Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1632 - 891: Gift

Outside the Golden Tower, a bustling crowd gathered.

The female manager observed the restless masses, her gaze tinged with silent mockery. If these promotional challenges were actually winnable, their losses would surely be staggering.

"I see your enthusiasm is quite high, so let's adjust the rules. We don't need 10 seconds anymore, let's make it 5. If you manage to hold it for 5 seconds, you win!" The store manager continued to goad the bystanders with a practiced charm.

Nearby, Guo Ran kept her eyes fixed on Jiang Ning. She recalled when they first entered school; he hadn't been this tall, almost matching her own height. When had he suddenly shot up? Even with his newfound height, he remained slender, possessing the typical lean frame of a developing youth.

She was aware he had a natural aptitude for sports. Even Gao Heshuai and their other colleagues had discussed him, noting that if his academic pursuits failed, a career in athletics wouldn't be a poor alternative.

But he was still just a boy. Both the professional gym trainer and the burly construction worker had failed to budge the gold brick. Wouldn't it be an utter farce to let Jiang Ning attempt it?

No longer the naive girl she was, Guo Ran now possessed a pragmatic view of reality. She understood that, under the sky, true perfection was merely a myth. She had learned to embrace the flaws in the world.

"Let's just drop it," Guo Ran said, fearing that if Jiang Ning stepped up, he would only become a laughingstock.

As his mentor, she felt responsible for shielding him; she was the one meant to buffer him from the cold winds and hardships of the world.

Jiang Ning, however, showed no desire to boast. Remaining tranquil, he gave a faint nod. "Very well."

Le Qin, witnessing his composed reaction, felt a pang of regret. Such a master—perhaps one who had recovered the lost secrets of ancient martial arts—and she was destined to miss witnessing his true power. It was truly a pity.

"Why must it be about lifting heavy gold? A street challenge would have been far more interesting," Le Qin muttered to herself.

Amidst their exchange, the frustration of the crowd flared. "Is this a joke? Dropping it from 10 seconds to 5 doesn't change anything! If it can't be lifted, it can't be lifted!"

"I'm done waiting!" Someone grumbled and retreated into the distance.

The store manager remained unmoved, thinking: If that gold could truly be lifted, this business would have shuttered long ago.

Confronting the growing unrest, she flashed a welcoming grin. "I hear your frustration, and I truly value your passion! From this point on, not only can you volunteer for the challenge, but we will randomly select guests to try. Even if you fail to lift the gold, you will be gifted our signature Acacia Beans!"

With a flourish, she produced a piece of silver jewelry. The Acacia Beans consisted of two delicate silver ornaments suspended from a red cord. As the sunlight caught them, the glimmer of the precious metal seemed to tap into a primal human desire.

"These aren't some cheap trinkets," the manager promised, "they are crafted from 999 fine silver!"

The tension in the crowd dissipated instantly. Those who had been shouting loudest now sensed an easy gain. "Hey, it’s just lifting a brick, right? As long as a person has hands, they can try! Pick me!"

"Sister, I’ve got hands, too!" a man shouted, already imagining the delight of bringing pure silver home for his children.

"Why are you calling her 'Sister'? Isn't she just a fresh university graduate?" someone ribbed.

"What is happening today? Have I slipped back into the Three Kingdoms era? Is that Diao Chan standing there?" an elderly man joked.

Le Qin, ever the righteous spirit, frowned and scolded, "You guys are really going too far!"

Guo Ran expected her to deliver a stern lecture, but Le Qin shifted tactics, adding with a playful wink, "You're all going to frighten my sister!"

The banter smoothed over the tension, and the crowd turned lighthearted. The store manager beamed, crow's feet deepening at the corners of her eyes.

She scanned the assembly before pointing to a young girl who looked back with complete disbelief.

Prodded by her parent, the child walked forward in a daze, though she made no attempt at the gold brick. The manager fastened the red cord around her wrist, where the silver beans shone against her pale skin.

Seeing this, parents in the audience began nudging their children toward the front. Those without kids simply looked on with envy.

A sudden fervor gripped the crowd, yet no one dared to actually attempt the lift. They only wanted to secure the silver.

The store manager examined the crowd. Jiang Ning subtly channeled a trace of his spiritual technique, casting an imperceptible, alluring halo around Guo Ran.

Human nature is strange; the manager’s eyes were immediately drawn to Guo Ran. Honestly, she felt a flicker of jealousy toward the beautiful girl, for she was well aware of her own waning youth.

Still, as a businesswoman, she knew that beauty was an asset. She oversaw many staff members, and she knew that attractive employees—provided they weren't too haughty—rarely failed to draw in business.

She had already decided, but to keep the excitement at a peak, she deliberately dragged out the suspense.

The onlookers held their breath, waiting for the selection.

Finally, she pointed. "You! The beauty in the white down jacket, carrying the black bag!"

Guo Ran didn't realize she was the target until Le Qin nudged her fervently. "Ranran, look! It’s you!"

"Me?" Guo Ran finally grasped that she had been picked, though she had no idea how to proceed with the challenge.

Le Qin had a sudden flash of insight and asked, "Sister, would it be allowed for our friend to help us with the grab?"

The manager's instincts were to decline, but she remembered how the girl had helped stir the crowd earlier. With her microphone in hand, she replied, "As long as our beautiful lady in the white down jacket provides her consent, it is perfectly acceptable!"

"Ranran, hurry up and agree!" Le Qin urged.

With a multitude of eyes fixed upon her, Guo Ran finally gave in. "Well then, Jiang Ning, would you please assist me?"

Le Qin immediately pressed the advantage, "And Sister, based on your own words, if our friend succeeds in lifting the brick, does the reward still apply?"