Chapter 21 System Rewards

The intense feeling of weightlessness and the dizziness caused by the distortion of space enveloped everyone.

The surroundings were a mix of broken, flowing colors and distorted light and shadow, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was the dimness of the corridor or the milky white of the light gate.

Zhuge Jin—or rather, Gu Yunqing—could feel an arm still firmly wrapped around his waist.

The cool yet powerful touch of Jun Xiangbei's clothing seeped through the thin fabric, carrying an undeniable protective stance.

This feeling... is quite novel.

Gu Yunqing thought.

In his brief and painful past life as "Gu Yunqing," and after entering this terrifying world as "Zhuge Jin," he had long been accustomed to struggling and scheming alone.

Being protected so directly is almost a first for me.

However, this subtle feeling only lasted for a brief moment.

The next moment, all the chaos and noise came to an abrupt end.

A feeling of solid ground came over me, and all around me was pure, tranquil, and boundless white.

System space.

They successfully escaped that campus scenario, which was called "happiness" but was actually hell.

Jun Xiangbei loosened his grip on his waist almost immediately, the movement so fast it was almost imperceptible.

Using the force, Zhuge Jin naturally took a half-step forward, widening the distance between the two who were too close.

He didn't turn around or say thank you, as if the help he received during that dangerous moment was just a trivial interlude.

"We're back! We're really back!" Xin Yuan'er's excited voice trembled with relief after surviving the ordeal. He collapsed onto the pure white ground without any regard for his image, panting heavily.

"My god, I almost thought I was going to die there! That last move scared me to death!"

Di Wenzhou clutched the still throbbing wound on his back, his face pale, but his eyes were filled with relief: "We survived...we really survived..."

Bai Muling silently examined the abrasions on her arm, her breath slightly ragged. Her gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Zhuge Jin and Jun Xiangbei, filled with mixed gratitude.

Yue Qingqing's face was deathly pale, and her eyes were still red. She had not yet fully recovered from the shock and sadness of the disappearance of the ghost students.

She subconsciously wanted to get closer to Jun Xiangbei for a sense of security, but when she saw the direction of Jun Xiangbei's gaze, she stopped in her tracks.

Jun Xiangbei stood still, his cold gaze immediately falling on the silver-haired, white-robed figure in front of him.

His thin lips pursed slightly, and the fingertips that had just wrapped around the other person's waist unconsciously tightened, as if the lingering sensation of that overly slender and delicate touch remained.

A strange emotion was thrown into the usually calm lake of his heart, creating ripples.

Jun Xiangbei categorized this strangeness as an exploration of powerful and mysterious beings, and forcibly suppressed it.

Just then, that familiar mechanical voice rang in the minds of every player, breaking the brief silence:

[Instance: Happy Campus (Rank C Punishment Instance) Clearance Results Begin...]

[Basic completion rating: B. Number of surviving players: 6.]

[Hidden quest "Explore and summarize the unspoken rules of the campus (6/6)" completed, rating improved.]

[Side quest "Requiem" completed; rating significantly improved.]

[Key boss "Li Mingyuan (Incarnation of Rules)" defeated, contribution assessment in progress... Assessment passed, evaluation greatly improved.]

[Final Completion Rating: S-Rank!]

[Rewards Settlement: 1000 base achievement points, 200% bonus for S-rank rating, 600 points for hidden quests, 400 points for side quests, and 500 points for boss kill contribution. Total: 4300 achievement points.]

Congratulations, player!

A series of system notifications were like a gentle rain, nourishing the hearts of players who had just experienced a life-or-death crisis.

Even a high-level player like Jun Xiangbei was surprised to receive an S-rank rating and such a generous amount of achievement points in a C-rank penalty dungeon.

This is almost a record-breaking reward.

And everyone knows that the vast majority of the credit for this extra reward should go to someone else.

[Player Zhuge Jin, based on your outstanding performance in the dungeon (leading the exploration of rules, providing early warnings of key nodes, offering crucial guidance for breaking through the impasse, and assisting in defeating the BOSS), you have received an additional item reward: a C-grade item - Divine Fragment, and 1000 extra achievement points.]

[Divine Fragment (Rank C): A tiny fragment of the legendary fallen divine authority, containing an ineffable power of law. Specific effects: Unknown. (Hint: Perhaps related to "faith" or "cognition")]

A crystal-like object, about the size of a fingernail and with a dull color, appeared out of thin air and hovered in front of Zhuge Jin.

It looked unremarkable, even a bit worn, but Gu Yunqing's heart skipped a beat the moment she touched it.

Through the white veil, he could "see" the extremely faint yet peculiar energy fluctuations surrounding the fragment.

This fluctuation... seems to have some kind of subtle resonance with his system that relies on readers' imaginations to gain abilities!

"Faith", "cognition", "unknown effects"...

Gu Yunqing realized almost immediately that this seemingly low-level C-grade item might be far more valuable to him than those powerful attack or defense items, given his [Vest Role-Playing System].

He reached out without making a sound, his fingertips touching the cool fragments.

