By the end of October, even Liangjiang, located at the southern end of the Mysterious Country and known for its perpetual summer-like conditions with only a brief winter, had finally cooled down. This change came under the influence of successive surges of cold air and a continuous, fine drizzle.

Ren Suo stood on the balcony, observing the students heading to the lecture buildings for classes. They were all donned in jackets and windbreakers, while he remained in shorts and a T-shirt. This is the first advantage of being a Third-turn Cultivator—insulation, he thought.

As a Third-turn Cultivator, his Physical Condition and adaptability were further strengthened. Although air conditioning was still needed to survive summer, thermal underwear was no longer necessary in winter. He could even sprint naked in just his underpants without catching a cold or feeling chilly.

With a thought, Ren Suo reached his hand out from the balcony. The pitter-pattering raindrops fell onto his hand, naturally flowing off. However, when Ren Suo withdrew his hand, not a single droplet remained on it.

After advancing to a Third-turn Cultivator, apart from a significant increase in his Qi Cyclone Spiritual Energy Quantity, just as Dong Chengling and Bai Ji had mentioned, Ren Suo's proficient spell, "Gauze Clothing," had now become his 'Permanent Memory Spell.'

Ren Suo had previously managed to master "Gauze Clothing" through arduous Cultivation (which involved rolling down the academy's back mountain for half a day). However, this mastery was only equivalent to 60%-80% proficiency. He needed a bit of time to activate the Spell Meridians and then rely on his practiced reflexes to cover his entire body with Gauze Clothing.

Now, his proficiency with "Gauze Clothing" was almost 100%, as if Ren Suo had equipped this Ability through a game console. No extraneous thoughts were needed; "Gauze Clothing" had become an innate Ability to him. With just a thought, his body would be covered with Gauze Clothing.

He could feel that when he cast "Gauze Clothing," the first to be activated was indeed the Second Ring Qi Swirl, which verified Bai Ji and the others' theory—the Second Ring Qi Swirl had memorized the "Gauze Clothing" spell.

After becoming a Third-turn Cultivator, Ren Suo's Qi Cyclone had astonishingly transformed. It now consisted of an internal cyclone, a Second Ring Qi Swirl, a Third Ring Qi Cyclone, and an external cyclone. The Third Ring Qi Cyclone was newly formed and had the least Spiritual Energy Quantity. The internal cyclone had expanded another ring, possessing the most Spiritual Energy Quantity, while the Second Ring Qi Swirl was nestled between the Third Ring Qi Cyclone and the internal cyclone.

However, the internal cyclone was like an endlessly flowing lake, and the external cyclone resembled a desolate wasteland. The Third Ring Qi Cyclone was akin to newly planned municipal land. Only the Second Ring Qi Swirl already had a structure named "Gauze Clothing" built upon it, ready for immediate use.

Even Ren Suo could feel the mysteries of the Qi Cyclone at this moment. This feeling, it's like playing *SimCity*. I really enjoy it, he thought.

Currently, he naturally had to rely on practice to achieve the Inscription of spells into his Qi Cyclone. But in the future, if his Control Force over the Qi Cyclone strengthened, could he truly inscribe needed Spell Meridians into the Qi Cyclone at will, just like playing *SimCity*?

The 'industrial faction' could use all sorts of Infrastructure Spells; by clasping their hands and striking the ground, they could raise a fortified city. The 'artillery faction,' steeped in destruction spells, could scorch the earth with a wave of their hand and a Fireball, transforming into humanoid Weapons...

At this instant, Ren Suo could suddenly understand Dong Chengling's state of mind—the intense desire to know what the scenery was like at a higher level, just how magnificent and interesting it could be.

As for other things, there wasn't much change. He had already spent all his Spirit Stones on *Mystery of the Sovereign Lord: Chapter Two* and several instances of Third-Tier Magic. Now, he lacked the funds for new Third-Tier Magic. He could only wait for next month's salary to consider his 'buy, buy, buy' list—and he wondered if there would be a discount on the internal network during Singles' Day.

