Chapter 71

Hao Ren felt that ever since he met Raven 12345, this woman, who never took anything seriously, had never given him any good news. Whenever something exciting happened, Raven 12345 would always pour cold water on it—this time, the revelation about the secret cultivation techniques was no exception.

Raven 12345 seemed to feel that she hadn't discouraged Hao Ren enough. Seeing that he wasn't speaking, she started nagging, "Spells are memorized, and martial arts are practiced. Where in the world is there a skill book that lets you cast an Ice Arrow with just a double-click? You have to learn and practice gradually. On Earth, you couldn't even memorize a math formula, and now you think you can memorize over twenty lines of rune patterns in another world? You can barely run two hundred meters without panting like a dog, and you think you could lift a dragon-slaying sword? If you can't even figure out these simple things on Earth, even if you were transported to a magical continent the next day, you'd just be a mediocre student in a different place. I once knew a fool who lamented his unfair fate, believing that the reason he couldn't stand out was because he lived in a mundane and boring world, and he never encountered any extraordinary events like in storybooks. So, I arranged a 'God's Wish Special Offer' and fulfilled his wish, reverting him to six years old and sending him to the best magic school on the Continent of Ben Tu Yin. He was a mediocre student for twelve years in that world and is still working as a bricklayer now. So, young man, don't be anxious. You have to take it step by step. You have to eat your meals one bite at a time. I'll arrange a training program for you, and as long as you don't die, you can gradually get used to your body's changes and strengthen your mind. You see, you're already taking a shortcut compared to many others. At least, you only need to strengthen your mind. I can directly improve your physical attributes and special abilities through body adjustments—the only requirement is that you must develop the inner strength to control your power."

Finally, she added, "Think about those unlucky kids who run five kilometers, do fifty push-ups, and swim two kilometers every day, and then have to use a calculator to count calories for their meals. Look at your current physique, which could dominate a black market fight. You should be secretly happy."

Raven's words made Hao Ren fall silent. He suddenly realized that this seemingly irresponsible goddess might also have a conscientious side. Despite her carefree attitude, lack of authority, and messy living habits, with even last week's instant noodle soup still on her desk, she was a good goddess.

At least, she wouldn't just give him a bunch of power and let him fend for himself—she would carefully guide him, thinking everything through for her inexperienced new employee. Honestly, Hao Ren was a bit moved at this point.

His moved lasted until Raven 12345 pulled out a small pill from somewhere.

"Come on, be a good boy and take this. I knew you'd be worried about your combat abilities as soon as you came back, so I prepared this for you." Raven smiled sweetly and spoke softly, just like how Hao Ren remembered his mother coaxing him to take medicine.

"What is that thing!?" Hao Ren jumped back more than a meter, crouching in a defensive stance.

"A little pill that lets you see the true nature of the world..."

"Don't joke, the Matrix reference is so outdated. Who gets it these days?"

Raven 12345 teleported right in front of Hao Ren, pinched his mouth, and threw the pill in. "Take it, stop being so fussy. This is a military-grade item issued by the Temporal Administration, specifically for new recruits who have passed their initial mission tests."

Hao Ren finally relaxed when he heard the last part. He chewed and swallowed the pill. "It tastes a bit sour. What is it for?"

"Sour?" Raven 12345 was taken aback, then she slapped her head and pulled out another pill from her pocket. "Oh, I grabbed the wrong one. This is the one for you. Don't worry, taking the wrong pill won't kill you. This thing can mark your thought system, strengthening your mental world by coexisting with your brain. It's the latest gadget from the Military Intelligence Department, originally only given to servant troops, but now it's also issued to auditors. It will take effect quickly, though you won't feel it. It will prevent you from dying of brain death due to various accidents and help you resist mental shocks. Mortal races are too weak. Without strengthening your mental power, you can't even use civilian equipment well. How do you feel?"

Hao Ren didn't have time to discuss the wrong pill. He nervously swallowed the second pill, breaking out in a sweat. "Brain symbiosis!? Why does that sound so creepy..."

"Um, some races show resistance to such devices, especially Standard Type III humans," Raven 12345 said, unsurprised by Hao Ren's reaction. "You instinctively fear things that sound like parasites, but this isn't a parasite—it's a reinforcement. It's an inanimate micro-device, like armor for warriors. It's your mental armor, reinforcing you from both body and soul. Think of it that way, and it won't seem so disgusting, right?"

Hao Ren accepted this explanation, ignoring the discomfort that was rising from deep within him. In the future, he would know the true value of the pill he had swallowed.

Raven 12345 looked at Hao Ren with satisfaction, clearly impressed by his composure. She then returned to her desk, adjusting her posture to look serious. "Your new protective gear has been issued. Now, let's talk about your training and enhancement. Secret cultivation techniques are unreliable, but I know of a reliable training ground—unique to this world, hard to find elsewhere."

Hao Ren perked up. "Where is it?"

"Go home and have a dream. Train in the Dream Plane," Raven 12345 said with a smile. "Survive alone in the wilderness there, or find a place with people and use your wits to survive. The former teaches you to face danger, and the latter helps you adapt to unfamiliar human environments. These are essential skills for an auditor."

Hao Ren immediately thought of the giant wolf that had lunged at him in that nightmare. Even after experiencing the undead in the catacombs, he couldn't forget the suffocating feeling of the wolf's breath on his neck. His breathing hitched. "The Dream Plane... Didn't you say I shouldn't casually contact that thing? You said it was dangerous..."

"Because you were a clueless rookie back then," Raven 12345 rolled her eyes. "Now that you're a rookie, you can go to the Dream Plane for training. It's just a distorted space linked to the real world, with the same physical parameters as the surface world. It won't kill you directly, so it's very suitable for you. Of course, if you don't want to, I can arrange something else. There's a new recruit training ground in the Triangulum Galaxy where you can team up with over two hundred other guys to eliminate thirty thousand monsters..."

Hao Ren stood up, looking resolute. "It's just the Dream Plane, right? For the sake of world peace, I'll do it!"

"Try not to tremble while saying that."

Hao Ren: "..."

"Don't worry, you won't die," Raven 12345 smiled. "Why do you think I gave you the pill? Its main function is to prevent brain death or soul death. As long as you don't enter the Dream Plane physically, you don't have to worry about dying there. At worst, you'll wake up from a nightmare and wet the bed..."

Hao Ren was drenched in cold sweat. "As a goddess, can't you speak a bit more elegantly?"

"Oh, wet the bed, wake up in a fright."

"..."

Just as Hao Ren was about to discuss the "elegance" issue with Raven and ask how to consciously enter the Dream Plane, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open.

A blue-skinned arcane servant bowed respectfully at the door and spoke in a low, incomprehensible voice.

Raven 12345 immediately stood up. "Oh, I'll be right back. I have something else for you, so wait here."

With that, the goddess disappeared in a flash, leaving a bewildered Hao Ren behind.

Hao Ren didn't know what was up with the crazy goddess, but he didn't dare leave. He wandered around the room aimlessly, finally becoming curious about something.

Raven 12345 had been studying a device on her desk that looked like a data terminal. The device was still on, and a holographic image was floating above it.

Hao Ren slowly approached—taking a look shouldn't be a problem, right?