Forty years old, awakening attribute panel

Chapter 295 Extra 019
Under this series of shocks, Jiang Sheng's mood was complicated. He felt lucky to be chosen, but also worried about the uncertainty of the future, and even more eager for self-breakthrough. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner waves, and realized that he was standing at an unprecedented crossroads. There was an unknown adventure ahead, and also an opportunity to change his destiny. At this moment, he decided to accept it all. Whether it was a challenge or an opportunity, he would go all out and write his own legend with action.

Facing the task descriptions in the Super Fusion Program that were somewhat playful and challenging, Jiang Sheng couldn't help but feel a subtle feeling in his heart, as if the developer of this program was venting some kind of dissatisfaction in an alternative way, or testing the psychological endurance of the user. However, before he could delve deeper, he was pulled back to the present by the hustle and bustle of reality. Liu Yi'er's return and the sound of the train arriving at the destination forced him to temporarily interrupt his contact with this mysterious system. The strong curiosity in his heart could only be temporarily suppressed, and he and Liu Yi'er joined the crowd leaving the station.

Their destination, Tianhaizhou, is a typical super city with fifteen administrative districts with different characteristics, forming a huge urban network, and the population has exceeded 1 million. These areas spread outward around the central area, forming a unique hierarchical structure, from Districts 3 to 4, which symbolize luxury and power, to Districts 8 to 9, which carry the daily lives of ordinary people, to the marginalized Districts 15 to - slums, each area has its own distinct characteristics and different survival rules. Tianhaizhou is just a microcosm of many super cities. There are eleven such super cities in China. Although each city has a similar layout, it has its own merits. Smaller cities are scattered all over the place, and together they form a complex picture of this post-civilization era.

Jiang Sheng and Liu Yier's home is located in District 11, the so-called "slums". Everything here seems so unbearable, with polluted air, piles of garbage, flying mosquitoes, and almost non-existent security. Violence and crime are commonplace here. Despite this, people still prefer to live here rather than set foot in the wild, which is full of dangers. The wild is a world that even the awakened dare not easily set foot in. Animals mutate, unknown creatures run rampant, and every time you go out, it may become the last adventure of your life.

They walked on the bumpy stone road towards Building 64 in the west of the city. It was an old H-shaped building, old and dilapidated, but in this era, it still provided the most basic shelter and was a safe haven for countless people at the bottom of society. In such an environment, a place that could shelter from the wind and rain was enough to be the warmth in their hearts.

"Brother, let's buy some meat today." Before going upstairs, Liu Yier made a request with expectation. Jiang Sheng understood that this was his brother's simple yearning for a better life. He had not tasted meat for a long time. Considering the unexpected harvest today, he readily agreed to Liu Yier's proposal. This generosity made Liu Yier excited as if he had discovered a new world. He ran to the market in the south with joy. That simple happiness was more precious than any medium-grade spiritual stone. In such a world, happiness is sometimes so simple. A meal of meat and a little satisfaction are enough to support them to move forward.

People who have not lived in this era cannot understand the significance of awakening for an ordinary person. It can be said that it is an overnight achievement to become the privileged class of this society and have far more social resources than ordinary people.

Moreover, the abilities possessed by the awakened ones also ensure that they have more self-protection capabilities than ordinary people when encountering danger.

It can be said that the awakened are the true aristocrats of the post-civilization era!
Jiang Sheng looked at Liu Yier's bright smile when he heard about eating meat, and he felt mixed emotions. He was pleased with this simple happiness, but also felt a little bitter. Since graduating from high school, in order to save enough money to leave this crisis-ridden slum as soon as possible, their family had lived an extremely tight life, and they wanted to spend every penny. On the dining table, those chickens, ducks, fish, meat and eggs that were once commonplace have now become a luxury. Seeing Liu Yier so happy because of a meat meal, Jiang Sheng couldn't help but feel distressed. Life was so harsh for them.

They came to the pork shop on the south side of the building. There were huge wild boar chops hanging in front of the shop. The aroma of the meat was so tempting, but the high price made it hard to find customers. The wild boar meat was sold at five yuan per catty, several times the price of ordinary pork. For many people, even eating it once every three to five days was a luxury.

