Chapter 20: The Backlash of the Mind

Because there was no ignition, the scene of the forest fire from the original story never happened.

The next day, Zhang Wuxun slept until late morning. He got up, washed his face to wake himself up, and went for a walk. Seeing that Xiaotian and the others were still asleep, he didn’t bother them. He ordered some food, finished eating, and then curled back up in his room.

[System Notification: Seven-Star King Lu Palace mission completed. Rewards are now being issued.]

[Rewards successfully granted.]

[Congratulations, host has acquired Materialization Ability (Low Level).]

Zhang Wuxun raised an eyebrow. "Materialization Ability? What’s the use of that? It can’t be like the Bronze Tree, where whatever you think of just appears, right?"

[Correct, but at this stage, you can only materialize low-level basic items.]

"Damn, is it really that powerful? You're not messing with me, are you?"

Zhang Wuxun grew excited immediately. Opening his palm, he silently focused on the phrase “eight-pointed silver dart.” The next moment, a silver dart actually materialized in his palm, identical in quality to the one he had used before.

"So the weapons and food you gave me before were also materialized, right?"

The system did not deny it.

Zhang Wuxun clicked his tongue. “Materialize a chick.”

After waiting a long time with no response:

[Low-level materialization ability can only materialize inanimate objects.]

Zhang Wuxun stroked his chin. “I see.”

He then tried to materialize some paper and pens, and pulled a banknote from his wallet to study its details carefully. Concentrating, his single banknote suddenly became two identical ones.

Zhang Wuxun’s eyes lit up, thinking he had found a way to get rich. But then he noticed—the two bills were exactly the same in shape, size, and color, but why in the world did they have the same serial number?

This was blatant copy and paste!

He felt a bit discouraged but quickly adjusted his mindset. Tearing up the second bill, he thought, “I’m not short on money anyway, so no point in fussing.”

“System, does this ability have a usage limit?”

[Materialization consumes the host’s mental energy; currently, you can use it up to ten times a day.]

“What happens if I exceed the limit?”

Zhang Wuxun tried again to materialize a piece of paper. Suddenly, his entire body shook violently as a sharp, intense pain swept over him—piercing his soul and bones. The agony nearly made him faint, beads of cold sweat pouring down.

In that instant, Zhang Wuxun felt as if he might actually die from the pain.

“Ugh…” He curled up tightly, biting his lip unconsciously. The metallic taste of blood spread through his mouth.

The pain came fast and left fast. After three seconds, the source of the pain vanished, but the aftereffects lingered.

It was as if a hundred heavy hammers had pounded his brain into mush. Zhang Wuxun’s face turned pale, a trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, his eyes glazed and bloodshot, and his clothes drenched in sweat.

After a full twenty minutes, his unfocused eyes slowly regained clarity. He blinked his long lashes and finally felt alive again.

His muscles ached, his bones felt weak. He struggled to get up but failed.

“Damn it.”

That was Zhang Wuxun’s last thought before he slipped into unconsciousness.

When he regained consciousness, Zhang Wuxun opened his eyes to a blinding white light—it was obvious he was in a hospital!

What was going on?

“Mu Yu, you’re finally awake!” A clear voice sounded beside him. He turned to meet Wu Xiaoxie’s worried gaze.

“I came to find you after my nap this afternoon, but after knocking on the door for a while without any response and not seeing anyone around, I had to ask the landlady for a spare key. The moment I entered, I saw you lying still on the bed, as pale as a ghost. I checked your pulse—nothing. We hurriedly called Third Uncle, who arranged for you and Panzi to be sent to the city’s major hospital. After thorough checks, the diagnosis was just overexertion?” Wu Xiaoxie chuckled at the irony.

“You just came out of a tomb, didn’t rest properly, and went running around like crazy. No wonder you ended up like this.”

Wu Xiaoxie scolded him like a nagging mother. Seeing Zhang Wuxun’s dazed expression, she sighed. “Alright, I won’t bother you more. The important thing is you’re awake. I bought you some preserved egg and lean pork congee on the table—eat it while it’s hot. I’m going to check on Panzi now.”

Zhang Wuxun nodded sluggishly. As soon as Wu Xiaoxie left, he closed his eyes.

[System, show yourself!]

[What the hell is going on?]

He felt like he had just experienced hell itself and was now reborn.

[Spiritual backlash.]

[Host’s mental energy insufficient; please do not attempt recklessly next time.]

“Alright, I brought this on myself,” Zhang Wuxun grimaced. This time he had been careless. No way was he trying that again.

As his strength gradually returned, Zhang Wuxun got up, finished the congee, sat for a while to rest, then got out of bed to take care of his hygiene and washed up.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought for a moment, he suddenly realized he had forgotten something.

Ah! He remembered.

Damn, he was still a student!

What time was it now?

Where was his phone? His backpack? Why did everything feel so different after just one nap?

Zhang Wuxun hurried out of the ward to the nurse’s station to ask about the date and time, and finally breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Luckily, there was still a week left before school started.

He patted his chest and returned to the ward, where he found Wu Xiaoxie holding a pillow, glaring at him with a scolding expression. On the bed lay a paper bag filled with clothes.

Zhang Wuxun: “?”

“You’re still weak but running around everywhere—no wonder you overexerted yourself.” Wu Xiaoxie nagged like a mother. “I bought these clothes casually, not sure what size you wear, but they should be about the same as mine. Oh, since you’re awake, you can take your stuff from me anytime. That bottle and jade box—Third Uncle helped me arrange a buyer. Whether you want to sell them is up to you.”

Zhang Wuxun nodded. “How much?”

Wu Xiaoxie held up two fingers, then five.

Zhang Wuxun raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding me?”

Wu Xiaoxie rolled her eyes dramatically. “Those two jade bottles sold for 2.5 million. The jade box caught the eye of an overseas collector who offered a flat 1.5 million.” (Millions, mind you.)

“Deal.” Zhang Wuxun wasn’t too familiar with the current antique market, especially domestically, but knowing Wu Xiaoxie’s savvy, he was confident he wouldn’t get ripped off.

“I have to go back to school—classes start soon.” Zhang Wuxun opened the paper bag to find a set of white casual clothes and sneakers. “I’ll leave my stuff with you for now. There’s a card in the right side pocket of my backpack; you can transfer money there. I’ll come pick it up when I have time.”

Wu Xiaoxie looked a bit surprised. “You really are a Zhejiang University student!”

Zhang Wuxun raised an eyebrow. “Why, do I look otherwise?”

Wu Xiaoxie shook her head. “Not really. I just thought you were lying when you said you were a student.”

“Who else but you carries a big sword into ancient tombs all day? And you’re not even studying archaeology.” Wu Xiaoxie’s voice held a trace of playful grievance as she said this.