It was only at this mont that Norton revealed his ambition for the first ti.
Sylvia was a vessel, carrying all the authority and divinity of Dusk.
She was also a key.
The peak of mortals was the Legendary rank—an ironclad rule acknowledged by the supernatural world for centuries.
However, true gods did exist in this world. The false gods, evil gods, and ancient deities worshiped by various secret organizations, as well as the righteous gods followed by the Theocratic Nation, all served as proof of this fact.
Between the Legendary rank and the divine realm lay a dark and boundless ocean… The "Land of Catastrophe" had severed history for centuries, covering this sea with layers of impenetrable mist.
For thousands of years, countless seekers had ventured into that dark ocean, carving paths they believed to be the "road to godhood."
Yet, no one ever knew if the path they walked was the correct one, or if it would truly lead to the end. No one had ever reached the destination.
Now, Norton had found a deep, hidden path—one that seed more reliable than the rest. However, in the middle of this road stood an ancient bronze door blocking the way.
Sylvia was the key to opening this bronze door. Once unlocked, one would co face-to-face with the ancient god known as "Dusk." So sought to seal Him away forever, while others would kneel in reverence and beg for His blessing.
But Norton was different from both groups.
What he wanted was to steal His authority—and take His place.
With his strength still below the Sixth Ring, this ambition seed almost laughably audacious.
However, with the seal, Sylvia’s existence, and the leverage of secret organizations, his plan was not just feasible—it was entirely possible.
Norton scrutinized Xia Ya, while faint shadows lood in the void behind him. If he detected even the slightest hint of abnormality on Xia Ya’s face, he would strike without hesitation.
Xia Ya's expression showed sheer astonishnt, as if shocked by the insanity of Norton’s plan.
But in the next mont, a look of determination flickered across his face.
"No matter what, as long as it is Lord Norton’s will, I have no choice but to obey."
[Newbie Mission: Phase Four] Objective: Complete the Grand Duke of Cangting's coming-of-age ceremony and beco a core mber of the family, officially joining Elder Norton’s plan. (Objective complete.)
[Mission Rewards Calculated]
Based on your overall performance in this phase, the following rewards have been granted:
Free EXP: 40,000 points
The mission rewards weren’t particularly high this ti.
Ultimately, this phase was rely a transition and connection point—not a true challenge or a high-risk task.
For Xia Ya, completing the ceremony was hardly difficult. It was simply a matter of going through the motions.
Besides, his greatest gain from this historical echo was contracting Crimson. It made sense that the mission rewards were relatively lower.
[Newbie Mission Status Updated]
You have now fully uncovered the hidden truths within the Grand Duchy of Cangting, and you understand Elder Norton’s grand and ambitious sche.
Now, fate splits into two entirely separate paths before you.
Where they ultimately lead—depends on your choice.
[Newbie Mission Final Goal]
Ensure that the young and naive Grand Duke’s daughter, Sylvia, experiences the ultimate betrayal from her closest kin. In the agony and despair of her downfall, she must undergo transformation and rebirth.
[Historical Echo—"Ancient Cangting" Second Node Reached]
Current Historical Node Locked. Choose to exit the echo or remain to complete the mission.
[Reminder: This is a major divergence point. Your decision here will directly impact the final outco of this historical echo. Proceed with caution.]
"If this entire historical echo were a role-playing ga..."
"Then right now, I must be standing in front of the final save point before the boss room."
"If I were to follow the standard ga strategy, what I should do now is… gather intelligence, plan the perfect approach, spend all my gold on the best armor, weapons, and supplies, and recruit the strongest allies."
"And then, once I’m fully prepared—"
"I’ll clear the ga in one decisive strike."
Xia Ya chuckled and chose to exit the historical echo.
This ti, leaving was much smoother than the first, now that he had experience. The disorienting sense of temporal distortion was significantly reduced.
As the warped light faded away, the familiar ceiling of the washroom ca into view.
Xia Ya glanced at the clock beside him and found that less than an hour had passed.
Despite spending far longer in the historical echo this ti, the passage of real-world ti had actually shortened.
He splashed his face with cold water at the sink, forcing himself to calm down.
He needed ti—to think, to plan.
To decide how to navigate the final stretch of this newbie mission, and the historical echo.
If he simply followed the mission's objective and enacted the so-called "betrayal," then he wouldn’t have to do anything. Just obeying Norton’s plan would be enough.
But hidden within Norton’s words was an implicit ssage—
Sylvia was the key.
And a key that had fulfilled its purpose… only had one fate—to break inside the lock.
Xia Ya pushed open the washroom door and stepped into the second-floor hallway.
The grand magic-powered chandelier in the living room downstairs was still lit.
Ailora sat in the living room, working through a stack of docunts under the magical glow. Her smooth, pale-gold hair cascaded over the sofa behind her.
"Congratulations, Little Ai," Xia Ya yawned as he walked down the stairs.
At this mont, Ailora had not restrained her spiritual aura. In Xia Ya’s perception, his childhood friend was radiating an overwhelming sharpness.
It was as if the seventeen-year-old girl before him wasn’t just a person, but a divine spear—one sharp enough to pierce mountains and shatter stars.
She had broken through the Third Ring as well. And her strength after the breakthrough was likely beyond both Xia Ya’s and even Ailora’s own expectations.
"Thank you," the golden-haired girl replied with a slight nod, her expression unreadable. "Xia Ya-kun, you should also maintain a balanced diet. You spent quite a long ti in the washroom."
Xia Ya’s steps faltered slightly. He sensed sothing was off.
The issue wasn’t about the washroom or digestive problems—it was how Ailora addressed him.
Normally, she either called him by na or didn’t use a title at all. But whenever she started calling him "Xia Ya-kun," it always ant sothing was out of her control.
Xia Ya began retracing his steps, trying to figure out what went wrong.
There was no way she had sensed Sylvia’s existence across space and ti, right? After the previous Sixth Sense incident, he had learned his lesson. This ti, before leaving the historical echo, he had even taken a shower and changed his clothes.
His confusion was soon answered.
Because on the wooden table in front of Ailora, separate from the other business docunts, lay a pink envelope.
A pink envelope, with two elegant lines of handwriting—
The recipient field read: "Xia Ya Egut"
And the sender’s na: "Diris."
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