"Boss Luo, two pounds of tenderloin, still the same price?" Jiang Sheng asked, paying attention to the butcher's reaction. Boss Luo, known as "Pork Luo", rubbed the meat cleaver on the sharpening stick skillfully, with a smile on his face, "Yes, still 4.6 yuan per pound, how about 10 yuan for you, little brother?"

"Okay!" Jiang Sheng agreed with a smile, and at the same time reminded him half-jokingly: "Don't forget to weigh it. I heard that 502 glue is particularly strong when it comes to sticking things together."

Upon hearing this, Boss Luo immediately put on an innocent look and assured him solemnly, "We are neighbors, how could I, Luo Sanjin, cheat on you?"

Liu Yier, however, refused to buy the story and angrily said, "Last month, my sister came to buy meat and it was clearly two taels short. You are so shameless to say that you are a 'neighbor'!"

Boss Luo smiled awkwardly and did not make any excuses. He knew that the debts of the past could not deny what happened today. He simply stopped talking and wielded the meat cleaver to skillfully cut the required pieces of meat.

After weighing and packing, Boss Luo handed a bag of meat to Jiang Sheng and said, "It's exactly ten dollars and fifty cents. Forget the change. Come back next time."

Jiang Sheng did not take it immediately, but took out a mini electronic scale from his pocket, which was a precision tool usually used to weigh spirit stones. He hung the meat bag on the scale, which showed 1090 grams. At the price of yuan per catty, it was indeed yuan. How could a shrewd businessman like Boss Luo give half a cent more meat for no reason?

"Look, it's not too little, right? I, Luo Sanjin, am a trustworthy businessman..." Boss Luo was still boasting, but Jiang Sheng was too lazy to deal with him anymore. He paid the money and asked Liu Yier to take the meat home first. In this world full of calculations and survival pressure, every bit of profit must be fought for by oneself, even the small matter of buying meat is no exception. And they just move forward step by step in the trivialities and difficulties of life, looking for their own little happiness.

Their home is located on the third floor of this old residential building. It is a space of less than 60 square meters, with a compact and warm layout of one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen and one bathroom. This property is a precious legacy left by Jiang Sheng's parents. Although it is not large in area, it carries countless warm memories. Whenever you open the door, a fresh air will gently blow the wind chimes hanging behind the door. The pleasant melody of "ding ding dong dong" is like a greeting from afar, which makes people feel peaceful.

Almost at the moment the door opened, a silver bell-like laughter rushed out from the depths of the room along with a small figure. "Brother is back..." The voice was as clear as the singing of an oriole, full of joy and expectation. Although Jiang Sheng was exhausted, he couldn't help but smile gently when he heard this familiar voice. He opened his arms to welcome the small figure running towards him, picked her up easily, carried her steadily on his shoulders, and teased, "Our little princess, do you miss your brother when you are alone at home?" His words were full of pampering.

The girl carried on Jiang Sheng's shoulders was a little girl as delicate as porcelain - Huangpu Junxiao. She had big black and shiny eyes, a straight nose, skin as white as snow, and a cherry mouth that made her look cute. Her name, Huangpu Junxiao, sounded both historical and girlish, a contradiction, just like her extraordinary life experience.

Xiaoxiao, this name is the name of a baby girl that Jiang Sheng and Liu Yier found by chance beside a garbage dump. There was no clue except a jade pendant with the words "Huangpu" on it. So, the two teenagers took this little life and depended on each other in the difficult environment of the slums and grew up together.

Now, Huangpu Junxiao sat on Jiang Sheng's shoulders, hugged his neck tightly with both hands, and said with an innocent smile: "Xiaoxiao is not afraid! Brother, I have learned to recite Wang Wei's "Taoyuan Xing", do you want to listen to me recite it?" His tone was full of pride and expectation.

Jiang Sheng felt warm in his heart, and he carried Xiaoxiao into the living room with a happy smile on his face. To Jiang Sheng, Xiaoxiao was the source of happiness in their simple home, and her cleverness could always dispel all fatigue. In this small space, her laughter was the most beautiful movement.

