Chapter 222: The Meat Grinder (III)

Chapter 222: The Meat Grinder (III)

It has to be said that the robots are impressively quick in their preparations. Before Jie Fangcheng could utter a word after bringing Zhan Xiaoming out, Yan Yun had thoughtfully prepared accommodations for Zhan.

An anxious Zhan Xiaoming asked, "Will I be staying here alone? Aren't you staying with me, Jie Ge?"

He was genuinely terrified. In the previous instance, Jie Ge had been on the same floor, and any time something went awry, Jie Fangcheng was only a door's breadth away.

However, the living quarters Yan Yun had arranged for him were surrounded by NPCs. Jie Fangcheng, holding the bouquet of roses, showed no intention of staying either.

Zhan Xiaoming was psychologically scarred by these NPCs! He genuinely feared staying here alone!

At his query, Jie Fangcheng patiently explained, "We need to traverse the Wind Fields to search for the components for the Angel's Eye."

"Huh?" Zhan Xiaoming was momentarily stunned, then promptly asked, "Can I come with you?"

Jie Fangcheng shook his head.

Wind Fields circled the vicinity of Cang Cui Island. These winds seemed to possess tracking capabilities, lingering primarily around the island and rarely venturing elsewhere.

However, that doesn't mean the areas outside the Wind Fields are safe.

Beyond the Wind Fields, desolate deserts stretch on. The sands conceal gigantic scorpions, swarms of ants, and even some evolved new species. All are powerful and better left undisturbed.

The Wind Fields surrounding Cang Cui Island act like a quarantine zone, confining the remaining humans to this secluded place while also keeping the mutated desert creatures at bay.

After every solar eclipse, due to the vast energy of the Wind Fields, mutated creatures near Cang Cui Island retreat beneath the sands, lying low for a while.

Thus, after each eclipse, teams from the island take advantage of the situation to traverse the Wind Fields, retrieving artifacts of past human civilizations. They always aim to return before the next eclipse begins.

This round trip isn't too long. Given current human technology, a hundred-mile radius around Cang Cui Island is deemed safe due to the protective effects of the eclipses and Wind Fields. Additionally, island forces routinely patrol and cleanse this area.

However, the place Jie Fangcheng's team intends to visit lies at the farthest point: a research facility in Central City, over twenty thousand miles from Cang Cui Island. Given the unpredictability of the winds, hovercars are unusable. Yan Yun has to assemble ground vehicles, and even with constant travel, it would take ten days to reach the destination.

Moreover, they won't just be traveling. While mutated creatures are a known threat, encountering cyclones would force them to bury the ground vehicles and wait for the storm to pass.

While Jie Fangcheng is formidable, he recognizes that the power of nature can be more terrifying than any bizarre entity.

So, without hesitation, Jie Fangcheng declined Zhan Xiaoming's request.

Zhan Xiaoming understood. Given his capabilities, accompanying Jie Ge would be a burden. His earlier question was a reflex, a natural inclination to rely on Jie Ge. But once he gathered his thoughts, even before Jie Fangcheng could respond, Zhan Xiaoming felt his request was inappropriate.

As Jie Fangcheng predictably declined, Zhan Xiaoming, although still fearful, nodded tearfully, "Then... please return soon, Jie Ge."

Jie Fangcheng laughed, patting him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, just stay safe on Cang Cui Island."

Tears streamed down Zhan Xiaoming's face.

Big Brother is truly intimidating, inside and out. Even his attempts at reassurance lack comfort. Instead, every word he utters seems to elevate the dangers of Cang Cui Island.

A thought struck Zhan Xiaoming, "Jie Ge, are you going alone? I've heard of the wind-swept deserts outside and cyclones nicknamed the 'Meat Grinders'... I'm not doubting your abilities, but that's a D-class hunting ground!"

There are no rules in the hunting grounds; completing the mission is the sole objective.

"No, I'll have company."

"Oh? Who?" Zhan Xiaoming asked curiously.

From the rose Jie Fangcheng held, Zhang Siqian's voice emerged, "Me."

“……”

"Any other questions?"

"...No, none."

Jie Fangcheng waved him off, "Alright, I'm off then."

Zhan Xiaoming hesitated, "Take care, Jie Ge. Please return soon."

Once Jie Fangcheng left, the rose's voice morphed into Zhang Daoan's timbre.

With its smooth, electronically synthesized voice, it remarked, "Zhan Xiaoming relies heavily on you."

"Does he?" Jie Fangcheng responded with amusement.

As the first person he met in this game, Jie Fangcheng held a genuinely positive impression of Zhan Xiaoming.

Though Zhan Xiaoming lacked strength and was somewhat timid, he was devoid of malice in this kind of game. On the contrary, he was quite enthusiastic. At their first meeting, he was eager to assist Jie Fangcheng.

