Chapter 4: Zhi the [crown of wisdom]

Suddenly, a different voice resounded in her mind—a voice that carried a joyful and familiar tone. "Master [SPACE MANIPULATION] is a power that allows you to traverse the vastness of the galaxy, and even control the [soul container] within it. The [soul container] is a facet of this power, enabling you to store items that will prove useful in the impending apocalypse. However, you must understand that [SPACE MANIPULATION] is currently at level 1, so teleportation is beyond your reach, let alone controlling the galaxy or storing living beings."

"You?!" Her eyes widened in shock as she heard someone communicating directly with her thoughts. Amidst her astonishment, she sensed a mixture of joy and longing, akin to encountering a friend she had not seen in a long time.

Who could this mysterious presence be? Questions swirled in her mind, as she attempted to grasp the true extent of her newfound abilities.

"Who are you?" Lu Zhi questioned the mysterious voice that had entered her mind.

"[!]" The voice faltered, as if struck by lightning, before responding, "[Whohoho. Master, you don't remember little zhizhi anymore!]"

"Little Zhizhi..." the voice continued, crying wrenchingly. Unaware of the twisted pain it was invoking by recalling hidden and forcefully suppressed memories from the experiments conducted on her. Despite the pain, Lu Zhi found comfort in knowing that as long as this guide remained with her, the memories could be triggered and recalled.

"Little Zhizhi... I'm sorry," she choked, her voice trembling with emotion as she remembered her friend who had guided her through the trials of the apocalypse.

Once pampered and sheltered, Lu Zhi's life had taken a dark turn when she was sold to an old man in City H, a backward city, one month before the apocalypse. The old man's predatory intentions were met with her power, resulting in his immediate demise. Escaping the horrors of City H, she embarked on a journey to reach her family in another city, only to be faced with a bus full of people who ultimately succumbed to the impending apocalypse. Yet, it was the [crown of wisdom] that saved her on that fateful day.

As she stepped foot onto the bus, a series of warnings bombarded her senses—unknown voices, red warning signs flashing in the air, and a tingling sensation that urged her to reconsider her journey.

"[I suggest canceling the master's journey to ensure her safety.]" The warning sounded, but despite the chaos around her, Lu Zhi chose to trust her instincts.

"No," she replied firmly, stepping back and declining to board the ill-fated bus.

The passengers scoffed at her decision and rushed past her. As she stood alone, her hair floating in the wind, she couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility for her inability to warn them.

"[Master, there's no need to be sad. You couldn't have saved them. Their fate was sealed whether they heeded the warning or not.]" The voice in her mind offered consolation.

Silence settled around her, broken only by the rustle of the wind.

"Say, who are you?" Lu Zhi asked, her tone now tinged with a hint of a murderous aura. She was wary of any entity trying to take control of her mind.

"[Master, there's no need to be defensive. I am but a fragment of your power under the [ANCIENT INSIGHTS]. I bear the unique essence of the [crown of wisdom], once worn by ancient sages to gain boundless wisdom and insight. You can tap into the accumulated wisdom of ages, gaining insight into history, philosophy, science, and arcane secrets that were previously beyond anyone's reach.]

As the revelation unfolded, Lu Zhi felt a mixture of awe and curiosity. The [crown of wisdom], a power from the depths of time, granted her the ability to access unparalleled wisdom and understanding. It was an ancient treasure, guiding her through the enigmas of the world, allowing her to pierce through illusions and perceive the truth.

With the [crown of wisdom] as her ally, Lu Zhi embarked on a journey of enlightenment and discovery, using her profound insights to navigate the treacherous landscape of the apocalypse. Armed with the knowledge of the ancients, she was prepared to confront any challenge that lay ahead, trusting in her innate wisdom and the friendship of little Zhizhi—the voice of her [crown of wisdom].

Together, they would unravel the mysteries of the apocalypse, forge a path towards freedom, and confront the shadowy forces that sought to control and manipulate the world.

As she stood there, embraced by the ethereal power of the [crown of wisdom], Lu Zhi's resolve deepened. She was ready to face whatever the apocalypse had in store for her, armed with the timeless wisdom of the ancients and the companionship of little zhizhi, her loyal guide through the storm.