Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 160 finally features an "equipment slot"!
The next morning, Zhai Da arrived at the workshop early, but did not see Xu Xuejun.

However, this didn't affect anything. He took out a "master key" from his pocket. This uniquely shaped key was very thin and could fit into most mechanical locks.

Once inside, I didn't feel any pressure on my hands, but after trying two or three times, I managed to open the not-so-high-end roller shutter door smoothly.

He actually had the key to this place; Xu Xuejun had given it to him long ago.

Just for fun.

Looking into the inner room, Zhai Da saw that Xu Xuejun was indeed not there, so he prepared to go about his own business. He was leaving the day after tomorrow, and Yu Xiaoli and Lu Wei at home were already packing their luggage.

He plans to do something of his own.

The initial idea is:
A toy gun that can fire metal playing cards at high intensity (the more toy-like the better, he doesn't want to get into trouble).

A set of close-fitting, belted vests that can be hidden under clothing, specially designed to conceal various small items and also to store equipment (note: there are already simple devices on the arms for storing and hiding the [Young Straight Stick] during class, which inspired this).

Finally, there are a few special coins that have been tampered with; metalworking is his specialty, and they're sure to be quite interesting.

He still enjoys incorporating little magic tricks into his life, finding it humorous, and he likes humor.

Playing pranks now and then is still one of his favorite things to do.

Of course, it's unlikely that everything can be completed in just a few days, and it will require continuous design and improvement. However, once we leave Dongyang County, the equipment may not be as complete.

Before long, Zhai Da had a seemingly genuine one-yuan coin in his hand, which he kept spinning between his fingers.

This single coin is enough to break down the defenses of those who don't believe in evil.

He can win every single person's shirt just by guessing heads or tails.

Just then, Xu Xuejun returned. Surprisingly, he didn't ride his electric tricycle today; instead, he took a taxi.

They were dressed much neater.

Zhai Da: "Where did you go? On a date?"

Xu Xuejun rolled his eyes: "Do you ever have a date in the morning?"

Zhai Da feigned surprise: "Wow, so you made plans from last night until this morning? The old man's got some stamina!"

Xu Xuejun didn't waste any words. He went back to the inner room, changed his clothes, and became that somewhat unkempt old man again.

Interestingly, Xu Xuejun himself never bothered to tidy up, but the workshop was always kept clean and tidy. Zhai Da privately guessed that it was for safety reasons, and it had become an instinct for the old man.

When Xu Xuejun passed by Zhai Da, he saw him making some nonsensical gadgets and said, "You know that counterfeiting currency is illegal, right?"

Zhai Da shook his head and said, "No, no, these are all genuine coins; they've just been modified."

"What is the use?"

"How about we make a bet? Guess heads or tails. If you win, I'll buy you a pack of cigarettes. If I win, you can smoke one less cigarette today."

Xu Xuejun's lower lip trembled: "Who wants to play this kind of game with you? You're just full of clever tricks."

He played a card guessing game with Zhai Da last month, and he lost similar bets more than ten times in a row. If he hadn't reneged on the debt at the end, he would have quit smoking.
He seemed to be just passing by, but after circling around, Xu Xuejun returned and stammered for a while before saying:

Suddenly, he asked, "Do you still have any of Master Yu's belongings in your family?"

Zhai Da was taken aback: "Of course there is, why?"

My grandfather simply didn't set up a mourning hall or hold a funeral; he didn't throw away everything. Many of the things in the storage room originally belonged to Yu Lihua.

With hope in his eyes, Xu Xuejun grabbed Zhai Da's hands: "Is there...is there a letter?"

Zhai Da shook his head: "No, I heard from my mother that my grandfather wrote many letters before he passed away, but he sent them all out after he died."

Xu Xuejun sighed deeply: "Sigh."

It turned out to be just his imagination in his dream.
But he desperately hoped it was true. He desperately hoped that his master had forgiven him before he passed away.
Xu Xuejun took out the component that Zhai Da had made yesterday and went back to testing it, while Zhai Da was also busy with his own things.

At noon, Zhai Da brought back a chicken hot pot, which he and Xu Xuejun ate together.

After finishing his meal and cleaning up the mess, Zhai Da turned around and saw Xu Xuejun holding a thick red notebook.

Xu Xuejun walked up to Zhai Da, his rough hands stroking the notebook, then turned his head to the side, but pushed the notebook forward: "Here, take this."

Zhai Da was stunned for a moment: "What do you mean?"

“Master Yu’s things should be returned to you. I have made copies of all four books. From now on, these are all yours.”

Zhai Da took the notebook in surprise. What was wrong with this old man? Why was he suddenly so understanding? Almost at the same time, the system also popped up a large number of prompts.

