Chapter 160: God’s Favor (9)

Chapter 160: God's Favor (9)

It wasn't that Jie Fangcheng was being petty. If it was just the players in the game, it wouldn't matter so much, their occasional teasing was tolerable.

The main issue was the presence of Lang Gu, and potentially other colleagues in the future.

Jie Fangcheng dreaded the thought of others, like old Fan or old Xie, coming in the future and being introduced to him.

"This is the 'Heartless Sword', Jie Fangcheng."

... Perhaps it's time to resign.

However, when Jie Fangcheng mentioned it, the Yu Yizhou in front of him was taken aback: "Huh? What nickname?"

Jie Fangcheng was also startled.

"That one," he gestured, "something something sword."

"Something something sword?" While Yu Yizhou was still confused, his companion had caught on.

"The Heartless Sword?"

"Ah, yes."

Yu Yizhou couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother Jie, have you met Xiaoyang? Don't listen to him, what does he know about giving nicknames?"

"Huh?" Jie Fangcheng was stunned for a moment.

Yu Yizhou explained, "The ‘Heartless Sword’, ‘Moon-Slicing Saber’, and the like, he came up with them all on his own, we never acknowledged them. When he first joined the guild, coincidentally during the 'Red Cloaked Demon incident'... oh, he did coin that nickname and we found it quite fitting so we used it. But now this kid really thinks his naming skills are unparalleled. Don't worry! We would never acknowledge a name like 'Heartless Sword'!"

Jie Fangcheng sighed in relief.

But it's quite unfortunate for Lang Gu, wouldn't his colleagues die of laughter upon hearing this nickname when he returns?

Ah, thankfully the pitiful one isn't himself.

Jie Fangcheng was taking joy in others' misfortune.

Then he heard Yu Yizhou suggest, "But Brother Jie, I think 'Wind Sprite' suits you quite well!"

……

Jie Fangcheng drew his sword with an expressionless face.

The two companions beside Yu Yizhou immediately covered his mouth, "He's talking nonsense, let us think it over again!"

They said as they dragged Yu Yizhou away, and one could faintly hear Yu Yizhou struggling.

"What's the matter? What's wrong with this nickname? Isn't it very fitting and green?? What do you mean it's lame? It has a nice ring to it!"

Nie Shuangshuang couldn't help but remark at the side, "It's hard to imagine the mental state of this group."

She was really curious, didn't these people have any loved ones to worry about? After entering the dream, they weren't influenced by the figures they missed in the dream but instead enjoyed the comic books in the dream freely?

What is the concept of the secondary world?

Actually, if Nie Shuangshuang had paid attention, she would have noticed that during the first collective prayer, the members of the Death God Guild were quite engrossed, and they were all equally distraught upon waking up from the dream.

Who doesn't have regrets and remorse in their lifetime? Now in the dream, there's a chance to make up for these regrets, who would refuse?

However, when this group gathered for a meeting, they also sensed the abnormalities in the dream, much like the members of Ronghua.

Just that on the first day, despite knowing something was off, the members of Ronghua couldn't help but fall into the trap.

The atmosphere in the Death God Guild was rather peculiar.

"Hypocritical god! Trying to immerse us in this illusory world, making us forget everything about reality!"

"Such a malevolent deity! Exploiting the vulnerabilities in our psyche, weaving a tapestry of lies for us... even using the person I cherish most in my dreams to fulfill their goal of harming me. It's truly... infuriating!"

"My 'Eye of Discerning the Ultimate Truth' has sensed the danger! Everyone, we must forge ahead with vigour!"

"Weren't you the 'Eye of Truth' before? Why the elaboration now?"

A collective realization of destiny's manipulative and infuriating pull dawned upon the group, leading them to unanimously assert: this is merely a trivial trial; they absolutely cannot bow down to fate!

Thus, from the second dream onwards, they lost interest in the people within their dreams. But the moment they turned around, they were greeted by the continuous comic series and animations they had been yearning for.

Free of charge!!

This dream is rather splendid!!

Consequently, the group embarked on their dream journey, navigating a perplexing mix of rational and irrational behaviours.

Do you understand the weightiness of being able to concentrate on following animations in a terrifying, limitless game, indicative of a secondary dimension?

Of course, all of these developments remained unknown to Jie Fangcheng and his group. The members of the Death God Guild greeted them warmly, congregating around the bag of "Dream Return Fish" and examining it closely.

