Chapter 24: What’s Going On, Is This an Ancient Novel?

Chapter 24 What’s going on? Is this some kind of ancient novel?

After Sheng Qingquan's special ability evolved, the prophetic book no longer only had the function of reading novels and checking the plot from them.

It also gives readers bonus gifts.

Moreover, after averting the apocalypse, each book will give one.

Even after overcoming the crisis of all plants dying due to the stimulation of plant vitality, Sheng Qingquan has now received his first bonus.

He can control plants with the help of leaves. Isn't this similar to plant-based abilities?!

Given Sheng Qingquan's status as a living national treasure (a term used for individuals of exceptional cultural or historical significance), he has a good character and loves his country and people. Of course, everyone hopes that his strength will be as high as possible.

The higher his strength, the stronger his self-protection ability will be.

After all, with the disaster-prone nature of Tianlanxing, even though Sheng Qingquan is wearing protective gear, theoretically, his safety is guaranteed.

But who can guarantee that there won't be a crisis or disaster in the future that exceeds the protective capabilities of the protective gear?

Moreover, the authorities haven’t been idle during this time. Although they have made some progress in figuring out how to make the protective gear, they have already tested that its defensive capabilities have limits.

So no one thinks that having protective gear means everything is taken care of.

Knowing that Sheng Qingquan has acquired new powers, all those in the know are genuinely happy for him.

For those without ulterior motives: "This is even better than me having superpowers!"

After all, no matter who has it, it's not as reliable as Sheng Qingquan having it himself.

"I wonder to what extent he can control plants, can it be like in those novels, carrying a pouch of seeds, and when encountering danger, tossing the seeds, and the vines instantly sprout and grow, tightly entangling the enemy, making them unable to move."

"Or after entangling, the vines could swing, flinging the enemy away like garbage," a staff member proposed a new possibility.

"If only the ankles are entangled, you could swing them back and forth like a wrecking ball."

"You could also rapidly grow a tree, with leaves like knives, falling like a shower of blades."

Everyone got more and more excited: "Actually, using tree roots to dig underground traps, filled with poisonous thorns, and then covering the surface with a thin layer of grass as camouflage. The enemy unknowingly approaches and falls in."

"Simply excavate the ground where the enemy is standing and bury them alive on the spot!"

"Plants grow rapidly from seeds. Just having gained the ability, Sheng Qingquan probably can't be that strong at first," a more rational person said, "But if there are existing plants around him, directly controlling those plants to defend against enemies should be no problem?"

"That's right, looking at it this way, the greenery in this community is still insufficient," the speaking staff member completely ignored the excellent greening area of Baojing Community, "I'll submit a request to the higher-ups, we can still plant more flowers and plants in the community!"

"I think the entire Yunteng City can be further strengthened in terms of greening. Sheng Qingquan's primary residence is here, and I see he has no intention of moving, so the investment should still be made."

Staff members were making phone calls, writing applications, and the rest were chatting enthusiastically.

Even though they later found out that the gag order was only lifted for Sheng Qingquan, and they still couldn't say these things in front of him, it didn't affect everyone's mood.

Being happy, what does this little problem count compared to the previous benefits.

Who knew Sheng Qingquan's thoughts would hit them hard.

"So what's the next trick of this world?" The person writing the application didn't stop, the application still had to be made, but his hands on the keyboard were obviously not as light.

The staff member pressed the keycaps with great force and ferocity, treating the keyboard like it was the disaster itself, wishing to beat the upcoming disaster out of existence.

The smiles faded from everyone else's faces, and no one answered his question, all waiting impatiently for the mental narration to continue.

Fortunately, Sheng Qingquan's thoughts were always quick and urgent, not making them wait long. Almost simultaneously, Sheng Qingquan's frustrated voice rang in their ears.

"Unlike the previous two books, which had a lot of buildup before getting to the point, this novel starts with a drought in Baiju Province, where not a drop of rain had fallen for three consecutive years. In the second year, locusts began to infest the area. After three years, not just Baiju Province, but many nearby areas were covered in yellow earth, not a single leaf to be seen."

