GRMFBS CH213

Gu Jiancheng agreed.

Based on his many years of experience dealing with Infinite, when it prepared a trap, the person targeted had no choice but to walk into it. They were all in its world, and it had ten thousand ways to force someone in.

But just like Infinite’s dungeons, it never set a sure-death dead end; living people were only useful to it. It just didn’t care much about “attrition”.

So, rather than being forced to fall into the trap, it was better to take the initiative and go in to find a way out.

—This was the lie Gu Jiancheng told Wan Shitong and himself.

Wan Shitong didn’t want him to go in.

An out-of-control apocalyptic dungeon, Infinite’s most terrifying BOSS, a glaring 0% survival rate…

“Boss, with your current strength, the vast majority of dungeons can’t possibly kill you. As long as you slowly save up, there will eventually be a day you can get out. But the apocalypse has a 0% survival rate. Even ‘The Undying’ died in there…”

Wan Shitong’s face was pale. “The Undying” was ranked second on the player leaderboard. Deep Shadow and he had fought in the Land of Disorder; both held back, and the result was a draw.

Deep Shadow, when unleashing his full strength, might have stronger combat power than The Undying, but his survivability was definitely not higher than “The Undying”.

Wan Shitong was very scared; he hoped Deep Shadow wouldn’t go.

Gu Jiancheng gave him those reasons.

But in reality, he was just fed up.

It had been too long.

He wanted to go home.

Regardless of what Infinite was plotting, at least this time it genuinely hoped Gu Jiancheng could resolve the out-of-control apocalyptic dungeon.

It provided all the information it could to Gu Jiancheng in advance. In the information provided, the details before the apocalyptic dungeon went out of control were very exhaustive, but the details after it went out of control had many omissions.

Gu Jiancheng carefully flipped through the information and roughly knew how “The Undying” failed.

Players had been under constant fear and oppression for years; they had long lost the extra energy to think—and didn’t dare to think—that Infinite wasn’t perfect and equally possessed flaws.

If it were truly flawless, why would it need a player to resolve the out-of-control apocalyptic dungeon?

Gu Jiancheng sorted out the situation in the apocalypse.

The key to the apocalyptic world going out of control lay with the “Lord,” Rong Sui.

Rong Sui’s spiritual power accumulated cycle after cycle, until she broke through Infinite’s overwrite of her memories.

She discovered that in cycle after cycle of memories, only the players were different, and whether these players chose cooperation or betrayal, they ultimately only left behind a mess.

Rong Sui decided to kill all the players.

Time in the apocalypse no longer reversed, and the out-of-control dungeon headed toward an unknown future.

Infinite issued a mission to resolve the out-of-control dungeon. Batch after batch of players entered, and batch after batch were eliminated by the “Lord,” until no one dared to challenge this mission anymore, until the former “Lord” became the most famous BOSS in Infinite; they called her the “Tyrant”.

For the first three months after entering the apocalyptic dungeon, Gu Jiancheng was constantly evading the Tyrant’s pursuit.

He spent a lot of effort, and even accidentally got involved in a Black Nest halfway through. He and Rong Sui resolved that fully formed Black Nest together, finally exchanging it for an opportunity to talk.

Inside the remains of the Black Nest, within the spiritual barrier released by Rong Sui, blood slid down from a wound on Gu Jiancheng’s cheek as he revealed a peculiar smile.

“Don’t drop your spiritual barrier. It can’t see what happens in here.”

“Who is ‘it’?”

Within the blizzard-like spiritual barrier, Gu Jiancheng introduced her to “Infinite”.

“Your world has already begun to break free from Infinite’s control, but this doesn’t mean you can contend with Infinite yet. If the apocalyptic world continues to lose control, Infinite will only have the choice to abandon this world.”

Infinite could no longer control the apocalyptic world like before, but it could still destroy this world.

It would completely dismantle this small world that could no longer continuously bring in profit, using it as one-time nourishment.

“We both need to wait for an opportunity.”

“What opportunity?”

“I don’t know.” Gu Jiancheng’s eyes were deep, a mad and violent fire burning in the depths, “If I am still around on that day, I will definitely give my all to kill it!”

Rong Sui listened to his advice; she restrained her power and hid herself in disguise. The apocalyptic world was reset once again.

And Infinite, unsurprisingly, played a word game.

It opened a passage home for Gu Jiancheng, but Gu Jiancheng was already tainted with pollution. If he returned to his own world, he would bring the pollution back to his own world.

Gu Jiancheng looked at that passage for a long time.

He gave up the chance to return.

…

“Boss?” Wan Shitong asked cautiously.

He hadn’t seen the boss look like this for a long time. It made people not dare to approach, yet it felt terribly uncomfortable.

Gu Jiancheng snapped back to his senses: “It’s nothing, I’ll head back first.”

He ended the communication with the Magician and dispelled the shadow clone.

Returning to the rented apartment, the clothes Yan Yan hung out to dry were still on the balcony, emitting a warm, clean soap scent. By the time he gathered the dried clothes, Xingxing had skillfully jumped onto his lap with a comb in his mouth.

