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Chapter 416: Chapter 417: What Is the Price

Chen Xuan finally realized that she wanted to exchange her Legendary Ability for the Voice of Trust?

Of course, before a formal exchange, an Ability User can’t see what abilities they possess, let alone understand their descriptions. This often leads to misunderstandings about their own power. However, it was a bit odd that Abigail also had such a misunderstanding, as the force she displayed when using her ability was entirely top-tier, something she should have been aware of.

It’s like a person knowing they have an assault rifle but envying another’s air rifle.

"It’s possible, but are you sure you want to make the exchange?" He was inwardly overjoyed but outwardly expressed concern, "I see your ability not only serves as an impregnable defense, but also has various other uses, no?"

"You’re right. If I were a child from the lower class like Rodiya, I would never give up this ability," Abigail agreed. "However, I spend most of my time at headquarters and don’t need such a strong self-defense capability. In contrast, the Voice of Trust suits my work better... no, it’s perfectly suited for it."

"It seems you really want it..." Honglian murmured, "That you’d even put aside pride to vie for a borrowed ability."

"I understand." Suppressing a laugh, Chen Xuan said seriously, "I’ll contact my friend first to adjust the exchange details."

After saying this, he intentionally left the room, lingered outside for a few minutes, and then returned inside.

"Alright, they said it’s fine. Just look at the screen and indicate your agreement when the frame appears in your view." He said, holding up his phone.

He was using the "One-Way Request" function.

Compared to a "Secret Exchange," this function makes the other party aware of what ability they are about to lose.

At that moment, Abigail saw her ability for the first time.

"Barrier...?"

"Uh-huh, you still have time to change your mind."

Fortunately, her ability was currently restricted and only showed as golden. If even the icon were shimmering with brilliance, she would surely realize her ability was quite extraordinary.

Abigail read the description carefully, her face showing a look of shock, "Who exactly is your friend? How could they know so much about my ability!?"

Know so much? If only you’d seen your appearance when you first reached the grass stage of the Ability Store. Chen Xuan sneered inwardly. But honestly, Abigail is one of the few who understood just how phenomenal the "Ability Description" is; it implies the power to define countless abilities, surpassing the Dimensional Limit Mechanism in both scope and depth.

According to Lin Qing, over the years, the Dimensional Limit Mechanism has been continuously collecting and recording abilities, but it’s clearly a level below the Ability Store. The more someone has worked within the mechanism, the more they realize this... like Abigail.

"That’s naturally a secret too." Chen Xuan shrugged, "If you ever leave the mechanism, you can come find us, and then you’ll know the origins of my friend."

"Can’t I find you without leaving the mechanism?" Abigail countered.

"Huh?" He and Honglian froze.

"I thought we had already reached a consensus." She expressed regret while agreeing to the exchange, "A successful collaboration like this shouldn’t be the last."

"For real?" Honglian frowned, "Don’t mess around! I’m untouchable in Jiang City, but if the intelligence department targets you, you could die."

"That’s even more reason I need the Voice of Trust to guide me, right?" Abigail said nonchalantly. "Don’t worry, I’m not planning to rely on you for everything. On the contrary, I have a feeling you’ll need my help in the future. I’m not leaving the mechanism for the same reason: I can be more effective here."

Honglian fell silent.

After a moment, she chuckled bitterly, "I used to have so much faith in the mechanism, seems like it’s all due to the training."

"Ah, training... it’s indeed been a long time. But thinking back now, so many unforgettable things happened back then..." Abigail whispered.

Seeing the two of them starting to reminisce, Chen Xuan took the chance to transfer the newly acquired Legendary Ability to himself.

He was eager to experience just how powerful an entirely unrestrained Barrier could be.

In an instant, a flood of experiences on how to use it surged into his mind.

Through a series of flickering images, he seemed to see most of Abigail’s life—what kind of sacrifices she had made for this ability over the years.

"Ha... ha... ha..."

Chen Xuan touched his chest, unable to stop panting.

"Hey, are you alright?" Honglian was a bit surprised as she grabbed his hand, "Why are you suddenly sweating so much?"

Sweat?

Chen Xuan belatedly felt his nose, realizing it was covered in sweat beads.

"I’m fine." He took a deep breath, looking at Abigail—she was watching him with a puzzled expression, "Those restrictions you imposed on yourself... did you really adhere to them all?"

"What restrictions?" Honglian asked, confused.

"Waking up at 6 am every day, not speaking during meals, breakfast must include three healthy but disliked foods, real work time must be at least 8 hours, no entertainment on workdays, every step must be 50 cm, bathing water can’t exceed 10 degrees..." Chen Xuan mechanically recited.

"What the heck?" Honglian twitched her mouth, "Are you chanting or something?"

"You felt it?" Abigail nodded, "Yes, I’ve been doing it for at least ten years."

Chen Xuan rubbed his forehead, explaining to his bewildered partner, "Your classmate... Her power is charged by imposing restrictions on herself. The more restrictions, the stronger the Barrier."

More terrifying is that these restrictions must be placed on one’s own desires. For instance, if a person already dislikes singing, setting a restriction not to sing is useless.

Abigail had imposed over three hundred restrictions on herself, like these.

From covering her eyes all day and not relying on sight.

To giving up all drinks except coffee and tea.

She had adorned herself with chains, dragging them along every day.

Recalling the ability description: "Endurance and restraint are prerequisites for achieving oneself," it was rather fitting.

She even set a restriction for activating her Barrier: removing her blindfold. Yet, whether she wore the blindfold or not, she could still wield her ability. When Chen Xuan "removed" her blindfold when they first met, nothing changed.

In other words, these rules, once established, do not equate to laws.

She could drink today, wake up at 9 tomorrow, and bathe with hot water the next day... Breaking the rules wouldn’t weaken the accumulated strength, just accumulate less each day.

It’s precisely because of this that Abigail appeared even more formidable.

She didn’t use this as an excuse to indulge herself but instead adhered strictly to the rules she set for herself. Through this commitment, she gained the power she has today.

Chen Xuan asked himself if he could reach her level upon acquiring this ability. The answer was undoubtedly no. He’d break a rule one day, another the next, and by the time he needed to use it, the Barrier might only last a few seconds.

Moreover, he didn’t want to imprison himself.

"Ahem... you should take your ability back," Chen Xuan cleared his throat, "I’ve changed my mind."

"Can’t exchange it?" Abigail said disappointedly.

"No, you can first use the Voice of Trust, but the Barrier isn’t needed for my... friend."

"Eh?" She was momentarily stunned.

"How should I put it, it seems this ability is best suited for you." Chen Xuan said righteously, "Considering you’re at the mechanism’s headquarters and slightly skeptical of it, having a strong ability for protection is certainly safer. Ultimately, an ability can only display its utmost potential when possessed by the most suitable person. Miss Abigail, I eagerly anticipate your performance within the mechanism."