Mo Yang walked out of the temple feeling a bit dazed. His mind was filled with the conversation he’d just had with the Tree Queen.
He touched the bracelet on his wrist and the pendant hanging around his neck, feeling a surge of emotions. Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand. Mo Yang jerked his head up, only to see Wan Mei’s expressionless face.
“Oh, you’re here?” Mo Yang asked dumbly, a rare moment of naivety.
Wan Mei raised an eyebrow, looking at him. “Seems like the Queen told you something earth-shattering, making you so shaken?”
Mo Yang thought of the Tree Queen mentioning why they wouldn’t choose Wan Mei and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not really. Just unexpected, but after it happened, I feel it was inevitable.”
Despite Dream World conquering so many planets, none of their existence could last forever.
“After we return to reality tonight, I’ll tell you more,” Mo Yang said. Even though the Tree Queen’s group didn’t trust Wan Mei, Mo Yang did. Despite Wan Mei not advocating for the destruction of Dream World, once he made a promise, he’d do his best.
“Do you ever wish Dream World could exist a bit longer?” Mo Yang couldn’t resist asking.
A faint smirk played on Wan Mei’s lips, giving a somewhat sinister look. “Why would I? It’s better for it to disappear sooner. That way, it won’t cause trouble. Even though it holds knowledge unknown to me, I don’t like random individuals causing chaos in my territory. If it’s willing to be my complete research subject, then maybe I’d consider letting it stay a bit longer.”
Mo Yang chuckled, knowing he wouldn’t get a straightforward answer from this person.
Over the next five days, nothing significant happened in the world of the Inferno. However, conflicts among players intensified each day.
Without the constraints of Emperor Qin and Qing Nu, those players who had previously submitted to Emperor Qin followed the principle of survival of the fittest. They roamed outside, targeting weaker players for robbery.
They formed teams of three to five, lurking in the now almost ruined and scorching forests. When they encountered fleeing players, they encircled them, forcing them to surrender their food and items, threatening to kill them or ultimately resorting to devouring them. Devouring enhanced their mental strength, life force, and basic physical abilities.
As there were those specializing in robbing, there were also those unwilling to be bullied, forming small teams to seek help from the Tree People, exchanging Tree Fruits, and exploring the fallen meteorites for various items that were no longer mere cards.
But regardless of their stance, after nine days in the Inferno world, Mo Yang observed a fundamental change in the players. Even young students like Zhou Luo and elderly players in their sixties showed a chilling indifference and suspicion toward everything around them, something not typical for ordinary people. They emitted an aura of potential violence.
In just nine days, humans had undergone such a drastic transformation.
While they survived in the game, Mo Yang wondered if they could adapt to the ordinary world again. When the Tree Queen’s mentioned “uncontrolled devouring” began, these surviving players would inevitably become the vanguard of social turmoil.
Mo Yang once again felt the malevolence of the Dream World.
Boom! Clang! Clang! Clang!
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.
Above his head, the sound of meteorites striking the life barrier rang out again. Mo Yang looked up, unsurprised to see the once vibrant green life barrier had faded significantly. Initially resembling exquisite imperial jade, it was now pale. Mo Yang even feared it might shatter any moment.
However, there’s still one day left.
“Ah, Brother Yang!” Suddenly, from the other side of the street came the clear voice of a young girl. Mo Yang looked over to see Xiya, who was running towards him on her short legs. “Brother Yang! Brother asked me to come and tell you to gather your companions at the square in front of the Emerald Forest Temple! The life barrier’s power is about to give way. The Queen has decided to shrink the protection range, so everyone needs to gather around the temple.”
Mo Yang crouched down and ruffled Xiya’s head. He took out a few dried fruits that Wan Mei had made from his backpack and handed them to her. “Thank you for letting me know. These dried fruits are for you.”
Xiya happily took the fruit slices, biting into them with a satisfying crunch, widening her round eyes in surprise. “They’re delicious! After the disaster is over, I want to try making these dried fruits myself!”
Mo Yang chuckled, “Sure, I’ll give you the recipe.”
“Yeah! When the time comes, you can visit my home, and I’ll treat you with these!”
Then, Xiya happily skipped away. Mo Yang watched her departing figure and suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion spreading within him. After a while, he murmured, “I really hope I can visit your home after the catastrophe passes. That would be a very enjoyable thing.”
