Chapter 105: Trading for the Bounty [Tips Appreciated]

That day, he logged off.

Immediately, the intelligent steward’s prompt sounded in his ear: “Master, you have received a delivery in your mailbox. Your personal ID is required to retrieve it.”

Tang Shen blinked in surprise, then recalled that his Gene Warrior certification should have arrived. With the two days of rest, it had been exactly a week.

However, he did not rush to collect it. Instead, he slipped into the bathroom as usual, going through his routine, then filled his stomach before leisurely dressing and stepping out of his home.

The sky was already dark, but the neighborhood was lively. Most residents had finished dinner and were out for a stroll, walking their dogs or cats, or casually chatting in groups around the community.

The atmosphere was rich with the essence of daily life. Smiles adorned their faces, a stark contrast to the tense, hurried expressions of ordinary families outside, rarely seen so relaxed.

Tang Shen walked among them with ease. Each step measured as if by precise machinery, flawless and deliberate. This was his most relaxed state on the surface, though in truth his spirit was weary from a day of grueling training, only temporarily soothed by a medicinal bath.

A gentle, cool breeze wafted at dusk, carrying the fresh scent of greenery, awakening the senses and bringing comfort.

Passing by a somewhat plump middle-aged woman, she brightened upon seeing Tang Shen and promptly called out:

“Young man, haven’t seen you before. Just moved in? Have you eaten? Why not come to my place for a meal?”

Her enthusiasm was almost overwhelming, leaving Tang Shen momentarily bewildered.

Since when had he become so impressive? Though handsome, he hardly expected to attract admirers among the neighborhood ladies!

“Hello, I’m newly moved in. I’ve already eaten, so no trouble, thank you,” Tang Shen replied with a smile, continuing his stride without pause.

Yet, to his surprise, the woman quickened her pace to catch up.

“Young man, you look so capable and young. Are you a newly minted Gene Warrior? You’re quite handsome. Do you have a girlfriend? My daughter is very pretty—would you like me to introduce her to you?” she said cheerfully, blunt and straightforward.

Tang Shen couldn’t help but smile wryly. So that was it.

This was the first time he had encountered such forwardness: meeting someone for the first time, not even exchanging names, and already being offered a daughter as a potential partner.

But then again, a young, handsome man with potential like him was indeed a prized prospect. The woman’s insight was sharp.

After all, having her daughter marry a Gene Warrior would be a match made in social parity for the community.

Tang Shen halted. Seeing this, the woman’s face lit up even more.

He turned to her with a warm, sincere smile and said seriously, “I’m sorry, but I’m already married. Though I look young, I’m actually thirty years old. My child is old enough to run around. Next time, I’ll introduce you to my wife.”

His earnest tone left no room for doubt.

The woman’s expression shifted to shock, almost as if she had seen a ghost. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“You... you’re married? Thirty years old? I would never have guessed,” she stammered, tongue caught.

She found it hard to believe, but Tang Shen’s final words—promising to introduce his wife next time with such solemnity—carried a certain weight of conviction.

Tang Shen gave a polite smile, then turned and continued toward the community gate.

The woman finally ceased her pursuit, but her astonishment remained etched on her face, clearly stunned by his words.

Faintly, her voice echoed behind him: “Well maintained, indeed! What a pity... my daughter really is very beautiful.”

Hearing this, several images flashed through Tang Shen’s mind—the refined, spirited face of Gu Yina as she matured, the beautiful visage of Bai Xue, and finally the chubby, youthful face of the little girl, Xue Jiayi.

“I wonder if that little one has awakened yet. If not, then my awakening serum would have been wasted?” Tang Shen muttered to himself.

He hadn’t paid much attention to such matters, not even attending the school’s invitation, let alone keeping up with these tidbits.

Pushing the distractions aside, he reached the mailbox row inside the community entrance.

In such a gated community, outsiders had no access. Small packages were placed inside mailboxes with special badges and certificates embedded with unique chips, impossible to counterfeit. The front desk would notify recipients for larger items, which required coordination for delivery or pickup.

He produced his ID card, inserted it into the slot, and with a soft beep, the mailbox opened, revealing the special badge and the certificate.

Returning home, he booted up his computer as usual, browsing the official game and forum websites to catch the latest updates before resting for the night.

The next day, he woke promptly at 4:30 a.m.

Time flew like a fleeting horse; a month had already passed since the game reopened.

Under the pressure of his cherished apprentice, Tang Shen’s nerves had barely rested, but as a result, his strength had undergone a tremendous transformation compared to a month prior.

His stone pillar stance had advanced, his eyesight sharpened anew, and his agility was enhanced by incorporating Plum Blossom stance—more nimble and swift than the Bagua stance—allowing finer control over his power. His wrist strength improved another tier through sword practice beneath the deep sea and under waterfalls.

Though his sword technique itself had seen little progress, the combined enhancements greatly increased his power. Sometimes, under the pressure of seawater and waterfalls, a strange instinctive flourish would emerge in moments of mental blankness, though he had yet to control it.

Many prior ideas had been put into practice, especially regarding his apprentice’s path, which was now clearer than before.

Most importantly, he finally attempted something recalled from seven years ago in the game: the art of sword stacking.

This technique involved slashing multiple times in an instant, with the traces perfectly overlapping, appearing as a single stroke but far more formidable than an ordinary full-force strike.

Whether in attack or cutting power, this stacking effect could surpass an opponent’s raw strength, allowing victory even if one’s own power was inferior.

That day, upon entering the game, he followed his usual routine of morning training.

Afterward, he drank the saline water Gu Yina handed him, ate breakfast, and for the first time took a morning shower, changing into fresh clothes. He did not immediately resume training.

Instead, Tang Shen led Gu Yina to the naval base above Frost Moon Village.

He suddenly recalled the head of the pirate he had slain by the seaside three days ago—or rather, seven years ago—was still in his backpack.

This time, of course, he had replaced it with Bailey’s head.