｛I, the Great Quadrilateral, have chosen May Valkyrie as my trading partner.｝
The few who had failed to catch the bird at the door stood there dejectedly, blocking the entrance with the door shut.
“This room can’t be opened anymore, ” Wager said, clutching his forehead.
“And it can’t be cleaned either. ” As soon as Yang Zicang finished speaking, the woolen mice beside him, holding tools, cheerfully tossed away their tiny brooms and began hopping around.
The group pretended not to hear the other name called out by Little Bird, watching the person before them take the pendant into their hands.
A faint glimmer faded from the necklace, ｛I transferred ownership of the catalog “Glory Radiance: Subduing the Mighty Foe that Intruded the Inn. “｝
｛I obtained 20,000 Five-Colored Moon Essence.｝
Phew~ Finally, this Bloodline Resonance Statue has a second share of moonlight essence to bathe in.
Now, there was a silent threat lurking in the inn, and no one dared to leave casually and step onto the ship. Even heading to the tavern on the first basement floor was done with caution.
After waiting two days, when Yang Zicang and Wager used the invitation system to visit the small boat as guests and cautiously returned to the island, Bai Yuxian’s figure had vanished. Only a note was left on the ship: I am not your enemy.
“Where would you like your guest room invitation to be this month? ” Wager asked casually.
“Maybe somewhere to the west? ” It definitely wouldn’t be that courtyard they rented at the base.
Wager just dryly chuckled twice.
“The bidding section for the newcomers has also been added to the cooperation treaty. Now I have nothing to worry about. Let’s part ways here. “
After saying this, Wager waited for Karl to exit the ship and, with Yang Zicang’s help, sent them into the Sub-Aether Field Space.
……
Joshua leafed through the notes he had written himself, which contained several revised records of the incidents involving Yang Zicang.
From behind came a man of slightly shorter stature, his face full of traces left by years of wind and sun exposure.
“He’s always managed to counter it, ” Joshua said, turning to the expressionless Yoya. “And I’ve hardly seen any sign of him relying on others for information. “
“I’ve read through these, ” Yoya said, picking up two sheets of paper to examine. “Store them in the archives. This fellow is worth a closer look. He might just be a key figure someone on the council is betting on. “
“If it were an investment from the Holy Ring Council, there would be signs. I don’t believe someone of his caliber would have received funding from them. Come to think of it, he hasn’t even been in this world for a full year. “
“Hah… well, you have a point. The council won’t easily waste resources on people like him. “
Yoya crossed his arms and pondered. “Speaking of which, this incident is indeed a bit suspicious. Tell me, why would his experience be so clearly marked by someone tampering with the ‘Glory Light’? “
The man dressed in a simple white robe, standing barefoot on the wooden floor, picked up the papers again and read through the contents.
The incident that was supposed to break out in Concie Village simply vanished.
The rewriting attempt at New Sail Town failed, and the enemy even got their hands on the Bloodline Statue; the rewriting in Hydrapower City also failed, yet the enemy lost their protector…
Suddenly, Yoya’s eyes froze.
“The Secret Box. “
“What? ” Joshua picked up the remaining papers.
“It’s the Secret Box! Damn it, ” Yoya set down the book in his hand, grabbed his staff beside him, and said, “This means preparations for the matter of the Secret Box might already be underway on this Epoch Land. I need to investigate this. Someone is trying to rewrite the ending of this Epoch Land! “
Joshua solemnly placed the papers back on the table.
Why did he learn of this matter, and why was he so deeply involved? A sudden sense of an unseen force struck him, one that may have already stirred his Track of Fate and twisted it right into this very incident.
But… then again, perhaps it was merely a coincidence.
……
Otto arrived once more at the small courtyard Yang Zicang had temporarily rented out.
“How’s it going, Mr. Dust Stain Cleanser? “
Yang Zicang, who had been flipping through a magazine with Lianna—whose delicate face had grown noticeably thinner—looked up and peered through the glass window at the gentleman approaching from the yard with his assistant.
“It’s all taken care of. ” They stood to shake hands, and Lianna, noticing it was this man again, turned and left on her own.
“So, did you manage to get a hold of any of those ‘Stones’? “
For that batch of “Ember Ore Crystals, ” the man before him had indeed made a wise choice in seeking him out, because measuring with scientific instruments truly couldn’t compare to a light tap of his finger. Yet this also left a faint trace of melancholy in Yang Zicang’s heart.
“Not a single stone was obtained. “
“Eh? ” The woman standing nearby, with a rather straight and tall figure, looked at this man with some curiosity.
Yang Zicang smiled at her, then said to Otto, who was looking over with some confusion, “But I’ve already organized everything you need from in there. “
With that, he picked up a prepared piece of paper from the table, unfolded it to confirm with a glance, and handed it over.