Although he was given (one) at this time, he actually acquired ownership of the remaining three books.

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained [Yu Lihua's Metalworking Notes (Part Two)]."

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained [Yu Lihua's Metalworking Notes (Part Three)]."

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained [Yu Lihua's Metalworking Notes (Part Four)]."

"Host has been detected to have acquired all components. Reassessment is in progress."

"Judgment result: Special effect 'Crippled Wisdom', the unsealing task 'Independently craft ten items' has been completed and synchronized to all components."

“‘Residual Wisdom’: When a person who has successfully triggered resonance engages in learning, labor, or work related to ‘manufacturing,’ there is a chance that a flash of inspiration will occur.”

"Judgment result: The exclusive effect 'Lixin' has been unlocked. The task 'Join the university that Yu Lihua once applied to but did not attend' has been completed, and the 'Lixin' effect has been unlocked."

"'Establishing the Mind': After thoroughly understanding all the contents of the notes, items that are meticulously crafted and imbued with 'thought' during the process have a tiny chance of becoming 'special items'."

"Please note that this effect is an 'exclusive effect,' which is only effective for the host and cannot affect others. The exclusive effect is bound to the equipment, and will become invalid if ownership is lost."

"The progress of the 'Exclusive Effect' reward was interrupted and is reloading. Loading complete."

Zhai Da's heart skipped a beat. That time, the only reward he hadn't seen in full was for discovering the 'exclusive effect'. It was said that he hadn't obtained full ownership, so the reward was only half given and then never heard back.

When the system uses this kind of wording, the reward given is usually related to the system's own functions.

So far, he has unlocked three functions, including "equipment list", "equipment location" and "effect switch". Although they do not directly provide any powerful equipment, they can all enhance his underlying application.

I wonder what it will be this time.
"Congratulations, host. You have discovered an exclusive effect equipment for the first time. You are now rewarded with 1 unlocked 'equipment slot'."

"Equipment slots rely on a special space within the system. They can be accessed and carried by collapsing reality. Ordinary items that are not equipment cannot be used. Each equipment slot can only hold one item. A complete set can be considered as one item. Physical contact is required to access the equipment."

"During the collapse process, 'strong observers' outside the host need to be excluded. If strong observers are present, the collapse may fail. Therefore, the probability of failure when accessing 'eye-catching' or 'overly large' equipment will be greatly increased."

"Note 1: Failed access will not have any negative effects or affect reality; it will just make you look stupid."

"Note 2: Similarly, successful access does not mean there are no future problems. The system will not eliminate other people's suspicions. Please use it at your own discretion to avoid causing a chain reaction."

"Please continue to collect and synthesize equipment to unlock more of the system's wonderful uses."

Zhai Da: Holy crap.

Such a wonderful thing exists? Collapsing reality to store and retrieve items? Isn't that similar to the feeling of "synthesis"?
He almost immediately wanted to try it out, and reached into his pocket.

Hold onto that [master key].

The next moment, the key disappeared from his pocket.
It wasn't the kind of magic that creates a visual illusion; it really disappeared into thin air.

The newly added and only "equipment slot" in the system is now filled with an icon belonging to a universal key.

With a thought, another key appeared in his hand.
The equipment in the "equipment slot" is also in a carried state, and all passive effects can be activated, which leads to many ingenious ideas.
This is truly wonderful!
Although access is not so "idealistic" and the existence of so-called "strong observers" needs to be excluded, this is no challenge for this "magician".

As a magician, it's reasonable for me to carry around some strange and unusual things, right?

For example, a century-old elm tree that is 20 meters tall and weighs 30 tons!

Unfortunately, there's only one "equipment slot," which can only hold one item. I don't have a complete set.

Even after obtaining the [Universal Key], the "Mystic Code" only has (4/6).

Zhai Da smiled broadly and said to Xu Xuejun, "What about that pocket watch? Can I have it now? My components should have reached the required precision by now, right?"

Xu Xuejun stared at Zhai Da for a while and said, "It should be given to you. I tried again last night, but I still couldn't fix it. Are you sure you want it? A broken pocket watch."

"Yes, of course."

Although he spoke casually, Zhai Da was a little worried. If the old man repaired it himself, wouldn't he make the "special item" less special?

Xu Xuejun hesitated for a moment: "You're leaving the day after tomorrow, right? Do you have anything to do tomorrow?"

Zhai Da nodded and said, "Yes, let's go sweep the tombs."

Xu Xuejun took a deep breath: "Tomorrow... I'll give it to you tomorrow. I'll try again tonight."

　It seems there won't be double rewards this month, so everyone should make sure their tickets don't expire!
　　Give them all to Xiao Xin~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)