The moment Lin Qingxue returned from the previous small world, the system's eyes lit up like twin spotlights. It rushed over eagerly, ready to serve its hard-working and highly accomplished host.
Lin Qingxue was, after all, the most outstanding host it had ever guided in its entire system career. It had to make sure she felt completely at home—ideally, even forget all the unpleasantness that had occurred between them before.
"Host, congratulations on perfectly completing the last small-world mission once again! Oh, and I've got some good news for you."
"The Energy Stones in your space can now be exchanged for points. I even pulled some strings to get you the best possible rate: one Energy Stone for ten points."
After saying that, the system was filled with anticipation. This was a brand-new energy source! The higher-ups were very interested in it and had instructed it to make the deal happen. Otherwise, there was no way it could've secured such a generous exchange rate.
Lin Qingxue thought it over briefly and accepted. She figured the system no longer had the guts to deceive her.
"Alright. I'll exchange twenty thousand Energy Stones for points."
The system knew perfectly well that its host still had far more Energy Stones in her possession. But it had learned to be cautious—when serving a powerful host like her, a mere working system couldn't afford to offend.
"Congratulations, Host Lin Qingxue! Your task points this round amount to 200,000. Exchanging Energy Stones has earned you an additional 2,000,000 points, bringing your total to 9,990,000 points."
Lin Qingxue did a quick mental calculation—she was already halfway to her goal. Hopefully, she could accumulate points faster in the next few worlds.
"Host, would you like to rest this time?" The system, having completed its bonus assignment, now tended carefully to her well-being, its tone far gentler and more considerate than before.
"This last mission world was exhausting. I'll rest and recover before taking on the next one."
Five days later, Lin Qingxue began her next world draw. This time, she pulled "The Wasteland World."
The moment she saw those words, an ominous feeling rose in her chest. From the name alone—wasteland—it sounded bleak, barren, and miserable. Definitely a tough one.
The system couldn't help shedding a few metaphorical tears for her. This was one of the harshest worlds in the lineup, and she'd drawn it herself. Truly, the Chosen Host of the System!
"Host, I'll now bring in your task subject. Please be ready."
Lin Qingxue looked up and saw a humanoid figure covered in grayish grime. The figure was thin and frail, only about the height of a six- or seven-year-old child.
The newcomer reeked of filth, her entire body coated in dirt, with only her teeth—a faint yellow—offering a different shade amid the grime.
Lin Qingxue made no comment on the girl's appearance and showed not the slightest trace of impatience. What mattered to her was the child's mission request.
The little girl, named Xiao Ba ("Little Eight"), looked at the spotless, shining floor and didn't know where to put her hands and feet, terrified that her filthy state would disgust the beautiful lady before her. Fortunately, Lin Qingxue's gentle demeanor helped her relax a little.
"Sister," Xiao Ba said timidly, "my wish is just… to live. And if possible, to have enough to eat."
Ah, another pitiful soul. It was the simplest, most humble wish Lin Qingxue had ever encountered—but every mission target who came here had suffered a tragic fate.
She'd seen too many such stories, and her heart had hardened over time. But facing such a young child stirred long-dormant feelings within her once again.
"Child, I understand your wish," Lin Qingxue said softly. "I promise I'll help you fulfill it."
At her words, a bright smile spread across Xiao Ba's dirty face. For her, the promise of a full meal was enough to fill her heart with joy.
In the wasteland slums, a skeletal child lay on a cracked wooden board. Her lips were dry and split, her matted hair stuck together in clumps, and her frail body trembled weakly.
Suddenly, she jolted awake and forced herself upright, scanning her surroundings.
The entire shack was made of haphazardly nailed wooden planks, narrow and cramped—barely ten square meters. A thick layer of yellow dust coated the ground, and the wooden board beneath her was the only thing remotely intact.
From her inherited memories, she recalled the original girl's life. Born fifty years after the nuclear war, she'd been abandoned by her family just days after birth. Fortunately, an old man named Grandpa Laus had taken her in and named her Xiao Ba.
But in this world, radiation had shortened human lifespans dramatically—most people died before reaching forty-five. Just yesterday, the only person who cared for her, Grandpa Laus, had passed away, leaving her utterly alone in this man-eating world.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps approached from outside. A man barged in, glaring down at her with contempt.
"You stupid brat, get out! This shack is mine now. Can't you see who you're dealing with? Or do you want me to drag you out myself?"
Right—this was the man who had driven the original Xiao Ba out of her shelter in the previous timeline. With nowhere left to go, she'd ended up wandering the wasteland and was eventually devoured by a mutated beast.
Her eyes grew cold. As the man reached out to grab her, she unleashed her mental power and instantly reduced him to a drooling idiot.
She didn't kill him—not out of mercy, but out of caution. If he died here, the slum gang backing him might come investigating, and that would only make her future actions more troublesome.
Moments later, "Brother Hu" stumbled out of the hut, drooling and muttering vacantly, "Baby's hungry… I need food…"
Looking out toward the endless expanse of sand and ruin, Xiao Ba decided she needed to reach the underground world protected by radiation shields as soon as possible.
Otherwise, no matter how many treasures she possessed, she wouldn't be able to withstand the omnipresent radiation eating away at the very air she breathed.