Chapter 179: Divine Servants (Part Twenty-Eight)

Chapter 179: Divine Servants (Part Twenty-Eight)

Jie Fangcheng says this calmly, as if he's had similar experiences before and is confident in his abilities.

After hearing this, Zhang Dao'an lifts his head as if about to say something but then decides against it, only smiling, "I've always thought your combat rating was a bit absurd, Manager Jie."

It's just a line to change the subject, to which Jie Fangcheng responds nonchalantly, "That's what everyone says."

From past to present, so many people have said it that there's nothing to be modest about.

Zhang Dao'an didn't expect this reply and can't help but laugh.

"That's good."

After finalizing their plans, the two exit Zhang Dao'an's mental space.

Zhang Dao'an is mentally going over the intricacies of the dungeon when Jie Fangcheng suddenly places his palm on Zhang's shoulder, having exited the mind space.

"Don't worry. If anything happens to you, I'll kill Ji Chaoyang even if it costs me my life."

Jie Fangcheng had heard Zhang Dao'an's unfinished statement while they were in the mind space.

But he said nothing at that time. Now, fully aware that Ji Chaoyang is likely watching them, he says this instead.

Without waiting for any response from Zhang Dao'an, Jie Fangcheng pats him on the shoulder and walks away.

Zhang Dao'an stands there, momentarily stunned, and then absentmindedly pats his own shoulder.

.

Though Zhang Dao'an has a plan, it's undoubtedly a risky one.

Ji Chaoyang's carefully selected dungeon could have other traps waiting, and Zhang Dao'an is beginning to suspect that this infinite game isn't as straightforward as he initially thought.

Rushing to a conclusion would be the most irrational move; advancing step by step with careful planning increases their chances of winning.

Even though the enemy holds the title of "deity," they must still adhere to the rules of the game and can't directly confront them.

Since the "deity" can't appear outside the rules, there's a lot of room to maneuver within them.

Early the next day, as the players gather in the hall, they discover a new problem— they're out of money.

When the Divine Servants were around, money was never an issue; everything was provided.

Now, they have to earn their keep, and without earnings, there's no food.

Players who are fully awake don't react much; they've gotten used to being at the bottom in previous dungeons. Earning money in this dungeon is simple— just switch from offering free help to charging for it.

Those players still affected by the dream fish are finding it hard to adjust.

As time passes, they increasingly resemble the Divine Servants.

"As 'Divine Favored,' you're supposed to be exalted representatives of the deity! How could you do this for petty money?"

The other players just roll their eyes, completely ignoring them.

These delusional 'Divine Favored' players, totaling twelve, show disdain at the others' 'stubbornness,' haughtily walking away.

Soon enough, they return, hands full of seemingly lavish food.

As they eat their hearty breakfast, the expressions of these 'Divine Favored' individuals seem to grow increasingly arrogant.

The hatching of the "Dream Fish" is on the verge of success.

Compared to Wei Yuan's state at the time, they are evidently deeper in.

As such, they seem to be diving deeper into their illusions.

As Zhang Dao'an pointed out, the more conscienceless a person is, the harder it is for them to escape this fabricated dream.

Still, the current developments have taken everyone by surprise.

Ever since the players entered this dungeon, where there are almost no scenarios requiring player-vs-player combat, they have been conversing with each other even though they aren't well-acquainted.

It's shocking to see that some seemingly decent players can be so indifferent to the suffering of others.

Especially He Yanhui, the player who had once kindly taken in an abandoned baby. She now shows no compassion for the plight of regular NPCs, appearing haughty except when dealing with the child she had rescued.

It seems her conscience only extends to the child who stirs her emotions.

These individuals eat with great relish in the hall, but the eyes of other players looking at them mostly convey pity.

Annoyed by this misplaced sympathy, they confer briefly after the meal and then leave the hall as a group.

The remaining players, burdened with the responsibility of making money, quickly follow suit.

As a result, when Jie Fangcheng wakes up, he finds that he and Zhang Dao'an are the only ones left in the Divine Residence Tower.

Zhang Dao'an has pulled out a book from somewhere and sits reading in the sunlit hall. Despite being in a perilous dungeon, he looks entirely at ease.

Hearing footsteps, he lifts his gaze and spots Jie Fangcheng. Zhang then takes out a steamer of Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) from his system bag.

These were prepared before entering the dungeon, made from expensive system materials that have no other use but consumption.

Zhang Dao'an is probably the only one who would spend a vast number of points to prepare such a thing.

After sharing breakfast and some light banter in the hall, the two men head out.

Unexpectedly, their timing proves serendipitous.

At the entrance of the Divine Residence Tower, Wei Yuan and the fully conscious players are facing off against twelve players who are gradually becoming more like the Divine Servants. Both groups glare at each other.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Wei Yuan is ready to explode.

Those facing him stand with their backs to the tower, each clamoring to express their views.

"You've all forsaken the benevolent deity, so how dare you occupy the Divine Residence Tower? Anyone who doesn't believe should get out! This tower isn't for you!"

Wei Yuan glances at them, unimpressed. "You're insane, aren't you?"

The opposing players look left and right; they are surrounded by numerous NPCs, local residents of the vicinity.

"You're the insane ones! This city was created by the deity, and we are all devout followers! The Divine Residence Tower is a dwelling bestowed upon those who serve the deity with a devoted heart. You heretics should leave immediately!"

Wei Yuan mutters an expletive and is about to draw his weapon when a familiar voice emanates from behind the talking player.

"What? You want to kick me out of here?"

The twelve players stiffen all at once; it appears that even if they had fully hatched, their reactions to seeing Jie Fangcheng would be the same.

Jie Fangcheng is surprised: "That's something I've never heard since I was born. You're pretty gutsy!"

The leader stutters, "We...we're just trying to be reasonable..."

Jie Fangcheng draws his sword in a swift motion: "Well, I'm not."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

The twelve players, who were just standing confidently at the entrance of the Divine Residence Tower, vanish into thin air, leaving Wei Yuan drenched in sweat.

These twelve players are not quite lucid anymore, hence their audacity to confront over seventy of them. Seeing Jie Fangcheng seems to have restored a bit of their sanity.

Wei Yuan can't help but marvel internally: Jie's intimidation is like it's etched into his DNA.

Jie Fangcheng, having successfully intimidated them, has no intention of pursuing them further. As the twelve scatter, he sheathes his sword and gestures to Wei Yuan, "Carry on, then."

Saying that, he and Zhang Dao'an walk side by side toward the temple.

Nie Shuangshuang cranes her neck to watch them leave and mutters, "What are Jie and Zhang up to now?"

Qiao Mai glances at her and says, "They're helping us clear the dungeon."

Nie Shuangshuang is taken aback.

Indeed.

"Helping" is the right word.

This dungeon is a community challenge for all of them. Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an were brought in to assist.

What's more, after entering the dungeon, Wei Yuan and the others were initially trapped in a dream by the "Dreaming Fish," lost in a virtual fantasy and forgetting reality. Now, although the "Dreaming Fish" has been removed from their minds, they can't contribute much and can only assist the resident NPCs in earning money for food.

Unknowingly, the entire hope and burden of clearing the dungeon have been transferred solely to these two men.

A year ago, Nie Shuangshuang could hardly have imagined this.

