“Hypothesis one: The game world I’ve experienced is merely a historical projection of a real existence. If so, what are Hongluo and Corn? Virtual data? System consciousness?”
“Hypothesis two: The game world I’m in is a real world that has already been changed by the butterfly effect. If that’s the case, logically, this locust-headed Ma San shouldn’t exist.”
“Hypothesis three: These two worlds are parallel worlds to each other. The real world is the intersection point between the game world and the Four Provinces Continent where Ma San resided.
The historical trajectories of the two are different. The former hasn’t yet been torn apart by the great calamity of heaven and earth, while the latter has already disintegrated, turning into countless secret realms scattered across Great Xia.”
Nan Zhi glanced at the oblivious Hongluo, who was happily eating snacks nearby. She raised an eyebrow and spoke sharply to the game panel in front of her:
“Don’t play dead. I know you can hear me. I don’t know what this Honghe Game Company behind the game really is, but you at least owe me a reasonable explanation.”
The game panel remained silent for a good while as pale blue system data scrolled continuously.
Crack!
Pop! Pop!
Suddenly, colorful virtual electronic fireworks bloomed in front of Nan Zhi, and a long string of small gold characters slowly rose:
【Play games to cultivate, your power shall be boundless!】
【Congratulations, cultivator “Nan Zhi,” for discovering a Truth Fragment of the world! Current Four Provinces Continent fragment collection progress: (1/49)!】
【Congratulations, cultivator, for achieving the achievement: Behind the World (I). You have obtained the title: “Eagle Eye” (You are always able to keenly perceive truths that others cannot easily notice) and 10 Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Tickets.】
【Congratulations, cultivator, for achieving the achievement: Collector (I). You have obtained the title: “Novice Collector” (Due to interference from certain unknown factors, your chances of encountering secret realms have increased) and 10 Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Tickets.】
Damn developers, being so generous this time?
Nan Zhi narrowed her eyes, and a possibility suddenly occurred to her:
“What is the full name of this game?”
This time, there was no hesitation or glitching. Small gold characters appeared immediately:
【Path to Immortality—The Savior’s Cultivation and Longevity Road Simulator for Finding the Lost Continent】
Nan Zhi almost laughed out of anger:
“Even scammers aren’t as good at hiding words as you. Just tell me straight—what exactly is the current situation of the Four Provinces Continent? Since history has already been changed, why does the future of Wanniang and the Demon Suppression Division recorded on this jade slip remain unchanged?”
She felt that the Four Provinces Continent was currently more like Schrödinger’s cat, locked in a sealed box. Whether the outcome was good or bad, no one knew.
It was forever in a blurred, unstable state.
Commonly known as “collapsing.”
However, no one came to answer Nan Zhi’s question. The only response she received was a crisp ding.
【Finding the Lost Four Provinces Continent (Long-term) (Epic) (Main Quest) (Forced): History can repeat itself, the past has changed, and the future is about to be realized.
The Four Provinces Continent has shattered, turning into forty-nine secret realm fragments scattered throughout the main world. Please, cultivator, collect as many secret realm fragments as possible before the main world perishes due to the fragmentation, and change the destined end of the Four Provinces Continent’s collapse.
(Current collection progress: 1/49)】
“In other words, everything in the game world can be changed. It’s not a parallel world, nor is it a regression in time. It’s an uncertain savior simulation.
If I succeed, everything I’ve done becomes real history, and the real world will be safe. If I fail, the tragedy of the Four Provinces Continent will repeat itself, and the current world will be dragged down with it, becoming a hunting ground for demons.”
Nan Zhi had never felt her mind so clear and calm.
Her eyes burned as she stared at the game panel. She clenched her fists and exhaled slowly, feeling a ball of scorching, blazing wildfire spreading through her chest:
“So, what I have to save isn’t just the game world, but the real world as well?”
The game system remained as quiet as a chicken.
—After all, tricking people into becoming saviors through a cultivation game was the kind of thing that would get a developer called a dog if word got out.
Nan Zhi sat on the edge of the altar, her eyes glazed as she lost herself in thought.
Below the altar, the members of the exploration team were busy collecting Sun-Burning Stones, moving back and forth in seamless cooperation, looking like a well-ordered colony of ants.
Qin Yue stood before a giant boulder, working with the accompanying geological experts to refine the secret realm’s topographical map, her expression focused and serious.
Lyu Dongfang carried a half-human-high rabbit into the camp with excitement, followed by soldiers who had returned from scouting, supporting one another.
On the other side, Hu Manni was caring for the wounded along with the young soldier. Liu Guansheng, leaning on a cane made of beast bone, was limping around as he built a fire to cook, his chubby face showing a bit more kindness than before.
Hongluo sat not far from Nan Zhi, her legs dangling and swinging in the air as she held a plate of snacks.
“I say, since I’m the savior now, you should at least give me a gold-quality title.”
Nan Zhi braced her hands on the ground and let out a lazy yawn, speaking as casually as if she were commenting on the nice weather:
“Even though I complain a lot, this world is actually pretty good, isn’t it?”
【Ding—】
【Cultivator “Nan Zhi” has obtained the unique gold title “Savior.” Heavenly Dao’s Favor +1, Favorability with all factions +200, Constitution, Combat Power, and Luck +30%, and all negative debuffs removed.】
【Special Bonus: You cannot truly die, nor can you be cursed, sacrificed, or possessed.】
【You have gained the favor of the world; when you appear, the gazes of all living beings will unconsciously gather upon you.】
【You are more likely to gain the admiration of other individual creatures.】
【You are more likely to obtain fortuitous encounters.】
【You are more likely to survive trials of heavenly lightning.】
【You are more likely to obtain immortal fate.】
【Your words are more easily believed.】
【Your disguises will not be easily seen through.】
【The world exists because of you; you are the center of the world.】
【You shine at the center of the world, and thousands of living beings are drawn to your brilliant soul.】
【You are more likely to attract dark creatures; the hatred value of red-named monsters is doubled.】
【You are more likely to sense the malice of individual creatures toward you.】
【You are more likely to be noticed by dark forces, and more likely to attract the gaze of deities within the void and cracks.】
【You can slay gods.】
【(This title is soul-bound, cannot be transferred, and cannot be unequipped.)】
【Play games to cultivate, your power shall be boundless.】
【Savior “Nan Zhi” is now online.】
...
...
Liu Ruhe, who was possessed by the locust-headed Ma San, was indeed placed under control by Qin Yue and the others.
She was confined alone in a tent, with armed soldiers standing guard outside in twenty-four-hour shifts. Qin Yue had given the order—at the slightest sign of trouble, they really would open fire.
If they weren’t unable to guarantee the survival of Professor Liu Ruhe, they wouldn’t have hesitated for a second.
Locked in the pitch-black tent, with no one to talk to and no one to tell her what her fate would be, she could only waste away her life in the long wait...
Aside from Liu Guansheng, who delivered her meals every day, she saw no one.
Panic, helplessness, anxiety, regret...
The thing possessing Liu Ruhe finally couldn’t take it anymore and took the initiative to speak, demanding to see Nan Zhi.
Rate on N.U.
