Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Your way of changing the subject is truly pathetic
[Don’t be mad, you’ve gone 47 hours, 37 minutes, and 52 seconds without talking to me...] The system gently pat Qian Qi on the back of her head, [Once we enter the instance, if we encounter danger, I’ll let you cling to me for a free escape, how about that?]
Qian Qi: "...Then what if we encounter a flying magical beast?"
[...This time entering Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon, the aim is to collect seeds of the Heavenly God Lotus, fast and decisive.] The system immediately changed the topic, [Let’s set off!]
Qian Qi: ...
Tongzi, your way of changing the subject is truly pathetic.
Qian Qi stood up from the small stool. At this moment, she’d shed her usual emblematic big shorts and flip-flops, and changed into a black C-level Defense Armor full of sci-fi vibes. Beneath her slightly muscular arms, her slender fingers gently hooked a black helmet, swinging freely in mid-air.
That was the Defense Helmet matching her Defense Armor.
It’s said that the beasts in the Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon are quite proud, looking down upon weak humans. So with her C-level armor outside and D-level defensive power within, as long as she’s not maliciously attacked by the beasts, she shouldn’t face any life-threatening danger.
With her index finger, she brushed away the soft bangs on either side of her forehead, and Qian Qi put on the black helmet. Her right foot casually hooked the gap under the small stool, with a gentle kick, she caught the stool that flew into the air.
She whistled, and the Moyu, who was flirting on a nearby tree, fluttered its wings and landed on her shoulder.
"Let’s go, I’ll take you to the C-level dungeon to broaden your horizons."
...
When entering C-level and higher instances, Awakeners typically need to register, and a pulse detector is issued to them.
This rule is intended to determine if an Awakener’s life is still intact, as C-level and above Awakeners are quite precious—lose one, and there’s one less. The upper management must tally the current Awakeners alive, and regularly issue obituaries, so this detection method is indispensable.
Qian Qi was issued a neck detector. A small black card was placed on her neck, it automatically adhered and locked itself onto her neck circumference. The small square pulse detector on it transmits her pulse information through the Defense Armor to the computer system of the Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon venture.
Yep, that’s right, "venture." You have to pay to buy a pulse detector, and it’s mandatory.
Thankfully, as long as you don’t break it, you don’t need to buy a second one, otherwise Qian Qi would have to find Old Tang and have a heartfelt chat overnight.
"Qian Qi, 19 years old, D-level defensive power... Hmm?" The registering staff was inputting Qian Qi’s information into the computer, and got stuck while entering her Awakened Skills. He turned his head in surprise, glancing at Qian Qi, who was fully armed with even her face obscured, "You’re D-level?"
"What’s wrong? D-levels can’t enter?" Qian Qi asked in return.
Though a D-level Awakener entering a C-level dungeon is quite odd, there’s no rule saying it’s not allowed, right?
"Not exactly..." The registering staff glanced at Qian Qi. Upon seeing her C-level Defense Armor, he turned back slowly and said, "Did you not hear? Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon is favored as a very popular suicide spot, thanks to its beautiful scenery. So we also offer psychological counseling services here..."
Qian Qi: ..."Thanks, I’m not here to commit suicide."
"That’s best, then." The registering staff finished entering Qian Qi’s information and transmitted her pulse data to the inland database. Then, officially, he reminded her, "Gu Yun Mountain has basic communication functions. Scan the QR code on the wall to join the dungeon group; if you encounter difficulties, you can call for help within the group, at a cost."
After speaking, he opened the drawer beside him and handed Qian Qi a flyer for psychological consultation services.
Qian Qi: ...
Sis, how worried are you that I might have a breakdown...
The way to Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon requires passing through an outdoor corridor. Qian Qi, with a complicated mood, clutched the flyer, and on the corridor met three C-level Awakeners also heading to the dungeon.
When those three saw the flyer in Qian Qi’s hand, they immediately displayed suggestive expressions.
"Hey, Skinny Dog, are you rushing into the dungeon to commit suicide?" A middle-aged man with a slightly stockier build tilted his chin at Qian Qi and teased, "Want us brothers to send you off?"
Qian Qi: ???
The system was amused, rolling around with laughter: [Hahaha, Qian Qi, they’re calling you Skinny Dog~]
Qian Qi’s physique was already tall and slender, and wearing tight-fitting Defense Armor emphasized her thin build. The way she strolled around carelessly only confirmed the nickname Skinny Dog... It did indeed fit.
Qian Qi glared secretly at the system, which was laughing itself silly, and then looked at the trio, "Send me off? What do you mean?"
"Seeing you wearing a C-level Defense Armor, it’s probably bought after breaking the bank, right?" The middle-aged man chuckled and explained, "We happen to know where the best scenery is in the Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon. We can escort you there, and once you’ve enjoyed it enough, your Defense Armor can be the escort fee, what do you think?"
Qian Qi raised an eyebrow, now understanding they had their sights on her Defense Armor.
"No need, I’m just here to stroll around." Qian Qi politely declined their kind offer, moving past them toward the dungeon entrance.
The middle-aged man gave a look to his teammates, and they followed after Qian Qi.
Qian Qi naturally heard the footsteps behind her. She casually folded the flyer into a small ingot, placing it on the corridor railing as she passed.
Finally, upon reaching the entrance of the Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon, she stopped and whistled. The Moyu that had been following her in the air suddenly landed on her shoulder.
She turned slightly, and Moyu’s gem-red blood eyes coldly stared at the three behind her.
"Damn, it’s a Beast Master." The middle-aged man cursed under his breath, pulling his two teammates to slow down, no longer daring to eye Qian Qi.
Qian Qi scoffed lightly, stepped into the instance.
Upon entering the Gu Yun Mountain Dungeon, Qian Qi felt a warm sunshine embrace her. She looked around and indeed, the scenery was very beautiful, not as fantastical and bright as the Yanjiao Dungeon, nor as towering and dark as Chuyun Mountain Dungeon. Here, many small hills connected to the lush green basins full of magic plants; along with the spectacular sights like a three-colored terraced field, it gave a warm and spring-like visual feeling.
In the distance, there are many various landscapes, with huge and magnificent beasts standing tall, nibbling fruits from the trees, or agile beasts hiding in the grass, ready to hunt their lunch today.
In the sky, a half-moon crescent sun cast down sunlight, seeming very close yet also very far. Unlike the outside world, the "sun" here could be directly looked at with the naked eye, causing Qian Qi to click her tongue in wonder.
[Stop looking around, and quickly find the Heavenly God Lotus!] On the system panel, a bold arrow in white was already pointing the way for Qian Qi.
"Coming, coming~" Qian Qi withdrew her gaze, clutched the small stool, and trotted along.