This is the Infinite Game after all; countless people have invitation items but nobody to invite.

"Jie and Zhang... they're really pulling their weight."

With that thought, Nie Shuangshuang can't help but let out a sigh.

Meanwhile, Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an, entrusted with all the hope and burden of clearing the dungeon, have entered the temple.

"Huh? Where is everyone?"

Normally, the temple is bustling, with many residents coming to pray—it's practically a daily routine for the inhabitants of Qiming City.

Well, an empty temple is just fine.

Upon reaching the inner sanctum, Zhang Dao'an crouches beside the fertile soil, known to bring forth human life, searching for clues. Jie Fangcheng's nose twitches.

There had been many players in the inner sanctum that day, making the air thick with mixed scents, so he hadn't detected anything.

But this time, he's certain he smells a faint floral fragrance.

"Do you smell flowers?" Jie Fangcheng asks.

Zhang Dao'an takes a deliberate sniff, nods, and then shakes his head.

"I think I can faintly smell it, but the scent is very subtle."

Jie Fangcheng, however, quickly narrows it down, "The scent is coming from the soil."

The soil?

As Zhang Dao'an reaches out to grab a handful of soil, Jie Fangcheng swiftly grabs his hand to stop him.

"You're grabbing soil bare-handed? What if it's poisonous?"

Having said that, Jie Fangcheng himself doesn't hesitate and plunges his hand into the soil.

To the eye, it appears to be regular earth, but upon holding it, Jie Fangcheng can't help but furrow his brow.

"It's somewhat sticky."

As if there's some sort of liquid within, yet invisible to the naked eye.

Zhang Dao'an appears contemplative before he simply extends his hand.

With a flash of red light, Zhang Dao'an cuts his own finger, dripping his blood onto the peculiar soil.

There's no reaction.

After a moment's consideration, he takes out the half bag of seeds he had acquired from Zhang Dawu, pinches a couple, and plants them into the ground. He then drips more of his blood onto the seeds.

Like someone has flipped on a speed switch, the seeds instantly take root and sprout, quickly growing into palm-sized seedlings.

In the middle of the vibrant seedlings, a tiny flower bud gently sways. It's on the verge of blooming, seemingly just requiring a bit more blood to fully blossom.

The two exchange glances.

"It seems this is likely the flower depicted on the Divine Child's forehead. Shall we water it to see what happens?"

Zhang Dao'an looks at the almost-blooming, pristine little flower and shakes his head.

"Something's not quite right."

"Hmm?"

Zhang Dao'an has observed these Divine Children and even conversed with them.

Most of these children are quite intelligent, some even precocious.

This intelligence manifests itself in a willingness to ponder questions that adults either don't or wouldn't dare to consider.

For example, what exactly has divinity brought to Qiming City?

The temples, the divine towers—all were built by the people of Qiming City.

The food they eat is hard-earned from their own labor; the small pigs and lambs are raised from forage they collect.

What has divinity given them? And why should they worship it?

However, in Qiming City, it is a sin not to venerate the gods; such thoughts have never been openly expressed.

It is only in conversations with Zhang Dao'an—whose questions even adults struggle to answer—that these children find it hard to conceal their thoughts.

"Divine blood can create adult residents of Qiming City. Children, although 'gifted by divinity,' are still born from a mother's womb. Why would divine blood cultivate a flower that's not respectful to the gods, the one found on the Divine Child's forehead?"

Zhang Dao'an's question is readily answered.

He waters the bud once more with his own blood, but the near-blooming white flower remains motionless.

"Divine blood doesn't seem sufficient to bloom this flower. Let's try someone else."

In the afternoon, the two locate a resident who had initially sought their aid at the fee-based help desk.

Even when free help was available, this resident chose to pay, clearly harboring no fond feelings toward divinity.

After bringing this resident to the inner sanctum, just as Zhang Dao'an predicted, the resident's blood causes the white flower to blossom immediately.

A faint floral fragrance fills the inner sanctum. Jie Fangcheng leans in for a closer look, appearing momentarily bewildered.

"This appears to be a 'Sorrow-Eroding Flower,' although it's different from the ones I've seen in the underworld. The petals are smaller, and the stigma has turned into a transparent white."

"Sorrow-Eroding Flower?"

"Yes, it's a flower that intensifies painful memories when consumed. It used to be used for punishing disobedient spirits. But ever since the new underworld regulations prohibited its use, it has lost its value." Jie Fangcheng adds, "The flower is a bit bitter when consumed raw and not particularly sweet aftertaste. But it becomes quite crispy when fried, almost like a substitute for chips if you ignore the taste!"

Zhang Dao'an: "..."

Jie Fangcheng looks at him, somewhat puzzled, "What's with that look?"

Shaking his head, Zhang Dao'an changes the subject, "First, it was the modified Dreaming Fish, and now it's a modified Sorrow-Eroding Flower. This scenario really seems to have some connection to the underworld."

While he says this, Zhang Dao'an has never actually visited the underworld. He has only caught glimpses of it in Jie Fangcheng's dreams.

He does have a conjecture as to why this scenario would have connections to the underworld, but it lacks any substantial evidence and too many pieces are missing for it to hold up, so Zhang Dao'an opts not to voice it.

"Let's discuss it after we clear this scenario."

Jie Fangcheng nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "How do we clear this scenario?"

Zhang Dao'an had already plucked the transformed Sorrow-Eroding Flower and, holding a bottle of restorative potion in one hand, popped the flower into his mouth with the other.

Jie Fangcheng was taken aback, "Whoa! Aren't you being a bit reckless??"

Just like that? Wasn't he afraid the thing might be poisonous?

The Sorrow-Eroding Flower was indeed quite bitter. Zhang Dao'an winced but quickly chewed and swallowed it.

Only after swallowing did he speak, "This scenario poses many mental challenges, making me the most suitable lab rat."

In terms of mental resilience, Zhang Dao'an was indeed safer than Jie Fangcheng.

Since the flower had bloomed, someone had to be responsible for testing it. Common NPCs weren't the same as Divine Children, and forcing NPCs to be guinea pigs was definitely not an option.

Among the players, Wei Yuan and his team were unsuitable candidates. If this challenge were to involve mental intrusion, they would just be cannon fodder.

That left only Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an to serve as potential test subjects.

After consuming the flower, Zhang Dao'an closed his eyes and performed a self-assessment, finding nothing amiss.

As for the intensified painful memories, that sort of mental manipulation had no effect on him.

"But what exactly does this flower..." Zhang Dao'an suddenly had a thought.

He opened his system inventory and pulled out a compact mirror.

Reflected in the mirror, the divine sigil on his forehead flickered in and out of visibility.

He had become a Divine Child.

Jie Fangcheng had never worn a divine robe, nor had he ever received divine power; he couldn't see the divine sigil.

At this moment, Zhang Dao'an took a look in the mirror and his expression changed, clearly making some new discovery.

"What's going on?" Jie Fangcheng leaned in and fiddled with the mirror. He saw both of their faces reflected but couldn't discern anything unusual.

Zhang Dao'an knew.

"The most challenging part of this scenario... has already been completed for us by someone else."

Zhang Daowu had prepared the seeds for them and discreetly provided the most crucial clue.

He was the friendly NPC of this scenario.

