Chapter 357 - The Magical Bangle
It was impossible to tell the quality of the bangle just by looking at the material it was made of. It had a bronze color all over, and its smooth surface reflected the rays of the sun. It was neither made of a precious metal nor expensive quality jade, but Hong Dali liked it a lot anyway. He chuckled and patted the little monkey’s head. “This little fella knows how to bribe people. Haha, in that case, I will not refuse it.”
The little monkey seemed ecstatic after hearing this. It ran around excitedly and finally climbed back up the tree, chattering all along.
If there were other people watching this scene, they would be so amazed that their eyeballs would be popping out.
There was no way anyone would believe that carnivores like dogs, bears, wolves, and foxes could coexist peacefully with plant-eating animals like rabbits, fawns, and deer, but that was exactly what was happening.
The little animals surrounded Hong Dali. The gentler ones snuggled into their arms, and the larger animals flopped down belly up beside them, waiting for belly rubs.
The group laughed and enjoyed themselves. The snacks they had brought were soon completely distributed.
Tang Muxin, who had a little bunny in her arms, said, “Dali, these little animals are so good to you. Hehe, they are neither skittish nor do they bite. Eh, let’s make this forest bigger, what do you think?”
Tang Muxin was just making a random comment, but Hong Dali took it seriously. “Hmm? That’s not a bad idea. When the road is fixed, we shall plant trees all over this piece of land! Let’s plant poplar trees, peach trees, and gingko trees. Hehe, let’s turn this place into a conservation!”
Tang Muxin was long used to Hong Dali’s shenanigans. It was just some tree planting and could be counted as doing something good. Thus, she immediately nodded. “Let’s have more little animals. If there are tourists, that’s not a bad thing too. Hehe.”
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
As long as Young Master was enjoying himself, he could do whatever he wanted. His pocket money was well into the tens of millions now, and what he wanted to do was definitely possible!
Hong Dali stood up and brushed the dirt off his bottom. “Okay, let’s just wait for the road to be repaired before we come again. Let’s go back first. If we go back now, we can still be in time for dinner.”
Tang Muxin stood up too. “Okay! Let’s go, then.”
Everyone waved goodbye to the animals. The animals were unwilling to see them leave, but they also seemed to be aware that Hong Dali and his group could not stay forever. Soon, everyone left and went their own ways.
On the way home, Hong Dali looked at the bangle the little monkey gave him. He commented curiously, “This bangle seems not bad. It feels cool on my wrist. Very comfortable!”
Tang Muxin indulgently said, “You can even get a bangle by going to the forest for a spin. I really don’t know what to say. However, this bangle really looks quite good. I think it’s definitely not an ordinary bangle.”
“Yes, that’s for sure. I feel very comfortable all over when I am wearing it. However, I have yet to find out what other abilities it has.” The group walked back, but Hong Dali soon noticed something different. “Wait, I seem to have discovered something!”
Tang Muxin curiously asked, “What is it, what is it? What did you discover?”
“Xinxin, while we were in the forest just now, there should have been insects like mosquitoes, shouldn’t there?” Hong Dali turned his head and looked behind him. “Is it July now? How is it that I don’t hear any insect sounds at all?”
When Hong Dali mentioned it, everyone suddenly realized that something seemed wrong with the situation.
Mammals were highly intelligent, and it was understandable that they would cozy up to Hong Dali. However, there was no reason insects like mosquitoes and houseflies were not biting people. During the long period they were all seated with the animals earlier, there were no mosquitoes at all. They didn’t even see as much as a single louse on the animals. This was highly unusual.
Tang Muxin exclaimed in surprise. “Dali, you mean it’s because of this bangle? This bangle can keep bugs away?”
Hong Dali scrutinized the bangle again. He even sniffed at it. “It’s highly possible! There is a slight smell of sandalwood. It smells nice, smell it!”
“Yes, that’s true,” said Tang Muxin after she sniffed at it. “This bangle can really repel bugs? Why don’t we test it out?”
Hong Dali curiously asked, “How are we going to test it?”
The question of how they were to test their theory out was a tough one. It was fortunate Tang Muxin was rather intelligent. “Let’s do it this way. On our way back to the village there are bound to be some little bugs along the road. We will go first to look for them. When we find them, we will call you over. Once you come over, we will know, won’t we?”
“That’s a good idea! Let’s do that!”
Tang Muxin immediately went off first with a few lackeys. The two groups were approximately a hundred meters apart.
Soon, Tang Muxin reached the village entrance and called Hong Dali. “Dali, we found them. There are a lot of little bugs here. Hurry, come over and test it out!”
“Okay!” answered Hong Dali.
As expected, as Dali made his way towards the spot, something strange happened when he was about twenty meters away.
The little bugs in front of Tang Muxin suddenly dispersed as if they had encountered something! By the time Hong Dali reached her, there was not even a single trace of them!
“Wow!” exclaimed Tang Muxin in amazement. “It’s actually true! Dali, you really found a treasure this time! This bangle can really repel bugs! You will not have to fear being bitten by mosquitoes when you sleep ever again!”