Gu Jiancheng sat on the sofa, brushing the cat’s fur, half-dazed and half-worried.

Yan Yan’s sister was the “Lord”, Rong Sui. Before remembering, he couldn’t confirm it, but after remembering, he didn’t need any other evidence. Strong individuals all had their own unique traits, and that glance he and Zhan Suiru exchanged indeed had Rong Sui’s unique feel.

The man following beside her should be the “Artisan”, Yang Ran. Although his appearance was different, there were many ways to conceal one’s looks. Gu Jiancheng had altered his appearance back in Infinite.

He was quite young when he entered Infinite; he was tall but had a youthful face, and many people thought he was young and easy to bully. After suffering a few losses, Gu Jiancheng used an item to change his appearance into an adult who looked like someone not to be messed with. Later, even as he grew up in Infinite, he didn’t change it back and just kept using that face.

Later, Infinite exploded, the item lost its effect, and he only regained his original appearance after falling into this world.

Back then, he even found the reflection of himself in the mirror unfamiliar.

Gu Jiancheng touched his own face, unable to help but rejoice that he had changed his appearance back then.

Otherwise, he would have been exposed the very first time he ran into Zhan Suiru!

But even though he wasn’t exposed, the current situation was still very troublesome…

Zhan Suiru also looked different from before. Yan Yan said the three of them were adopted, which meant Zhan Suiru experienced a growth period from childhood to adulthood in this world.

Rong Sui was not someone who would deliberately do something so boring. Gu Jiancheng guessed Rong Sui experienced reincarnation and rebirth in this world.

What kind of luck did Yan Yan’s parents have…

Gu Jiancheng started worrying.

Although he had no conflict with Rong Sui, their relationship was definitely not good enough for Rong Sui to be happy watching him date her little brother.

If it were anyone else, he still had the confidence to use his identity as Deep Shadow as leverage. But with Rong Sui… Rong Sui was extremely protective, and Gu Jiancheng suspected his identity as Deep Shadow was a negative in her eyes.

He couldn’t possibly make Yan Yan feel caught in the middle over this.

So… how on earth could he make Zhan Suiru happily accept him?

Worried.

Gu Jiancheng thought while brushing Xingxing’s fur.

Did Zhan Suiru lack anything right now?

The apocalypse had already integrated, and the surviving souls from the apocalypse were also recovering in the Dawn World. Yang Ran was also by her side, and she could protect her family herself. In the supernatural world… she had already formed an alliance with the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau, and the Artisan was also thriving… he didn’t even have as many points as them!

Xingxing enjoyed the fur-brushing treatment for a while.

Fifteen minutes later. Hmm? Why hasn’t he stopped? Xingxing rolled over, changed positions, and continued to enjoy.

Thirty minutes later. That’s enough, right? I’ve been brushed everywhere already!

Forty-five minutes later. Let go of meow! Meow is going to go bald from your brushing!

The daydreaming big shot Deep Shadow subconsciously held down the kitty who stood up to leave, while his other hand continued the mechanical motion.

Xingxing: …

“Mi-awoo!”

Gu Jiancheng snapped back to his senses, finding Xingxing flailing his claws and teeth under his hand, struggling hard but unable to break free.

Gu Jiancheng quickly let go.

Xingxing jumped off his lap, looked up at him, and was very angry: “Meow-wu meow-awoo!”

The little kitty was very angry, but hadn’t extended his claws at all while struggling.

“I’m sorry, Xingxing.” Gu Jiancheng apologized to the kitty using a small piece of meat jerky.

With the meat jerky in his mouth, Xingxing forgave him with a few mi-wu mi-wus.

Sigh, what else could he do? Although this person’s cooking skills were poor and he occasionally spaced out while brushing his fur, his attitude was truly very good! And his cat-petting skills were also very good.

Chewing on the small meat jerky, Xingxing began to miss Zhan Yunkai.

Although Zhan Yan’s cooking skills were also not bad, the one who made the best food was Zhan Yunkai. He hadn’t eaten the cat food made by Zhan Yunkai for a long time either, missed him…

A radiant, colorful shadow suddenly flew down.

Zhan Yunkai steadily gripped the branch of the Xunmu tree and relaxed his feathers.

“You’re back?” Demon King Xunmu greeted him with a chuckle.

Zhan Yunkai paused his movements; he felt something was slightly wrong with Xunmu.

Demon King Xunmu was a bit lively today; many demons, big and small, were hidden beneath his branches and leaves.

This wasn’t unusual; Xunmu was full of vitality, and many living creatures attached themselves to him. But there were way too many demons today! And their state was also a bit off.

Zhan Yunkai’s double pupils contracted and dilated, and he saw that horizontally in front of these demons, big and small, was a Xunmu leaf, and these leaves were all broadcasting images… were they watching a TV drama?

Demon King Xunmu cheerfully turned one of the largest leaves toward him and asked, “Do you want to watch?”