Mo Yang tugged at the corner of his mouth and turned away.
Afterward, he informed Song Kefeng, asking him to lead the increasingly fierce group of soldiers behind him to gather all the players seeking shelter with him.
Although these players outside the life barrier had likely either devoured others or been robbed, Mo Yang was somewhat relieved. At least, within the life barrier, they refrained from attacking or being hostile to other players. Hence, their mental state seemed better than some players he’d encountered outside the barrier.
Mo Yang stood at the forefront of these people and thought for a moment before using the amplification effect of the pendant. However, since it wasn’t a complete microphone but rather an earpiece, it lacked its usual spotlight and background music functions. He felt a bit embarrassed about it.
“Everyone, we’re about to head to the square in front of the temple, where we might spend the last two days in this world. The energy of the life barrier above us has weakened significantly under the constant attacks of the Inferno meteors. If the protection range of the life barrier remains extensive, it might not last till the end. So, for our safety, let’s go together.”
“We are outsiders to the Plant Clan, and it’s rare for the Tree Queen to offer us protection. Hence, when we arrive at the square, please refrain from any extreme behavior. Even if you see someone who has robbed your Tree Fruit or your enemy, do not act rashly. I hope we can leave the impression of being rational and civilized individuals to the Plant Clan, even if this is just a game world.
“Furthermore, I’m not making baseless warnings.” Mo Yang noticed some people in the crowd expressing skepticism and his voice turned stern.
“Please don’t take the Plant Clan for fools. Even though they aren’t real, I can assure you, if anyone breaks the rules in the square, all the members of the Plant Clan within the life barrier will not hesitate to kill or expel you from the barrier.”
“At that time, I won’t stand on your side.”
“After these nine days, we’ve almost become a team and established basic trust, though our relationships are loose. I still hope that we can part ways amicably as a team until the game ends. So, don’t cause trouble for your teammates. However, if someone troubles you, our team will help.”
“Let me emphasize once more, I hope everyone is clear about their reasons for entering the Dream World, even if you aspire to be outstanding, try not to behave poorly during the process.”
“Okay, then, let’s go.”
“Below, among thousands of players, there was a slight commotion and discussion, but most agreed with Mo Yang’s words. Zhou Luoluo, Rose, and Qi Hong walked together, watching the players quietly following the main group, and Zhou Luoluo couldn’t help but whisper, “I think Yang Heigou is very handsome and impressive. Everyone listens to what he says! And his words make me feel at ease among these people, as if they really are my companions.”
Rose smiled charmingly and pointed at the center of Zhou Luoluo’s forehead with her finger. “Little girl, take a good look. That’s the innate charisma of a leader. He might not have the strength of Song’s team or the crazed intelligence of White Devil, but he always walks in the middle of the team, leading the way. He has a clear goal, determination to achieve it, and the strategic planning needed to reach it. He doesn’t need to be the strongest or the smartest; he just needs to stand there, showing us the direction and leading us forward.”
Rose gestured around. “Often, the fate of ordinary people depends not on their choices but on the person they follow. They passively change with the environment. But some people are different; they understand the environment they want and can change it. Therefore, most ordinary people become good or bad based on whom they follow.”
Zhou Luoluo nodded, seemingly understanding.
Qi Hong, beside them, clicked his tongue twice and said to Xiao Yunhe, “Ah, I always feel so obvious at times like this, that I’m definitely not the protagonist.”
Xiao Yunhe adjusted his glasses and looked at him. “It’s alright. Supporting characters to the protagonist also survive in the end and even gain a large fan base. You can aim to be the best supporting role.”
Qi Hong laughed, “Haha, what you said makes sense. I can’t argue against it!”
Not far from them, Zheng Zhe, who had inadvertently overheard their conversation, looked around in surprise. The group of about four to five thousand people seemed to have genuinely accepted the man as their leader, just as the beautiful woman had described. Zheng Zhe had seen several players who were particularly brutal outside the barrier, but now, their faces appeared calm, indulging in quiet conversations with their companions within the group. There was no sign of their previous brutality. He lowered his eyes and then felt a tap on his shoulder.
Zheng Zhe rolled his eyes at the big guy beside him, “What’s up?”