This was good stuff!
People who often went out, when they got to a new place in summer, there was nothing to be afraid of except flies and mosquitoes buzzing by their ears. It was extremely irritating!
Now that he had this wooden bangle, he had nothing to worry about!
Hong Dali said matter-of-factly, “This is a benefit of loving nature.”
After they entered the village, Hong Dali gave some instructions for the rest of the filming to Mu Yuxi and Tang Anqi, then he and his group got on the plane and headed back to Tianjing City.
As of now, it had cost forty million to buy the Water Spirit Village and the surrounding lands. During the journey, Dali brought up the Great Prodigal System. There was not much to say, he just brought up the System decisively.
“The host has forty-eight attribute points available now. Please choose where to use them.”
“Method one: Raise Skill Machine breakdown, assembly, and transformation. Method two: Raise Skill Gem processing, embedding, and magic enhancement. Method three: Exchange for voice control skill blueprint. Method four: Choose the last Welfare Branch.”
“The only choice left for Welfare Skill is Survival.”
That was strange, had he been spending less lately? How come there were only forty-eight attribute points?
Hong Dali soon understood—any money that was not spent with the intention to squander was not counted in the System. It might even reduce the amount in the System. If he were not careful, his Squandering Value might even become positive!
Caution!
It looked like it was time to develop a new prodigal skill!
Once he had decided, Hong Dali decisively said, “Exchange for a blueprint first!”
After he said this, very quickly, the System responded: “Host has chosen to exchange for a blueprint. Please wait.”
“Technology 2: Voice Control technology blueprint. Attribute points needed: 30 points. Blueprint introduction: Voice control technology for exclusive use by lazy people. Main function: Recognize the orders given by the voice of the lazy person, able to allow the lazy person to control all electrical equipment in the room without having to do anything.”
Hong Dali said, “Exchange.”
The System replied, “Blueprint exchange successful. Please choose the save mode.”
“Download to phone.” Hong Dali chose the same method he always did, downloading it to his phone before passing it to Chuyin.
Soon, the blueprint download was completed. There were only eighteen attribute points left now. That was quite a substantial amount of points. Hong Dali thought about it and decisively strengthened his existing skill. “Use the remaining attribute points for Machine breakdown, assembly, and transformation!”
Hong Dali already had six points in Machine breakdown, assembly, and transformation. He used four attribute points getting it up to ten. Level 11 to 20 required two points for each level. After using all of his available points, Hong Dali’s level for this skill was seventeen. According to the skill tree rules, Level 1 to 10 was to be used for the breakdown of machines one hundred thousand yuan in value. Level 10 would be just right for something that was worth one hundred thousand. Level 11 to 20 was to be used for machines worth up to ten million. Level 11 would be for one million, and 17 would be for seven million.
Aiya, this is good. What should I breakdown? Should I buy more cars? This helicopter looks good too…
Hong Dali was obviously only thinking of breaking down the helicopter. If he really did it, everyone would fall to their deaths…
With his new skills, Hong Dali immediately thought of the toy factory. Unfortunately, judging by the timeline, the two super sports cars Granzon and Valsion would probably still not be ready. This thought made him very disappointed.
Thus, he settled for the next best choice—breakdown the holy garment. That was not a bad idea either. Hehe.
Soon, they arrived at the laboratory at the fourth floor of Chenhui Building. Hong Dali headed straight for Chuyin’s room and handed over the blueprint for the voice control system without mentioning its origins. He asked, “Chuyin, how is the production of the holy garment getting along? Does Uncle Chief has other requests?”
“Oh, the Mechanical Holy Garment is undergoing final tweaks. It’s now slightly stronger than the sample we made previously.” Chuyin replied quietly upon seeing Hong Dali. The little lass’ feelings toward Hong Dali had improved somewhat. Her voice had a little more emotions now when she spoke to him. “Bureau Chief has already taken the blueprint away to start mass production.”
Started mass production? That was good news!
Hong Dali picked up the phone and made the call without a second word. “Uncle Chief, this is Hong Dali. I heard that the mass production of the Mechanical Holy Garment has started? Congratulations. Erm, can you gift me a few, I want to play with them now.”
“It’s true we have started mass production.” The Bureau Chief, on the other end of the line, asked curiously, “Why do you want the Mechanical Holy Garment? Are you not already wearing one?”
“The more, the merrier.” Hong Dali said shamelessly. “Give me a few…”
This little brat sure knew how to get what he wanted!
The Bureau Chief answered helplessly. “How many do you want? I’ll have someone send them over now. Speaking of which, this Mechanical Holy Garment is really not bad. It has been of great help to our Special Forces after we made some improvements to it. They are able to take on many missions they were previously unable to. It’s all thanks to you!”
“Really? That’s good. Hehe!” Hong Dali smiled widely. “In that case, Uncle Chief, please have someone send one hundred pieces over to me first. I’ll just fiddle with those.”
“Little brat, what did you just say?!” The Bureau Chief shouted, “One hundred pieces?”