Had anyone other than Jie Fangcheng's group entered the scenario, Zhang Daowu would have similarly prepared everything, sparing no effort to assist the players in overthrowing the "god."

Where the half-bag of rice came from, how he discovered the god was amiss, and how he had carefully made all the preparations under surveillance, just waiting for the final puzzle piece to fall into place—none of these details were known.

It must have been a grueling journey, no doubt.

"Hm?" Jie Fangcheng was puzzled, but looking at Zhang Dao'an's expression, he seemed to understand. "You've figured out how to clear this instance?"

Zhang Dao'an nodded.

"Plant seeds to grow flowers; one for each player. Once we have a hundred Divine Children, we can open the divine temple."

Jie Fangcheng immediately rolled up his sleeves, "Shall we start now?"

Holding half a bag of rice grains, Zhang Dao'an looked up, as if having a silent conversation with the “god” still watching them from above.

"No rush; we'll open the doors to the temple sooner or later."

.

Meanwhile, Nie Shuangshuang and the others were also busy.

The free help stations had disappeared, and the queue of citizens waiting for aid from the "Divine Children" had gradually dispersed, leaving only those in dire need.

The workload of the players had significantly lightened. As before, those not working roamed the city to patrol, looking to assist citizens in need—though this time for a fee, albeit slightly lower.

During the patrol, they discovered that the twelve players, who were increasingly resembling divine servants, seemed to be living quite comfortably.

They had completely severed ties with the player community and were eyeing the Divine Residence Tower with determined ambition.

Leading them was He Yanhui.

Although she was almost fully incubated, the remnants of her rationality still warned her: capturing the Divine Residence Tower with just their twelve was impossible.

Not to mention anything else, Jie Fangcheng alone could easily take on all twelve of them.

So, what to do now?

At this time, Zhang Dao'an wasn't the only one who could think of rallying other forces.

The native citizens of Qiming City might not be particularly capable, but their sheer numbers would serve well as cannon fodder!

They are God's people, and should contribute everything, including their lives, to their merciful God.

For two or three days, as Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an occasionally visited the divine temple and players were busy in the city, everyone could vaguely feel something was off in the city’s atmosphere, even affecting their routine questing and rewards.

There were even unexplained disappearances among the residents.

But when Nie Shuangshuang inquired, Zhang Dao'an just shook his head, "Don't interfere; it’s not our place."

Until the early morning of the third day, when the players were deep in sleep, suddenly, the doors to the Divine Residence Tower were burst open.

A sea of torches illuminated the area, and a multitude of faces—fearful, yet shining brightly in the firelight—stared at the abruptly awakened "Divine Children."

Leading the crowd were some familiar faces: individuals who had sought help from Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an when they first started their paid assistance service.

"Gods mean nothing! The future of Qiming City should be in our hands!"

Someone shouted these resonant words.

Could this city, supposedly forged by a "benevolent god" to be a haven of bliss, truly be free of resentment?

Humans are not livestock, not pigs or dogs raised in pens. Beyond the superficial needs of food and warmth, there are deeper yearnings—for ideals, love, family, dignity, and so much more.

Yet, in this city, familial bonds are fleeting, and marriages are decreed by the gods. Everyone has a fixed place, with no room for deviation or dissent.

Meanwhile, as they lead such "blissful" lives, a group of people enjoys the fruits of their labor without ever giving them a second glance.

Such "bliss" seems like a dreamscape—a nightmarish one, with a fixed script.

Now, Zhang Dao'an has shown them the disparity between themselves and the "Divine Children," while the twelve "Eminent Divine Children" have shown them that even these "Divine Children" are not above them.

The nearly-incubated players are too weak; their minds have lost the combat systems of the players, and their would-be divine servant replacements are yet to fully master their bodies.

Those once-unreachable divine servants, endowed with god-given power, had moved unopposed through the city. Yet when these "Divine Children" showed signs of continuing the oppression of the citizens of Qiming City, someone finally couldn't take it anymore and struck the first blow against the gods.

They won.

It wasn't easy, but it turns out that Divine Children are not invincible. They can die—when they do, their pupils dilate and their bodies bleed crimson just like any other human.

If Divine Children, the earthly incarnations of gods, can be defeated, what about the elusive god who has shackled Qiming City?

After discovering that Divine Children can be killed, could they continue to live as they had before?

Absolutely not! Drive out all the Divine Children! Topple the divine temple! From now on, Qiming City will be a city for humans alone—a city where one can choose one's occupation and love freely!

Even if such freedom is but a fleeting firework, it's better than enduring the agonizing limbo of a prison disguised as a "God-given" sanctuary.

"What Divine Residence Tower? This was built by our ancestors! You outsiders have no place living here!"

The NPCs before them were agitated, yet their strength was minimal, leaving the players in a quandary, unsure whether to take action.

At that moment, a simple "Okay" resonated among the players.

Zhang Dao'an, still dressed in his white "divine robe," adjusted his glasses: "Then let's take refuge in the divine temple."

The citizens before him stood tall, "What divine temple? We built that too! What gods... Qiming City needs no gods!"

Zhang Dao'an remained composed, "Is that so."

As the people before him seemed ready to continue, Zhang Dao'an interjected, "If gods are no longer needed, then us staying a few days shouldn’t be a problem, should it?"

His demeanor was too calm, even seemingly amicable as if negotiating, leaving the rebels unsure of his true intentions.

The citizens were highly averse to the twelve "Divine Children" who sought to oppress them. However, the ones before them, although they charged for help, did so at reasonable rates and always maintained a polite attitude. As Zhang Dao'an spoke so "diplomatically," the rebel leaders exchanged glances and agreed.

"You can." Although agreeing, they added a new stipulation, "But this so-called temple is also a part of Qiming City. Make your exit swiftly!"

"Understood." Zhang Dao'an remained composed, even congenial. "As for the Divine Children upstairs..."

"Take them with you!"

It's said that these "Divine Children" are the "seeds" sown by the gods in the mortal realm, serving as proof of the gods' existence.

Amidst the swell of nationwide anti-deity sentiment, no one wants these "Divine Children" to remain in Qiming City.

"Very well."

Zhang Dao'an had already become one of the core figures among the players. Since he agreed, the other core members would undoubtedly follow his lead. Regardless of their internal thoughts, the players began packing up their belongings, heading from the opulent and comfortable Divine Residence Tower to the divine temple in the early morning hours.

Along the way, stars twinkled in the sky, and Zhang Dao'an unerringly located the dim star he had noticed.

Hidden among the stars, this particular celestial body seemed like a watchful eye, observing all that was unfolding.

Tonight was the night—

Shortly after the crowd arrived at the divine temple, ushering the disoriented "Divine Children," a torrent of curses and the light of angry torches surged from the city toward the temple.

They had discovered the secret of the Divine Residence Tower's warehouse, the mass grave that had claimed untold lives.

For the players, those were merely deceased NPCs, but for the city's inhabitants, those were their parents, their family, real people who had once been part of their lives.

The impact of such a mass grave on them was unimaginable.

Kill the Divine Children! Burn the temple!

Hatred and rage rallied countless people together once more.

The players, who had just arrived at the temple and were still unsure of Zhang Dao'an's intentions, found themselves greeted by raucous noises from outside.

