[January 16, 2021, 15:00 PM]
[Main God World·25th Server]
Even though it wasn’t Su Ming’an’s first visit to the New World Guild in Noel, the architectural style here still looked very special.
The glass windows of the buildings were like stained glass in cathedrals, the rooftops were beautifully glazed in color, and the entire city seed to be imrsed in a kaleidoscope of hues.
Even the pedestrians passing by dressed in a fantastical manner; Su Ming’an even saw a few with pointed ears like those of the Elf race.
He had heard that so players had gotten the chance to change their bloodline in instances, enabling them to switch races and beco mbers of celestial, elf, or beastman races, altering their physical appearance, which many furries were thrilled about.
Perhaps because Su Ming’an’s luck points weren’t high, he hadn’t encountered such an opportunity.
Moreover, personally, he wasn’t keen on growing animal ears on his head or a pair of large wings on his back.
"——Yo, there’s our man."
The two who ca to greet him were from the New World: the bald, burly chief forging master Seruo and a black-haired, gentle-faced rookie forging master, Tang.
Su Ming’an’s North Wind Long Boots and Amber Knife were crafted by Seruo. As the chief forging master, Seruo’s forging skills were top-notch in the whole ga, yet even so, he could only craft low-end Red Level equipnt, which ca with stringent use conditions.
It was still the early phase of the ga, and the strength of players with forging, potion, and array secondary professions hadn’t manifested yet; they were like gold-eating beasts that consud more than they produced, in a loss.
"Su Ming’an, you’re a bit late, the guild leader’s speech has already started a while ago," said Seruo. "I watched the pinnacle competitive instance. You’re really strong, I knew from the beginning that the final victor would definitely be you, even if you were matched against the Number One Hundred Guide, you would surely win in the end."
The bald giant spoke in an open and direct manner, his temperant straightforward and enthusiastic, even wanting to slap Su Ming’an’s back in camaraderie.
It is said that secondary occupations like [Forging], [Potion Making], and [Array Setting] are not just about gathering materials and clicking an icon to complete; they offer high degrees of freedom and require careful thinking, like solving a math problem, with no room for mistakes in any step. Otherwise, the entire thing would collapse, forging sothing nonsensical, like a magic wand that adds strength points.
Just like the North Wind Long Boots previously forged by Seruo, despite being an assassin’s equipnt, the equipnt requirent bizarrely was "Agility below 10 points". Aside from Su Ming’an, who had an extre point allocation, almost no one else could equip it.
But considering the passive ability "Restriction Release" of the Hundred Gods Profession - Su Ming’an could ignore equipnt requirents and wear any equipnt.
Seruo might be a very, very good match for him.
"You’re just in luck, I just finished watching the pinnacle competitive instance when inspiration struck , and I’ve forged another piece of equipnt that’ll suit you. I’ll have the guild leader bring it to you in the Ninth World," Seruo said with a grin.
"Thank you," said Su Ming’an.
For Noel to bring it to him in the Ninth World, he must first use his points to purchase it from Seruo, so he could take it into the instance and give it to him.
Before, Noel had already gifted him a Red Level Amber Knife, and now there was another piece.
Indeed, was this investnt, cooperation, or... a way for Noel to curry favor?
Or was it... true heart?
The issue of Noel’s human experintation, although not yet completely exposed, Noel himself must be aware that this was sothing that goes against common ethics.
Now, with Noel inviting him to the New World Guild so abruptly, did he intend to co clean?
He looked up, with the brilliant sunlight like a rainbow streaming into his eyes, the city was exceptionally fantastical, with vibrant colors almost everywhere.
...New World.
As he approached the interior of the Guild, Su Ming’an gradually heard Noel’s propagated, clear and loud speech.
"Since the human world faced a massive crisis, I began to vaguely sense that our universe has its rules," Noel’s voice echoed.
Surrounding the high platform where Noel was speaking were people dressed in various colors, their garnts shimring in the sunlight, like a rainbow bridge erected around him.
"Unfortunately, at present we can only glimpse parts of it, the nearby cosmic civilizations, or the simple organic ecosystems, all show signs of ’ltdown’."
Accompanying Noel’s loud speech, people looked up and listened quietly to his voice.