Oh, there was one other crucial change.

Ren Suo turned his head and saw his Cloning coming out to gather the clothes. He heaved a slight sigh. I've become stronger, and the duration of my Cloning has also shortened.

The reduction in time was not insignificant—a full ten-plus minutes. This squeezed his schedule tightly. His underwear and socks, which should have been washed separately in the machine, now couldn't wait due to the lack of time, so he had to let his Cloning hand-wash them.

I'm really worried it'll scrub too hard and tear them apart, Ren Suo thought.

As this thought crossed his mind, Ren Suo suddenly had an idea. He opened the Mini-World Game Console, clicked on the "Equipment Interface," silently switched to the "Listening Headphones," and then put on his 1000XM2s. At home, with nothing else to do, I naturally wouldn't wear headphones like an idiot.

After a brief mental exercise, the "Listening Headphones" began to resonate with the system's explanatory voice:

"When casting 'Struggle Warrior (Incomplete),' you can define the minimum existence time for the Cloning through mental activity.

When the minimum existence time is longer than the Cloning's possible existence time, the Cloning's strength will decrease, thereby extending its existence time.

When the minimum existence time is shorter than the Cloning's possible existence time, the Cloning's strength remains unchanged, but its existence time will decrease."

"Oh ho," Ren Suo cheered softly.

The Cloning could now exist for roughly an hour and a bit over ten minutes. If Ren Suo summoned a Cloning and wished for it to last two hours, then the summoned Cloning's strength would drop to second-tier or even lower. However, its existence time would indeed be extended to two hours. Simply put, it was trading strength for time.

"Struggle Warrior (Incomplete)" itself didn't offer this service—its complete version, however, allowed control over the Cloning's strength by increasing or decreasing the number of Clonings.

But the incomplete version could only summon one Cloning. Naturally, the game console defaulted to the Player summoning the strongest Cloning (one with the complete strength of the True Form). After all, in battle, a slight difference could overturn the entire situation, so the Cloning inevitably had to be as strong as possible.

It never anticipated that some Players would summon Clonings not for fighting, and even wish to trade the Cloning's strength for duration...

However, since a Player had such a requirement, and also possessed a tool like the "Listening Headphones," the game console had to reluctantly offer a solution.

When doing household chores, what's the use of strength? Ren Suo mused, instantly planning his future Cloning summoning strategy. When doing housework at home, I'll just let the Cloning become an ordinary person. Why does it need to be so strong? Does it want to sweep so hard it breaks the broom? Will it get an 80% discount buying oranges at the campus supermarket?

I've already decided, Ren Suo thought. When I need to go to the combat training ground or work shifts at the school infirmary, I'll dress the Cloning up nicely, in full Status and ready for battle. When I don't need to go out, I'll just have the Cloning wear a dirt-resistant koala onesie. (Even I couldn't tolerate someone looking exactly like me running naked around the house.) As long as its Physical Strength can support a major cleaning, that's enough. I'll extend the Cloning's duration as much as possible, milking every last second of work time out of it.

Capable of gracing the hall, equally at home in the kitchen—no phrase could be truer.

Having dealt with this pressing matter, Ren Suo breathed a sigh of relief and started notifying everyone about his promotion.

First, he tried to contact Dong Chengling, but she didn't answer her phone, so Ren Suo had to send her a message. Dong Chengling is very busy. Since she didn't answer, she must be occupied. A considerate person like me naturally shouldn't disturb her, he thought.

Next was Qiao Muyi. Ren Suo simply posted on his Moments and tagged her, "Woke up to find myself at Third-turn, completely dumbfounded."

However, five people immediately commented under this post:

Xiao Qiao (Qiao Muyi): Who isn't?

Ripples of Rain (Yu Kuangtu): Who isn't?