This time, the noise was tinged with hostility toward them.

"Kill them!"

"What gods? Qiming City was clearly built by humans! What do gods even matter?!"

"They promised my parents would be given proper burials! How dare they just dump them there... Kill!"

"Kill!"

The thick doors were finally breached.

"What... What do we do now?"

Slaying these NPCs would be straightforward—Nie Shuangshuang alone could accomplish it.

However, the anger of these people is understandable. Under these circumstances, should they really raise their hand against these innocent NPCs?

"To the inner sanctum."

The players immediately moved toward the inner sanctum, accompanied by the Divine Children.

At some point, the ground of the inner sanctum had become blanketed with white flowers.

The blossoms swayed in the night, exuding a mysterious beauty, their subtle fragrance permeating the chamber.

Wei Yuan braced his hands on the ground: "Rise!"

A thick stone wall ascended behind the doors of the inner sanctum, separating them from the civilians outside.

Noise erupted outside, matched by commotion within the inner sanctum.

The younger Divine Children, unclear about what was happening, huddled together in a corner, fear and confusion marking their still-youthful faces.

Players conversed in a cacophony of voices.

"What just happened? Why did the citizens suddenly revolt?"

"When did these white flowers start growing in the inner sanctum? These... these look like the same flowers on the foreheads of the Divine Children!"

"What's our next move? We're still short of more than forty Divine Children. Even if we could find them now, given the current hostility of the NPC civilians, would they still cooperate with us?"

Some players seemed to have a sudden realization and their gaze shifted abruptly toward Zhang Dao'an.

Under the flickering candlelight, if one employed divine powers to see, a mystical marking on Zhang Dao'an's forehead was barely visible.

The players in this instance were no strangers to high-level instances and were generally savvy. Someone quickly caught on.

"I get it!" The speaker analyzed rapidly, "Those twelve players who were influenced by the Divine Servants acted high and mighty in the city but lacked the strength. They were likely killed by the citizens! Upon realizing that the Divine Children are not all-powerful, the citizens were inspired to rebel, hence our current predicament. As for these white flowers in the inner sanctum... It was you, wasn't it, Brother Jie and Brother Zhang?"

With that, the speaker's eyes burned into Zhang Dao'an's forehead.

"You've found a way to create Divine Children?"

Not one to keep secrets at this point, Zhang Dao'an confirmed, "Yes."

They could create Divine Children!

The condition to complete the instance was to gather a hundred Divine Children, unlock the temple, and offer them to the deity.

If they could produce them now, doesn't that mean they could complete the instance immediately?

"How can we create them?!" Everyone turned their eyes toward Zhang Dao'an.

His voice remained composed, "We consume the flowers and transform into Divine Children."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, momentarily stunned.

The meaning of "offering the Divine Children" was now clear to everyone; these "Divine Children" were sacrifices.

If the temple doors were opened and the players encountered the deity in the form of Divine Children... would they be retained by the god?

A deity of an instance—their power would undoubtedly surpass that of an ordinary boss.

"I volunteer," Wei Yuan was the first to speak up.

Once he spoke, members of the Ronghua Guild raised their hands in rapid succession to volunteer.

"What haven't we seen? Count me in!"

"And me, and me! I'm definitely not scared!"

"Don't even try. In terms of strength, who could surpass me, 'Mad Rabbit'? Who has a higher leaderboard rank?"

Initially, others were pondering how to fill the remaining forty or so spots, given the evident risks of consuming the flowers to become Divine Children.

Yet, here were over sixty members from the Ronghua Guild, all shouting "pick me, pick me," turning it into some sort of large-scale talent competition. Forty spots seemed insufficient for their enthusiasm.

Jie Fangcheng watched the Ronghua members who were eager to volunteer, a sense of nostalgia crossing his eyes.

As the current Guild Leader, Wei Yuan quickly allocated the spots.

"Alright, alright, enough! Let’s listen to Brother Zhang about the next steps!"

Pairs of eyes, eager for knowledge, turned toward Zhang Dao'an.

With a casual tone, Zhang Dao'an simply said, "Wait."

Wait? Wait for what?

As players were discussing methods for completing the instance, the number of resident NPCs in the outer chamber continued to grow.

The stone wall, formed by their abilities, was impervious to ordinary NPCs. Frustrated, the angry residents struck it several times with their hoes, to no effect.

They then focused their attention on the statues of gods within the temple.

"What kind of god is this? If it weren’t for them, why would my parents have died?"

"Destroy this statue! From now on, our Qiming City doesn't need such things!"

"Smash it!"

The unified sounds of "smashing" were audible even in the inner sanctum.

However, when the hoes hit the statues, the figures remained motionless, showing not even a scratch.

Had the statues been shattered at this moment, it would have offered some consolation.

Yet the statues simply stood there, gazing coldly at the insignificance of humankind.

Rage found no outlet, and thus remained unabated.

Finally, the first resident appeared who cursed loudly and spat at the statue of the deity.

"Bah! What kind of trash god is this?" The resident who uttered this seemed momentarily stunned by their own audacity, before quickly hurling a second insult.

Had there been no grievances before?

Of course, there had been.

How could residents, restrained like penned swine, possibly consider this a happy city, or genuinely revere such a harsh and heartless deity?

But back then, the divine servitors exerted their pressure from above, blessed with divine power that transcended human capabilities—no one dared to express their dissatisfaction.

Now, it's different.

The divine servitors are dead, and so are the Devotees… slain by their very own hands!

What's left to fear from a god?

That spat seemed to act as a catalyst. Soon, a cacophony of curses, spittle, soil, and rotting leaves filled the air. Sometimes, the most marginalized individuals can wield the greatest power.

In the inner sanctum, Wei Yuan and the others continued to inquire.

"What do we do now?"

The foul language from outside unsettled Wei Yuan and the others, causing a sense of foreboding.

Zhang Dao'an remained exceptionally calm.

"We watch the drama unfold."

What drama?

Just as everyone was still somewhat bewildered, a roar resounded from outside, followed by a clamor.

"Ah! The statue is alive!!"

The massive statue opened its cold eyes.

As Zhang Dao'an had suspected, in this instance, Ji Chaoyang was the "deity."

While Zhang Dao'an had no contemporary memories of encountering Ji Chaoyang, he could infer the man's nature from the clues left behind.

This was someone who thought highly of himself, a mere mortal who liked to look down upon others.

Ji Chaoyang was no fool; his choice of this instance couldn't be so simple. While Zhang Dao'an didn't yet know what Ji Chaoyang's ultimate trump card was, he did have a strategy for dealing with him.

For Zhang Dao'an, "smart people" were always easier to handle.

If someone is too foolish, their behavior may be erratic and unpredictable. However, with a "smart person," especially one like Ji Chaoyang who is accustomed to looking down on others, predicting their next move becomes fairly straightforward.

Screams echoed continuously throughout the temple.

"Quick, move! Don't get caught—Aaah!"

The players began to frantically ask, "What's happening? What's going on??"

Although Wei Yuan's stone wall obstructed everyone's view, it was his own skill; he could see what was happening outside the wall.

At that moment, Wei Yuan leaned against the wall, providing a live commentary on the unfolding events outside.

"The statue has come to life! It's...it's torn two NPCs apart!"