"The world is dying—Zhai Xing is heading towards destruction, almost irreversible. The universe we currently reside in resembles a large funnel, except everything is moving in the opposite direction of the funnel’s path, which we shall temporarily call ’cosmic flow’. Therefore, we could also compare it to a beach, where we are close to the sandy shore."
Su Ming’an drew closer to the platform and gradually caught sight of the blond youth bathed in the rainbow sunlight, his eyes as radiant as the sun.
This was the first ti he had heard Noel ntion the topic of the "universe."
The concept of the "New World" was first ntioned by Noel during the human self-rescue conference at the end of the Fifth World, inside a Ferris wheel.
At that ti, Noel spoke of an idea of "abandoning unfit humans, embracing the High Dinsions, and using the power of High Dinsions to save Zhai Xing."
Noel had never brought up the concept of "universe" before.
As Su Ming’an approached the platform, the towering Seruo helped him push through the crowd. People saw Seruo, the Chief Forging Master, and even if they found the figure in the black robe, Su Ming’an, mysterious, they still made way for a path to the platform.
"The further out we reach into the universe, the more chaotic and uneven the energy distribution. Whether it’s basic energy or spiritual energy, they will all return to the great assembly in the center of the universe for re-creation. Therefore, the essence of the universe is [Reincarnation]," Noel proclaid loudly.
His voice, in concentric circles, carried far beyond the platform, making it clear for everyone at the settlent to hear.
"The essence of the universe is [Reincarnation], but of course, as we all know—as humans, we do not possess such mighty power; humans cannot [Reincarnate]," continued Noel.
Su Ming’an slightly raised his head, fixing his gaze on Noel atop the platform.
His eyes penetrated the dazzling sunlight, focused on the radiant Noel, like moonlight on water reaching for the moon in the sky.
"I believe only energy can [Reincarnate]," Noel said:
"In the new cycle of the universe, there might be phenona where ’this person resembles soone from the past,’ but they are definitely not the sa person; this is the manifestation of the great cosmic cycle.
"What the world gives us, we will ultimately return to the world; this is an unavoidable fate, and I suppose that perhaps each one of us must eventually accept this ’Fate,’ it’s rely a matter of ti.
"The universe continually self-destructs and renews, endlessly giving birth to new life. Humans are born to die. All things co from the earth and must eventually return to it; this is the sa principle.
"And currently known, so-called high-dinsional beings, I believe, are conscious life forms, the result of moving against the cosmic flow, generally through specific channels and the expenditure of their own substance. After all, rowing against the current is difficult enough, let alone moving against the universe... it’s easier said than done."
Noel continued speaking, and Su Ming’an stepped onto the stairs leading to the platform, with Seruo and Little Tang no longer following.
People watched Su Ming’an, this person climbing the platform, wondering about his identity.
Noel smiled at him, yet his speech did not stop.
As he approached Noel, Su Ming’an removed the hood that had been covering his head.
The instant his face was revealed, nurous exclamations arose.
Many people imdiately covered their mouths, looking at Su Ming’an on the stage in shock.
— Why is the Number One Player here?
— Is he also going to give a speech to them?
— Is he preparing to join the New World Guild?
Nurous girls’ eyes lit up with stars, and the crowd gradually began to grow restless. Many raised their hands to start recording, taking photos, and capturing screenshots, spreading the news like wild fire.
Despite Su Ming’an and Noel being ranked only one position apart, their influence was not on the sa level at all. Whether it was strength, number of Perfect Passes, fa, or talkability ... they were completely in different leagues.
Noel continued to speak:
"— I still can’t figure out the origin of Boss Bunny. I don’t understand the purpose of high-dinsional beings, but I believe that Boss Bunny, the organizers, and the ga makers might be three separate entities and not a unified collective. They have different purposes and attitudes toward humankind. The different scenarios in the ga instances might be silhouettes of worlds that are under control, forming what we see as the ’World Ga’ through movie-like copies."
No sooner had Noel said this than it shocked countless people.
Su Ming’an was also taken aback. Noel’s topic this ti, was it about exploring high dinsions?
It was indeed a bold speech.
