Chapter 206 - -

Chapter 206: Chapter 203 - "We are the world[— Let the civilizations of mankind that should have been eliminated be eliminated,

and let the surviving, fitting lives

embrace the future, embrace high dimensions, embrace rebirth, embrace—a brand new world civilization.]

In the Ferris wheel compartment, faintly lit by the outside decorative lights, a blond young boy was gazing intently.

His eyes were soft, his smile gentle and warm, with a purity almost naive, and the whole person shone like a firefly in the night.

He was reaching out his hand, seemingly waiting for someone to grasp it.

Su Ming’an did not move.

"Speak concretely," he said, "about your ’New World.’

Noel let out a light sigh and withdrew his hand.

"So my words still didn’t move you?"

"I’m more pragmatic," Su Ming’an said. "I don’t care about your ideals, as long as you can bring me help, I’m willing to team up with you. But the prerequisite is, I need to know exactly what the benefits are, as well as the responsibilities and obligations."

A small round table appeared in Noel’s hands.

He took the round table out of his backpack, then took out a bunch of colorful building blocks, like the ones children love to play with.

He placed a square block on the table, looking at him.

"First," Noel said, "we are the two strongest players in the current world, our cooperation is definitely much stronger than fighting alone."

Su Ming’an nodded.

"Next," Noel took out a rectangular block and placed it on top of the square one:

"I have the ’New World’ Guild, and although the Guild doesn’t hold much practical significance and has no compulsory obligations, my connections are enough to put you in touch with any excellent secondary Occupation players. Equipment, Arrays, gemstones, potions... You can get high cost-performance trades for these things right away."

Then came a triangular block, which Noel placed on top of the rectangle like a tiny hat.

"Third, media advantage. We don’t have as many issues as the United Group, nor do we have the conflicts of interests from different factions. You can adventure without worry, no concern about someone stabbing you in the back."

He withdrew his hand, looking at Su Ming’an.

"Fourth, both you and I have special identities," Noel said. "My identity is that of a ’Watcher.’ As for the soon-to-be activated World instance, I possess a certain foreknowledge."

"Foreknowledge?"

"I can have early knowledge about the next World instance." Noel smiled, then suddenly pushed his hand out—

"Rattle-rattle—"

The blocks collapsed, making a crisp sound on the table.

Like a child truly playing with building blocks, he laughed joyfully, picked up the scattered shapes, and started building another model.

"For example, the Sixth World instance that will activate the day after tomorrow at twelve o’clock." Noel concentrated on stacking the blocks, continuing, "Work with me, and I can inform you of relevant instance information before each Replica Activation.

If there are items like ones to fend off Number tracking that could be useful to you, I’ll also give you priority in choosing them."

...Very well.

After hearing so much, this fourth point was precisely what Su Ming’an needed the most.

A ’Watcher’ ... Is it an identity similar to a Prophet?

Being able to know some information about an instance before it starts is indeed a very useful identity. No wonder Noel treats passing instances like a game, and without particularly seeking out information, he can safely reach the end.

"And the obligations I need to fulfill?" Su Ming’an said.

"Not much! Really not much!" Noel suddenly reached out, clutched his shoulder, and then extended his other hand, making a gesture.

Su Ming’an knew that it was the gesture for taking a selfie, which allowed for adjusting the perspective to a third-person view to capture the surroundings of the player.

"Click—" A clear sound rang out as Noel shared the photo he had just taken with him.

In the picture, beyond the thin layer of glass, lay a dim sky.

A beaming Noel with a radiant smile and an expressionless Su Ming’an were combined in a rectangular screenshot, with the small frame’s built-in colored lights casting gemstone-like specks of light upon their faces.

"If you cooperate with me, shouldn’t you at least make an announcement? I’ll draft the message and match it with this photo; all you have to do is repost it on the forum!" Noel said with a smile.

"What else?" Su Ming’an asked.

Noel’s smile slightly faded.

"The rest is just one last duty," Noel said, "Su Ming’an, I hope you will listen carefully to what I am about to say. But, before that, I want to ask you a question."

Su Ming’an nodded.

"If, in the end, you perfectly pass all the obstacles and become a true ’Ruler,’ an existence beyond human boundaries," Noel said,

"then, at that time, Su Ming’an, what will be in your heart?"

Ma Qiaoli was almost speechless when she saw the Number One Player walk in.

Everyone watching him enter remained silent as well.

However, suddenly a clapping sound emerged from somewhere, as if in welcome, or as thanks for the grand opening piece he had just played.

As the first clap sounded, a series of applause followed, gradually turning into a vast sea of clapping. Thunderous applause filled the room as the Number One Player, bathed in lamplight and dressed in a suit as white as snow, wearing an approachable smile, walked in and greeted everyone present.

...Everything about him was completely unlike a regular student from Dragon Country and instead resembled a modern noble accustomed to prestigious occasions like Edward.

