006 and 009 were discussing the lives of spheres outside the game. Meanwhile, in the game, Mo Yang and Wan Mei have no clue about the imminent danger. They are leisurely searching for various strange plants, relaxed and content along their path.
As the sky darkens, despite numerous meteorites falling like fireballs and the earth trembling, the distinction between day and night remains clear in this world. The occasional illumination of the night sky by the fiery meteorites indicates it’s time to return now.
Mo Yang and Wan Mei were about to head back, satisfied with their findings. Mo Yang licked his dry lips and looked at Wan Mei, saying, “Shall we go back? We have time tomorrow. There’s at least another seven days to explore and study in this world. No rush at the moment. Besides, I’ve already taken down Emperor Qin! At least we won’t have to deal with him in this game. The others are just minor characters, as long as players don’t engage in internal conflicts, devouring each other’s spiritual powers.”
Wan Mei nodded, though he wasn’t as optimistic about human nature as Mo Yang, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Regardless of how these players engage in internal struggles, all that matters to them is the unlikely transformative outcome of this war.
As they hurry back in the dark, just before reaching the lush life barrier, a cold wind suddenly whips through the forest, riddled with craters from the meteorites. Mo Yang felt a chilling sensation, initially welcoming the coolness before a terrible feeling crept in. It’s as if something immense is watching them.
Mo Yang and Wan Mei both stopped in their tracks.
Mo Yang carefully surveys their surroundings. Even though there seems to be nothing but land, trees, smoke, and fire around them, Mo Yang senses the presence of “it.”
This question raced through Mo Yang’s mind, and in an instant, he had a horrifying realization. When he concentrated all his spiritual power to be on high alert, a force much stronger and terrifying than the strongest spiritual power he’d encountered directly assaulted the mental barrier he’d set up.
In less than a second, his mental barrier shattered. Mo Yang grunted as blood trickled from his eyes, nose, and mouth once more, and he noticed Wan Mei’s body stiffen beside him. He was certain then that his earlier suspicion was correct.
Mo Yang was unable to describe his feelings at this moment – they were actually attacked by the most powerful controller in the dream world?!
The next moment, Mo Yang felt dizzy, as if his mind was spinning. He felt like he was about to lose consciousness.
However, he was acutely aware that he couldn’t afford to faint at this moment. If he fainted in the game, his brain would be completely vulnerable, exposing all his thoughts and everything he knew about the real world. His own demise might not matter much, but if Tang Mian, Grandpa, and other important individuals with planned strategies were noticed by the “Dream World” because of him, he’d be a criminal for eternity.
Clutching his fists tightly, Mo Yang resisted the invasion and attack of the powerful and terrifying mental force. His vision darkened, and a buzzing sound filled his ears. He was reaching his limit.
“Mo Yang.”
He heard Wan Mei’s voice. Even in this moment, he marveled at recognizing the rare tone of pain in Wan Mei’s voice. “Bite the sugar bean.”
Mo Yang’s brain, under attack, hadn’t fully reacted yet. Wan Mei’s figure disappeared directly in the game. The next second, someone identical to Wan Mei appeared in his place, but Mo Yang knew it wasn’t Wan Mei; it was the system’s automatic replacement.
He remembered the “mental power pill” that Wan Mei had given him in the laboratory before entering the game. He struggled to relax his mind, simultaneously thinking about the benefits of the dream world, while trying to stay alert in reality. Mo Yang felt his face contort as he tried to perform these two entirely different actions. He clenched his teeth, attempting to use mental power to break through the barriers of the game world and the dream world.
It was like an ant trying to penetrate a wall.
It seemed impossible, but suddenly Mo Yang felt a pang on his tongue, as if something was breaking apart in his mouth. Then, the invaded brain was engulfed by a warm flow that swiftly eased the pain. At that moment, Mo Yang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a triumphant and almost victorious grimace on his face. He shouted, “I love the Dream World!”
Subsequently, he vanished from the Dream World.
After his disappearance, the system’s urgently simulated replacement stood there, “Mo Yang” and “Wan Mei” blankly in place, as the immense energy of the mother star traversed their minds. And then, they disintegrated completely.
After their replacements dispersed, in the deserted forest, the indifferent voice of the mother star echoed.
[…Target hosts detected, no resistance detected through precise screening.]
[Target hosts exhibit explosive growth in mental power, and meet criteria as talented beings in the mental realm. Priority set for absorption.]
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
[Target hosts’ guides, 006, 009, tsk…]
Cr atf gfrfjgmtfgr, ktb tjv yffc mbcrajcais byrfgnlcu jcv wbclabglcu Zb Tjcu jcv Qjc Zfl’r mbcvlalbcr, egufcais agfjafv atfw, atf 006 jcv 009 lc atf Uegqif Zlmgb Ljii bo atf Ggfjw Qbgiv gfmflnfv j gjgf jcv ecfzqfmafv vlgfmalnf ogbw atf wbatfg rajg.