"Rivers dried up, lakes dried up completely. Eventually, even the locusts disappeared."

"Then it talks about Mingfeng Province, where torrential rains poured down as if the sky had cracked open, continuously flooding the land."

"Next was Songsheng Province, where the earth shook and mountains quaked, with continuous earthquakes, one after another. Houses collapsed, the ground split open with chasms as deep as abysses, capable of swallowing people."

"And then there was Xianling Province, where floods erupted. Quhe Province suffered from continuous acid rain. Jiangxiao Province faced a tsunami, Xuanji Province had a volcanic eruption, Linqian City was hit by a typhoon, and Weixian City by a tornado..."

"Good grief, there's not a single peaceful or safe place."

"Just describing the disasters in various places took up two full pages. It seems like every province and city in the country has been affected."

Reading this made you break out in a cold sweat, and listening to it sent shivers down your spine.

When one place is in trouble, others can lend a hand.

But when everywhere is in trouble, everyone is too overwhelmed to help their fellow countrymen.

Sometimes, the most primal natural disasters bring the greatest fear to people.

The largest snowstorm in the north two winters ago was the largest snowstorm in nearly twenty years. The weather forecast had issued warnings in advance, and work was suspended, and holidays were declared everywhere. Even so, there were still people who suffered frostbite or froze to death. The direct and indirect economic losses were staggering.

But in the end, this snowstorm wasn't of an apocalyptic scale; it was just a natural disaster that strikes every so often. Almost every year there are snow disasters, but rarely as severe as last year's.

People have grown accustomed to it, and the country has corresponding disaster relief measures.

But when this snowstorm occurred, it still left people trembling with fear, in awe of nature's might.

And now, what they are about to face are major disasters occurring all over the country. Each disaster could be just as severe as last year's snowstorm.

The worst part is, there's literally nowhere to hide, and even temporarily relocating residents from disaster areas isn't possible. Everywhere is a disaster zone; no place is spared.

This is truly a dead end.

"Wait, something seems off to me?"

"It describes the disaster victims, and I can understand that their clothes are tattered. If a disaster really breaks out to that extent, it's normal for people to have their clothes torn and no place to change after escaping."

"Even describing everyone as completely naked, with not a leaf to cover themselves, isn't impossible. If clothes are too damaged to wear, in such times, nudity is common, and no one would feel embarrassed."

"But when it comes to shoes, why are there straw sandals?"

"From what I know about myself, if I had no shoes, I'd either go barefoot or tie a piece of wood to my feet, which is more likely than wearing straw sandals. I simply don't possess the advanced skill of weaving straw sandals. I believe the vast majority of modern people don't have this skill either."

Sheng Qingquan vaguely sensed something was wrong. The staff also thought this future seemed too bleak.

And after all, it's still a modern society, but the book makes it seem as if it's regressed several hundred years. This scene should be from ancient times when disasters struck.

"Holy crap!"

"This is an ancient novel?! The setting of this novel is in ancient times!"

Sheng Qingquan was stunned.

"Why did the system suddenly give me an ancient novel to read? Judging from the names of the provinces and cities mentioned earlier, the place names are the same as those on Tianlan Star. Is this Tianlan Star from centuries ago? Or is it a parallel world?"

"Did I complain too much and too often before, so the system sent this novel to show me another time and space, to realize how lucky and happy I am to be living here now?"

"Is this meant to teach me to cherish what I have and be content?"

Although it is very likely the case, Sheng Qingquan still felt a vague sense of foreboding.

But soon his attention was drawn away by the plot.

"Years of disasters, and the court has been utterly useless. The common folk finally couldn't take it anymore and started storming the county offices."

"Damn corrupt officials!"

"Outside, disasters are raging, and the disaster victims are starving, some emaciated, others swollen beyond recognition. The number of people who have starved to death is countless. Yet he's still enjoying the company of his beautiful wives and concubines."

"Are the concubines' soft waists and graceful dances pleasing? Is the delicate wife's hand holding chopsticks to pick up fish tasty? And he still complains that the fish isn't fresh enough."