This interaction had slightly redeemed Jie Fangcheng's initially negative perception of the game's players.

Moreover, Zhan Xiaoming was, after all, dragged into this scenario because of him. Uncharacteristically, Jie Fangcheng found himself brimming with patience.

The rose remained silent.

Jie Fangcheng, in his laid-back manner, didn't seem to notice anything amiss.

At that moment, a sleek off-road vehicle pulled up in front of him, its door opening automatically.

Yan Yun sat in the driver's seat. Though, technically, the vehicle wasn't controlled by Yan Yun's robot avatar through the steering wheel. Instead, his neural circuits were integrated within the vehicle itself, allowing it to navigate perfectly, even without Yan Yun physically sitting at the wheel.

Initially, the robot hadn't planned to occupy the driver's seat, as maintaining a human appearance and movements consumes energy.

Even with abundant energy reserves prepared, as a sophisticated computer, the robot's inherent nature leans toward extreme efficiency.

Unnecessarily expending energy during the journey would be against the robot's fundamental principles.

Originally, Yan Yun's plan involved just the vehicle. Jie Fangcheng could rest inside, with Yan Yun's humanoid form remaining inactive. Instead, as needed, he'd transform into various forms—a car, a temporary dwelling, a wind barricade. If Jie Fangcheng felt bored, Yan Yun could expend energy to play movies for him. As a top-tier robot, meeting Jie Fangcheng's needs was a priority, second only to retrieving the "Seed of the Tree of Life."

Yet now, Yan Yun, clad in a white military uniform, occupied the driver's seat.

The robot even used some energy to automatically fasten Jie Fangcheng's seatbelt as he settled into the passenger's seat.

"Ah... thank you."

Yan Yun responded with a standardized smile, "You're welcome."

At the gates of Cang Cui City, teams of seven queued up, ready to venture out. Their silver off-roader looked no different from the surrounding vehicles.

As the city gates opened, amidst a convoy, the off-road vehicle left Cang Cui City, heading eastward.

.

Sand, endless sand.

It was now the third day.

If Jie Fangcheng was initially aware of this micro-world's imminent collapse without a concrete mental image, these three days made him truly understand the face of a world teetering on oblivion.

It wasn't just the grand spectacle of the solar eclipse or other visible apocalyptic sights. The true horror was in the silence.

It felt as if the entire world had been reduced to just him and Yan Yun, surrounded by infinite sand.

Over these three days, their vehicle faced no danger en route. With Yan Yun's presence, Jie Fangcheng had gradually shifted from sitting upright to almost reclining comfortably.

The robot was exceptionally attentive, ensuring the seat was exceedingly comfortable. A movie screen even unfolded in front of Jie Fangcheng.

"I apologize; our movie collection is limited."

"The robot said it like this – and by 'a few', it meant over three hundred thousand films."

"Merely from the sheer number of these films, one could glimpse how prosperous this land was before its doomsday."

"Here, technology surpasses that of Jiefang Cheng's micro-world; scenes he saw in sci-fi movies are common sights in this place."

"Yet, even such a bustling, technologically advanced world is destined for inevitable destruction."

Jiefang Cheng couldn't help but sigh, looking out the window.

Beyond the window, an endless expanse of flat desert stretched out.

"Unlike the magnificent desert vistas Jiefang Cheng had witnessed in his own micro-world, this desert was alarmingly flat. Without Yan Yun's guidance, Cheng would be lost, unable to discern any direction."

"No roads, no distinctive buildings, no landmarks, no boundaries."

"The entire continent was just so, showing no trace of any civilization that might have existed."

"The vehicle traveled smoothly and finally reached the first material collection point on the third day."

"Amidst a vast expanse of indistinguishable yellow sand, the off-road vehicle transformed its shape, extending downward like a drill. Shortly after, Yan Yun nodded."

"We've found it."

"Machinery separated the sand, revealing a staircase leading underground."

"With Yan Yun leading the way, the two quickly descended into the depths buried by the yellow sand."

"Surprisingly, this was not some research facility but a hospital."

"Perhaps due to the dryness of the sand, inscriptions on the crumbling walls remained visible."

"—Ancient Mountain Hospital."

"Yan Yun's robots were swiftly clearing paths, searching for the required materials, and occasionally collecting useful instruments into their pouches."

"Jiefang Cheng followed him, observing the hospital."

"It was evident that the calamity struck suddenly; many personal items, still unspoiled, were scattered along the hallways."

"Desiccated bones depict a gruesome final moment. In such a highly advanced micro-world, when humans faced the end, they left desperate claw marks on the walls, much like wild beasts."

"Yan Yun's mechanical eyes surveyed the scene, his voice was even, carrying the emotionless cadence of a robot."

