*Chapter 77: Love or Hate, Can't Get Enough?

Weiguan Campus at the Southwest Military University, specifically, the Resource Office.

Surrounded by old buildings, Zheng Mu arrived at the Resource Office, surprised by its modest size. It was about the same as an educational department in a small town like Yuntong City.

However, as soon as he crossed the threshold, the scene blurred and transformed into a different world.

"Wow, this place has a dimensional expansion?" Zheng Mu was taken aback. He'd believed that only his base vehicle possessed such a space-expanding feature. Realizing he'd been quite naive, Zheng Mu started to observe the new surroundings.

Inside, there were multiple counters similar to those in big airports from his past life, manned by senior students from the Southwest Military University, handling tasks and dispensing resources.

Spotting an unoccupied counter, Zheng Mu immediately produced the gold card that Qin Zhi had given him.

"I'm here to collect my reward."

The staff member froze momentarily at the sight of the card in Zheng Mu's hand and was further shocked by his youthful appearance. But he quickly composed himself and took the card.

"Please wait..."

"Your privilege card allows you to choose three Red-tier hero-level materials from our resource library. Would you like to receive them all now?" The staff member's attitude shifted to a respectful one, as if wary of offending Zheng Mu.

Once Zheng Mu gave the nod, an authoritative officer in the resource office's uniform arrived shortly.

"Hello, please present your ID."

After verifying Zheng Mu's credentials, the officer led him to a teleportation platform.

"There's a teleportation platform here?!"

The officer affirmed, seemingly taking Zheng Mu's identity into consideration, and patiently explained.

"The Resource Center's treasure vault holds countless invaluable assets. The vault itself isn't here but stored in a secret dimensional space. You'll need a special teleportation platform to enter."

Performing a series of actions that Zheng Mu didn't understand, the officer activated the teleportation platform. Suddenly, Zheng Mu found himself in an unfamiliar space.

This dark space was punctuated by dazzling beams of light. The officer was nowhere to be seen, but his voice reached Zheng Mu.

"Just think about the items you need, and the treasure vault will automatically sift through its contents for you."

Intrigued by this amazing feature, Zheng Mu pondered a moment. His current priority was to select the most elusive materials required for crafting the Mirajane.

Guided by Zheng Mu's thoughts, hundreds of colored streamers flew toward him. After encircling him briefly, they dispersed, leaving behind three crimson light orbs floating around Zheng Mu.

"[Sura Blood Soul]: A Red-tier hero-level item, the soul of the Blood Shura from a dimensional anomaly. Highly corrosive but can be utilized in weapon crafting, significantly enhancing the weapon's attack potency."

"[Ice Spirit Essence]: Red-tier hero-level material, the pure essence of an Ice Spirit from a dimensional anomaly. A dormant soul resides within its frozen core. Can be used in gear forging, potion brewing, and summoning contracts."

"[Demon Heart of Rage]: Red-tier hero-level material, the heart of a mutant Rage Demon from a dimensional anomaly. According to legend, as long as the Rage Demon stays enraged, it produces endless energy. However, it houses a highly unstable energy source and can be utilized in gear crafting and elixir production."

Whoa!

This was like a custom order!

Impressed by the wondrous magic of the treasure vault, Zheng Mu realized that all he had to do was envision the general item, and the system selected the most suitable one from countless possibilities.

"No wonder everyone goes to great lengths to earn contribution points. They're really worth the effort," Zheng Mu thought to himself. He swiftly picked the three items without a moment's hesitation.

Snapping back to reality, Zheng Mu found himself in a quaint room. In front of him, on the table, lay the three items he had chosen. The previously vanished officer was now seated across from him with a warm smile.

"Hello, please sign here. Once the paperwork is done, you may take these items with you."

After completing the process, Zheng Mu stopped the departing officer. "Excuse me, what would I need to do if I wanted to access the treasure vault again?"

The man seemed unsurprised by Zheng Mu's inquiry. "Aside from undertaking special tasks or making notable contributions to the university, which might earn you special approvals, students at the Lieutenant Campus don't have access to the Red-tier treasure vault. To do so, you need to advance to the Colonel Campus, where contribution points can be traded for what you need."

Exiting the resource office, a somewhat disheartened Zheng Mu was unaware that in an antique tea room, the officer he had met earlier placed a report on the table and respectfully retreated.

"Hmm, the lad knew exactly what he wanted the moment he entered. Looks like he's got some unique ideas," a senior man observed as he skimmed through the report, a light chuckle escaping his lips.

Across the table from him sat Gu Shengdong, the Vice President of Southwest Military University. Hearing the old man's words, Gu Shengdong could only smile wryly.

"Principal, you seem to have high hopes for him. The previous Red-tier hero-level base vehicle he had was already a game-changer. What more could we expect? A pig flying?"

"Hahaha," the old man laughed heartily, making no effort to counter on Zheng Mu's behalf.

"I can't be sure it'll work out, but I have a feeling this young man might give us a run for our money. If we put our faith in him for this, there may be some risk involved."

On his way back to his dormitory, Zheng Mu furrowed his brow in thought.

To assemble the [Magic Battle Puppet Robot Mirajane], five materials were required.

Of these, he had three: the "Satan Soul" Mana Armor Library, the "Magical Intelligence Core" Milaj Strauss, and the "Magic Firepower," which were extracted earlier. He should be able to adapt these without any issues.

