Absolute Destiny Game

"Elder, may I trouble you for a moment?" Xiao Jie asked the old man before him with respect.

The old man apparently remembered Xiao Jie and bowed with his hands clasped, "I am Master Huang, the village chief of Ginkgo Village. You can call me Uncle Huang. What would you like to ask about?" After speaking, the characters 'Master Huang (Ginkgo Village Chief)' appeared above the old man's head.

"I am new to this place and unfamiliar with the area. I would like to inquire about some news and information, if that is possible."

The old man nodded, "Certainly, oh yes, where is your companion? I saw you both leave the village yesterday, why haven't I seen him today?"

"He's dead, killed by mountain bandits," said Xiao Jie solemnly.

"Life and death are predestined, young brother should not grieve too much. I wanted to warn you back then but alas...

Nowadays, the world is fraught with difficulties; demons and ghosts run rampant. If a young brother like yourself doesn't have some skills, I think it's better not to act recklessly. It's sufficient to stay in the village and do some miscellaneous work to get by. Ginkgo Village has a dwindling population and is in need of labor everywhere. Ask around, and you should find something to do."

Listening to the old man's words, Xiao Jie felt something was off. If he went along with what the other party said, he could indeed find work, but that would be admitting to being someone incapable.

The old man's 'alas...' clearly carried some blame, as if he were trying to pin Xiao Jie down.

Such a subtle tone of speech instead ignited Xiao Jie's desire to challenge the game.

He suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, there's no need for comfort, elder. My brother and I returned to Old Soil with the purpose of vanquishing demons and saving the world. From the day of our return, we were prepared to die for the cause.

Though my brother has perished, his resolve persists. If this world is plagued by demons and ghosts, it inevitably needs someone to stand up and protect the righteous way.

I may not be much, but I am willing to give it a try.

A true man is meant to wield a three-foot sword and achieve timeless deeds; even if I were to die in the wilderness, wrapped in horsehide, I would have no regrets."

Xiao Jie's impassioned speech was not without purpose.

His words were one-third heartfelt, the rest a performance. Xiao Jie had played many games where dialogues could gain NPC favor and help, or achieve unexpected results; in some games, you could even talk the final boss to death—so-called verbal combat to clear the game.

Since the NPCs in this game were so intelligent, Xiao Jie naturally wanted to make the most of it.

It might even trigger a hidden plot or special rewards.

Especially since Han Luo did indeed die at the hands of bandits yesterday, there was no fault to be found in his words.

The elder was moved by Xiao Jie's speech, showing a look of solemn admiration.

After a long while, he sighed deeply.

Master Huang (Ginkgo Village Chief): "Sigh, I've seen quite a few returnees lately. Most are blinded by greed or behave arrogantly; they also lack courtesy when speaking with me, asking odd questions like 'where can I kill a few'.

Before leaving the village, they boast grandly, but when they face setbacks, they scurry like dogs that have lost their homes.

Others try every trick in the book to please me, seeking benefits.

It's rare to find a young person with aspirations and the ability to advance or withdraw like you, especially with such indomitable passion, which I have seen only a few times in my life."

System Prompt: Master Huang's favorability towards you has increased by 20 points, now at 70.

"Well, if you are so determined, I won't persuade you further. But being born in our village could be considered fate, perhaps you are a descendant of someone who once left our village. I have a stick of incense here, go to the village temple and offer it to your ancestors. It may bring you some benefit."

[System Prompt: You have gained the item [Incense].]

It really worked! Xiao Jie was surprised and pleased by the prompt. It seemed that the game indeed allowed a high degree of freedom, providing plenty of room for players to be creative.

He opened his bag to check.

[Incense (Consumable)

Use: To pray.

Item Introduction: Incense made of herbs, used in prayer rituals. It is said that the ethereal smoke can communicate with ghosts and even convey human beliefs to long-gone ancestors, seeking protection and blessings.]

"Thank you, elder," said Xiao Jie, this time truly grateful.