“What does this mean? ” Otto cautiously took it and flipped through it for a closer look. “This is… my god, you’ve recorded everything. This is absolutely incredible. “
Yang Zicang sat back down and gestured for the other to take a seat. “This matter is settled, but I have a question. “
The corners of Otto’s mouth instantly flattened from a slight upward curl. “Hmm… let’s leave it at that, sir. Here is your compensation. If you don’t mind, how about I introduce you to a job? You just need to stay inside for seven days. I know how these things work. “
If this had been when I first arrived, staying seven more days wouldn’t have mattered. But now it’s already May. Lingering here any longer, I’m afraid I truly won’t make it in time to catch the boat. Although I’ve checked on the rental lands—claiming that anyone who has obtained Glory Lumina can board—the treatment you receive upon arrival is different. Those who possess the Radiant Flare or have made significant contributions get a better supply of resources after reaching the other shore.
With that in mind, Yang Zicang declined the offer.
“If you can tell me what these markings are, I promise I won’t meddle in your subsequent affairs. Otherwise, I’m afraid I can’t help but go find that Mr. Ge again. He seemed quite interested in my abilities. “
Otto racked his brains. “Sorry, this just gives our work a bit of an advantage. For the mist-folk, it’s nothing more than a waste of time with no real fun to be had. How about this—I can let you in on a piece of information, Mr. Yang. “
“What information? “
“Perhaps someone is planning to extend the lifespan of this Epoch Land. Hmm… or rather, its future. “
A faint flicker crossed Yang Zicang’s eyes, and he mulled it over with a hint of suspicion. The woman beside Otto brought up a small suitcase and opened it; inside lay some silver coins and a small amount of gold.
“Our boss stumbled upon this news as well—it may not be accurate. But if it turns out to be true, I believe Mr. Yang wouldn’t want to miss it. ” The woman smiled as she slid the box across the tabletop.
Yang Zicang took one glance at it and closed the lid.
-｛Distributor February. Di’an wishes to acquire the Glorious Radiance I have already nurtured to maturity.｝
-｛Distributor Di An has raised the price for this Radiance to 105%.｝
“How did you come across this information?“
“That, Mr. Yang, you’ll need to confirm for yourself. However, I’d advise waiting until your Bloodline Statue reaches three rings and you have some Stellar Yuan before participating; it’ll be safer that way.“
Otto reminded him considerately, “Once the statue has the three-ring bloodline, you can start incorporating it into what you call the ‘model’ and begin resonating with Stellar Yuan. Until then, Mr. Yang, you still have the chance to choose which bloodline you want to resonate with.“
Yang Zicang nodded.
He knew she was just using this seemingly possible rumor to divert his attention from the trace-laden blueprints before him. Still, if such a thing did exist, it would inevitably herald the birth of a “Heroic Flash.“
“By the way, Mr. Yang, did you happen to pick up anything about the ‘Black Sheep’ that night?” As he was about to leave, Otto, who had risen to his feet, turned back to ask.
“No, not at all. Just this matter alone has been draining enough. They were very wary of me. I’d even planned to tail my target and use other means to get my hands on the ore.” Yang Zicang replied casually.
Otto nodded in understanding. So this “hero” on the sofa was just as adaptable—wishing to obtain two crucial pieces of information in a single night was indeed nothing short of madness.
After the others had left, Yang Zicang sought out Lienna, who was busy packing things into her suitcase.
Leaning against the door frame, Yang Zicang watched her movements with a strangely unsettled feeling stirring in his heart.
“You…“
“I’m heading home now. ” Lianna stood up with a smile. “Uncle Thorne will take care of me, and I’m already quite grown up. Thank you very much for everything, Hero… If possible… “
Tears suddenly streamed down her smiling face. “I want to hug you… “
With that, she rushed forward and clung to Yang Zicang, sobbing bitterly.
“I… ” Yang Zicang wanted to say, if you could become a Crossing Person, maybe I could take you into Fei Lu Hotel. But can he bring every native like this that he meets into the inn?
He suddenly thought of what Mr. Otto had said earlier.
Patting the girl’s back with a hand of wrinkled skin, Yang Zicang paused for a while without saying much. Only when Lena stopped crying did he speak:
“Don’t lose heart. There might still be hope in this world… In the future, everyone will continue to live on. That’s why we came. “
Lena looked at the man’s face, which no longer bore its former handsome handsomeness but seemed exceptionally reliable at this moment, and gently nodded.
Leonardo, whose treatment had been nearly seventy percent completed using the land’s rent, walked into the courtyard with Thorne. He was responsible for escorting these two back to White Violet City.
“Miss Lena, here are the forms you need to fill out. The management on the road is getting stricter, you need to write these down. Also, the two of us will go into the city later to purchase some supplies… “
After both of them left, Yang Zicang also said goodbye to Lena, “I hope we’ll have a chance to meet again. I want to give you this. “
Yang Zicang handed a coin that looked somewhat strange to the girl.
“Endowed by heaven, the First Year of Zicang’s Treasury. “
The Maiden identified the characters on the coin in her hand, looking at the figure before her. She suddenly saw this figure walking further and further away, leaving the courtyard. Yet at the same time, it was as if she saw herself riding in a carriage, together with Uncle Sorn, carrying a cartload of food and supplies, heading in the opposite direction toward her old home in the east.
But… another blurred image seemed to begin emerging, yet when she came back to her senses, it all vanished. The man’s receding silhouette also disappeared at the doorway.
Menna stood there motionless.