He also had plenty of bionic human muscle tissue on hand, something required for building Tifa and the rest.

But...

"The nano-array skin defense system, which invisibly boosts the body's defense following an attack... what do I need to make it?"

Suddenly, Zheng Mu stopped in his tracks.

Smacking his own forehead, he exclaimed, "I can't believe how thoughtless I was! Even if I couldn't take it with me, I should have at least remembered the details of this material from the treasure vault. Now I'd know exactly what I need!"

"Oh man, I'm such a dolt!"

Zheng Mu was frustrated with himself. He'd been so captivated by the treasure vault's remarkable function that he'd completely overlooked this.

Such a valuable resource, wasted!

As Zheng Mu stewed in his self-imposed frustration, a familiar figure approached him.

"Well, finally started feeling guilty and beating yourself up, have you?"

Zheng Mu turned around and was taken aback.

"He Xiangyun?"

Currently, He Xiangyun was in lieutenant's uniform, showcasing her curvaceous figure with a heroic flair. She looked entirely different from when she was in the Tungu Desert, but she was equally captivating in her own way.

He Xiangyun was taken aback by Zheng Mu's nonchalant attitude, utterly unapologetic.

"Don't you have something to say to me?"

Zheng Mu, understanding her implication, grimaced.

"Ouch, so you turned down Hanlong University and enrolled here at Southwest military to demand an apology from me? Before I answer your question, I have one of my own."

"Do you dislike me because you care, or can you just not let go?"

Infuriated, He Xiangyun's brows knitted together. Having been well-brought-up, she struggled for words.

Finally, she spat out, "You're so... brazen!"

Zheng Mu just shrugged.

"I've merely made a mistake that any man might make."

Watching He Xiangyun's disbelief at his audacious words, Zheng Mu couldn't help but smile.

"I mean, aside from that, don't you, He Xiangyun, think you may have done something wrong as well?"

He Xiangyun was taken aback: "What did you say? I was wrong? How am I in the wrong?"

"It's clear that you're the one who acted shamelessly towards me!"

Passersby: *stares in shock*

Whoa!

What a soap opera this is!

Feeling the stares of the bystanders, He Xiangyun visibly reddened, but Zheng Mu just smiled slightly.

"Did I do this to everyone, or just you?"

"It's because you're just that attractive, you know? They say beauty can be a curse, and I believe it."

In response, He Xiangyun was flustered, leaving herself vulnerable to Zheng Mu's rapid-fire punches, pushing her to the brink.

Sensing her disarray, Zheng Mu chuckled, before adopting a more serious tone.

"But let's move past that. We're in the same class now, and even part of the same team. Let's forget about the past and focus on a better future together. What do you say? Let's forgive and forget."

He Xiangyun was speechless.

As she stumbled to regain her bearings, Zheng Mu had already made a beeline for the resource office again.

"Hello, I'd like to trade a Red Hero-level item for materials of the same rank," he told the attendant.

After he confirmed that the item was indeed a Red Hero-level, they proceeded to assess its worth.

Unbeknownst to Zheng Mu, He Xiangyun had followed him into the resource office. While he patiently waited, he suddenly felt a tug from behind.

"Wait a minute, Ms. He, you can't just... Oh, what's wrong?"

As he turned and saw He Xiangyun, he started to say something but was interrupted by her tearful expression. He glanced at the employee's puzzled look, realizing this could get messy.

Though he didn't mind playing the bad guy, he wasn't going to take the fall for something he hadn't done.

"That thing on the counter, is it yours?" He Xiangyun pointed.

"Yes, it is," Zheng Mu said, noting her eagerness. "Wait, don't tell me someone you know needs this? That's way too cliché, you'll have to come up with a better excuse than that."

But He Xiangyun was adamant. "I... I really do need that. Can I buy it from you?"

Zheng Mu, seeing that she was genuine, apologized to the staff and removed his item. He took He Xiangyun, who was on the verge of tears, outside to talk privately.

"What's going on?"

She shared her story: her father had been attacked by creatures with powerful mental abilities while on a mission. Although he had defeated them, his soul was left damaged.

The He family had tried many methods to heal him, but only a rare item, such as the one Zheng Mu had, would work.

Hearing her out, Zheng Mu found himself empathizing with her. "Okay, I'll get a similar Purple Rare material instead, it won't be a big deal."

With that, he gave her the item and returned to the resource office.

"Just one thing: we don't bring up the past anymore. Got it?"

When he turned around, he saw that He Xiangyun had already left. He was taken aback.

"No thank you or anything? Just up and left?"

He sighed and looked at his hand, the one that had touched her. "What a waste."

Zheng Mu quickly moved on, spending 120,000 contribution points to get a Purple Rare material called [Blue Sea Cloud Jellyfish Canopy] from the resource center.

Back at his place, he tried to use his [Turning Golden Hand] skill on it, and the material transformed into a thin fabric-like object: [Nano Array Skin Defense System].

"Yes! It worked!" he exclaimed.

With excitement, he took out the other materials he had obtained: [Heart of Angry Demon], [Origin of Ice Spirit], and [Sura Blood Soul].

Using the special ability of his windbreaker, he was able to reduce the cooldown time of his [Golden

Hand] skill, bringing him closer to constructing the Mirajane.

Looking at the three neatly arranged items in front of him, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I'm going to be the future guild leader's assistant, creating the Mirajane! Just wait and see..."