Only one-fifth of the candles in the temple remained lit.

At that moment, Zhang Daoan decisively stepped onto the platform at the forefront of the temple.

"Everyone, we have a piece of intelligence to share with you all."

He briefly recounted their recent findings, including how the "Dream Return Fish" was embedding itself into players' minds, poised to take over once it hatched.

The players buzzed with discussions. After sharing the information, Zhang Daoan stepped down from the platform.

"Let's go, it's best to return as soon as possible."

Although the starlight served as a catalyst, evidently, the starlight refracted into the temple from the deity's paintings in the hand induced a superior catalytic effect, also ushering in irresistible dreams.

Meanwhile, on the Ronghua side, Wei Yuan's condition was notably deteriorating.

Currently, to the naked eye, all players seemed normal, even managing to rationally utter phrases like "this dream is too dangerous" during conversations.

But rationality was futile, as one would still succumb to addiction when the time came.

However, Wei Yuan was no longer bearing semblance to a normal person.

His responses were sluggish, nowhere near the "Colossal Stone" Wei Yuan's level. A conversation with Qiao Mai required a long time before Wei Yuan could muster a reply, and furthermore...

"Wei Yuan, you cannot attend the temple prayer session tomorrow," Zhang Daoan asserted. "Given your current condition, another session would likely result in you being replaced."

Hearing the phrase "cannot attend the temple prayer session tomorrow," Wei Yuan's face immediately revealed an expression of resistance.

"Why? I believe I'm still holding up quite well!"

It was evident that just moments ago in the temple, Zhang Daoan had already explained that as the time spent in the dream world elongates, the incubation of the "Dream Return Fish" would accelerate, eventually supplanting the player. Yet, Wei Yuan seemed as if he had not heard anything, laboriously defending himself: "I merely had a dream, nothing more!"

He was now beyond the reach of others' words.

Zhang Daoan refrained from further comment.

Once the group returned to the Divine Residence Tower, Zhang Daoan suddenly gestured, commanding: "Bind Wei Yuan."

The members of Ronghua were momentarily stunned, with Qi Chanyang being the first to react, instantly rushing to Wei Yuan's side.

Zhang Daoan's method was straightforward and brusque, yet highly effective.

Would the incubation of the "Dream Return Fish" pause, provided there was no further exposure to the starlight?

From this perspective, restraining Wei Yuan to prevent him from wandering about seemed to be the most efficient strategy.

Following Qi Chanyang's reaction, Nie Shuangshuang and the others quickly followed suit.

Surrounded by about a dozen individuals, Wei Yuan stood dazedly. As Qi Chanyang reached towards him with a rope, Wei Yuan abruptly drew a weapon from his backpack, lashing it towards Qi Chanyang.

Fortunately, his reduced speed allowed Qi Chanyang to evade the attack with a swift roll.

Wei Yuan seemed oblivious to his own actions, his eyes fixed on the members of Ronghua before him, yet seemingly seeing nothing, his mind engulfed by scenes from the dream.

He was pondering a name for his unborn child — what would be a good name? He aspired to lead a blissful life with Qiao... Qiao who?

—Thank the benevolent deity for granting him this happiness.

Praying to the kind and magnificent deity was indeed a necessity.

Anyone hindering him would be considered an adversary—

"Wei Yuan! What are you doing?!"

On the field, Qiao Mai had been standing by Wei Yuan's side all along. When Qi Chanyang approached to restrain him, she instinctively attempted to block Qi Chanyang, only to slowly regain her composure moments later.

Restraining Wei Yuan, who was now clearly delirious, to prevent him from visiting the temple seemed to be the best course of action.

Qiao Mai extended her hand to grasp Wei Yuan's.

"Wei Yuan, this is for your own good, rest assured, I will always be by your side. You..."

Before she could finish, the whip in Wei Yuan's hand swung forward, aiming directly at Qiao Mai.

Miraculously, an almost invisible red filament appeared at the critical moment, temporarily blocking his attack. After a loud cry from Nie Shuangshuang, she swiftly moved to escort Qiao Mai out of Wei Yuan's attack range.

Qiao Mai stared in disbelief, pressing her bloodied arm where Wei Yuan's whip had struck.

It was only at this moment, as Wei Yuan's gaze fell upon Qiao Mai's injured arm, that he seemed to snap back to reality, staring blankly.

"Qiao Mai..."

What is happening to him? What on earth is he doing?

