After buying the stocks, Ren Zhong immediately pushed ahead with the next step and headed straight to the town’s north gate near the town wall.
At this moment, a young boy and his mother were having dinner in their room.
Just as Ren Zhong reached the doorway, he heard the old lady’s complaints coming from inside.
After waiting a few seconds, the wooden door opened, and the young boy poked his head out, looking bewildered.
Ren Zhong pretended to be surprised, "Hey, I’ve seen you before. What a coincidence."
The boy nervously rubbed his hands, "Sir, what brings you here to see me?"
Ren Zhong pointed at the transport truck unloading at the supply cooperative beside them and said, "I’m planning to build a house here. But I’m quite busy and have no time to do it myself. How about you build it for me, and I’ll pay you 3 Contribution Points once it’s done? How about it?"
The boy was dumbfounded on the spot.
The follow-up story unfolded similarly, but this time Ren Zhong asked an additional question before leaving.
"By the way, you seem to lack money. What are you saving it for? Mind sharing?"
The boy glanced nervously at the door behind him and lowered his voice, "Mr. Ren, I want to buy a secondhand rapid-fire machine gun. I asked around, and it only costs 10 points, but I’m still short by 3 Contribution Points. I thought it would take a long time to save up, but you’ve really helped me a great deal, Mr. Ren."
Ren Zhong acted as if he had a sudden realization, "I see. Well then, no need to run around. I’ll handle the gun purchase for you next time, and I’ll only charge you 10 points for it. I’ll get you one that’s almost new, deal?"
"This..." The boy quickly shook his head, "How can that be? A gun that’s almost new would at least sell for fifteen points. You’ve already given me a generous payment. I can’t take advantage of you."
Ren Zhong laughed heartily, patting the boy on the shoulder, "Listen to you. As long as you get the house done, I’m happy. What’s wrong with giving you a lift? Keep it up! Work hard! If you try your best, I’ll take you along in the future!"
The boy was stunned for a long time.
His intuition told him that this man’s kindness came too abruptly, like a scheme.
But then he couldn’t figure out what the man could possibly gain from him.
This gentleman was offering 15 times the normal rate! He was definitely not strapped for cash!
Anything else? But aren’t I penniless?
"Mr. Ren, are you being serious?"
Ren Zhong asked in return, "What could I possibly deceive you for?"
The boy scratched his head sheepishly, "I guess you’re right."
"But don’t let your guard down against everyone just because I’m a good person. For many in this town, 10 Contribution Points is a fortune. You need to be careful and protect yourself."
The boy instinctively felt that Ren Zhong’s words were somewhat contradictory, but he still nodded earnestly, "Alright, I’ll remember."
After a while, Ren Zhong walked away with a contented heart.
This boy had long passed his test completely.
Ren Zhong currently didn’t have the power to save everyone, so he started with the people around him.
Immediately after, Ren Zhong headed straight to the Military Weapon Store without stopping.
A set of Training Armor, a battery, and a Magnetic Storm Dust Hand Grenade, totaling 72 points.
While shopping, he didn’t encounter Ju Qingmeng; only an ordinary clerk assisted him.
This was the normal situation.
Ju Qingmeng was the head of the Military Weapon Store, not just an ordinary employee anyone could summon at will.
After purchasing what he needed, Ren Zhong thought for a moment but didn’t rush off. Instead, he said to the clerk, "By the way, I also want to test my Mechanical Warrior aptitude."
The clerk glanced up at Ren Zhong, "That requires precision instruments, and I don’t have the authority. The manager has to do it."
The clerk glanced at the tightly shut manager’s office door beside the counter, "Sorry, our manager is in a bad mood today, try your luck on another day."
Ren Zhong promptly increased the offer, "I’ll give you a 1-point pre-tax tip."
"Right this way, sir!"
The cold-faced powerful woman, Ju Qingmeng, stared expressionlessly at the display on the machine cabinet, pursing her lips, "Initial Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate of 10%, a waste."
Ren Zhong: "Uh, this..."
Last time you didn’t say that!
Ren Zhong clearly remembered during the last test of the initial synchronization rate, with the same figure, she had complimented him with a smile, "10%, not bad, just makes the mark."
Last time it was "not bad," this time it’s "a waste"!
The difference was that he wasn’t wearing the Pu Cha officer’s disguise, nor was he being personally escorted by Mayor Ma Dafu.
The treatment differed greatly.
The world is so real.
Seeing Ren Zhong’s face full of disbelief and unable to accept it, Ju Qingmeng impatiently waved her hand, "Enough with ’this’ and ’that’. Did you think the test would show 19.9%? You’re dreaming, right? An initial synchronization rate of just 10% means you’re practically impossible to become a Third Level or above Mechanical Warrior. I say you’re a waste, and you’re still not convinced?"
Ren Zhong was being heavily criticized by her, but in his mind, he couldn’t help but recall the image of her in sheer nightwear, shy and timid that night...
"Well, here’s the thing. Before this afternoon, I was a terminally ill patient on the brink of death. I was only just cured by Dr. Sun Miao. At the moment, my body is still weak, but I’m recovering quickly."
