Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Appointment Certificate
Gu Qing paced back and forth excitedly.
Tang Ruan watched her with an envious expression, but she didn’t say anything.
Only a hint of loneliness showed in her eyes.
Zhao Chi understood her look.
In life, things rarely go as planned.
The gap between a Hero and a commoner was hard to close.
No matter how hard Tang Ruan worked, she was still just a Female Militia.
Perhaps she could become a more powerful soldier in the future, but becoming a Hero was no easy feat.
Tang Ruan pulled her envious gaze back, suddenly noticing that Zhao Chi was looking at her.
Tang Ruan gave Zhao Chi an obedient smile.
Zhao Chi smiled back at her but said nothing.
He opened the System.
There were quite a few recently obtained items in his System Space.
The Silver Treasure Chest awarded for winning first place.
The Racial Improvement Book won from the bet with Cao Feng.
The Primordial Slime Race Bloodline obtained through great effort during the test.
And the Rejuvenation Spring Blueprint and its corresponding Improvement Book, exchanged for with Learning Points.
Plus, the Body Driving Skill Book from a previously opened Treasure Chest.
It was quite a haul.
Zhao Chi decided to go through them one by one.
First, he took out the heavy Silver Treasure Chest.
The Material of the Treasure Chest did indeed look like solid silver. It would probably be worth a lot of money if he sold it.
But Zhao Chi definitely wasn’t going to sell it.
Although opening a Treasure Chest involved an element of chance, if he got a good item, the rewards would be immense.
If he got a useless item, he would just have to chalk it up to bad luck.
But this was a chance Zhao Chi wanted to take himself.
He opened the Treasure Chest.
The moment the lid opened, a blinding light shot out.
It illuminated the entire area, making it as bright as if the sun had risen again.
Soon, the light dimmed.
The Treasure Chest gradually turned transparent.
What finally appeared in Zhao Chi’s hands was a piece of paper.
’Paper?’
[You have obtained an item]:
[Junior Heroic Appointment Certificate ×1]
(Junior Heroic Appointment Certificate: Can be used on any resident to promote the target to a Junior Hero.)
’What a great item!’
’As expected of a Silver Treasure Chest.’
Zhao Chi looked at Tang Ruan with delighted surprise.
’This way, Tang Ruan can be promoted to a Hero!’
He had just been lamenting the situation, and now this item had appeared right away.
This young lady, Tang Ruan, really had good fortune.
Although the item was quite valuable, Zhao Chi was more than willing to use it on Tang Ruan.
Tang Ruan’s Attributes were high, a full 26 points. Although not as high as Gu Qing’s, it was 2 points higher than the other villagers.
Besides, Tang Ruan had a great personality.
Obedient, hardworking, and a beautiful woman with a 7-point appearance rating—of course she was worthy of this Appointment Certificate.
Zhao Chi was overjoyed.
He patted Tang Ruan’s delicate shoulder with great satisfaction.
Gu Qing smiled. "My Lord, what amazing item did you get? You seem so happy!"
Tang Ruan also started smiling. "Yes, I’ve never seen the Lord so happy before."
Zhao Chi laughed heartily. "Haha, Tang Ruan, in a moment, you’ll be the one who’s happy!"
"Huh? Me?"
Tang Ruan looked at Zhao Chi, baffled, then glanced at Gu Qing.
Gu Qing just shook her head.
Zhao Chi took Tang Ruan’s small hand.
"Here, this is for you."
The Appointment Certificate wasn’t large; it was more like a card.
It fit perfectly in Tang Ruan’s palm.
Tang Ruan’s eyes went wide as she stared at the item in her hand in disbelief.
"My... My Lord, wh-what is this?"
Tang Ruan looked utterly confused; she didn’t recognize the item.
It was no wonder. The Heroic Appointment Certificate had no words on it, only some mysterious patterns.
Gu Qing leaned in closer. "Wow! Tang Ruan, that’s a Heroic Appointment Certificate! You can become a Hero! Hurry up and thank the Lord!"