One quick-thinking player speculated, "Is it because the NPCs hurled such offensive insults that the deity couldn't take it anymore and, after possessing the statue, lashed out at these residents?"

Hearing this, someone excitedly chimed in, "So, can we take advantage of the deity's absence to quickly consume the flowers and gather a hundred Divine Children? That way, when we open the temple for the offering, the deity won't be there, and our mission should be considered complete, right??"

Once again, all eyes turned to Zhang Dao'an.

Zhang Dao'an nodded as if in agreement, "Sounds good, let's proceed one by one."

"Huh?"

No one really understood what he was thinking. With the deity absent from the temple, why miss such a golden opportunity by consuming the flowers one at a time??

Although he insisted that they eat the flowers one by one, Zhang Dao'an had everyone first pick all the flowers. He even meticulously assigned numbers to the players who were going to consume them.

"There's no rush. Numbers nine, twenty-eight, and eleven, you go ahead and eat."

Just three people!

What on earth was he planning???

"What are you trying to do?"

Zhang Dao'an remained composed as he posed a question, "Would anyone like to guess when the statue outside will stop?"

Almost the instant he finished asking, the tirade and screaming from the forecourt ceased.

Wei Yuan hurriedly looked towards the forecourt and was taken aback.

"The statue has stopped moving!"

The statue, which had seemed out of control moments ago, was now frozen in a throwing pose.

Zhang Dao'an looked up, his gaze piercing the ethereal sky as if locking eyes with someone.

"We are actually under the 'deity's' surveillance. He is primed and ready to strike as soon as we open the temple."

In a place unseen by Zhang Dao'an, a fog enveloped a deity who looked nearly identical to the statue. Standing majestically at the entrance of the towering temple, the deity held a scepter and seemed to be exchanging an inscrutable gaze with Zhang Dao'an through the void.

At the start of the instance, Ji Chaoyang sat securely upon his divine throne.

He was supremely confident; not only was this instance his masterpiece, but he also had the assistance of a genuine "deity."

The modified Hui Mengyu fish had provided him with a plethora of advantages. Effortlessly, he had entranced the players with illusory dreams. As long as they "cleared" the instance and returned to the player lobby, Zhang Dao'an was certain to die.

—Of course, the probability of that happening was infinitesimal.

Ji Chaoyang knew well that with Zhang Dao'an's sharp intuition, he would soon realize something was amiss with this instance and then decide to enter it.

Although Ji Chaoyang had control of the game, he couldn't alter its core operational rules. Otherwise, he would have already shut down the live broadcast and wouldn't need to go to all this trouble to eliminate the two in the instance.

It was inevitable that Zhang Dao'an and Jie Fangcheng would enter the instance. Despite his mental preparedness, Ji Chaoyang felt a chill when he saw that the modified Hui Mengyu fish had no effect on them.

This was not something a game should be capable of, yet such tactics had no impact on them. Could what "He" said about "it being preordained destiny" actually come to fruition?

And where did that white Hui Mengyu fish come from? He had never noticed it before.

Had there been some other change he hadn't caught?

On one hand, Ji Chaoyang felt assured by having such a formidable ally; on the other, he couldn't stop recalling how he got the scar on his face.

From his initial secure seat on the divine throne to this moment, he had gradually descended to wait by the temple doors, aiming to execute his plan the instant they opened.

It didn't matter.

No matter how cunning or deceitful Zhang Dao'an might be, he could never foresee who was truly behind this game.

And Jie Fangcheng, however powerful, was still a mere ghost. Ji Chaoyang's trump card was a gift from the "deity," specifically designed to counter him.

These two men—without Jie Fangcheng, Zhang Dao'an would be powerless. Crushing him would be as simple as crushing an ant.

Without Zhang Dao'an, Jie Fangcheng would be nothing but a brute. His strength would be meaningless.

After all, this game was truly coming to an end.

Just one more to eliminate—

As long as they dared to open the doors to the temple—

"Damn it!" Ji Chaoyang couldn't recall the last time he'd sworn.

He was now the leader of the top guild, a person of great refinement. Swearing did not align with his persona.

However, when Zhang Dao'an looked up—even knowing he could not be seen—Ji Chaoyang, who was monitoring everything, couldn't help feeling agitated deep down.

His earlier "impulsive" act of possessing the statue and attacking the surrounding NPCs in apparent fury was merely for show.

The contemptuous curses from mere mortals were but the death throes of ants to Ji Chaoyang.

Do humans listen to the cries of ants? No, they do not.

Ji Chaoyang merely wanted to tempt the players into eating the flowers more quickly, thereby hastening their arrival at the temple.

Ji Chaoyang was ready and waiting for them.

If they had followed one player's suggestion to swiftly open the temple while the deity was distracted, they would now be facing a thoroughly prepared Ji Chaoyang, who had been waiting for this moment.

But Zhang Dao'an saw right through this scheme at a glance.

Not only did he see through it, but his countermove was both repulsive and highly effective.

He randomly selected three players to eat the flowers, and then nothing more happened.

The players sat down together, all wearing cloaks, all imbued with divine power. It was impossible to tell who among them had become a god-child and who had not.

Ji Chaoyang also couldn't determine how many god-children there were in total, nor how many more were needed to open the temple.

Was he being worn down? By increasing the number of god-children unpredictably, was he being forced to keep watch here indefinitely, poised for the perfect attack?

What use would that tactic have? He wasn't an ordinary player; he wouldn't grow tired and could watch for weeks without exhaustion.

But soon enough, Ji Chaoyang realized that he was indeed being worn down.

"Smash this accursed temple! Smash the statue!"

"Useless god! If you dare, possess it again! Coward, hiding behind a worthless stone!"

"You call yourself a god??"

Years of pent-up frustrations were unleashed, making the temple unbearably noisy. He had never heard so many insults, laced with mockery, coarse words, and ridicule.

Elevated as he was, accustomed to looking down on others, he had never before been subjected to such a direct verbal assault.

Meanwhile, Zhang Dao'an deliberately lowered the volume of his voice. To hear what he was saying, the insistent curses from the residents also had to be endured.

Ji Chaoyang initially wanted to ignore them, but less than an hour later, he couldn't bear it any longer. Their curses were too vulgar, too repugnant, and he possessed the statue once again.

The moment another scream came from outside, Zhang Dao'an quickly called out several numbers. Those players consumed the flowers, and divine markings soon appeared on their foreheads—markings only god-children possessed.

When Ji Chaoyang came to his senses and his possession ended, Zhang Dao'an once again calmly met his gaze.

Ji Chaoyang fully understood.

Without watching over them, Zhang Dao'an and the others might open the temple and complete their mission at any moment. After that, once they exited the instance, he would be finished.

If they started over and teamed up again, who knew what havoc they could wreak?

He needed to seize this opportunity to eliminate at least one of them.

Yet as he watched Zhang Dao'an and his team, backed by these relentless NPCs, he couldn't contain his own rage.

Had this man planned everything from the very beginning?

The barrage of curses from the main hall briefly ceased for a few seconds due to the death of the NPCs, only to be followed by even louder invective.

Zhang Dao'an remained serene, as if nothing had happened, continuing to sit quietly. He even closed his eyes, as if intending to outlast his opponent.

What should he do?

Should he keep monitoring them?