Your Great Sovereign (You Jiu): I'm not. Keep it up, Master! /flex

Bai Su Zongheng·Director Li (Mom): Did you turn over three times in your sleep? Check my Moments from three days ago. You need to drink more hot water and eat less fried food.

Wishing for One's Heart·Baiyun City No. 4 Middle School Math Teacher (Dad): Read.

Ren Suo was speechless.

Being promoted to Third-turn... doesn't seem like anything to be particularly happy about, does it?

But notifications were still necessary. Ren Suo called his sister. "I've been promoted to Third-turn!"

"Really!? Then we should celebrate properly today!" Ren Xingmei replied happily.

Just as Ren Suo finally started to feel a bit of consolation, Ren Xingmei added, "Oh, by the way, Brother, I got first place in the monthly test! My Cultivation progress is second only to the class president, who started cultivating a few months before me, and I've completely mastered 'Clothing.' Teacher Bai thinks I learn quickly and plans to let me try learning Second-Tier Spells… Brother, am I amazing or what?"

Ren Suo's lips twitched. "Amazing, amazing. Let's celebrate together, celebrate together."

He then remembered that Ren Xingmei's Bond Ability was "A Thousand Miles in a Day." This Ability was purely passive, having no effect in the early stages. But as soon as Ren Xingmei began her Cultivation, she would absorb Knowledge like a sponge. And as time went on, this Ability's assistance to her would grow increasingly stronger...

In the foreseeable future, I'll definitely be utterly surpassed by my sister... Ren Suo predicted.

"Hm? Big Brother Ren has reached Third-turn?"

"What? I haven't even reached Second Turn yet, and he's already advanced!?"

"Congratulations."

A cacophony of discussion erupted from Ren Xingmei's end. Then Ren Suo heard a loud voice, "Ren Xingmei, come up here and solve this first-order linear homogeneous equation."

"Yes!" Ren Xingmei responded fearlessly, then immediately whispered, "Brother, I'm hanging up now. See you at noon."

Oh right, it's class time now, Ren Suo remembered.

Ren Suo then edited a group message and sent it out, quickly receiving replies from various people:

Li Dan: "Congratulations, I'm close too."

Bai Ji: "Congratulations. However, you might need some time to adapt to being newly Third-turn. Sparring in combat might help you get used to the Third-turn Qi Cyclone better."

Others also offered their congratulations. Even some people he hadn't contacted in ages messaged him privately to reconnect. Although Ren Suo knew many Third-turn Cultivators, the majority within the Tactical Bureau system were still First Transformation Cultivators or Second Stage Cultivators. Most of the people he had met during his civil service training were still at First Rank Cultivation.

Many hadn't expected that Ren Suo, who had possessed nearly the worst Talent initially, would now be doing the best. Not only was he living a carefree life every day at Heavenly Lotus Academy, but his Cultivation had also caught up to the top tier.

Everyone came to ask Ren Suo for his Cultivation secrets. For this, Ren Suo specially posted on his Moments: "There are no shortcuts to Cultivation. When you were sleeping, I was cultivating. When you were daydreaming, I was still cultivating. Therefore, I can barely keep up with the pace of Geniuses, only hoping to scale new heights and gaze into the future. Only those who make full use of their time are qualified to touch their ideals."

Then he tagged everyone who had messaged him privately.

And then… no one liked the post.

I guess I've probably harvested a lot of negative emotions again, Ren Suo mused. But at least no one is bothering me anymore.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Huo suddenly sent a message: "Congratulations. I'm going to give you a gift."

Ren Suo never expected that Zhao Huo, who looked so honest and straightforward, would actually understand the social etiquette of gift-giving!

He replied gleefully, "Oh, you don't have to spend so much! I think a seafood buffet would be just fine. I haven't had it in days. I miss it."

After conning Zhao Huo into paying for several seafood buffet meals, each costing hundreds per person, Ren Suo had developed quite a craving for it.

Just then, Ren Suo suddenly received a message from Dong Chengling: "Congratulations. Lunch gathering cancelled."