"Fishermen's boats follow the water and love the spring in the mountains. Peach blossoms on both sides of the river flank the ancient ferry. Sitting and watching the mangroves, I don't know how far away I am. When I walk along the green stream, I suddenly meet someone..." As Jiang Sheng put Xiaoxiao on the sofa, she began to recite with her head shaking. Her innocent voice and ups and downs gave this ancient poem a unique charm.

Jiang Sheng looked at the little elf in front of him with tender eyes, and gently stroked her hair with his fingers, his eyes full of doting and promise. He knew that his power might be limited, but he was willing to give his all to support Xiaoxiao. In this troubled world, he wanted to build a paradise for her, so that all the wind and rain could not touch her pure heart.

After Huangpu Junxiao finished her recitation, Jiang Sheng applauded warmly, his eyes full of pride: "That's great, Xiaoxiao is such a smart child!" This is not only a compliment, but also an expectation for the future. He hopes that Xiaoxiao can grow up healthily and carefree under their care, just like the people in the Peach Blossom Spring in the poem, and live forever in purity and beauty.

Huang Pujun's smile was like a flower blooming in spring, and his eyelashes were like butterfly wings, fluttering with endless joy and agility. Liu Yier in the kitchen, with a sly smile, like a magician about to reveal the secret of a magic trick, poked his head out, and said with a bit of pampering in his voice: "Smart, cute and charming Xiaoxiao, guess what treasure I have hidden here?" His right hand slowly stretched out from behind his back like a magic trick, and the mystery filled the air with anticipation.

Huang Pujun smiled. This little elf who usually loves to act like a spoiled child was immersed in her own little world one second ago. The next second, she was like a cat attracted by dried fish, instantly arousing all her curiosity and excitement. With a "swoosh", she jumped up from the sofa and ran straight to the kitchen like a gust of cheerful wind. Her cheer of "Wow, there is meat to eat today..." was full of childish innocence and satisfaction.

There were two dishes and one soup on the table, each of which was homely yet exquisite. The braised pork was attractive in color, fat but not greasy, and each piece was shining with an attractive luster; the stir-fried wild celery was fresh and refreshing, as if the freshness of the forest was brought directly into this small kitchen; the shepherd's purse and bird egg soup was extremely delicious, and every bite was memorable. Liu Yier ate with his mouth full of oil, looking particularly satisfied, and Huang Pujun smiled without caring about his image, his two charming big eyes narrowed into a slit because of enjoying the food, which was the most direct expression of happiness.

The time after dinner is always lazy and comfortable. Huang Pujun smiled contentedly, patting her round belly and letting out a long sigh, her voice full of love for life and nostalgia for food. She leaned on the back of the chair and said to Jiang Sheng coquettishly, "It would be great if I could eat such delicious meat every day!" Her words were filled with childlike innocence and desire.

Jiang Sheng scratched her nose gently, his eyes full of pampering: "Little greedy cat, if you really eat meat every day, you will turn into a pig!" Hidden in this joke is his endless love for Xiaoxiao.

After washing up, Liu Yier looked even more fresh and handsome. Hearing this, he couldn't help laughing: "It's good to feed him fat. Then my brother and I will have meat to eat." Although his words were just a joke, his brotherly care was evident.

After hearing this, Huangpu Junxiao immediately turned around and made a face at Liu Yier, wrinkling her pink nose slightly, and snorted, "You guys wouldn't be willing to eat Xiaoxiao!" This confidence and determination made Jiang Sheng and Liu Yier couldn't help laughing. The laughter echoed in the air, warm and joyful.

Jiang Sheng originally planned to tutor Xiao Xiao, but the strange scene he encountered on the train came to his mind, and he was filled with curiosity and a desire to explore. So he decided to temporarily hand over the teaching task to Liu Yi Er, and he couldn't wait to go to the room to uncover a corner of the mystery.

After closing the door and sitting on the bed, Jiang Sheng's heartbeat seemed to be a little faster than usual. He recalled the incredible scene and looked at his right hand as if he was talking to an invisible friend: "Hey, are you still there?" There was silence in the air, without a single response.

"Come out quickly?" Jiang Sheng's voice was a little anxious, but the only response he got was silence.