Suddenly, a figure almost as tall as herself approached the doorway.
“Hello there, ” Tata Mingqi said, smiling at the somewhat dazed young woman in the room. Her eyes began to regain some signs of life.
“Let me reintroduce myself, ” said the distributor overseer at the door. “My name is Loki. Tata Mingqi, a distributor from the Lunar Realm. What we call ‘distribution’ is to record the stories that unfold in the lives of the heroes of this world, and share them with the people back in our homeland. “
Menna was momentarily taken aback.
“Are you a friend of Mr. Hero? “
“In a sense, I’m his boss, ” Tata Mingqi said, puffing out his chest, almost adjusting a non-existent tie.
A sudden chill of realization washed over Menna as she grasped the meaning behind the words “Lunar Realm ” and “World ” coming from the man before her.
She took a fearful step back, exclaiming in shock, “Are you saying… besides this world, there are others? “
“Mm-hmm. “
Upon receiving confirmation, Lina suddenly felt as if she was seeing double images; behind the little boy stood another figure.
She stepped back, accidentally tripping on the edge of a box, and fell backwards with a startled cry, her head nearly hitting the hot water bottle by the bed.
Bang! The maiden scrambled up in pain, glancing fearfully at the hot water bottle beside her.
“That was no coincidence, ” said Tta Taming from the doorway.
“What do you mean? “
“That’s the world’s rejection of you. You’re no longer who you used to be. Everyone who ends up like you will have all sorts of things happening to drive your life toward extinction as long as you stay on the mainland. This is a sort of correction. “
Lina looked ahead in terror.
“So what should I do? “
Tta Taming understood that she had already completely undergone her transformation. By now, she should have seen where she needed to go.
“There’s only one place in this world that can shelter people like you. It’s the home of heroes: the ‘Mist Sea.’ Come with me. This time, I came here specifically for you. “
Tta Taming took from his bosom a delicate pendant, identical to the one Yang Zicang wore, and placed it into Lina’s cupped hands.
｛You have obtained the “Distribution Beacon: Hero’s Double-Sided Golden Pendant. “｝
｛Hero’s Double-Sided Golden Pendant says: I now have a lifetime experience worthy of being catalogued.｝
Just then, a faint fluorescence appeared on the coin in Lina’s hand, which she had held onto even as she fell.
｛You can use “Life Bank: 3000N. “｝
The maiden instantly understood the preciousness of this coin.
She stared at it in disbelief.
“Is this the truth of this world? Those humans… they’ve been… “
“Shh~ ” Tatanminci raised a finger to her lips. “Come with me, Crossing Maiden Elena. There’s still a long road ahead. You might see the hero you seek again, as long as you have enough Radiance. “
Yang Zicang went to the old-fashioned office, wrapped in oak wood and large bricks, in the Mist People’s rented area, and inquired around in a roundabout way, but no one knew much about the matter Otto had mentioned.
“Hero sir, you still want to extend the time of this continent at a moment like this? “
The local affairs liaison officer was a very tall man. Upon hearing Yang Buchen inquire about such information, he stepped forward and scratched his head, saying, “Regarding this kind of information, hmm… theoretically, only a ‘Blaze’… “
Yang Zicang pulled out a page from a diary.
“The content on this has already been edited down to below 30%. “
“Ah, is this real? ” The man took the saint’s memoirs from him in surprise, glanced at the content—28.3%.
“It really is the genuine memoirs of a saint… No wonder, sir… But… “
Life is full of “buts, ” so Yang Zicang quickly added:
“Though it’s thanks to the General’s men rebuilding the coastal defenses, between this diary and the whole movement I started, shouldn’t it at least meet the reading standard? “
The regional affairs liaison hesitated for a moment.
“At this point… well, someone of your standing should be allowed an open inquiry. But what good would that do? Don’t even mention me releasing those archives—even if I laid the key points out in front of everyone, it would be impossible to rewrite them now. “
-｛Distributor Loki·Tata Mingqi expresses “leave “.｝
Yang Zicang heard this out-of-the-blue voice.
He nearly turned around to leave, but then thought again—it was wrong. This kind of suggestion was usually not something a distributor would give.
“I understand. First, take me to the archives to have a look. “
“I need to read your Radiance catalogue. This is standard procedure—each Radiance grants access to a record of the current area’s ‘true history.’ If you possess a Flash, you can read how the former Track-of-Fate-burning ones dealt with these matters within that fate sequence. “
The Fog Citizen’s ID was scanned by the man, revealing a brilliant string of Radiance catalogue codes shimmering on its surface.
“These! ” The regional affairs liaison stared at the catalogue in shock, glancing twice between it and the face of the man before him.
Aside from the yet-fully-unborn “Group Radiance Flash, ” there was already one Flash and one Radiance listed on it.
“Unbelievable… just a little over two months. ” The regional affairs liaison wiped the cold sweat from his brow. “Then please follow me, Mr. Yang. But bear this in mind: the reason for this continent’s destruction is not within the archives. “
“Why? “
“Because within the true history, even the people living back then didn’t know why the world met its end ahead of schedule. “
“Advance…” Yang Zicang, following the man forward, mulled over the word.
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