[Hosts 006, 009 identified as talented beings in the mental realm. Must commence mental absorption after the conclusion of this game. Submit eighty percent of obtained mental energy. Await confirmation.]
Pclaljiis regqglrfv ys atf revvfc vlgfmalnf ogbw atf wbatfg rajg, 006 jcv 009, eqbc mbwqgftfcvlcu la, vlrqijsfv fzqgfrrlbcr bo vlryfilfo vfrqlaf ijmxlcu jcs ojmlji ofjaegfr.
[Confirmation received.]
The emotionless voice of the mother star reiterated, and 006 nearly jumped to reply.
[Received! Rest assured, mother star! I’ll contribute every day! Starting tomorrow, I’ll begin devouring my host’s mental power!!]
Satisfied with the response, the mother star’s voice finally disappeared.
When 006 couldn’t sense any trace of the mother star’s presence anymore, it started to ecstatically jump and shout, [Ahhhh!]
[Ahhhh!!!]
[Ahhhhhhhh! Hahaha! I knew my host was the one!!!]
006’s voice, filled with jubilation, echoed in the empty space. Its mood was ecstatic. Even though it had wondered about Mo Yang and Wan Mei passing the mother star’s precise screening, it had been entirely uncertain. Thus, it and 009 could only feign ignorance and await the outcome.
And the outcome! The outcome was exactly what it had hoped for! How could the sphere not be elated?!
[Hahaha, that idiot sphere, 001!! Let’s see what it can do this time!!]
Jumping around in the air, 006, finally displaying emotion, almost sang in its floating, mechanical tone, [This is fate!]
That thickening, layer upon layer, black cage finally cracked open, didn’t it!!
…
Mo Yang and Wan Mei were quickly taken to the medical room at the research institute for examination.
Director Zhao was utterly shocked when he saw Mo Yang’s nosebleed twice in a row, the second time with blood at the corners of his mouth and eyes. They had never entered the Dream World and their understanding of it was solely based on hearsay from others. So far, most of what they’d heard was about the miraculous items in the Dream World, hardly anyone spoke about its frightening aspects.
However, witnessing Wan Mei abruptly open his eyes, pale-faced, and immediately looking towards Mo Yang, the image of Mo Yang shaking all over, bleeding from the corners of his mouth, and unable to be awakened forcefully, made Director Zhao and the researchers in the institute instantly grasp the danger of the Dream World.
“Quick, quick! Perform the main brain and body function tests! They must have suffered a mental attack! Intense mental attacks can damage the brain, and in severe cases, lead to brain death.” Zhao Kuo, the medical expert in the institute, spoke up.
The lady pushed him aside impatiently. “No need for your reminder! I’m conducting a comprehensive examination on him right now!” Then she turned to Wan Mei. “Wan Mei, how are you? Do you need an examination too? You don’t look well.”
Wan Mei shook his head in refusal. “I’m fine. I’m certain all my brain and body data and skills are normal. Look at Mo Yang; he probably received a heavier attack than I did.”
At that moment, Mo Yang opened his eyes. He felt his vision was chaotic and red, and his head was splitting.
“Wan Mei?!”
He instinctively called out to the person he trusted the most. Wan Mei had grabbed his hand tightly. He spoke rapidly, “You might feel headaches, blurry vision, or even hearing impairment. But don’t worry or panic; these aren’t serious. As long as I’m here, I can heal any injuries you sustain. And right now, your injuries aren’t severe; a few days of rest will suffice.”
Mo Yang struggled to understand Wan Mei’s words but felt some relief grasping Wan Mei’s hand. “It’s okay. I feel okay. But, later, we have to re-enter the Dream World. Unexpectedly leaving the game doesn’t count as our death in the game, and even less so as our failure in the game. I’ve suffered so much; I must complete this game. Moreover, the Tree Queen is still waiting for me.”
Wan Mei furrowed his brow. He didn’t speak.
But those familiar with him in the institute knew he was extremely angry. Usually, in this state, Wan Mei would become assertive and unpredictable. Even Director Zhao, to some extent, felt compelled to advise Mo Yang. However, Wan Mei just took a deep breath and said, “…Rest for an hour first. Later, I’ll enter the game with you.”
Of course, Mo Yang could sense Wan Mei’s displeasure. But because of this, he felt happier now. In a rare moment, he playfully said to someone, “Don’t leave, I’ll feel uneasy without you~”
Everyone present at the research institute: “…Are we witnessing a nightmare? Someone dared to act coquettishly with Wan Mei?!”
Even scarier was that it worked!!
Wan Mei, about to step out, halted. He turned to Director Zhao.
Director Zhao felt a bit unnerved by his gaze. “What is it?”
Wan Mei sighed softly. “Could you please have my Experiment Table No. 3 brought here? I want to make some restorative potions.”