"Hey, are you going to come out or not?" He tried again, but still got a long, disturbing silence. This wait seemed like time was stretched out, making people both expectant and nervous, not knowing what would happen next. And hidden in this silence, perhaps, was an unknown secret waiting to be revealed. Jiang Sheng looked at his right hand, with an indescribable anger surging in his heart. He almost growled with gritted teeth, his face full of disappointment that could not be concealed. This emotional fluctuation was like the last leaf blown down by the cold winter wind, helpless and desolate.

The sudden ecstasy of the 50 million jackpot on the train was like a summer bubble, quickly bursting, replaced by a pain of being hit hard by reality. The huge sum of money that once made his heart surge was like an invisible sharp knife, piercing his heart, making him almost scream to release the depression and unwillingness in his heart. "What a bullshit fusion program, it's all a scam..." He was interrupted before he finished his words, and the familiar star map came into view again, like the brightest star in the night sky, mysterious and unpredictable.

【Name:【Jiang Sheng】

【Wealth: 【10219.28 Huaxia Currency】

Strength: 100kg

[Spirit Stone: [0]

【Talent:【None】

[Equipment: [None]

[Enhancement Attributes]

【Fusion Talent】

[Main Quest: When you feel poor, ugly, and worthless, please remember that at least your self-perception is accurate. Therefore, fusion evolution is your only way out. Time: unlimited. Reward: none.]

[Side Quest 1: The real challenge lies in the heart. Kill 10 bloodthirsty silver wolves to prove your courage and strength. Time limit: one week. Reward: unknown.]

[Side Quest 2: Life is not limited to the immediate, there are also poems and fields in the distance. Complete a 10-kilometer load-bearing cross-country run to grow your mind and body together. Time: 24 hours. Reward: The heavier the load, the more you gain.]

Faced with this series of messages, Jiang Sheng was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly burst into a slightly nervous laugh. "So I was going to call your name, why didn't you say it earlier?" His tone was a bit self-deprecating and a bit relieved.

After a brief moment of excitement, Jiang Sheng began to seriously study this so-called "fusion program". He ignored the basic attributes and focused on [Enhanced Attributes] and [Fusion Talents]. Driven by curiosity, he tried to click [Enhanced Attributes] in his mind.

Then, a virtual option box appeared in front of him: [Please select the enhancement category, the current available category is: (Strength)]

At this moment, Jiang Sheng felt his heartbeat speed up, and his hands involuntarily clenched the bed sheet, like a girl facing an unknown world for the first time, so nervous that even breathing became cautious. He seemed to be able to hear the beating of his own pulse, which was synchronized with the passage of time.

Deep down in his heart, he chose [Strength].

Then, a question appeared in his mind: [Are you willing to consume 1000 points of wealth in exchange for a 10-point increase in strength? Yes/No]

"10 points of strength, is it equivalent to an increase of 10 kilograms of strength?" Jiang Sheng thought to himself, and at the same time he was a little hesitant. 1000 yuan is not a small amount of money. It is enough to buy a nice bathroom decoration in an ordinary community, and even with a little more money, you can own a small car. Now, he has to use it to make an unknown attempt, which makes him feel distressed and hesitant.

He knew that the use of this money might affect his future life. But he thought that if this so-called "fusion program" was really effective, then this sacrifice might bring unexpected rewards. In weighing the pros and cons, Jiang Sheng seemed to have a fierce debate in his heart, and every thought was pulling, trying to convince the other side.

Finally, his adventurous nature prevailed. He thought to himself, since fate has led him here, why not give it a try? Maybe this is the beginning of a turning point in his life? So he took a deep breath, as if he had made the most important decision in his life, and firmly chose "yes" in his heart.

As the choice was confirmed, a subtle energy wave seemed to surge in his body, and an unprecedented sense of power gradually filled his body. Although there was no obvious change on the outside, Jiang Sheng could feel that his body seemed different from before, and that an indescribable power was quietly awakening.

This choice is undoubtedly a gamble, but Jiang Sheng believes that no matter whether he wins or loses, at least he has taken the first step to explore the unknown. And this step may lead him to a whole new world, a world full of infinite possibilities.