This multiple-choice question was laid before Ji Chaoyang.

To continue watching meant enduring the verbal onslaught of the NPCs. Ji Chaoyang was no real god; how could he possibly tolerate it?

If he stopped monitoring, what had been the point of keeping tabs on them until now?

Whichever the answer, it would be the worst possible choice for Ji Chaoyang.

Amidst the hailstorm of curses in the front hall, the players in the rear chamber conversed with each other and quickly understood Zhang Dao'an's strategy.

They were truly just watching a play unfold!

That "god" wasn't much either, being toyed with and run in circles. Should they praise Zhang Dao'an for his brilliance, or just accept that dark gods are fated to be overthrown by the people?

They say Zhang Dao'an is even a university professor who teaches Marx. How professional!

Some more compassionate players proposed, "Should we go out and help them?"

Innocent NPC residents were being killed horrifically. The massive statue either crushed people flat or tore them in half; the front hall had turned into a veritable hell.

This time, Zhang Dao'an didn't speak. It was Jie Fangcheng who shook his head first, "Given our current roles, we can't assist them."

As "god-children," the players felt disillusioned with this supposed deity, yet the current city of Qiming rejected everything related to gods. They didn't even want their own divine offspring, let alone "god-children" like them.

When mortal enemies have taken their positions on the battlefield, those who surrender on the verge of battle will only be slain to boost morale.

Besides...

"They don't need our help."

If they couldn't cut down the statue, then they would push it.

If they couldn't push it, then they would burn it.

This was their revenge, their essential path to driving out the deity.

How could the players, in their roles as "god-children," intervene?

The once-majestic temple had become a ruin in just two short days. Only the rear chamber, fortified by Wei Yuan, remained impregnable.

The duration and frequency of possessing the statue increased.

Finally, on the evening of the second day, when the sound of the statue killing people once again echoed outside, Zhang Dao'an opened his eyes.

“26、37、41。”

He accurately named the last three players who hadn't eaten the flowers, including Jie Fangcheng.

The white flowers were shoved into their mouths, and divine symbols sprouted from their foreheads.

A spectral white door materialized before everyone; looking from the outside in, they could see ethereal mists.

A whole new world awaited them beyond that door.

[Ding—Players Wei Yuan, Yu Yizhou, Nie Shuangshuang... Qi Chanyang, Zhang Dao'an, Jie Fangcheng, ??? have cleared the instance [Divine Children]. Instance survival rate: 88%, setting a new record.]

[Instance Rating: D-level]

[Reward calculations are underway, please wait...]

[Reward calculations completed, please check on your own.]

[You will be transported back to the main hall within three minutes, please wait patiently.]

[Special Note: The Divine Temple is now open; do you wish to enter and choose your reward?]

Choose rewards!

As the players erupted in a buzz of excitement, Zhang Dao'an and Jie Fangcheng exchanged a glance.

Zhang Dao'an merely said, "It's dangerous inside," before being the first to enter the white door.

Though he had spoken, the players around him looked at each other in confusion.

Someone from the Glory Team asked, "If it's dangerous, do you need help?"

The Death God Guild and other players felt a bit apprehensive.

Zhang Dao'an said it was dangerous, yet he, not being known for his combat prowess, entered so swiftly and resolutely. Shouldn't someone with higher combat ratings go first?

Besides, system prompts are rarely incorrect...

Jie Fangcheng hadn't expected Zhang Dao'an to go in first either. Momentarily stunned, he quickly turned to Wei Yuan and said, "This instance is perilous; exit as soon as you can."

Without waiting for an explanation, he quickly followed Zhang Dao'an through the white door.

Both men disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving behind only the entryway to the Divine Temple and its rewards.

"So... are we really not going in?" someone asked softly.

Wei Yuan and his group had full trust in Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an. And unlike the regular players, they knew that the game was likely under Ji Chaoyang's control.

At this moment, after Jie Fangcheng and his companion disappeared, Wei Yuan immediately stood in front of the door.

"Everyone, listen to me for a second!" Wei Yuan, having served as guild leader for so long, knew how to persuade his fellow players. "The difficulty level of this instance is way off the charts; it's not comparable to a standard level-5 instance. And remember, this is an instance meant for the general populace! Those are usually easier than regular level-5 instances. Let's be honest—without Jie and Zhang guiding us, would any of us have made it through alive?"

Just the modified Hui Mengyu alone would have been enough to defeat them.

The crowd wasn't foolish; they understood what Wei Yuan was saying. It seemed they were not planning to enter the Divine Temple to claim this so-called "reward."

Surely Jie Fangcheng and his friend wouldn't sabotage their own guild members?

Although somewhat skeptical, no one attempted to bypass Wei Yuan and his associates who were blocking the doorway. Given the existing rewards for clearing a level-5 instance, it would be foolish for any independent player to not only risk their lives but also provoke the Glory Team.

Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

A flash of white light.

The players were teleported out of the instance.

Before leaving, Wei Yuan and his group looked worryingly towards the mist-covered door.

The door concealed everything behind a thick fog; nothing was visible.

Hopefully, Jie and his friend would be alright...

Inside the door—

Jie Fangcheng was momentarily stunned upon entering the legendary Divine Temple.

"Professor Zhang??"

The area was completely empty, enveloped by white mist on all sides. Boundless and indistinct, it was impossible to discern any direction or limits.

Zhang Dao'an, who had entered just two or three seconds ahead of Jie Fangcheng, had disappeared without a trace.

Jie Fangcheng took a few steps, then halted.

While he might not be adept at solving puzzles, relying solely on Zhang Dao'an's word in this situation didn't seem prudent. After all, Ji Chaoyang was still lurking, and Professor Zhang could easily run into trouble.

The surrounding mist obscured Jie Fangcheng's vision entirely, making it impossible to identify the environment, but that didn't matter.

Wasn't he still standing on a solid "ground"?

Jie Fangcheng stomped down with force.

"Boom"—

As if a subterranean dragon had stirred, the entire space trembled.

In the end, however, Jie Fangcheng's powerful stomp failed to create a hole in the "ground." The sensation beneath his foot felt both strange and familiar.

"Data stream?"

After initially clearing the instance, Jie Fangcheng would be pulled into a white, misty space where he could see the Book of Life and Death.

The sensation he felt then, when he slashed his sword against a barrier made up of data streams, was the same as now.

Soft and yielding, as if striking cotton.

What's the deal with this data stream?

Have they reached the edge of the instance?

Where is Zhang Dao'an?

With the stomp he took, Jie Fangcheng did sense a peculiar feeling in the distance.

After stepping forward a few paces, he quickly made out a silhouette through the thick fog.

"Zhang Dao'an...?"

Judging by the figure's back, it was undoubtedly Zhang Dao'an.

But when the man turned his head, his face was the spitting image of Zhang Dao'an's, yet his demeanor was radically different.

As if he were a twin, Zhang Dao'an exuded a square-jawed, scholarly elegance. Regardless of whether he had a dark heart or ruthless methods, his outward demeanor was warm and inviting, epitomizing the ideal image of an intellectual, a university professor.

But the man in front of him now...

Jie Fangcheng instinctively drew his greatsword.

The "Zhang Dao'an" before him wore a white robe, identical to what he had been wearing earlier. However, his eyes were frenzied, making one want to keep a safe distance.