The fragments transformed into a stream of light, merging into his body and quietly settling in a corner of the storage space provided by the system.

"S-rank! Four thousand three hundred achievement points!" Xin Yuan'er jumped up excitedly, waving his arms and legs.

"I'm rich! I'm rich! Hahaha, following the big boss really does bring you good fortune."

As soon as Xin Yuan'er finished speaking, everyone left together, and the settlement space led to the player lobby.

Before they could even stand still, several system notification boxes of different colors and marked with different symbols popped up in front of Zhuge Jin, almost taking up his entire field of vision.

[The "Blazing Sun Guild" extends an invitation to player Zhuge Jin: We sincerely invite you to join our guild. Benefits: Prioritized resources for core members, starting salary of 5000 achievement points per month, and a luxury apartment provided...]

[The Shadow Alliance extends an invitation to you: Your wisdom is astonishing, and the Alliance needs talents like you. You may be directly granted an elite title and enjoy priority access to internal intelligence...]

[The Star Pavilion extends an invitation to you...]

[“Battle Song” extends an invitation to you…]

Recruitment notices from various guilds poured in like snowflakes, each offering increasingly generous terms.

The fact that these guilds were able to accurately lock onto and send invitations the instant the dungeon ended demonstrates their excellent information network and their high regard for the abilities demonstrated by "Zhuge Jin".

Xin Yuan'er, Di Wenzhou, and the others were all stunned.

These newcomers, or low-level players, had never seen anything like this before.

Some of these guild names are powerful organizations that they are very familiar with!

However, Zhuge Jin didn't even bother to look at the specific conditions; he just frowned slightly, seemingly finding the prompts too noisy.

He raised his hand and casually swiped a few times on the virtual screen, his movements nonchalant and carrying an undisguised indifference.

【reject】.

【reject】.

[Reject all].

The series of operations were executed smoothly and without the slightest hesitation.

Those conditions that would drive ordinary players crazy seemed like mere dust in his eyes.

The light screens that were meant to attract customers disappeared instantly.

Some players who were secretly watching this scene couldn't help but let out low gasps and whispers.

"He...he rejected them all?"

"Even the Sun Alliance and the Shadow Alliance rejected them? Those are top 20 guilds!"

"Just who is this guy? Why is he so arrogant?"

Xin Yuan'er's mouth dropped open, and it took him a long time to close it before he muttered, "Boss... you're too... cool!"

Just then, Jun Xiangbei, who had been silently observing, stepped forward.

He stopped in front of Zhuge Jin, maintaining a perfect distance—neither too intimate nor too distant.

Jun Xiangbei's handsome face remained expressionless as his cold voice rang out.

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Zhuge Jin's ears, as well as those of Xin Yuan'er and the others who were listening intently.

“Mr. Zhuge,” Jun Xiangbei said, his tone as calm as ever, “Your abilities are truly impressive. On behalf of the ‘Polaris’ team and my ‘Watchers’ guild, I formally extend an invitation to you.”

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before continuing, "'The Watchers' Guild upholds order and protection, and boasts top-tier resources and intelligence channels. Your joining will undoubtedly earn you a corresponding status and respect. Personally... I also hope to fight alongside you."

This invitation, compared to the previous guilds' formulaic recruitment tactics, was clearly more sincere, especially the last sentence, which almost carried personal emotion.

Given Jun Xiangbei's aloof and taciturn nature, it is truly remarkable that he could utter such words.

Xin Yuan'er and the others held their breath and looked at Zhuge Jin.

They already knew about Jun Xiangbei's strength and background, and the fact that he was so solemnly inviting them was incredibly tempting.

Gu Yunqing's heart stirred slightly.

Jun Xiangbei's invitation was within his expectations, but he still caught the subtle expectation in the other's eyes.

Just as he predicted, the original male protagonist was firmly attracted by the pseudonym "Zhuge Jin".

However, the plan cannot be changed.

Zhuge Jin shook his head slightly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Jun." His voice was ethereal and steady, without any discernible emotional fluctuation.

I appreciate your understanding. But I already have someone I belong to.

Already belonged to someone?!

These words struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, resounding in the hearts of Xin Yuan'er, Di Wenzhou, Bai Muling, and even Yue Qingqing.

Even Jun Xiangbei's cold eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

You refused?

He even turned down invitations from the Watchers Guild and Jun Xiangbei personally.

And he already has a guild?

What guild could be more attractive than the invitations from "The Watchers" and Jun Xiangbei?

"Belonging?" Xin Yuan'er was the first to be unable to contain her curiosity, as if a cat was scratching at her heart.

"Hey boss, which guild did you join? Is it 'Celestial Temple'? 'Hidden Order'? Or some other more mysterious organization?"

He named all the legendary, mysterious guilds from the infinite world.

Di Wenzhou and Bai Muling also pricked up their ears, their minds racing.

How powerful and secretive must the organization behind Zhuge Jin be to cultivate such a figure?

Zhuge Jin smiled but remained silent.

Author's Note:

There will be another chapter at 6 PM [hugs]