Mini World Game Console-Chapter 771 - 772 This World is Never Gentle
Actually, in the Krypton Gold strategy Ren Suo had devised, there was still room for maneuvering.
For example, while the Experience Card has an extremely high cost-to-benefit ratio, it might not be essential. If I spend another 10,100 Truth Points, combined with a Reset Card and an Overlord Card, I can purchase three Fourth-Level Cultivation Cards. That would allow me to ascend to the Fifth Tier. The only reason I haven't bought them yet is to deposit these Truth Points in the Truth Bank and earn some interest. But, in my estimation, Fifth Revolution Cultivation, combined with the Key of Truth's 'Foresee the Future' ability, might be enough to defeat the Emotions quartet. The success rate is probably... around 30%. Compared to the foreseeable massive gains, a 30% success rate is worth the gamble. Besides, I can use surplus Truth Points to buy Spell Cards. For instance, Angel Zack's Holy Angel Card would definitely boost my combat power significantly, potentially increasing the success rate by another 5%.
Alternatively, I have an even safer method. After converting my Merit Points into Truth Points, my total capital is 290,000 Truth Points. If I deposit this in the Truth Bank to earn interest, I'll gain 29,000 in interest by tomorrow. Adding that to the principal, I'll have almost 320,000 Truth Points. That means I'm only 40,000 points short of my 360,000-point goal. Spread across five girlfriends, the emotional value each needs to contribute is less than 10,000 points. That seems much more manageable.
The only problem is, can I, completely devoid of emotion, still play the role of a good boyfriend during tomorrow's dates as usual? Can I even continue to increase the value of their affection?
After pondering for a moment, Ren Suo decided not to take the risk.
The potential reward isn't proportional to the risk. If I don't take the risk, there's no danger to myself; I just need to find a way to increase their emotional value by 70,000 Truth Points. If I do take the risk, I'd face the danger of them seeing that I 'don't understand love.' Emotions built on love, once shattered, could plummet like a stock market crash, with no hope of recovery. And the difficulty of my challenge wouldn't be reduced by much; the required emotional value increase would only drop from 70,000 points to 40,000. Compared to the enormous risk, this slight advantage is negligible. What's more, even if I *did* have emotions, my interactions with them could still potentially cause their feelings to diminish. The closer the relationship, the more sensitive the emotional fluctuations.
I managed to deceive Zhao Huo successfully, even transforming into a beautiful girl to trick him. But that was Zhao Huo's failing, not a testament to any exceptional acting skills on my part. Absolute Rationality isn't omnipotent. It just allows me to clearly recognize my own shortcomings, flaws, and predicament. My biggest predicament right now is that I can't defeat my enemies, so I have no choice but to stake everything on elaborate schemes. Coming up with ways to gather 70,000 Truth Points for a 100% clear attempt... is this being wise and brave? No. It's just the desperate maneuvering of a fool. If I could defeat the Emotions quartet, why would I need to go to all this trouble? Or rather, if I'd had the strength to surpass them from the beginning, I might not have needed the Door of Truth at all.
So-called rationality means no longer being naive, recognizing one fundamental truth: the world is never gentle. No one has an easy path. All gifts from Destiny come with a price tag already attached. Being mercilessly beaten down by Destiny is the daily reality of life. Only the truly strong can achieve nirvana through countless tribulations and attain greatness. And I... I've already missed so many chances for greatness. I missed the chance to achieve Divine Enthronement as a Moon Chanter on The Dark Side of the Moon. I missed the chance to remain in Didra and wield true power. I've missed so many of Destiny's gifts. I can't afford to fail the Mini-World Game Console's test this time.
Effort yielding reward—that's how it should be. There's no one in this world who will help me indefinitely. Even Rippling Spring Sounds will eventually run out of time. Destiny is a long river, and everyone is a solitary boat. Ultimately, we must all navigate this sea of suffering on our own to reach the shores of the future. Youth not spent in effort leads an elder to sorrow. If I don't give my all now to obtain power that transcends everything, sooner or later, I'll lose even more.
After all, this is the era of Transcendents, an age of resurgent Spiritual Energy. Countless disasters are brewing on Earth, and numerous powerful entities are watching this Dimension. Looking back, if it weren't for me, the Mini-World Game Console, and the game characters who preemptively eliminated all those crises, would Earth still be this peaceful? Would people online still be idly arguing whether Taoist You Jian is better or Angel Zack is? They're only so idle because the world is too safe, because they're too well-fed. But can this fragile happiness truly last?
My rationality tells me: impossible. I don't believe the world will treat humanity with such gentleness. I don't believe Transcendents like the Great Wall and the Watchers can truly protect humanity. I don't believe the Mini-World Game Console will be around forever, constantly eliminating disasters and ensuring eternal peace for mankind. I trust no one. I only trust myself. I don't want to find myself, on some future day, retreating, sacrificing, or even losing everything—just like now—all because I lack the strength to overcome adversity. I am a living being. I want to reproduce, to live forever, to be carefree and unrestrained. To avoid bleeding in the future, I must sweat more now. So, for myself, for a better future, giving my all now is worth it. Absolutely worth it.
Before putting on the Pandora's Magic Box device, Ren Suo summoned his Cloning. He handed it his phone and instructed, "Chat as Xiao Ren and Xiao Suo. After midnight, arrange a lakeside date with Zhao Huo. Once you've transformed, wear that most provocative set of Clothing, say some suggestive things to him, and make some 'accidental' physical contact." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"If Zhao Huo suddenly loses control..."
As the Cloning stared blankly, Ren Suo pondered for a moment, then said, "Then do your best to run somewhere dark and deserted. Don't let anyone see you."
A strange light flickered in the Cloning's vacant eyes.
"However, a wife isn't as good as a concubine, a concubine isn't as good as a secret lover, and a secret lover isn't as enticing as one you can't obtain. So, play it by ear. But you absolutely must send him flying before things go too far. Then, leave in a huff. Create an impression of being reserved yet highly attainable. A closeted geek like Zhao Huo falls for this trick every time."
Every little bit counts. Having the Cloning continue to build a relationship with Zhao Huo as Xiao Suo should increase his emotional value somewhat. If Zhao Huo genuinely develops romantic feelings, I'll have hit the jackpot. Even if Zhao Huo's (Xiao Suo's) emotional value is just a drop in the bucket compared to the 70,000 Truth Points I need, every victory is built on such small accumulations. Nothing should be wasted. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow I'll be short by just that little bit. Besides, Zhao Huo seems like the type to easily stumble and make a misstep. This is practically a gift horse... To not take advantage of it... even the old me wouldn't have been so wasteful, let alone the current me. It's just one use of the Cloning ability, and it'll refresh tomorrow anyway. Definitely a worthy investment.
After giving instructions to the Cloning, Ren Suo entered the Door of Truth to continue taking a beating from the Emotions quartet.
Meanwhile, the Cloning turned, sat on the sofa, and started playing with the phone. It would transform and change its Clothing after midnight.
It glanced at the moon outside and sighed softly.