"High-dinsional beings might be controlled by so kind of [rules], to the extent that they cannot directly ’erase humanity’ and need to use the systemic existence of the [World Ga].
"All of the above is my speculation. At the sa ti, I am also happy to hear everyone’s corrections to my errors and improvents to my insufficiencies.
"If we want to get closer to the truth, the best way is to go against the current and seek the origin of the universe. There, we might find our answers.
"I think the day when we rush toward the future won’t be too far. To be alive is to yearn for sothing, yet what pursuit is without risk? Humans themselves will die in the pursuit of sothing, sooner or later. Whether they achieve sothing or nothing at all, I am the sa.
"— I choose to adventure with excitent and anticipation, only for the truth hidden in the unknown. I think that’s my mission, as well as my fate.
"— Once again, thank you to those who are willing to join us. We share a common belief. We co to the New World, and may we ultimately find the ’New World’ in this vast universe."
...
After Noel’s speech ended, the guild still kept perfect order.
Even though they were very eager to crowd around to see Su Ming’an, the giant panda, the crowd did not rush forward and no stampede occurred.
The New World was one of the top guilds, with mbers generally of good quality. Even if they were excited, they would not disdain order.
Amidst the respectful gazes of the passersby, Su Ming’an and Noel went to the kindergarten they had visited before.
The children living here, their relatives may not have been chosen for the ga, may have lost contact, may have gone insane or died...
Many misfortunes had already befallen them.
Noel and his companions, Wenxing, Angelica, and others, noticed these overlooked vulnerable groups. They took the children in, giving them a place to stay, taught them to read and write, to not be led astray by the current social Darwinist tendencies, to maintain the persona of a civilized society, to hold on to the baseline of humanity.
Thousands of years of civilization had evolved mankind to its current state.
... How could it be allowed to revert to the Primitive Age in just a single year?
Noel lied to the children, telling them their loved ones were just on vacation, that after a year, everyone would return safe and sound, and they would ultimately reunite with them in the New World that ends it all.
However, everyone knew that was just the most beautiful wishful thinking.
In a room, Su Ming’an saw Xiao Chen, who had been transford.
Xiao Chen used to be a lively and cheerful little boy, but since the only relative he had—his mother—went insane in the White Sand Paradise, no one else took care of him, and he beca silent and taciturn.
Xiao Chen’s face still wore a smile, seemingly full of hope for the future, but through Su Ming’an’s eyes, it reflected an air of sickness brought on by being on the brink of despair.
... The children have to go to the battlefield.
... Like blank sheets of paper, children who should be in primary school now have to go to the battlefield.
If those who are relaxing in the Main God World, and even those who would rather sip on bubble tea than enter the fray, saw this, could it stir a fraction of their will and determination? Could it make their blood boil again?
"Lighthouse brother." Xiao Chen saw him and was very happy: "Lighthouse brother, I want to beco a strong player just like you!"
"... Yeah." Su Ming’an responded, not encouraging him, saying nothing more.
Being a strong player is not necessarily a good thing.
In that process, one must endure endless suffering, madness, despair.
What will this pristine child beco in the end?
He watched Noel affectionately pat Xiao Chen’s head. After chatting with Xiao Chen for a few monts, Noel left.
After leaving the kindergarten, Noel stopped at a deserted street corner.
His gaze was tranquil, just standing there. His not-so-tall figure seed to prop up a sanctuary isolated from the bloodshed.
"Su Ming’an, do you think I’m wrong?" Noel asked.
Su Ming’an did not respond.
"... I didn’t entice them, I rely proposed a plan. It is their own choice, one of the few opportunities they have to control their fate. Just like the famous Fla Lolita, Bonnie, who isn’t much older than these children, yet she is already a top-ranked player. Can we bla her for her age?" Noel continued:
"We can’t,
... It is us who should be blad.
We useless, despicable adults...unable to rescue them from the mire, have fallen into a situation where they need to save themselves.
The world should be blad.
It’s this ga... making us no longer resemble ourselves."
Noel lifted his head.
The vastness of the residential area was boundless, the distant High Tower twinkled faintly, like a lighthouse.
"... Su Ming’an." Noel softly spoke his na, almost inaudible.
It was unclear if he was calling the person next to him or the distant light.
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