Director Zhao acknowledged and swiftly arranged for the table and the required materials to be brought to Wan Mei. But for maximum benefit, he also asked a few new researchers to observe Wan Mei’s potion-making process. This turned out to be an extremely rare and valuable experimental class.
Wan Mei glanced at the three youngest researchers, who were the same age as him, and continued making the potion while chatting with Mo Yang.
Soon, a beautiful pale-gold potion appeared in Wan Mei’s hands. He glanced at the onlookers and, even though they received his challenging gaze, they stood firm, refusing to leave. Perhaps Wan Mei’s genius method of administering the potion would be different? They couldn’t miss any learning opportunity!
Then, they indeed learned a highly unusual method of administration—Wan Mei sneered at the stubborn onlookers, then directly poured the pale-gold potion into his mouth and embraced Mo Yang, kissing him passionately. The sound of their lips and tongues entwining made the onlookers blush furiously, and they felt their eyes were almost blinded by what they witnessed.
Mo Yang was left dizzy by the encounter but didn’t deny that it felt good.
He smacked his lips and chuckled, “Ah, seizing every chance to get close to me, huh~”
Wan Mei replied, “No. If I really did that, you wouldn’t have the chance to say such things.”
Onlookers: “…Is it too late to leave now??”
The recovery potion made by the Dark Lord himself made Mo Yang feel much better. The buzzing in his ears disappeared, and his brain no longer throbbed with every thought. He opened his eyes and saw the face of the person he admired and liked the most, which made him smile.
“Handsome, shall we enter the Dream World together?”
Wan Mei, looking at the quickly recovering Mo Yang, huffed.
Ten minutes later, Mo Yang and Wan Mei, who smoothly entered the Dream World without any trouble, received a warm welcome from 006 and 009.
006 was already nose to nose with Mo Yang. [Ah~ my dear host! You are truly a beautiful miracle!]
Mo Yang was nearly speechless from that statement. He looked at 006 with disgust, grabbed it, and threw it away. “What’s wrong with you? Did the system malfunction or did you get your brain consumed?”
006 snipped, [No fun at all.]
Switching to a normal tone, it continued, [I was merely expressing my joy. Congratulations on passing the precise screening of the Mother Star. Even if 001 secretly reports to the Mother Star, as hosts already inspected by the Mother Star, you are safe.]
[Because of 001’s sneaky behavior, you two were probably checked by the Mother Star in the game, right? 009 and I were guaranteed to fail because of you two. But you managed to pass safely. Moreover, you’ve been recognized by the Mother Star as Spirit Talented individuals. Hehehe!! Turning misfortune into fortune!]
Mo Yang and Wan Mei glanced at each other and asked 006, “How did misfortune turn into fortune?”
006 stared at Mo Yang, and suddenly a small golden thread extended from its spherical body, aiming towards Mo Yang’s forehead. Mo Yang frowned, about to grab the thread, but 006 said, [Don’t move. It’s just a more secretive method of transmitting information.]
Mo Yang hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn’t move.
The thread then connected Mo Yang’s brain to 006.
He heard 006’s voice. It was more emotional and sounded more like a young man compared to the mechanical tone.
[Spirit Talented individuals are the targets that the Dream World must devour. Your spiritual power is greatly beneficial to the Mother Star and us as guides. So, once it’s confirmed that you’re Spirit Talented individuals and you’ve passed the Mother Star’s precise screening, if there are no accidents, the Mother Star won’t actively kill you, leaving you until the end, as long as you don’t do anything foolish.]
[I’m certain that after this game, whether in the Dream World or the real world, various unrestrained absorptions will commence. As Spirit Talented individuals, we can offer some protection to you. Isn’t that a good thing?]
Mo Yang noted the first half of 006’s second sentence, slightly furrowing his brow but nodding, “I suppose it is a good thing.”
006 chuckled, [But such good things also come at a price. Starting today, I’ll be absorbing your spiritual power and offering it to the Mother Star.]
Mo Yang’s expression shifted slightly, but 006 continued.
[Your spiritual power will probably be enough for me to ‘secretly’ absorb for about three months without you noticing. If you have any plans or goals, three months is the last time Earth will survive, just so you know.]
Suddenly, 006 disconnected the golden thread connecting him to Mo Yang, and its voice reverted to a cold, mechanical tone.
[Before that, strive to live well.]
And strive to resist this increasingly tightening cage.
Mo Yang stared at the seemingly silent 006, eventually withdrawing his gaze.
At that moment, he had a sudden thought: Was their inevitable end a death sentence for both sides? But in the end, he chose not to say anything.
Author’s Note –
Wrapping things up here. The brain needs to integrate various data, and there might be one more final world. Mwah mwah~
Just three months! Things are getting tense
it’s really dark… thankfully it’s also accompanied by gold tier humor, otherwise as a reader I’ll probably need to recover too…