"This is the Ancient Mountain Hospital on 11th Street of Zone 7. One hundred and forty-six years post-apocalypse, the 'Meat Grinder' emerged nearby."

"By now, hurricane categories are crudely split into 'Meat Grinders' and 'Wind Fields'."

"Wind Fields resemble the hurricanes surrounding Verdant Isle. These fields generally span vast areas, with those near Verdant Isle beginning at a dozen or so miles wide. Humans, equipped with protective gear and anchoring tools, can still navigate through them."

"But when encountering tornado-like 'Meat Grinders', humans in protective suits are instantly swept up, and within mere moments, they, along with all they carry, are reduced to dust."

"Ancient Mountain Hospital was not within the 'Meat Grinder's' path, which is why some traces of it remain."

"However, when the Meat Grinder ceased, the lifted yellow sands and various powders rained down, burying all nearby structures instantly."

"That's how Ancient Mountain Hospital vanished."

"Or one could say, that's how this once-prosperous continent disappeared."

"Jiefang Cheng couldn't help but think of the now virtually extinct Divine Realm."

"Gathering materials at the Ancient Mountain Hospital went smoothly. Yan Yun's robots were incredibly efficient, quickly locating the needed materials."

"Upon their return to the surface, the scenery was painted with the hues of a setting sun."

"The off-road vehicle continued its journey eastward. Soon, the sky was enveloped in darkness, dotted only by twinkling stars."

"Seeing Jiefang Cheng staring at the stars through the window, the vehicle's roof opened up."

"The robot even adjusted Cheng's seat to recline further, allowing him a more comfortable view of the night sky."

"Touched by the robot's thoughtfulness, Jiefang Cheng glanced at Yan Yun, who was already looking back at him."

"Under the veil of night, Yan Yun's tranquil face left Cheng momentarily dazed. When he snapped back to reality, the lingering doubt hidden in his heart found its voice."

"Do you think... our micro-world will also collapse?"

"After posing the question, Jiefang Cheng realized its redundancy."

"Why had players appeared in his world? Wasn't it because his micro-world was on the brink of collapse, and thus became a hunting ground?"

"One could argue that the micro-world Jiefang Cheng resides in is teetering on the brink of collapse, with the disappearance of the Divine Realm being a clear omen."

"Yet, for some reason, this collapse is unfolding at an incredibly slow pace."

"At least in this world, as Yan Yun described, from the initial environmental degradation, to the emergence of hurricanes, to the dawn of humanity's end-times, it spans no more than three hundred years."

"Were it not for Yan Yun's guardianship, Verdant Isle would be long gone, and humans in this world would have been extinct."

"Within a micro-world, once all sentient beings perish, the cosmic order that maintains its rules will also vanish."

"Although Jiefang Cheng hasn't witnessed what happens when such rules are absent, he knows the netherworld represents a place without them. Even with his power, navigating there is challenging."

"So, how did this game manage to encapsulate a collapsing world? Have they discovered a method to reshape the cosmic order?"

Lost in thought, Jiefang Cheng listened as the robot beside him responded, "I apologize, but I cannot answer that question. However, long before the potential collapse of the micro-world, humanity has already faced countless 'apocalypses'."

Jiefang Cheng looked at him.

"The sky was dotted with stars but lacked a moon — not due to an overcast night but simply because this micro-world doesn't possess one."

"Each micro-world offers unique landscapes. As Jiefang Cheng turned his gaze, Yan Yun met his eyes."

"Floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions... throughout human history, disasters have been relentless. In my world, over seven thousand years ago, a pandemic ravaged the entire continent. Humans of that era lacked modern technology and means to combat it."

The robot continued with its even, mechanical detachment, "During the second year of the pandemic, bodies littered the lands. There was no centralized governance back then, just multiple independent nations. Many were wiped out due to the disease. By the third year, only two nations remained. They decided to unite, establishing the federal government."

"It was the darkest chapter in human history. The pandemic virus was ubiquitous. Despite the establishment of the federal government, all efforts failed to halt its spread. Mortality soared, with over ninety percent of the population perishing... Until the tenth year, perhaps due to a drastically reduced population, the calamity abruptly ended one summer."

"Following the pandemic, as if rebounding, we entered an era of rapid technological advancement. Countless geniuses emerged, groundbreaking theories surfaced yearly, and the human population rebounded quickly. After a century of relentless progress, we once again encountered the virus that nearly obliterated humanity."

"Upon this encounter, what had nearly annihilated humankind was effortlessly countered with modern technology — a simple sachet of compound sufficed. On this land, humans have always faced a myriad of catastrophes. From ancient ferocious beasts to modern-day resource depletion, wars, natural disasters... And for each individual, there are countless personal 'endings'— heartbreaks, illnesses, farewells, accidents... culminating in death."

