real world.

This means that the initial "rules" are often surprisingly weak, and under the pressure of the "real world," the user may not even understand their ability.

But the rule system is also the most unreasonable ability. Once it grows, it is generally bizarre and powerful, and many famous secret keepers have unknowingly fallen to rule-based abilities.

In the secret realm, it is the same.

Although there are no unsolvable rules like "those who enter with their left foot die," many "secret keeper tombs" that have never been breached are rule-based.

To put it simply, the near-god-level Kris, was defeated by the rule of "life for power" in the secret realm, a rule she herself set.

The strongest aspect of rule-based abilities lies in...

"Didn't expect you to be a senior, can you give me some guidance?"

For new secret keepers, the strongest aspect of rule-based abilities is "growth information."

When a rule-based ability is activated, it actively and automatically analyzes the surroundings, often starting with the user's own abilities and characteristics.

The "Calligraphy LV1," "Combat LV2" on Lu Pingan's system panel are the results of his ability analyzing himself.

As a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "穿越者" in English, but in this context, it means "穿越者" which is "穿越者" in English, but for the sake of clarity, it can be translated as "穿越者"), the information is presented in a way he can understand, intuitive and data-driven, like a familiar game.

Knowing normally invisible information, being clear about oneself, and understanding the improvement of each step of training, naturally leads to rapid growth.

In the ability system, some "professions" and "abilities" require a lot of accumulation and thresholds.

Some even require special materials, which the rule system can guide, avoiding bottlenecks.

In unknown secret realm trials, a rule-based vanguard is often brought for information analysis.

The stronger the rule-based ability, the clearer the results, and the more valuable the information.

New rule-based abilities are generally very weak, often only a "rule" that only the user can perceive, with many usage restrictions.

An ability as complete and powerful as Lu Pingan's "system" should not appear in a new person, let alone in the human world.

After all, its birth itself is a miracle, a reversal of fate.

It is a mockery of Kris's fate, who tried to become a god— "Want to become a god? You don't deserve it. Your 'truth' is full of holes, your logic is nonsense, and a mere mortal can make you fail."

From the results, the Life Bank, in its development, "burned" the spirit base of the 9th-level near-god Kris, using her as nutrients to produce the only fruit.

Although it is still a seed, as long as it doesn't wither, it will eventually become a towering tree.

In fact, only Lu Pingan himself knows that the potential of the "Life Bank" is god-level (10th level)!

"Have you decided, junior? The voice of the rule does not lie, if it says no side effects, there are no side effects."

This "whispered" rule-based ability, Lei Shuiyun had never encountered, but she knew it was a high-level rule-based ability and was immediately tempted.

But now, she blinked her eyes, trying to recall her pet cat at home, mimicking its sweet voice.

"Senior, senior, guide me, see where I still have shortcomings."

She was trying to get information for free.

As a poor person, she couldn't afford a professional "analyst" to analyze her before the exam.

"......We'll talk about it later. Are you willing to make the deal now?"

But clearly, the man was unyielding, easily bypassing her request.

In fact, Lu Pingan hadn't developed his ability yet and hadn't received professional training, so he couldn't be an "analyst."

He didn't even know the existence of analysts, just casually refused the freebie, and was satisfied with her disappointment.

To him, this girl, with her emotions all on her face, pretending to be mature and experienced, was quite interesting.

Hesitant, uneasy, and anxious, Lei Shuiyun subconsciously bit her nails.

The marks on her thumbnail suggested this was a habit.

She calculated her living expenses, with money and resources already spent on exam preparation, it was tight.

In the ancient city, where the average salary is less than 2000, 1200 is not a small amount.

Worse, it's a daily charge.

If not for her brother's personal experience and promise of "never felt better" and "one day equals ten," she wouldn't even consider it.

Relying on that "super fast" man for money? He is even poorer, living in a dorm and spending money quickly.

He runs out of money by the second week of the month and often asks his sister for instant noodles.

Spit, a useless scumbag, I will find a good job with a high salary after graduation, no relying on anyone!

"......I'll go all out. If I get into Ancient University, there's a settlement fee, and no worries about food and lodging. If I don't... spit, spit, spit, I will definitely get in! Today is the day for the carp to leap over the dragon gate."

The "special major" of Ancient University is the only fully public institution among the six top universities in the city, with a high threshold.

Admitted students are considered quasi-secret keepers, and many graduates enter public agencies and relevant departments, like Xia Qin and Lei Huoren.

First-year students follow experienced hands on missions, and the annual casualties are naturally compensated with settlement fees and pensions.

Incidentally, Lu Pingan was quite satisfied with the official "suggestions."

That's because the pensions and settlement fees are generous, and he can earn money through missions during his studies.

Now, he is actually poorer than the girl in front of him.

Medical bills for half a year in the hospital drained his family's savings, and there is a huge debt being handled by relevant departments, to see how much can be reduced.

If not for the full tuition and settlement fee from Ancient University, he couldn't afford to attend other universities even if he passed the exam.

To avoid his parents, who were just persuaded to return to their hometown, suffering misfortune, he needs to earn and save money quickly.

If he can't solve his "lifespan" problem, he can leave a secret keeper-level pension for his family, a perfect solution.

Seeing the girl, still hesitating and biting her thumb, Lu Pingan smiled.

He knew his price had hit her bottom line, and she was a poor student.

He didn't want to let go of this high-quality client or any opportunity to earn money. Is there a way to have it all?

Of course, there is, and he could earn even more.

"How about this, you try it for one day, like your brother, at half price, 600. If you want to renew, you'll have to make up for today's loss. If you don't want to renew, consider it a gain."

This was a pleasant surprise for the girl.

"Thank you, senior."

"Hehe, I should thank you for supporting my business. Come, stretch your head out, I'll give you a buff..."

Immediately, both of them laughed, a scene of brotherly kindness and sisterly respect.

But the sweetly smiling Lei Shuiyun had already made up her mind.

First day half price, if I don't renew the second day, I'll have earned 600 for free. Is this guy a bit dumb?

And Lu Pingan was also very happy.

Once someone has tasted his ability, can they really run away?

"Once she's hooked, should I raise the price? Or raise the price? Or raise the price! This girl will have an interesting expression then."

"Ha, such an interesting junior, gritting her teeth to be a client is a bit cute. Crying and paying later should be even cuter. I'm looking forward to college life."