Although these questions reverberated in his mind, Wei Yuan felt as if he was floating in the air, becoming a mere spectator of this scene, rather than a participant.

He "watched" himself step by step approaching Qiao Mai.

Nie Shuangshuang attempted to stop him with a vigilant demeanor, but it was Qiao Mai who regained her senses instead.

She rose from the ground; despite the bleeding wound on her arm, her first instinct was to embrace Wei Yuan tightly.

"It's alright now. You are not in a good state at the moment, can you be a good listener?" she said soothingly.

Wei Yuan "saw" himself nodding, then passively allowed the other members of Ronghua to apply various restraining devices on him.

...Was that him?

But then, who was this entity "watching" Wei Yuan?

Zhang Daoan had been watching the unfolding scene with an indescribable expression. After everyone had secured Wei Yuan, he suddenly spoke, "Wei Yuan, do you still remember being the president of the Ronghua Guild?"

Wei Yuan looked at him sluggishly, nodding only after a considerable pause.

"Yes."

Zhang Daoan pondered briefly before turning his attention towards Qiao Mai.

"Qiao Mai, there's something I need to discuss with you."

The duo withdrew to converse in secrecy, while the others escorted the restrained Wei Yuan to his room. Nie Shuangshuang volunteered to guard his door vigilantly.

"Rest assured, if anything happens, he won't be able to catch up with my speed," she confidently proclaimed.

Only then did the crowd return to the main hall.

Wei Yuan's condition served as a sobering reminder to everyone. This time, all perceived an underlying danger, as if their minds were veiled by an unidentified membrane.

Normally, Wei Yuan was undoubtedly a gentleman. Throughout the many years with Qiao Mai, not only had physical conflicts been absent, but they hadn't even engaged in verbal disputes.

Yet now, under the influence of the dreamscape, he had raised his hand against Qiao Mai.

Would they, too, succumb to the influence of the dreamscape, perhaps one day manifesting a demeanor akin to Wei Yuan's current state, even harming those close to them?

"We absolutely must avoid praying at the temple tomorrow! If I seem to be losing clarity of mind and insist on going, you must bind me as well!!"

The room suddenly echoed with similar exclamations and resolutions.

Just then, Zhang Daoan and Qiao Mai finally returned.

Zhang Daoan appeared as composed as usual, while Qiao Mai had a slight redness rimming her eyes.

But when others inquired, she merely shook her head in response.

Xie Fangcheng expressed a hint of curiosity, "What happened?"

Zhang Daoan swept his gaze around the room, then shook his head as well, stating, "Nothing, I'll tell you later."

As the congregation in the hall engaged in lively conversation, the rest of the crew finally returned.

Upon arrival, the members of the Grim Reaper Guild observed the multitude of people in the main hall, offering them polite nods of acknowledgment before retreating to their headquarters, engaged in discussions about the latest episodes and series they encountered in their dreams.

The independent players arrived with a complex array of expressions etched on their faces.

The words uttered by Zhang Daoan within the temple induced a semblance of internal strife among them. Now encountering members of the Ronghua, they all initiated their conversation with words of gratitude, thanking them for their willingness to share information.

In the instance dungeons, it was commonplace for players to fend for themselves, with only a minority willing to share intel with strangers.

However, Zhang Daoan posed a question, "Do you all plan to pray at the temple tomorrow?"

The crowd paused, exchanging uneasy glances before someone hesitantly responded, "Perhaps we shouldn't? But without prayers, the growth of divine power might be insufficient for the deity..."

"I assure you, abstaining from prayers won't hinder our progress in clearing the dungeons."

Only then did the players unanimously voice their decisions, "Then we won't, we definitely won't. We all prioritize preserving our lives."

Zhang Daoan nodded approvingly.

After the independent players had left, the Ronghua group exchanged a few words before retiring to their respective rooms.

At this juncture, Xie Fangcheng asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Without offering any explanation, Zhang Daoan proposed, "Let's rise early tomorrow morning, shall we?"

His definition of "early" truly embodied the word, as Zhang Daoan was knocking at Xie Fangcheng’s door just past four in the morning.

"Let's go."

Although perplexed, Xie Fangcheng began to grasp the situation when, upon exiting the Divine Dwelling Tower, they saw flickering candle lights in the distant temple from afar.

A realization dawned upon Xie Fangcheng.

He approached a window, peering inside through the glass.

Inside the temple, multiple figures cast long shadows.