"Wake up! The drought has reached the county you manage. Despite the drought, you still have water to raise fish? Your people are starving to death in masses, and you still have the mood to hold beauties, watch dances, and eat meat."

"Damn, what a bastard!"

"Seeing that you're in a good mood now, your wives and concubines cautiously approach you, tentatively asking when you'll release the grain, saying that they've kept enough for three years at home, and there is some old grain that can be distributed. After all, the old grain doesn't taste great, so it's perfect to give it out now as porridge, which can also earn some reputation. A good reputation will help your future promotion."

"But the bastard slapped each of them, calling them short-sighted. He accused them of wanting to starve him. The drought has lasted so long; who knows when it will end? If he gives the grain to the disaster victims, what will he eat?!"

"He also said that now is the worst time to flaunt wealth. Once you start giving out porridge, if you stop later, the disaster victims will definitely not agree. Everyone knows I have grain, and the disaster victims will riot."

"As if withholding porridge will stop the disaster victims from rioting. With your fat head and big ears, everyone knows you have grain and eat well."

"Most importantly, that grain isn't even yours. If it were yours, it would be understandable not to donate it. But most of it is disaster relief grain allocated by the court earlier, and some is grain extorted from wealthy households."

"Your wife cried, saying she couldn't eat this grain, and you actually drew your sword and killed her!!!"

"You said she didn't know how lucky she was, and if she couldn't eat it, then don't eat it, saving you some grain and providing fresh meat. Seeing this, your concubine committed suicide. You were unmoved and even laughed, saying there was now another hundred pounds of fresh meat."

"Ahhh, what kind of person is this?!"

"The disaster victims stormed in, and the corrupt official was beaten to death with sticks. The disaster victims divided the grain and water in the county office."

"Not just the local government offices, but even wealthy families, and some even stormed the imperial palace."

"I originally thought the emperor might be powerless, given the nationwide disaster, which would be difficult even in modern times."

"But upon seeing this, the emperor is no good either. At this time, he is still issuing edicts to depose the empress, saying that the great disaster is all because the empress is not virtuous."

"Fine, fine, it's all the woman's fault, it's all the empress's fault, and you are the pure and good emperor."

"Why don't you go kill the corrupt officials, keep the good ones, and kill those who are corrupt and incompetent?"

"How much power does an empress have in a feudal society? If she had the power to stir up trouble, she wouldn't be deposed and killed at your whim."

"When the emperor heard that the disaster victims were storming the palace gates, he gathered everyone and had the eunuchs strangle them, saying that they should not die at the hands of commoners. Fine, fine, you are noble and inviolable."

"Damn, if you want to die, just die, but why burn all the grain in the palace? And say that you will never let the looters benefit?!"

"Damn it! This is infuriating!"

"Burn yourself if you want, but why burn the grain?! You didn't even spare the cloth, burning everything that could be burned?"

The staff heard a series of clatters from the next room. From the sound, it was clear that Sheng Qingquan had become too agitated and accidentally knocked over a ceramic cup on the table.

It wasn't just Sheng Qingquan who couldn't control his emotions. Afraid of making too much noise and alarming him, they refrained from smashing things but clenched their fists tightly.

They wanted to hit someone.

No, not just someone; they wanted to hit beasts!

During the disaster, he burned the grain. How could any human do such a thing?! At that time, every grain of food was precious! Not a single grain should be wasted! And he burned so much in one go.

"In times of great famine, people resorted to cannibalism."

Sheng Qingquan's heart suddenly calmed down.

All his anger froze.

Sadness surged like a tide, enveloping Sheng Qingquan and pulling him into the depths of the sea.

The staff also fell silent.

In this situation, there was no way to blame the people.

Who would think of eating another person when there is food available?

And how likely is it that everyone in the country has gone mad?

Before the disasters, they were all normal people. But this world has forced them, living beings, into madness.

"Wait, what happened?"

"The worlds have merged?"

Sheng Qingquan was stunned.