Zhan Yunkai: “Did you renovate yourself into a movie theater?”

Demon King Xunmu was very proud: “Sun Feifei helped me set up the signal broadcast. How is it? Pretty impressive, right?”

Zhan Yunkai fell silent. Deep within the profound and mysterious Shennongjia, on the ancient and magnificent Xunmu divine tree, every single leaf with unadorned veins… could be used to broadcast humanity’s messy videos.

“It’s pretty good.” He said insincerely.

A few demons noticed him and turned off the broadcast leaves. Bird demons flapped their wings and flew through the gaps between the leaves, while squirrels and tree rat demons hopped and scrambled up the branches.

“His Majesty Chongming, His Majesty Chongming.” The demons, big and small, gathered around, “What is that Dawn World like? When can we go in?”

They had been very curious since the day the apocalyptic world connected, but His Majesty Xunmu said he didn’t participate and didn’t know the exact situation either. This group of demons had been curious for a long time.

Zhan Yunkai didn’t know either. He hadn’t been into the Dawn World yet.

It was already destined that this world would no longer belong exclusively to network-types, but they hadn’t found an entrance to enter it directly from reality for the time being.

Zhan Yunkai looked down at the little demons hopping around his claws. Every single one of them was looking at him with bright, dark round eyes, their gazes full of anticipation.

Zhan Yunkai told the truth: “I don’t know, it’ll probably be quite a while.”

The round, big eyes instantly became very disappointed.

“Do you guys come watch the broadcast every day?” Zhan Yunkai asked.

The little demons shook their heads: “His Majesty Xunmu broadcasts once a week.”

That’s good. He was really afraid Demon King Xunmu would become the Wan Yao Alliance’s largest internet cafe after a while.

Zhan Yunkai spread his wings, leaving behind the disappointed big and small demons, and flew deep into the branches of Xunmu.

Xunmu lived long, a single tree forming a forest. The outer edges coexisted with birds and beasts, bustling with chirping, while the inner side was silent and secluded, forming a natural maze.

Zhan Yunkai flew into the maze following Xunmu’s guidance and landed at his roots.

Xunmu opened a passage leading to the Candle Dragon’s hiding place for him, and the colorful little mosses were still glowing.

Zhan Yunkai flew all the way into the secret room. The Candle Dragon was curled up around her stone sleeping soundly; the time ripples spilling out were becoming more and more numerous and dense.

There was no doubt that sending Candle Dragon power inside would only get harder and harder, but this also meant the Candle Dragon was recovering better.

“Did you find out who sent the last batch of Candle Dragon power?” Zhan Yunkai asked.

A while ago, the Wan Yao Alliance suddenly received a large batch of Candle Dragon power. The person who left the items was highly skilled, didn’t show their face, and didn’t leave a name.

Although this was a good thing, it also inevitably made people worry if the Candle Dragon’s existence had been exposed.

Demon King Xunmu: “No tracks were found, but it should have been done by Deep Shadow. On the day the apocalyptic world connected, apart from us and the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau, he was the one who resolved the most apocalyptic projections.”

Zhan Yunkai frowned: “Why would Deep Shadow suddenly send Candle Dragon power? Did he guess something?”

Demon King Xunmu: “I don’t know. But anyway, he has good intentions. If he had other thoughts, he wouldn’t have sent it secretly.”

Zhan Yunkai felt Demon King Xunmu made sense, so he silently raised his favorability towards Deep Shadow a bit in his heart, and then silently raised his vigilance a bit as well. Hmm… after all, they weren’t familiar with Deep Shadow yet; they had to be careful just in case.

“This is the last batch of Candle Dragon power,” Zhan Yunkai said. He had already retrieved all the Candle Dragon power marked on the map Approaching Science gave him. After delivering this batch, he could go home, and after going home, he could see his wife and children.

After delivering this batch of Candle Dragon power, the Candle Dragon didn’t wake up either. She rolled over, her tail wrapped around the stone, while her upper half hung upside down over the edge of the stone. Her sleeping posture was very poor.

Demon King Xunmu was also quite troubled wrapping such a massive lethal weapon all day: “When will she wake up?”

Zhan Yunkai’s feather tips were grazed by the time ripples. Hearing this, he sneered, “I think she’s dreaming very happily this time, and still wants to play games.”

As promised, while delivering the Candle Dragon power, he muttered in the Candle Dragon’s ear to remind her to give Approaching Science a blessing, but the Candle Dragon slept very soundly.

It was highly unlikely he could rely on the Candle Dragon to repay Approaching Science’s favor; he still had to figure something out himself.

“I’ll leave first…” Before Zhan Yunkai could finish speaking.

The Candle Dragon did a sit-up, raised her upper half, spat a small flame out of her mouth, and then rolled over to continue sleeping.

Zhan Yunkai: “…What is this?”

The Gossip System refreshed a new entry for Zhan Yan:

[The Candle Dragon found you constantly asking for a blessing too annoying, so she gave you a piece of candle, letting you light it yourself when you need it.]