Qi Bai suddenly remembered the moment when she had just woken up and the ticket-selling auntie on the bus told her they had arrived.
At that time, a question had flashed through her mind: If I’m taking a long-distance bus, shouldn’t I have luggage with me?
Later, when she realized she was holding an admission letter, she felt even more puzzled.
Special Task Triggered: Fulfill the Wish of the Soulless One.
Task successfully triggered. Information Trading Qualification obtained. Information Trading System activated.
System starting.
Something subtle seemed to change in the air. In midair, a book glowing with golden light suddenly materialized, its pages flipping rapidly.
Qi Bai couldn’t help reaching out to touch the floating pages. The moment her hand made contact with the book, she felt a soft, warm sensation.
It was so soft it seemed as though it had been woven from clouds in the sky cloud fabric forged into the shape of a cloud-book.
When the delicate fingers of the girl touched the page, the book flickered shyly for a moment. But in the next instant, it steadied itself and even took the initiative to gently clasp Qi Bai’s hand, forming a gesture like a cooperative handshake.
Moments later, golden light gathered and a tiny figure resembling a young book attendant formed on the surface of the book.
“I am the system’s auxiliary intelligence. This system handles all information trading in this world. Once information is sold, no credit is allowed!”
The little book attendant introduced himself with great seriousness.
Then he waved his small hand, and a glowing screen appeared before Qi Bai’s eyes.
Qi Bai noticed that the pedestrians passing by looked completely normal, as if they hadn’t seen anything unusual. Clearly, this screen could only be seen by her.
The screen was divided into three sections: Task Panel, Information Trading Panel, and Special Shop.
“You can earn points by completing daily tasks, main storyline tasks, and special tasks. Points can be used to buy and sell information. Special information can also be sold to the system.
The items in the system shop are usually very expensive and will only open during special periods…”
Qi Bai listened to the little book attendant’s explanation while repeatedly exploring the system’s functions.
To her delight, the system truly lived up to being a professional information broker. Whether it was astronomy, geography, gossip from the human world, or even precise information about a specific person at a specific time and place everything could be obtained by paying points.
Many people chased fame and profit, yet few realized that the true advantage over the masses came from information gaps.
Whether it was a signature skill, a secret formula, or so-called personal connections everything could ultimately be caught up with through the right information.
How could she not be thrilled?
This was practically heaven shoving food directly into her mouth!
As for the Special Shop, unfortunately it hadn’t opened yet. She could only research it later.
Sensing Qi Bai’s excitement and greed, the little book attendant gave her a subtle warning.
“This system operates on fair trade. The host triggered a task and therefore has the potential to become a buyer, which is why the system activated. But unfortunately you are currently penniless!”
Qi Bai restrained her expression and carefully checked the lone entry hanging in the task list under Special Task.
Special Task: Fulfill the Wish of the Soulless One.
Description: Under the influence of an unknown force affecting space-time, a battered soul returned to its original timeline. With limited power, she attempts to change her fate…
“Huh? That’s it?”
Changing fate sounded both vague and strangely specific at the same time. It lacked any clear criteria or reference points.
Qi Bai was completely confused. Her own memories hadn’t even been sorted out yet, and now she had this strange special task with no clear direction.
The system looked useful, but since it didn’t accept credit, it was basically useless for now!
Qi Bai closed her eyes and replayed every scene from the moment she woke up until now.
Eventually she reached a conclusion that seemed absurd.
She might not be the original owner of this body.
Her unfamiliarity with the place names, culture, and streets of this world, along with her lack of knowledge and control over her current identity, all hinted at this conclusion.
Combined with the limited information in the task description…
What she could confirm now was that the “soulless one” referred to her the original owner of this body.
She had tried to change her fate but lacked the strength to do so. When Qi Bai entered her body and sensed her lingering obsession, the system triggered the task.
Then what about Qi Bai herself?
Had she… died?
Suddenly an image flashed through her mind: a stormy afternoon filled with thunder and lightning. Mountains and rocks around her, leaves rustling in the wind, a broken electric wire, stiff limbs, faint groans…
Oh.
She had died.
Thinking about her current situation again, Qi Bai realized something.
So when people die, they don’t necessarily go to heaven or hell they simply move somewhere else and continue working like a corporate slave!
Capitalism truly is the enemy of my entire life!
With her memories returning, Qi Bai looked around gloomily and noticed that this place was indeed very different from her original world.
Strangely, that realization made her happy.
The small bit of displeasure she had felt earlier quickly faded away.
After all, in her original world she had only a gambling father who abandoned his wife and child, and a stingy mother who remarried and left her to fend for herself. After she grew up, no one cared about her anymore.
If she had to name something she regretted leaving behind, it would only be that her workaholic boss still owed her seven days of paid leave she hadn’t taken.
What a waste!
“Let’s just treat this as traveling in another world,” Qi Bai comforted herself.
This was the airport of Hongze City. In theory, an airport serving an entire city should be bustling with people.
Although there were indeed people coming and going, the place still felt oddly empty.
If she hadn’t confirmed the time when she arrived, she might have thought the airport had entered some late-night operational shift.
Qi Bai had been standing outside the airport for quite a while, attracting the attention of the staff.
But she clearly noticed that they only glanced at her briefly at most giving her a quick once-over before expressionlessly looking away.
As if the action had just been a momentary whim.
“Hello, are you a student planning to take Flight D8 to the Imperial Capital for school?”
A male voice suddenly came from behind.
Qi Bai turned around and saw a young man dressed in trendy fashion, flashing bright white teeth and smiling at her.
“Yes. Are you as well?”
Qi Bai, who knew nothing about this unfamiliar place, was worried about having no guide. The person in front of her seemed like a good candidate.
“That’s right. You’re a freshman at Imperial Capital University, aren’t you? I saw your admission letter. I’m also a new student this year. My name is Chaoyang.”
As he spoke, he even took out his admission letter and waved it briefly in front of Qi Bai.
“Hello, I’m Qi Bai.”
Her smile widened, and her attitude immediately became warmer.
Based on her shallow understanding of this world so far, Imperial Capital University was definitely one of the top schools. The mutual appreciation between top students came very naturally.
Their conversation caught the attention of the service staff.
A beautiful woman with half-tied hair walked over warmly and said to Qi Bai with a slightly apologetic tone:
“I’m terribly sorry, student. Because Hongze Airport has had a large number of passengers these past few days, we failed to notice that you were a freshman from Imperial Capital University.
To make up for the inconvenience caused to you, the airport will cover all expenses for your trip to the Imperial Capital, including…”
Qi Bai didn’t hear the rest.
Her mind only registered the gentle promise free flight seats, free meals, free additional services…
In her mind, she seemed to see countless little winged coins flying around in front of her.
Free things… are my happy planet!