The burly guy, who had been teamed up with Zheng Zhe for the past seven days, smirked and proudly said, “We’re almost at the square. Look at our team compared to those scattered players running over. Don’t we look different, quite high-class? I knew joining this team was the right choice! Military men are reliable!”
Zheng Zhe looked around and ahead as the thousands of them, organized and orderly, made their way to the square, contrasting sharply with the other players running over. The expressions of the latter were anxious and desperate, and upon seeing the organized group, they couldn’t help but show envy in their eyes.
As the several thousand people arrived at the square, almost the size of four or five football fields, those who were already there instinctively made way for them. Mo Yang, led by Xisi, marked out an area and gestured for everyone to sit down.
“Everyone, take a moment to get acquainted with those around you. We’ll be here for the next two days. If there are no unexpected changes, positions won’t change. You’re free to move around, but please refrain from doing things you shouldn’t.”
After Mo Yang finished speaking, the thousands of players sat down, and some smaller groups of players, only a few or a dozen, instinctively sat around them. Mo Yang observed their behavior but remained silent.
Everything was peaceful until three groups marched in from three different directions.
As they approached, they caused a commotion, drawing the attention of Mo Yang’s group among the thousands of players.
These were three drastically different groups.”
Among them were two groups of foreigners that were easily identifiable by their hair and eye colors, seemingly from the European and American regions. The last group, while mostly dark-haired and dark-eyed, seemed more like Middle Eastern Arabs. Each of these three groups had a number roughly similar to Mo Yang’s group, forming a dense mass of thousands of people.
Mo Yang noticed the three individuals leading these three groups.
These three individuals were distinctive in their own ways. Regardless of their looks, they stood out immediately.
One person had rare platinum long hair and deep blue eyes. He wore a magnificent cloak and wielded a staff that occasionally sparked with lightning. Seeing the weapon, Mo Yang immediately thought of the ‘Thunder Spear’ from the weapon rankings. This person was Safiro.
On the opposite side, among the group of Arabs, stood a person completely contrasting Safiro. He looked like a devout saint with a thick beard, wearing a half-worn linen robe. He held an open book with a black cover that bore the words ‘Old Testament.’ This person was Araban, more famous in the real world than in the dream world. He was the revolutionary who led an entire nation into the dream world and directly overthrew the regime they deemed invasive. Mo Yang even saw, behind him, a certain red-haired killer he had a chance encounter with before. The person brandished his dagger, occasionally casting malicious glances at others.
Is that person converted into a saint now? Mo Yang couldn’t help but think sarcastically.
Finally, he noticed a man who had dressed himself up as a mobile equipment rack, along with his followers, mostly young adults, who were pointing and laughing arrogantly at others.
Hmm, Mo Yang glanced at him and then turned to speak with Wan Mei. This person’s status seemed to plummet compared to Safiro and Araban, even if he tried to dress up regally.
Mo Yang felt there was absolutely no issue with his assessment. Over there, Safiro and Araban had settled their people in one spot. Now, the only ones remaining on the square were the dazzling mobile equipment rack and his companions. But this mobile equipment rack didn’t seem to have any intention of sitting quietly and waiting for the game to end.
He took a few steps and approached Mo Yang, who was already seated, looking down at him with a provocative and malicious tone, asking, “Are you the leader of this bunch? So, you’re the first-ranked Emperor Qin on the leaderboard, right? Let’s have a fight!”
Instantly, the square fell silent.
Mo Yang twitched at the corner of his mouth: “…” Why could he still hear that annoying name, Emperor Qin, when everyone had logged out? And who the hell is Emperor Qin!! Why isn’t he afraid of shortening his life by using that name?!!
Author’s Note –
Equipment Rack: You’re Emperor Qin, right!! Come on! Let’s fight!!
Mo Yang: … Damn idiot.
Song Kefeng: … Damn idiot.
Safiro: … Damn idiot.
Araban: … Damn idiot.
Emperor Qin: … Damn idiot!!
Wan Mei: … It’s time to dissect the brains of idiots and save them.
(￣_￣|||)
damn idiot.
lmao this is too funny. Idiots like him bring laughter to serious occasions~
our dear Heigou was mistaken as Qin…
hahahhahahahahahahaha