Gu Qing’s voice was also filled with excitement. She was genuinely happy for Tang Ruan.
Tang Ruan looked up at Gu Qing in shock, then turned her gaze back to Zhao Chi.
Of course, she knew how precious this item was.
Zhao Chi smiled. "Just go ahead and use it."
"I... I, I can’t accept this..."
Tang Ruan actually pushed the Appointment Certificate back toward Zhao Chi with both hands.
"My Lord, I’m too weak right now. I’m not qualified to use this Appointment Certificate at all..."
Gu Qing smiled and said,
"You clearly want it more than anything, so why are you refusing?
"From now on, just use all your strength to complete the tasks the Lord gives you. Isn’t that enough?
"We’re just getting started, so of course our Abilities are insufficient, but we will all continue to improve.
"Besides, you have to protect the Lord, remember?"
After Gu Qing’s speech, Tang Ruan was at a loss for words.
Zhao Chi smiled. "What Gu Qing said is what I wanted to say. You can do it, Tang Ruan. Once you become stronger, you’ll be a great help to me too."
Zhao Chi took Tang Ruan’s hand again and placed the Appointment Certificate in it.
This time, Tang Ruan didn’t refuse.
However, her lips trembled, and she looked like she was about to cry.
"My Lord, I will definitely give it my all!!"
She spoke with absolute conviction.
She tried to hold it in, but in the next second, she threw herself forward with a "WAAAH."
She threw herself into Zhao Chi’s arms, sobbing.
[Your subordinate Tang Ruan’s Loyalty has increased to 6: Sincere.]
[Your subordinate Tang Ruan’s Loyalty has increased to 7: Devoted.]
(Devoted: Extremely satisfied with the current situation. You will often feel their gratitude. They will do their utmost to follow orders and complete tasks.)
[Tang Ruan’s "Affinity" has been unlocked. Current Level: "Pulse Pounding"]
(Pulse Pounding: Affinity Tier One. When you use Skills on her, their Effect increases by 20%.)
A series of system notifications popped up.
Tang Ruan’s Loyalty had jumped two levels in a row, surpassing Gu Qing’s 6 points to reach 7.
At the same time, Tang Ruan’s Affinity had also been unlocked.
From now on, using Skills on Tang Ruan would also provide an additional 20% Effect.
And Loyalty was useful, too.
Besides ensuring they wouldn’t betray him, it also meant they would work diligently and conscientiously to complete their tasks.
Tang Ruan would likely be even more motivated in the future.
Zhao Chi looked at Tang Ruan in his arms, unsure of what to do.
Gu Qing reached out her hands, wrapping one arm around empty air and gently patting the air in front of her with the other, then winked at Zhao Chi.
Zhao Chi nodded.
He gently wrapped an arm around Tang Ruan’s waist and tenderly patted her back.
Gu Qing gave a gentle nod of approval.
Tang Ruan’s emotional outburst quickly subsided.
"I’m sorry, my Lord. I was just too emotional."
Her eyes were red-rimmed.
Zhao Chi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "It’s all right, you don’t need to apologize. Go on, activate the Appointment Certificate."
"Okay!"
Tang Ruan activated it expectantly.
The Junior Heroic Appointment Certificate emitted a soft light.
The light was like a stream, slowly flowing into Tang Ruan’s body.
Tang Ruan’s entire body began to glow faintly, giving off an almost sacred aura.
[Your subordinate Tang Ruan can be promoted to a Junior Hero. You may now draw her initial Talent and Skills. Hero Attributes have been activated. Please set the initial information.]
Tang Ruan could become a Junior Hero directly.
A Junior Hero was also the lowest tier of Hero.
Gu Qing should have originally been a Junior Hero, too, but back then, Zhao Chi was only an Intern Lord, and various permissions hadn’t been unlocked yet.
That was why Gu Qing had appeared as an Initial Hero.
Now that Zhao Chi had become a Junior Lord, all the relevant permissions were unlocked.
Gu Qing could now also be upgraded to a Junior Hero.
