The sunlight streamed through the window lattice, falling on a spotless desk. On it sat practical psychology books, and to the right, a Foucault pendulum, its small ball swinging back and forth, never stopping.
The four women busied themselves preparing a lavish meal, while Ren Yuanhao planned a spontaneous escape.
Just then, the system's voice finally chimed in.
"Beep beep, so how does it feel to have survived? Much like today's sun, isn't it? Brilliant amidst the desolation?"
"Is the system小姐姐 trying to be poetic with me?"
"No, I'm here to deliver good news. Check your character attributes first, don't be too shocked."
Ren Yuanhao, in his mind's ethereal space, tapped the button representing his character attributes.
"Host: Ren Yuanhao
Strength: 33
Agility: 30
Intelligence: 11
Magic Energy: 3
Stamina Remaining: 50%
Mental Power Remaining: 80%
Battery Power: ~"
Upon seeing the last entry, Ren Yuanhao smacked the ground forcefully. "Hey, hey, hey, the last item is a bit much!"
"Actually, that item represents lifespan. I changed it to 'Battery Power.' It seems the effect has been achieved; at least you won't have any negative reactions upon seeing the word 'lifespan'."
"Heh, should I thank you for easing the atmosphere?"
"Stop bickering with me. All the beauties in the world are calling for you."
"Pah, a system with no limits won't even let men off the hook, will it?"
"This is a time for extraordinary measures, doing extraordinary things. By the way, I need to confess something to you."
Ren Yuanhao thought to himself, 'Could it be that she's going to say she's fallen for me?' Although I like paper figures very much, you, an artificial AI, your personality is nowhere near as gentle as those Japanese paper figures. I can't fall for you!
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
The system paused for a moment. Ren Yuanhao had actually once thought that intelligent AIs didn't need time to think. In reality, organizing language and retrieving data, then translating it into effective and logical language, might not be as fast as human thought.
"Actually, I concealed your second ability. I assume you've spoken with your other self already?"
Ren Yuanhao was startled. The scene flashed in his mind from that day at the Chi Xiao Sect, just before he was about to be annihilated by the Sect Leader.
At that time, his mind was indeed extremely unclear. If not for the system小姐姐 suddenly bringing up this issue, Ren Yuanhao would have thought it was a hallucination.
"My other self? Your words make it sound like I have dissociative identity disorder."
"I'm delighted to inform you that you've actually guessed correctly."
—Holy crap? I've been a normal person since I came out of my mother's womb! Dissociative identity disorder? I even sleepwalk!
Ren Yuanhao coughed twice, doing his best to maintain a gentlemanly demeanor to show he was a perfectly normal person, completely immune to dissociation or persecution complex.
"Don't rush to refute me yet. Do you remember the Ma Ruixi incident?"
The moment Ren Yuanhao heard that name, it felt like a very distant event. However, with his improved intelligence, his memory was also getting better.
He slowly recalled that Ma Ruixi's personality had indeed seemed to flip 360 degrees in an instant. In other words, was her ability also on the verge of awakening at that time?
"It seems you've recalled it. Her behavior at the time can be called a 'precursor to ability awakening,' and by chance, you obtained this ability called 'dual personality'."
—Holy crap, it sounds incredibly cool and awesome, but in reality, it's just dissociation!
Every time Ren Yuanhao woke up from a long sleep, he felt his ability to complain was off the charts. He even once thought his complaining was a kind of ability in itself.
"Your personality has been subtly influenced by this ability. Your normal self belongs to the yang side of the Yin-Yang fish, possessing optimism, cheerfulness, confidence, helpfulness, and other positive, upward energies. However, once the other personality awakens, it will inevitably cause a 360-degree change, meaning an instant shift to the yin side, loaded with all negative energy. And this dark side personality of yours is much stronger than you. To be honest, I can't even read his attributes, nor can I expel him."
Ren Yuanhao suddenly thought of the previous blackout periods and asked, "My previous blackouts were also due to the awakening of the second personality within me?"
The system responded with an 'mm,' its tone becoming extremely solemn.
"You cannot rely too much on that power. The Yin-Yang fish is constantly rotating, day and night alternating. When the dark side shifts to the white side, you might not be you anymore."
—Holy crap? What do you mean 'not me'? Are you playing philosophy with me?
Ren Yuanhao understood what the system meant. Simply put, there was a demon living inside him, and when it woke up, the demon would sing praises, casting the wrath of hell upon the world!
It's like a certain liquor advertisement: though the power is great, don't indulge too much.
"Alright, I pretty much understand what you mean."
Just then, the system clearly hesitated, as if probing something. After at least a minute, the小姐姐 continued with a perplexed tone.
"Furthermore, I sense a strange external power within you, but with my current data analysis capabilities, I cannot decipher it. You must remain vigilant at all times."
Ren Yuanhao shook his head, thinking to himself, 'Right now, I'm just a fatigued patient, a sick person. Can't you say something to cheer me up?'
"Oh, right. You have 1500 points remaining and two chances for the lucky draw. You can prepare for the 'escape' anytime."
Ren Yuanhao thought, 'Finally, some news that can bring me some joy.'
"Oh, and I must inform you about one more thing. Your third ability does have some connection to the S-class Wind Element Origin ability, but the power is not pure at all. So, if necessary, pay attention to collecting similar abilities."
After the lengthy conversation concluded, Ren Yuanhao slowly tried to sit up from the bed.
The major incident this time was also due to the excessive absorption of true qi, which caused an increased physical burden, requiring sleep to relieve the pressure. Therefore, after a brief period of调息理气 (adjusting breathing and qi circulation), his physical condition was actually better than before.
At this moment, his gaze fell upon the window sealed with aluminum alloy. That seemed to be the best way to initiate the escape.
With that thought, he changed into a trench coat, tiptoed to the window, and pushed open the glass. With a gentle twist, the aluminum alloy in his hand immediately twisted like dough, creating a large hole. He turned back to the desk, wrote an extremely brief yet sincere letter, and then, unseen by anyone, leaped out, landing steadily on the ground floor.
At that moment, a red Ferrari Enzo appeared at the end of the street like an old friend. Simultaneously, a set of keys appeared in his pocket. Ren Yuanhao glanced towards where the three women were, feeling a pang of melancholy, then quickly walked forward, got into the car, and the Ferrari Enzo, in a posture of unparalleled speed, sped towards the lawless ancient city of Xihuang Guyao.