However, Jiang Sheng soon began to lean towards the risk-taking side. He figured out that although 1000 yuan was not a small amount for him now, if it could really increase his strength, it would be a revolutionary change and perhaps a key step in his life's comeback! With such determination, he resolutely chose [Yes].

Instantly, a burning sensation that seemed to come from the depths of his soul surged out of his body, as if a small volcano had ignited in his body, extremely hot, and sweat kept rolling down his forehead like beads from a broken string, as if he had just experienced an extreme marathon. Jiang Sheng gasped for breath, and every breath seemed to be absorbing the energy of life. But this unbearable discomfort did not last too long, just like a summer rainstorm, it came quickly and went away quickly.

When the inexplicable heat gradually dissipated, Jiang Sheng felt unprecedented ease and comfort, as if his entire body had been reforged. He stood up and stretched, feeling an unprecedented sense of strength filling his body. He even had the illusion that he was strong enough to knock down a sturdy bull with one punch. The numbers on the panel confirmed his feeling - [Strength] had jumped from [100KG] to [110KG]. At the same time, [Wealth] also decreased by 1000 yuan to [9219.28 Chinese Yuan].

Realizing that all this was not an illusion, Jiang Sheng waved his right hand excitedly in the air, and the joy in his heart almost overflowed from his chest. From the moment his parents passed away, his life was like walking on thin ice, and he had to be cautious with every step. This world is full of dangers, not only threats from alien races, but also intrigues among his own kind. If he had not always been vigilant, he would have been captured by those inhumane human traffickers in the quagmire of the slums and become a slave in the black mines until the end of his life. Now, he seems to have been reborn, no longer needing to rely on anyone, he can stand up straight, live upright under this sky, with Liu Yier and Xiaoxiao.

Having been at the bottom of society for a long time, Jiang Sheng's understanding of the concept of "awakener" is extremely limited. He has not yet realized what is special about his awakened abilities, but is simply excited about the increase in his own strength.

He took a deep breath, tried to calm down his excitement, took off his shirt, and carefully examined his arms. The muscle lines were smooth and powerful, and the veins were bulging. From the lateral flexor muscles of the wrist to the deltoid muscles of the shoulders, every inch revealed the beauty of tenacity and strength. For him, this 10 kg increase was no less than the extra 1 kg gained by a weightlifter after breaking through the limit. It was of great significance.

Although he was filled with the urge to continue strengthening, Jiang Sheng maintained his rare rationality and turned his attention to the [Fusion Talent] on the panel. He tapped the option in his mind and a new prompt popped up: [Please select the fusion object (none)]. Due to the lack of detailed operation instructions, he did not understand what the "fusion object" meant for a while, so he had to suppress his curiosity for the time being and decided to put this question aside for the time being.

Jiang Sheng understands that everything has just begun, and he is facing an unknown world full of opportunities. He needs time to explore, understand, and master this newly awakened power and everything hidden behind it. The road ahead may still be full of thorns, but as long as he has strength and a goal, he believes that he, Liu Yier, and Xiaoxiao will be able to find a path of their own.

Back to the main panel, Jiang Sheng's eyes swept through the tempting and challenging tasks one by one. The main task was obviously not within his reach at the moment, so he skipped it. His eyes fell on the first side task - "If you are a man, come and challenge, kill 10 'bloodthirsty silver wolves'". Speaking of bloodthirsty silver wolves, Jiang Sheng's mind emerged with the "Chinese rural dog" that was once a loyal partner but now mutated into a ferocious beast. After the change of heaven and earth, these once docile creatures have undergone amazing changes. Their bodies have expanded to the size of calves, they are agile, their temperaments have become extremely brutal, and they have launched a ruthless attack on humans. The chapters of history record that in the initial stage of the upheaval of heaven and earth, many people were killed by these bloodthirsty silver wolves without any preparation.

Seeing this task, Jiang Sheng rolled his eyes unconsciously, feeling helpless. Let alone 10, even if there was only one, it would be difficult for him to protect himself without firearms, let alone hunt it. As for firearms, they were scarce resources, and for ordinary people, they were simply out of reach. So, this side quest could only be passed with regret. Jiang Sheng considered himself a responsible man, but he was definitely not a blindly impulsive fool. He would never do anything that would joke with his life.

(End of this chapter)