As he looked at Jie Fangcheng, his gaze momentarily lingered on Jie's ears. He seemed to pause, then touched his own earlobe as if realizing something. Then he spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

"... Manager Jie?"

Jie Fangcheng furrowed his brow.

This was definitely Zhang Dao'an, but the resemblance was too uncanny.

"What happened to you?"

The "Zhang Dao'an" before him lowered his head and rubbed his eyes. When he looked up again, he seemed to have reverted to the familiar Professor Zhang that Jie Fangcheng knew.

"It really worked..."

"What?"

"Zhang Dao'an" offered no explanation. He simply began walking towards Jie Fangcheng.

After a moment of hesitation, Jie Fangcheng sheathed his greatsword.

"You..."

The next moment, the "Zhang Dao'an" in front of him suddenly embraces him tightly.

"Hey!"

The voice of "Zhang Dao'an" whispers in his ear.

"Manager Jie... it's been a long time."

What??

Confused and still not understanding what he was talking about, Jie Fangcheng watches as "Zhang Dao'an" releases the embrace, his expression calm and collected.

The man's lips move, uttering something incomprehensible. Oddly, while Jie Fangcheng thinks he hears the words, they don't form coherent sentences in his ears.

"What are you saying?"

"Zhang Dao'an" pauses for a moment: "Please tell 'me' later... to be wary of Ji Ge."

"Ji Ge??" Jie Fangcheng certainly remembers the name, but he's filled with confusion.

Is Ji Ge also involved in this instance?

Zhang Dao'an offers no explanation, only a knowing smile.

"My access is limited, and even if I speak, you might not fully comprehend. But I believe that you'll manage. Thank you for everything, Manager Jie. However... it's time for you to wake up."

With that said, he reaches out and gently touches Jie Fangcheng's right ear.

Jie Fangcheng's ear is adorned with an earring clip featuring a sapphire eardrop called "Goddess Prayer," an item he had acquired from Ning Sui.

As Zhang Dao'an caresses the eardrop, Jie Fangcheng suddenly feels dizzy, as if the world is spinning.

"—Jie, wake up!"

He snaps his eyes open.

There are no misty white clouds in sight, and "Zhang Dao'an" is nowhere to be seen. Around him, Wei Yuan, Nie Shuangshuang, and others are anxiously looking at him.

Jie Fangcheng rubs his forehead.

"What happened?"

Haven't Wei Yuan and the others already left the instance?

Nie Shuangshuang immediately answers, "We have no idea! You suddenly closed your eyes and collapsed after eating that flower!"

"Ah?" Jie Fangcheng looks puzzled for a moment, then quickly gets up, "Where's Zhang Dao'an??"

"Zhang Dao'an said he didn't know why you fainted suddenly and asked us to watch over you here. If you didn't wake up within five minutes, we were to take you out of the instance with us. As for him, he..."

No need for further explanations; Jie Fangcheng's eyes have already turned to the opened gate leading to the divine temple.

"I'm going." Without another word, Jie Fangcheng heads toward the gate.

Wei Yuan and the others immediately start to follow him.

"Jie, did you encounter something extremely dangerous?"

Jie Fangcheng nods: "Very dangerous. You all should leave the instance as quickly as possible!"

Unlike the situation in the "dream," this time Wei Yuan and the others exchange glances.

"Then we should help, too!" Wei Yuan adds, "Jie, we know we're not that capable. Once inside, don't worry about us. Either way, we're already dead; the sooner the game ends, the sooner we can reincarnate!"

"Exactly, let's prioritize completing the game, Jie! Once inside, you don't have to care whether we live or die! Let’s hurry up and find Zhang Dao’an!"

The group looks at Jie Fangcheng, who hesitates for a moment. Time waits for no one, and who knows what’s happening with Zhang Dao'an right now...

"If it comes down to a fight, I might not have time to look out for you."

"We understand, Jie! Rest assured, we're prepared for this!"

No longer offering any resistance, Jie Fangcheng turns and swiftly enters the gateway to the divine temple.

One after another, the members of the Ronghua Guild follow him in.

Left behind are the players from the Death God Guild and the solo players.

Clearly tempted by the system's prompt of "self-selected rewards," Yu Yi Zhou turns to look at the remaining individuals.

"You all know what kind of guild Ronghua is, so I won't go into details. They didn't go in there to snatch items; they went to risk their lives. You can make your own choice: trust the system's 'self-selected rewards' or trust what the members of the Ronghua Guild just said."

It’s as if a bucket of cold water has been splashed over everyone.

The players of the Death God Guild sit down, evidently having no intention of entering.

Yu Yi Zhou, however, looks towards the still-open gate and, finally understanding something, rises to his feet.

"? Old Yu? Where are you going?"

Yu Yi Zhou heads toward the gate.

"Zhang Dao Wu has always been helping us. Now, his friends need help," Yu Yi Zhou simply says.

Being the one who managed to grow the Death God Guild so well, Yu Yi Zhou is clearly no fool.

Jie Fangcheng and Zhang Dao'an didn't spell it out, but this isn't any ordinary instance. It likely involves the core mechanisms of the game.

Back when Zhang Dao Wu was still around, it’s no exaggeration to say that he, along with Ronghua at the time, were the pillars supporting the entire game.

They turned this grim, indifferent virtual game into a human sanctuary where one could occasionally discuss hobbies, dreams, and feelings. They differentiated humans from mere game entities.

It was only after the rise of the Ronghua Guild, which admitted members based on shared interests, that the Death God Guild gradually emerged. Now, it is renowned as the fourth-largest guild.

Yu Yi Zhou might not say it out loud, but he's well aware that countless players in the game have benefited from Ronghua's goodwill, flourishing under the torch that Ronghua lit.

And now, this same group is about to venture into the very core of the game. From the look on Jie Fangcheng's face, this endeavor is perilous, so perilous that even he, strong as he is, cannot be fully confident of success.

Yu Yi Zhou is at least the third-ranked player on the leaderboard. Although he may not match Jie Fangcheng, he has battled Ji Ge in instances before. If not for that guy's abundant items, quick reflexes, and the backing of his protective older brother Ji Chaoyang, Yu would have taken him down long ago.

However, before entering the gateway to the divine temple, Yu Yi Zhou takes a moment to glance back at his astonished guild members.

"Don't come in; you're not skilled enough."

"What the heck!" While many cursed in response, they knew he was speaking the truth.

The top ten leaderboard might sound like it includes many players, but the truth is, the names on this list haven't changed for quite some time, even before last year's all-player instance event.

Elite players have solidified their status, and the gap between them and the average player is indeed vast—especially for the top three.

When it comes to fighting Ji Ge, Yu Yi Zhou is genuinely formidable. He doesn't struggle like Ning Sui Sui, who has to fight tooth and nail just to deliver a fatal blow.

For Yu Yi Zhou, defeating Ji Ge might not be as effortless as it is for Jie Fangcheng, but an utter victory is not out of the question.

Likewise, if Ji Chaoyang were to fight Yu Yi Zhou, it would also be an easy win for him.

Currently, the player ranked second on the leaderboard is Jin Xiu, the head of the Professional Players Alliance. Her reason for being on the list is rather unique: she controls the largest and most active guild in the game and is known as its top merchant. However, her personal strength is not that impressive.