Huh? Ren Suo thought. Looks like Dong Chengling is very busy today; even lunch is cancelled.

Ren Suo estimated the time, glanced at the drizzly campus, and then issued a command through the Mind Link: "After you put away the clothes, switch to True Self status. Go to the cafeteria and pack a Spicy Crab Combo for me. If they don't have it, get the Hand-Shredded Chicken Combo instead."

The Cloning, having neatly folded the clothes and put them in the wardrobe, changed into a tidy set of clothes. It then went to the washroom to comb its hair and apply hair gel, its face adopting a polite and appropriate smile, before picking up an umbrella and heading out.

With some free time, Ren Suo thought for a moment and opened the Content Preservation Vault.

These past few days, because Ren Suo had been overpowering Zhao Huo, frequently making appearances at the school infirmary, and consistently treating every student with an approachable, gentle, and proper demeanor in his True Self state, he had become quite popular among the students.

When the Cloning was on duty at the school infirmary, many students, attracted by its fame, would come for a check-up. Both male and female students came, but there was always a female nurse present to supervise, so even if a student fell asleep during the examination, there was nothing to worry about.

Consequently, Ren Suo had also collected quite a few one-star keys recently. He hadn't opened his Mini-World Game Console or paid them any mind before. Remembering them now, he randomly used a two-star key to open a Two-Star Treasure Chest rewarded from *High Energy Ahead*.

*High Energy Ahead* contained many useful items and Abilities. The best, of course, was the adventurer's "High-Energy Alchemy Hand"—everything it touched would exhibit Transcendent Traits, instantly transforming from mundane objects into Divine Artifacts. It was truly like the fabled branch that allows a sparrow to ascend and become a phoenix.

However, the rewards from Treasure Boxes were always bizarre and completely random, so Ren Suo didn't have high expectations.

But this time, it actually yielded a very intriguing reward:

"Strengthening Frame"

"Quality Rank: Two-star single-use prop. Prerequisite: Requires another prop for combination."

"Effect: The Strengthening Frame can merge with other items, thereby enhancing the item's effect (this may result in enhancing the original effect, reducing negative effects, deriving new effects, etc.)."

"Note: Adventurers simply do not understand the importance of wearing protection."

This reward... is actually quite nice, Ren Suo thought.

Since the Equipment Interface only had two slots, no matter how many props Ren Suo obtained, only two could be active simultaneously. Thus, some props would sit on the cold bench for a long time (like the Unlimited Fried Chicken Set). This "Strengthening Frame," which could enhance a prop's effect, was far more practical than receiving a mediocre prop.

As for which prop to enhance, Ren Suo didn't hesitate for long—of course, it would be the "Seeker of the Dao Correction Hat."

While playing *Hand of Fate*, Ren Suo had experienced the benefits of high Comprehension. However, he couldn't possibly keep expending negative emotions daily to activate "Imperial Edict" to strengthen "A Thousand Miles in a Day." Therefore, permanently increasing Comprehension was the best option.

As for props like "Listening Headphones" or "Mage's Death-Defying Feather," there were many possible enhancement directions, and Ren Suo couldn't be sure of their effects after strengthening. But the Seeker of the Dao Correction Hat should increase Comprehension, right? No matter how you look at it?

Moreover, in terms of frequency of use, Ren Suo himself almost constantly equipped the "Seeker of the Dao Correction Hat," making its enhancement the most cost-effective.

Soon, a brand-new prop was freshly produced:

"Seeker's Ornament"

"Quality Rank: Three-Star Item. Prerequisite: Special headgear required (hat, hairpin, glasses, mask, hood, etc.)."

"Effect: When equipped by the Player, grants a 15% Comprehension bonus, and enhances all language-based purposes such as 'improved confessions,' 'enhanced apologies,' 'enhanced comfort,' 'enhanced praise,' 'enhanced humor,' etc."

