The System's New Year Gift

"We are all a family. Nana will become the Pope in the future."

"Your young master, as Nana's husband, how can he be treated lightly, any less than this?"

Bibi Dong pretended to sigh and looked at Chen Jian and the others.

But latter looked uninterested, waved his hand, and said with a sneer: "The Pope really wears me out, you, being the Pope, hold great power over Spirit Hall."

"And us, we're just old folks who've already stepped into retirement."

"Having lost the passion of our youth, we just want to stay in East Sea City, watching our young master settle down and establish himself."

"And we, too, wish to enjoy our twilight years."

"Do you think the same, Thirteen?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, her eyes scrutinizing Thirteen:

"For Zhou Long and Chen Jian, it's feasible to enjoy retirement, but you, at your young age, surely you're not already thinking of withdrawing?"

"Exactly." Thirteen responded calmly, without a ripple of emotion.

His respect for Bibi Dong stemmed solely from Ye Tian.

A formal brush-off was enough to make Bibi Dong back off.

Bibi Dong, not one to push too hard, sensed the refusal in his tone.

She didn't press further but turned to Ye Tian.

"Prepare well today, tomorrow we'll head to Spirit Hall City."

"Okay." Ye Tian nodded in agreement.

After Bibi Dong left.

Watching her departing figure, Chen Jian approached Ye Tian, whispering with a smile:

"It seems the Pope of Spirit Hall is just so-so after all, trying to recruit talent even from us."

A slight smile also appeared on Thirteen's face: "It's not that Spirit Hall is too weak, it's that our young master is too strong."

"Walls have ears, speak less." Zhou Long cautioned.

Then, bowing to Ye Tian, he said: "Young master, for our trip to Spirit Hall City, perhaps the Polaris Team should accompany you. Without me by your side, they could at least ensure some level of safety for you."

"No need, let them stay by the East Sea."

Ye Tian shook his head.

"There are many experts in Spirit Hall City, not comparable to this remote place by the East Sea."

"For the Polaris Team to accompany me would increase the risk of exposure."

Even the best-trained special forces can't achieve complete concealment.

In a place like East Sea City, where the land is vast and people are sparse, they can well hide in the surroundings.

But Spirit Hall City is different.

The population density is too high.

The risk of exposure sharply increases.

The special forces, for now, are an unknown ace up his sleeve.

Quality steel must be used on the blade's edge.

"Actually, Zhou, you don't need to worry so much about my safety."

"Rest assured, I take my safety very seriously and won't do anything foolish."

With that said, Zhou Long had no choice but to bow again: "I understand."

...

The next day, the New Year of Douluo.

"Host, the New Year's gift package has been delivered to your storage space. Please check."

"Goodbye."

In the early morning, amidst his grogginess, Ye Tian heard the system's voice.

It must be said, his Endurance System was indeed quite enduring.

Throughout the years in Douluo, it only popped up during holidays to deliver a gift package.

Normally, it wouldn't even respond.

Looking out the window, it was barely dawn.

But Ye Tian decided not to go back to sleep.

He wanted to see what the system had sent this time.

Just as he was about to get out of bed.

He noticed Hu Liena's soft hand was tightly wrapped around his neck.

Ye Tian leaned in close and whispered, "Little fox, the sun's out, time to get up."

There was no response, she must be sleeping soundly.

"If you don't get up now, there'll be no breakfast."

"Hm? Is it time for breakfast?"

Hu Liena reflexively opened her eyes.

Her hand unwound from Ye Tian's neck.

"No."

Ye Tian sat up, covering Hu Liena with the blanket.

"You tricked me?"

"No, you were dreaming."

"Hm."

Hu Liena, not one to wake up late, instinctively reached for the bedroom's crystal lamp switch.

Putting on a thick, fluffy robe, she got out of bed and joined Ye Tian by the window, washing up together.

After washing up.

Ye Tian, holding his storage ring, moved to the tea table by the window.

He could clearly sense something inside emitting a bright light.

Using his soul power, he retrieved the bright object from the ring.

The light vanished.

Two ancient, yellow sheepskin papers appeared before him.

"These aren't modern items." Seeing them, Ye Tian felt a surge of excitement.

Before, the system had mostly gifted books like "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," "High School Chemistry Complete," "Das Kapital," which could only light up the dawn of technology on Douluo Continent.

But technology wasn't the mainland's mainstream, not something that could be readily accepted at the moment.

So, Ye Tian's workshop could only exist in secret, hidden deep in the mountains for research and self

-amusement.

To the entire continent, it offered no practical help.

Ye Tian carefully examined the ancient sheepskin papers, recognizing only a few, simple characters.

The text seemed to mention something about 'crystal.'

Below, on the sheepskin paper, were several diagrams.

"Could this be a treasure map?"

"But not knowing the words makes it difficult."

"Brother, you're up early studying."

Hu Liena, having finished washing up, approached, wrapping her arms around Ye Tian's shoulders.

"Nana, do you understand ancient text?" Ye Tian turned to ask.

At this, Hu Liena giggled, pointing with her index finger:

"You've come to the right person. As a direct disciple of the Pope, to facilitate the study of ancient cultivation methods, I'm familiar with four ancient text systems!"

"Nana, you really are talented."

Ye Tian absently complimented her, handing the sheepskin papers to Hu Liena.

"Take a look, what does this say?"

"Okay."

Taking the sheepskin papers, Hu Liena eagerly began to read.

Soon, she exclaimed: "This is actually a method for making soul-guiding devices!"

"The inheritance of soul-guiding devices was thought to be lost on the continent, how do you have this?"

While speaking, Hu Liena continued to read.

Shortly after.

Disappointment filled her eyes.

"It seems to be a method for making and displaying a soul-guiding device for recording images."

"I thought it would be about soul-guiding weapons."

"Recording images?" Ye Tian's eyebrows relaxed: "Isn't this just a camera?"

He chuckled: "This is great, it can add so much color to a boring life."

"Perhaps, in the near future, the form of entertainment that is movies will become a standard on Douluo Continent."

"I don't understand." Hu Liena pouted, shaking her head, holding up the sheepskin paper: "Since brother is so interested, why don't I transcribe it for you?"

With that, Hu Liena pulled over a small purple sandalwood chair and sat down.

She took a few sheets of paper from the tea table drawer and began to translate the ancient text for Ye Tian.

During this time, Ye Tian went to the farm kitchen to bring back breakfast for the two of them.

"It smells so good, there's little yellow fish, my favorite." Hu Liena sniffed happily.

Truth be told, she was somewhat tempted to stay by the East Sea forever.

Because every day, she could eat delicious food.

While in Spirit Hall City, daily ingredients focused on maximizing nutritional supplements.

Taste was secondary.

"Your nose never fails."

Ye Tian opened the food container, revealing a variety of exquisite seafood, at least a dozen types.