Chapter 69: Elder Xu’s Warning! The Evolution of the Trial City! And… To Go or Not to Go?
“I had a dream,” Ye Qiu began slowly.
“After taking the Mysterious Potion, a set of memories that didn’t belong to me suddenly appeared in my mind. Every time I close my eyes, they surface. In my dreams, I turn into a demon, listening to other demons talk. I can vaguely understand their language.
“In those dreams, the demons mentioned the words Central Continent. They said that after failing to invade the Novice Village, they were preparing to initiate a second plan — to invade the Central Continent.”
These were all pre-planned words Ye Qiu had prepared.
As soon as he finished, Elder Xu’s expression changed drastically.
He grabbed Ye Qiu’s arm and asked urgently, “Are you certain? These memories appeared only after taking the Mysterious Potion? And you frequently dream of demons conversing?”
Ye Qiu nodded naturally, unbothered by the possibility of flaws in his story.
Because in the future, the Outer Demons would indeed invade the Central Continent.
That alone made his claim highly credible.
Of course, others might still harbor some doubts.
But the one in front of him now was Elder Xu, the village chief of the Novice Village!
A being who knew almost everything, from the plans of the Outer Demons to the true nature of the Central Continent.
Other NPCs couldn’t compare.
After a moment of silence, Elder Xu held out his hand and sighed, “Bring out the good wine.”
“Huh?” Ye Qiu was briefly confused.
Elder Xu gave him a side glance and said, “You want to go to the Central Continent, don’t you?”
Realizing what he meant, Ye Qiu immediately smiled and took several bottles out of his backpack. They were carefully re-bottled versions of Sky Blue, Jin Jiannan K6, and Luzhou Laojiao Blue Porcelain.
The modern packaging had been replaced with plain clay flasks.
These were all mid-range liquors.
As for top-tier ones like Maotai and Wuliangye, Ye Qiu had already obtained them too, but he was saving them for later.
It was best not to show all your cards at once.
“Where did you get so much liquor?” Elder Xu asked in surprise.
“Heh, brewed it myself,” Ye Qiu replied offhandedly.
Elder Xu didn’t buy it, but didn’t press.
He opened a flask of Sky Blue, took a large swig, then let out a satisfied sigh.
“Good wine! Smooth, fragrant, mellow… with an unforgettable aftertaste!” he exclaimed.
Ye Qiu felt relieved.
[Ding! Elder Xu’s favorability towards you has reached 110.]
Ye Qiu was overjoyed.
It was well-known that 100 favorability points signified the maximum — full trust and affinity.
Previously, Ye Qiu had completed the mission to kill an Outer Demon, earning him the title of “Hero” of the Novice Village, and thus maximum favorability with all NPCs there.
But going beyond 100? That was no longer just trust, it was a bond akin to family.
And now, Elder Xu asked solemnly, “Child, are you certain you want to go to the Central Continent?”
“Absolutely!” Ye Qiu nodded without hesitation.
To gain more bonus attribute points…
He had to go to the Central Continent!
Only there could he reach level 100 in the shortest time possible and gain the ability to protect himself.
Yes, level 100 was just the bare minimum for self-preservation.
And that was only in the Version 1.0 of the game.
Once Version 2.0 hit, even players at level 100 could die at any moment.
This world was far from as safe and stable as it seemed.
Seeing Ye Qiu’s resolute expression, Elder Xu began to speak slowly, “In the beginning, this world had no so-called Eastern and Western Continents, nor any Central Continent. The entire Trial City was originally one whole landmass.
“Until… the ancient gods sealed this world. But over time, remnants of their power leaked out from the seal and spread across the land. Ambitious people used it to begin their rule and domination.
“A thousand years ago, the Human Emperor emerged. With absolute strength, he ruled all under heaven. He drew upon the power of the ancient gods and split the continent in two. forming the Eastern and Western Continents.
“As for the Central Continent, it was a region fully shrouded by divine power, a forbidden zone.”
As Elder Xu spoke, Ye Qiu finally began to understand.
So that’s how the Trial City’s geography came to be!
And the “Human Emperor” was involved?
The Human Emperor would later appear in version 3.0 of the game, along with a “Human Emperor Quest.”
Completing that would grant access to the Human Emperor’s Legacy.
Of course, that was far into the future. Ye Qiu’s current level was nowhere near high enough for that content.
Elder Xu continued, “After the Human Emperor’s death, the seals over Trial City began to weaken. This led to the entire Trial City drifting through the vast cosmos, carried by the fragmented powers of the ancient seal.
“Wherever the Trial City passes, all planets, lands, and lifeforms merge into it.
“Newly merged lifeforms, we call them the Undying or the Outer Human Race.
“After a while, the Undying’s ability to resurrect fades, and the resurrection altars fall silent again, waiting for the next arrival.
“Cycle after cycle, era after era. Until now, it is your Blue Star’s turn.”
Elder Xu turned to look at Ye Qiu again, but was startled.
Because he saw no surprise on Ye Qiu’s face, only calm, as if he’d already known all this.
And indeed, Ye Qiu had known all of it.
Having been reborn, hearing these things now brought a strange sense of déjà vu. It was like looking at the world from another life.
There was sorrow in his heart.
Blue Star was Earth. His home.
Even with all its problems, its unfairness and hardships, it was still better than being devoured by the Trial City.
Right now, reality still hadn’t been affected by the game.
Everything still looked beautiful.
People were still enjoying the game as entertainment.
But in just 8 more days, everyone would come to understand what true terror meant.
What true despair really was.
“Oh, by the way,” Elder Xu added with a serious tone. “The Central Continent has no resurrection altar. It is a zone completely cut off from the outside world. If you die in there, your soul dies with you. That is true death!”
He gave Ye Qiu a sharp look.
“Child, one last time, I ask you: Are you still determined to go to the Central Continent?”