By evening, Gu Xiaoxi had finally earned enough points, and the Trade-in System upgraded once more.  

However, her transaction level is still novice, novice level 4.

Her Occupation Rating was also unchanged—still a **One-Star Waste Purification Specialist**.  

The only thing that had changed was the **Skill Store**.  

A golden booklet had appeared there, listing countless new skills.  

There was celestial observation techniques, incredibly powerful flame combustion techniques, terrifying thunderblast techniques, space compression techniques, and so on…

But the **merit points** required for them were staggering. Just the ‘Celestial Observation’ technique cost **50 merit points**, while the ‘Space Compression Technique’ demanded 500 merit points!  

Was this golden skill booklet trying to discourage her—or motivate her?  

As she pondered this, the skills on the golden booklet suddenly vanished, and the golden pages turned into a dull, dark tome.  

At the same time, a warning flashed in her mind:  

“The temporary master of the System Companion Space harbors extreme malice toward the host. The Skill Store is now closed, and Territory Seizure has been initiated. You must master the Thunderblast Technique within seven days! Otherwise, the host will face mortal danger!”

Gu Xiaoxi froze, her mind blank.  

**System Companion Space? Temporary master?**  

**Territory Seizure?**  

**Master the Thunderblast Technique in seven days?**  

Wait—she vaguely remembered that the **Thunderblast Technique** cost **100 or 150 merit points**?  

Why would she be in mortal danger if she didn’t learn it?  

She had too many questions, but there were no hints or explanations to guide her.  

Anxiety gnawed at her, leaving her standing there, unsure of what to do.  

Absentmindedly, she pulled out the ‘purple jade pendant’ hanging around her neck and examined it.  

The **balance scale** symbol had reappeared on the jade, but it was dull and lifeless—even the jade itself had lost its luster.  

It looked like a patient on the verge of death.  

Seeing this, she grew even more frantic.  

**System Companion Space? Companion?**  

Did that mean there was a **second** Trade-in System Space?  

This purple jade had been given to her by Lu Jiansen—did he know about this?  

At that thought, she couldn’t help but glance at Lu Jiansen, who was speaking with the village chief not far away.  

As if sensing her gaze, Lu Jiansen finished his conversation and walked over to her.  

Noticing the unease in her usually bright eyes, he asked softly, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Gu Xiaoxi pulled him aside and showed him the jade around her neck.  

“I’ve been wearing this jade all along. It used to be bright and beautiful, but now it’s suddenly lost its shine.”

Lu Jiansen studied the pendant, his expression darkening slightly when he noticed it was shrouded in a gray-black mist.  

Gu Xiaoxi, watching his reaction, added, “I just had a strange feeling—is there another piece of this jade?” 

Lu Jiansen’s eyes darkened further before he finally gave a slight nod.  

“Yes. My grandfather gave me these two jades before he passed. He told me to give this purple one to my future wife. The other one was mine, but… it was stolen during a mission.” 

Gu Xiaoxi’s eyes widened. “Stolen?”  

Lu Jiansen reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Mm. My grandfather said these two jades are rare ‘Mother-Child Jade.'”  

Back then, his grandfather had also told him that if two people with a **deep connection** wore them, they could sense each other’s **life energy**.  

But at the time, he hadn’t paid much attention.  

Or rather, he never imagined that one day, he’d meet a girl he liked so much—someone he wanted to give the best to, someone he wished to share a profound bond with.  

A pang of regret flashed through his heart.  

Meanwhile, when Gu Xiaoxi heard the term “Mother-Child Jade,” she was certain—this jade truly had a **System Companion Space**.

**Damn it!** She needed to desperately earn merit points now!  

But after working all day, she hadn’t gained a single one!  

She really didn’t understand how these **merit points** were calculated!  

However, one thing was clear—**kindness and helping others** were key.  

Lu Jiansen noticed the flickering light in the little girl’s eyes and felt a growing unease.  

“Xiaoxi, are you feeling unwell?”  

After weighing her options, Gu Xiaoxi decided to tell Lu Jiansen about the **Trade-in System**. But the moment she opened her mouth—  

Her voice disappeared. 

Her eyes widened in shock. Was she not allowed to speak about it?  

She tried writing it down instead, but—her fingers wouldn’t move!  

Her body stiffened as she stared at Lu Jiansen, her expression on the verge of tears.  

Seeing the light in her eyes dim further, Lu Jiansen grew frantic.  

She had just asked about the **purple jade**—was it affecting her, just as his grandfather had said?  

For some reason, he suddenly felt an urgent need to retrieve his own lost jade pendant! 

Seeing her condition worsening, he made a quick decision. “I’ll take you back!” 

The moment he said that, Gu Xiaoxi found she could move again.  

She coughed lightly, testing her voice, and realized she could speak. “You still have a mission. I’ll go back alone!”  

Yes, she needed to leave.  

She had a **solo mission** now—**earn enough merit points in seven days!**  

Under Lu Jiansen’s watchful eyes, she couldn’t do much.  

But there was no way Lu Jiansen would let her go alone. Even if she knew the way, he wouldn’t feel at ease.  

“I’ll check if anyone from Logistics is returning to the military district. If so, you can ride back with them.”  

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Go ask, then!”  

Lu Jiansen left in a hurry and returned just as quickly.  

“There’s a truck from Hongxin Commune heading to Qingbei City tonight. Go to Qingbei Military Hospital and find my third brother, Lu Jianlin. He’s been transferred there from the Capital Military Hospital. He has a dormitory—you can stay with him for a few days. I’ll take you back to the base once my mission ends.” 

The little girl didn’t look well, and he didn’t want her staying alone in the family quarters. His brother was a doctor—he could take care of her.  

Gu Xiaoxi wanted to refuse, but seeing the worry in Lu Jiansen’s eyes, she nodded.  

“Okay.”

After a quick dinner, Lu Jiansen personally escorted her to Hongxin Commune.  

The truck heading to Qingbei City was transporting disaster relief supplies. Aside from the driver and one assistant, Gu Xiaoxi was the only passenger.  

After Lu Jiansen arranged for her to sit in the front passenger seat, he gave her final instructions.  

“If you feel unwell, tell Jianlin. His medical skills are decent. Don’t push yourself—take care. If you see anything you like in town, buy it. Don’t worry about money.”  

Gu Xiaoxi listened, her heart sweet as honey.  

To reassure him, she nodded obediently. “Got it. I won’t let myself suffer. You take care too—stay safe!” 

Lu Jiansen nodded, then turned to the driver. “Thank you for your trouble!”  

The driver, Xiao Xu, waved with a smile. “No trouble at all! Don’t worry, Battalion Commander Lu—we’ll make sure Sister-in-law arrives safely at Qingbei Military Hospital!”  

Lu Jiansen watched as the truck drove off, not turning away until it disappeared from sight.