Judging solely from the leaderboard, Yu Yi Zhou could be considered the second-strongest player among all players.

He is confident that his skills can contribute to the mission, something the other players of the Death God Guild don't have.

They are not members of the Ronghua Guild, who enter this dangerous place with the resolution to risk it all. The others lack that level of conviction.

Yu Yi Zhou quickly vanishes from sight.

Members of the Death God Guild and the remaining solo players exchange glances. Left with no other option, they quietly sit, waiting for the five minutes to pass.

Just then, someone suddenly realizes that something seems off.

"Hold on... doesn't it seem like it's suddenly gotten very quiet outside?"

The outer hall has been a cacophony of battle cries and clashes, especially once the divine statues became animated.

But now, that noise has inexplicably ceased.

Someone musters the courage to use a skill to glance at the outer hall and then freezes.

"There's not a single person left outside, and also... what an immense fog!"

.

Within the fog-shrouded "temple."

The moment Jie Fangcheng stepped in, he felt that something was off.

How familiar!

Amidst the haze, a towering white temple stood in the distance. Despite entering alongside members of the Ronghua Guild, Jie found himself utterly alone.

Squinting, he quickly recognized it.

—Isn't this just the Underworld's administrative building given a coat of white paint?

Moreover, he remembered that the Underworld's building had been renovated at least ten times in his memory. This appeared to be an older version of the edifice.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the surroundings suddenly became bustling.

"Lord Jie, you've finally returned! Do you remember the favor I asked of you? I had a son who was still in his swaddling clothes when I died. Did you find him a good home?"

"Lord Jie! I am to be reincarnated tomorrow, but I still have one unfulfilled wish. Could you assist me?"

"I won't accept this! Why should I suffer in the eighteenth layer of hell, while my enemy is safely reincarnated? The injustice isn't mine—My Lord!"

"My Lord..."

"Your Highness."

Jie Fangcheng abruptly turned his head.

A figure in armor, wielding a long spear and mounted on a black steed, appeared before him.

An illusion? A dream?

No, that's not right... He could clearly see the names of these apparitions.

What are these souls doing here?

"Qi Ye Yi?"

The general atop the horse greeted him with a gentle smile, imbued with a sense of nostalgia.

"Your Highness, it's been a long time."

The scenery around them seemed to shift in an instant.

A setting sun over an expansive river, a wisp of smoke in a vast desert.

Countless soldiers stood on the city walls. In the distance, whirling desert sands sketched vivid forms in the wind.

A waning sun hung in the sky, its blood-red afterglow imbuing the scene with an eerie, mysterious aura.

In the blink of an eye, Jie Fangcheng's attire also transformed.

He was clad in silver armor, draped with a fiery cloak. Unlike ordinary soldiers who carried spears, he had a long sword—over six feet in length—strapped to his back. Its tip almost touched the ground, making it hard to imagine how it would be drawn, let alone wielded.

"What's going on?" Jie Fangcheng asked.

This place seemed to be his memory, yet not quite his memory.

The soldiers standing around him all had wooden expressions and remained frozen in identical poses.

They were already dead.

Qi Ye Yi stood beside Jie Fangcheng, gazing at the eerie, setting sun.

"Your Highness, I don't know how long I've been here," he said.

He sighed, turning to look at Jie Fangcheng, "It's just me, forever here. I thought this was hell... but if it were, there should be a set term for punishment, right? Seems like there isn't."

Qi Ye Yi laughed, his expression tinged with a trace of madness.

"I've tried to find a way out, but there’s no end to the desert. Suicide doesn’t work either; I wake up back in this city. There's no sunrise here, so I can't even tell how much time has passed. Can you tell me, has it been thousands of years?"

Jie Fangcheng hadn't expected that Qi Ye Yi would not have reincarnated but had instead been trapped here.

"I'm in a hurry right now. Once I've dismantled this broken game, I'll get you out."

Upon hearing these words, Qi Ye Yi burst into laughter, which grew louder and louder, ultimately sounding almost like sobbing.

"You’ll get me out?? How will you get me out?! You insisted that man could conquer heaven! What happened in the end? After I died, were you able to hold on? There were so many people, but we could have had a win-win solution! Yet you chose to fight against the heavens!"

"'Win-win'?" Jie Fangcheng found the idea laughable and shook his head. "Never mind, I’m really pressed for time right now."

With that, he jumped down from the city wall and ran toward the eerie setting sun.

He could sense that the exit should be there.

He wondered how Professor Zhang and the members of Ronghua Guild were doing...

"Swoosh"—

A long spear shot out of nowhere. Jie Fangcheng deflected it with his sword, creating a jarring clash of metal.

With an emotionless expression, he turned his gaze toward Qi Ye Yi.

Qi Ye Yi laughed maniacally: "It's just too lonely here all by myself! Stay and keep me company!"

The next second, Qi Ye Yi was sent flying through the air.

Jie Fangcheng maintained the pose that had sent him flying, utterly speechless.

"Use your head. My combat capabilities were already high before I even became a ghost. After all these years, what do you think I'm like now? Fighting me? Are you insane?"

Having said that, Jie Fangcheng continued his stride, leaping several meters and rushing toward the setting sun at an astonishing speed.

Behind him echoed Qi Ye Yi's howls of rage, laced with resentment and terror.

"You killed me with your own hands! How could you feel no remorse at all! Don't go—"

A soft 'ding' seemed to resound in his ear. As he passed through the sun, Jie Fangcheng found himself in an entirely new setting.

An old crone was hunched over, half her face gnawed away by stray dogs.

Upon seeing Jie Fangcheng, her eyes brightened. "Master Jie! You promised to check on my unfortunate daughter. How is she? I’ve been waiting so long for your return..."

"She's already dead." Leaving those words behind, Jie Fangcheng sensed his direction and ran toward a nearby riverbank.

But before he had taken more than a few steps, the old woman lunged at him.

"Why?! Why did you delay on the road! I asked for your help first! You were supposed to go on your way to save a little girl! Why the delay? Just fifteen minutes—"

"Your hatred should be directed at your son-in-law, not me." Jie Fangcheng pushed her away, his demeanor cold to the point of cruelty.

After saying that, and as the old woman was about to charge at him again, Jie Fangcheng swung his sword at her.

The old woman screamed and retreated several steps.

"Wait here patiently. I’ll get you all out once the game is over."

After hastily uttering these words, Jie Fangcheng resumed his journey.

One world after another.

Over the years, Jie Fangcheng had not been able to save everyone he intended to.

Now, these unfulfilled souls seemed like checkpoints, each attempting to make him feel guilty.

Jie Fangcheng navigated through an uncountable number of these checkpoints, his expression unchanging, until the very last one.

The scene before him shifted abruptly back to the fog-enshrouded temple, as if he had cleared all the levels.

"Professor Zhang?"

Just as Jie Fangcheng spoke, a trigger-like sound rang out the instant Zhang Dao An turned his head.

A peculiar bullet shot directly toward Zhang Dao An.

"Watch out!"

Jie Fangcheng darted forward, yanking Zhang Dao An away from his original position.

The next second, Jie Fangcheng felt a sudden pain in his chest.

He looked down to see a dark dagger protruding from his chest.