After thanking the old man, Xiao Jie excitedly went to the village temple.

The temple was located in the center of the village, the most respectable building there, next to it stood a gigantic ginkgo tree festooned with various talismans.

The sunlight cast through the tree's shade onto the temple's eaves added a touch of intimacy to the place.

Xiao Jie walked into the ancestral hall and looked at the layers of memorial tablets above, feeling a strangely familiar sensation, as if they indeed had some connection to him.

He lit the incense and inserted it into the incense burner, then bowed three times.

His heart couldn't help but silently chant.

Oh, my ancestors, if you truly have spirits in heaven, please bless me not to die in this game.

The smoke twisted and curled, dissipating into the air.

An option box suddenly popped up in front of Xiao Jie.

[1. Oh, my ancestors, please bless me to be undisturbed by ghosts and gods.

2. Oh, my ancestors, please bless me with a bright mind and sharp senses.

3. Oh, my ancestors, please bless me with a strong and healthy body, impervious to all diseases.

4. Oh, my ancestors, please bless me with wealth.

5. Oh, my ancestors, I, Hidden Moon Following Wind, have strived to be self-reliant all my life, and today, I am simply here to greet you, asking for nothing.]

Looking at the five options in front of him, Xiao Jie immediately perked up. The setting of this game included immortals and ghosts, so praying to ancestors might truly have some effect, which was crucial for someone as penniless as him.

Option 1, be undisturbed by ghosts and gods? From this description, it seems that ghosts and gods will appear in the game and will attack players.

However, usually, spirits like Apiao would most likely appear in graveyards, tombs, or wilder places at night.

In that case, he wouldn't need it for the time being.

Option 2 and Option 3, one improves the mind, and the other strengthens the body, had similar effects and could be considered alternatives.

Option 4 would provide the most immediate result, as it could give him some money. With money, he could buy equipment, learn skills, and then kill monsters to level up. However, it feels somewhat disrespectful to directly ask the ancestors for money.

And there's no certainty about how much it would be.

Xiao Jie immediately dismissed the fifth option. Such a choice that asks for nothing usually ends in one of two ways: either it gives nothing or it awards a most special reward.

If it were any other game, he would mostly choose the fifth option, since he could just reload the game if it was a mistake. Even if it were an online game where you can't reload, the early rewards generally aren't too important. It would be nice to see what this hidden option offered.

But in this game, Xiao Jie didn't dare gamble.

Money can be slowly earned, it's just a matter of time, so he could pass on option four as well.

That left options 2 and 3.

To strengthen the body or to boost the mind.

If it were about battling monsters outside, enhancing the body would undoubtedly be the most beneficial. But since he planned to develop in the village first, it was better to choose to enhance the mind.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Jie had made his decision.

[Option 2, oh, my ancestors, please bless me with a bright mind and sharp senses.]

As Xiao Jie made his selection, a golden light fell upon him.

[System Notification: Your ancestors have manifested their spirit, you have gained the buff "Enlightenment", you are under the subtle protection of your ancestors, your comprehension has increased by 8 points (lasts 7 days).]

[System Notification: Since your comprehension has reached 20+, you have gained a layer of "Enlightenment".]

Xiao Jie checked the description of the Enlightenment buff.

[Enlightenment: Your comprehension is so high that you have entered a mysterious and profound state. In your eyes, the operational rules of all reality become clearer, and you have a higher chance of achieving satori (For every 10 points of comprehension above 10, your Enlightenment level increases by one).]

Huh? What use is this thing?

Comprehension is certainly a very important attribute, which is evident by the fact that it cannot be improved with attribute points, but having just seven days is a bit mediocre. The key is that he doesn't have any skills at the moment, so how could he achieve satori? It can't just come from nowhere, right? It seems that this effect might be more useful later on, such as when learning some profound skill books.

For now, it seemed to be somewhat of a gift.

However, Xiao Jie didn't dwell on what he might have lost for too long, having it was better than not, and who knows when it might come in handy.

Next, it was time to start looking for work.