The robot's gray, inorganic eyes met Jiefang Cheng's. It might lack emotions, but with heightened logic and vast knowledge, even its electronic voice seemed to convey a gentle reassurance.

"I don't 'believe' that any difficulty is insurmountable. Just as humans don't possess eternal lives but have an eternal 'legacy'. If my world is truly on the verge of collapse, there must be a solution. Perhaps the current 'us' hasn't reached the height needed to solve it, but one day, an answer will emerge. And the efforts we exert now can pave the way for the future 'us', right?"

Absorbed in the conversation, Jiefang Cheng stared at him. After a moment, he nodded.

"Yes."

"So Verdant City has endured all these years, even when all hope seemed lost."

"But now... at least Jiefang Cheng has arrived."

"Could this be a turning point? Can the collapse of the micro-world be averted?"

"You..." Jiefang Cheng was about to ask if there was any way to salvage the impending doom of this world when the off-road vehicle abruptly came to a halt.

Jiefang Cheng was jolted forward, quickly asking, "What happened?"

The robot, with a furrowed brow, turned to him.

"—There's someone."

.

Rewinding time a bit, shortly after Jiefang Cheng entered the hunting grounds, in Zone A1.

Two beams of white light flashed.

This wasn't a teleportation point, but rather a vast expanse of pristine white territory — the restricted area of Zone A1.

Rumors among the players suggested that after the six major guilds slew the dragon that sought to seize control of the game, the dragon's resentful spirit lingered, its remains continuously emitting a malevolent energy that could corrode beings.

Thus, the leaders of the six guilds joined forces to seal the dragon's corpse somewhere within Zone A, subsequently marking the area off-limits. No player was allowed entry.

Of course, this prohibition did not apply to the leaders of the six guilds, who also served as the game's "administrators."

At this moment, within this forbidden zone where other players were denied access, two figures appeared. The ambient sound of the system's "beeps" faintly echoed.

​1​

"I can understand 'Rock Ghost' not showing up, but why is 'Duke' absent?"

The speaker stood well over two meters tall, more robust than the average person but significantly shorter than a Giant. He resembled a player who couldn't afford a full Giant lineage and settled for a minimal enhancement.

However, a singular red demonic horn atop his head indicated that he was not of a typical Giant lineage but possessed a demon's bloodline.

—One of the leaders of the six guilds in Zone A1, the demon "Satan."

Beside him, a merman with a vast tail sat on a levitating pearl throne, his ears adorned with blue fins.

The merman "Poseidon," another of the six guild's leaders.

At that moment, Satan spoke up. Poseidon explained, "The lady's legacy has been stirred. The 'Sir' is searching for her child."

Satan raised an eyebrow.

"It's been so long since the 'Lady' disappeared. Are you sure it's her child?"

"Who knows?"

After a brief exchange, they fell silent. After a while, a flash of white light emerged.

[Beep... Scanning... Access... Welcome to the 'Management Council' of 'The Three Thousand Worlds'... 'President'.]

The president of the first guild was dressed in a suit, wearing glasses, exuding a gentle and refined aura.

Compared to others who were either of demon lineage or mermaids, he was just a regular human. However, being the president of the top guild, he clearly wasn’t just "ordinary."

"Everyone's here."

The president began, then placed an object on the table.

The red ghost eye rolled about, almost as if it were still alive.

"It's the real ghost eye!"

Satan held the eyeball up to his own pupil, looking through the ghost eye.

"Enough," Poseidon said calmly, "I've told you, only spirits can use the 'ghost eye' in the 'Origin Land'."

"Damn it." Satan clenched the eyeball. With his immense power, even an S-grade artifact should shatter in his grasp. But this once-used A-grade tool remained unscathed.

His brow furrowed, the lone remaining demon horn glowing red in his agitation.

"Hasn't the 'Origin Land' collapsed yet? It's been so many years!"

The answer to this question was evident just by looking down.

If one could levitate and see, beneath the white "forbidden zone" wasn't a place paved with white jade but rather a vast scale.

The massive scale shone with a divine luster. It's hard to imagine, given the immense size of just one scale, the colossal creature to which it belonged.

Poseidon and Satan had, of course, met before – not only within this game but also when their own small worlds were on the brink of collapse.

"Not only is she absent, but it seems a remarkable guardian has emerged."

Although he mentioned the term "remarkable", the president's expression remained unchanged.

Evidently, for them, even a guardian of the Origin Land wasn't considered a significant threat.

Satan seemed mildly interested, "Oh? Did those five players encounter the guardian? Is the guardian dead?"

"No." The president handed them a stack of documents. At the top, the guardian's name was clearly written.

[Jie Fangcheng].

"Not only is she alive... this guardian has also entered the game."