Ju Qingmeng scanned him from head to toe, "You do look quite pale. Alright, come back for a retest when you’ve recovered a bit. I suggest you only strengthen your body before then and don’t use the Training Armor, otherwise, the data won’t be accurate. I saw a similar case last year, a person..."
Poor Wen Lei got mentioned again.
At this moment, Ju Qingmeng glanced at the display on the machine cabinet again and exclaimed.
"Huh! It’s 11% now? Were there data issues earlier? Stay still while I retest."
Half an hour later, Ju Qingmeng stared at the 12.3% Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate on the screen, speechless for a long time.
She had never encountered someone who could see their initial value increase during the test, completely ignoring conventional logic.
"Mr. Ren, your condition is quite unusual."
Her attitude shifted slightly, now including the title.
Seeing that was enough, Ren Zhong said, "I mentioned that I was recovering from a terminal illness."
Ju Qingmeng turned her head back, shot a look at the assistant helping beside them, "You, go out."
The assistant quietly slipped out, even closing the door behind.
Ju Qingmeng: "So, I’ll add another set of tests for you."
"A few other items. No charge."
"Alright, thank you."
A few minutes later, Ren Zhong and Ju Qingmeng together stared at the four numbers on the screen.
Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate at 12.5%, up by 0.2% again.
Biological Electric Power carrying capacity at 1.03 kilowatts.
Brain Reaction Index at 52.9.
Physical Comprehensive Index at 5.07.
Everything else was okay, but the Brain Reaction Index was extraordinarily high.
"Mr. Ren, who exactly are you? Your Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate is odd, and no one recovers as quickly as you. Your Brain Reaction Index is far from a normal person’s level! What’s your relationship with Sun Miao?"
Ju Qingmeng eyed Ren Zhong cautiously.
Ren Zhong sighed, "You know Dr. Sun’s specific situation, don’t you, Manager Ju?"
Ju Qingmeng nodded, "Of course. Someone like him must submit a full file when settling in town."
Ren Zhong nodded, "I was in a similar situation, we were colleagues doing research together."
"I see. But as far as I know, the Mengdu Group hasn’t developed a potion that can permanently increase the Brain Reaction Index. Your situation..."
"It’s natural for me."
"What! That’s impossible!"
"But you’ve seen the facts, haven’t you? Why would I lie to you?"
"You should be in a highly prized position with such talent. Why are you here in Starfire Town?"
Ren Zhong sighed, "I offended people, lost my citizenship and researcher’s status, and was exiled. Now, I’m just a destitute wanderer. I had to leave home and come to Starfire Town. I want to settle down and start anew here. It’s just a pity I’m not trained in medicine and can’t be a doctor like Sun Miao. My specialized skills are useless in this town, but I have to find a way to survive, so I have to transition into a combat profession."
Ju Qingmeng was silent for a long while and then said slowly, "At least I’m still a Second Level Citizen. You have it worse than I do, but you’re stronger."
Ren Zhong smiled, "What does that matter? Look at all the wanderers working hard to live. Since I’m alive, it’s not yet time to give up on life. What’s the saying, the sky never seals off all paths?"
"Yes. Mr. Ren, I suspect your initial synchronization rate is over 15%. You have a chance to become a Level Five Professional. You also have an exceptional brain reaction talent, believe in yourself, you can do it. True talent won’t be easily buried."
"Yes! Thank you for your encouragement, and good luck to you too!"
About half an hour later, Ren Zhong left, riding on a single-soldier wheeled motorcycle just recovered from the Military Weapon Store, worth 20 Contribution Points, equipped with a first-level Alloy Battle Blade and wearing a complete set of Balanced Basic Exoskeleton with amplifiers added.
Currently, his carrying power was too low, entirely unable to handle a first-level exoskeleton.
To forcefully wear it, he could only use amplifiers.
The amplifiers were personally installed by Ju Qingmeng, with parts sourced from the storeroom’s corner ready to expire, only charging him 10 Contribution Points in scrap cost.
The original price of a single-soldier motorcycle was 40 Contribution Points, but it cost Ren Zhong only 20 points after swapping for a secondhand version. Lucky find, as he missed out last time when someone else bought it early.
As for other combat equipment, it was all brand new, including the exoskeleton, batteries, and weapons, totaling 180 points.
Ju Qingmeng even made the call to refund the now-useless Training Armor at full price.
After this mad shopping spree, Ren Zhong only had 7.36 Contribution Points left, feeling like a cold breeze was blowing into his pants.
When Zheng Tian arrived at the town hall entrance, Ren Zhong was leaning against the motorcycle, devouring Nutritional Ointment in big gulps.
Brother Sun was generous, giving him three bottles, so no need to skimp.
Since he now had the equipment, Ren Zhong planned to start working overtime tonight, as the saying goes, troops move before the provisions.
Turbocharged boost, start.
Zheng Tian was surprised to see Ren Zhong fully armed.
Ren Zhong smiled, "I’ll be settling down in Starfire Town from now on, let’s look out for each other."