"Note: The hat, formed from a Truth Seeker's memories, had its original Ability slightly diminished after being tainted by the power of other hats. However, it also gained other powerful memory forces. After enhancement, it can even be effective without being physically worn as a hat."

Compared to the original "Seeker of the Dao Correction Hat," the "Seeker's Ornament" increased Comprehension by an additional 5%, effectively enhancing its original effect by half. Ren Suo was quite satisfied.

Now he no longer needed to wear a hat at home! Wearing a pair of plain glasses is much more normal than wearing a hat all the time!

Although no one said anything, Zhao Huo had recommended a hair growth product to Ren Suo a few days ago. Actually, when I had the Cloning beat up Zhao Huo that day, there was a bit of old grievance involved. I'm not bald! Ren Suo fumed internally.

Thinking of this, Ren Suo went to his wardrobe, found a hooded jacket, and put it on. He discovered that the "Seeker's Ornament" was also effective. Good. In winter, I'll rely on a hooded jacket to trigger this equipment, he thought.

「Later that evening」

When Ren Suo went to the Dong Chengling Family's home, he happened to meet Bai Ji, Gu Yueyan, Ren Xingmei, and Lin Xianyu.

After exchanging congratulations, Lin Xianyu excitedly suggested, "How about we go out this weekend to celebrate? *The Great Sage Returns* was just released, and it's all over everyone's Moments. Let's go watch it together?"

Whether it was a coincidence or an official arrangement, an animated film titled *The Great Sage Returns* had suddenly hit major theaters in October, and its box office performance was extremely explosive.

Many people online speculated that the "Roaring Heaven Palace" incident in *Journey to the West* might have been a record of the Great Sage Equalling Heaven ascending to the Heavenly Palace to eradicate a previous, arrogant Source of Disaster. Consequently, animated films related to "Roaring Heaven Palace" became popular once again.

Although the internal network didn't affirm this claim, many Researchers still believed that *Journey to the West* might have recorded some of the Fairy Palace's past actions and was worth referencing.

However, Ren Suo didn't immediately agree to Lin Xianyu's suggestion. "We'll talk about it later."

After today, it would be November, and Ren Suo was due to start a new game.

Heaven knows if this game will be live-streamed. If it is, I definitely won't have time to go out and play, Ren Suo considered.

Ren Suo glanced at Gu Yueyan, who was staring at him but quickly averted her gaze. Ren Suo chuckled, "I've reached Third-turn, you know."

"I know."

"I really have advanced to Third-turn."

"I know already!" Gu Yueyan said grumpily. "I'll catch up with you soon, very soon!"

"Negative emotions from Gu Yueyan, +1"

Ren Suo blinked. Huh? She didn't seem that angry. Why only one point? The minds of young girls are truly hard to understand...

Ren Suo turned to Bai Ji, who smiled. "You've caught up to me, but I'm also close to reaching the next level. You have to keep up and stand beside me, okay?"

"Of course," Ren Suo replied. Boys are so much easier to understand, he thought.

Upon arriving at the Dong Chengling Family's home, it was Little Jiu who opened the door.

As soon as Little Jiu saw Ren Suo, she immediately ran to her room and, with much effort, dragged out a greatsword. Holding it up in both hands, she presented it to Ren Suo and said crisply, "My king, please accept your subject's gift!"

Ren Suo looked at the Frostmourne in front of him and fell silent.

After a moment, he asked, "Who taught you to do this?"

Little Jiu tilted her head and said, "It was Zhao Huo who taught me. He said that doing this would make big brother very happy... He gave me this sword and told me to give it to big brother in this way."

Happy, you say... Well, a little bit, maybe. But the implication isn't great. This is the infamous patricide sword, after all, Ren Suo mused.

As a seasoned Player, Ren Suo slowly took the Frostmourne. Suddenly, a thought struck him—

Wait a minute! Isn't this the sword I gave Zhao Huo after clearing *High Energy Ahead*?!

This grudge... I'll remember this, Zhao Huo! Ren Suo mentally noted.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.