"Ma Qiaoli, is that Su Ming’an? I’m surprised, I thought he wouldn’t adapt to such an environment," Anna said, her eyes sparkling.

"I like men who shine so brightly, although he is young, I like him," Anna whispered to her, her smile unrestrained and exuberant.

This passionate Italian woman did not hide her emotions, and upon confirming her thoughts, she directly expressed them to Ma Qiaoli.

Ma Qiaoli was also surprised.

She had originally thought that the Number One Player, who had always behaved like a lone wolf, living in his own world, would not attend such a meeting.

After all, she had heard about the previous events and how Edward’s faction, under the banner of the United Group, had ambushed Su Ming’an in the Main God Space, aiming to kill him.

Logically, there should be no possible reconciliation between the two sides.

Moreover, even if the Number One Player did come, it might’ve been an appearance that would only lower his ratings.

After all, in such a setting, many of the former top hundred players from Zhai Xing who were not of high status had already revealed their lack of grace: some didn’t know how to wear suits and ties, some had unique clothing aesthetics, some walked with bent backs, while others, like Igor, shouted and yelled in a hooligan-like manner.

When they spoke, there was always a hint of timidity, as if they were students bowing before a teacher, or candidates in front of an English oral exam interviewer, struggling to put their words together, their speech laced with the accent of their local dialect.

But this... this Dragon Country student who walked in seemed very different from what she had envisioned.

It wasn’t just everything he was exhibiting right now; she could tell that the piece he had just played, Destiny, carried an emotionally resounding force.

...Music can reveal a person’s inner world.

She believed that someone capable of playing such a piece must be a person who loved this world.

However, she still felt a bit strange, sensing that this Number One Player seemed different from what had been described on the forums.

She watched him, gradually feeling that something was off.

She was gradually unable to sense the dazzling brilliance others spoke of, nor did she feel the solid sense of ’this person will certainly triumph.’ Instead, she felt a distinct word.

As if the word was etched into his very bones, she felt an unexpressed emotion the moment his gaze fell upon her. It seemed as if all the surrounding glory was but outerwear, and everything he did was a performance so well disguised that she nearly failed to notice.

The Number One Player entered through the door, greeted everyone, and then took his seat.

Ma Qiaoli heard many people whispering about him, while the eyes of Anna next to her sparkled like stars.

And just then, she heard the sound of bells.

The conference had begun.

On the stage, Wilson introduced the first topic of the day.

Upon hearing this topic, Ma Qiaoli immediately directed her gaze toward the Number One Player, who was seated in the direction of the north door.

At his side, Mizushima Kawa Sora, her head bowed, and Engel, his eyes squinted, were present.

He seemed to have chosen a not so favorable seat.

Mizushima Kawa Sora, the girl from Fusang who carried a sword with her and would not bag it even when the servants pleaded, sat upright. When the Number One Player sat down next to her, her whole body tensed as if suddenly wound tight.

And Engel, the mad priest who proclaimed to teach the Number One Player about good and evil, squinted his eyes the moment the other sat down. His gaze was as dangerous as a serpent’s, hiding danger behind a sea of green pupils, and then he seemed to quietly greet the Number One Player.

It was like a spotlight had cast its light upon that area of the world; whenever people shifted their gaze, they would involuntarily linger on that spot, as if deeply interested in his thoughts.

Ma Qiaoli had originally thought he wouldn’t come, but his presence meant he surely had something to say.

About his Lighthouse theory, she too had some understanding: some aspects she agreed with, yet others she could not.

If the Number One Player intended to persuade them during such a conference, just as he would with NPCs, she might get to witness the depth of his thoughts and see a fierce collision of intellects.

Just as Ma Qiaoli was looking forward to it, someone stood up first.

It was a middle-aged man with a Crimson Scabbard at his waist. The scabbard was empty, as if a piece of decoration, yet it also expressed his reverence for the sword.

He wore a pitch-black robe, seemingly from the fashion of Dragon Country, embroidered with a group of pythons in white thread, a masterful piece of embroidery that made the sleeves move as if living snakes were dancing in the night when he moved.

"Let this old man be the first to start," the middle-aged man bowed, a courtesy of Dragon Country.

"Please." Wilson nodded and gestured with his hand.

The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, surveying the seventy-six attendees sitting around the round table like an emperor inspecting his realm.

"This old man is Xiao Yaozi, a martial artist from Dragon Country."

He bowed, his voice deep, carrying a sense of grandeur, and the simultaneously translated words bore the archaic flavor of Dragon Country.

"——This old man was once nearing the end of his days, nothing but decay, with nothing left but the sword in his heart."

"Seeing my lifespan coming to an end with a breakthrough in swordsmanship out of reach, it seemed I would only close this life and become but a mound of green grass."

"Fortunately, the World Game descended, the Organizers gave opportunities, bestowed divine powers, helping this old man rejuvenate and shed all worldly muck."

"This old man is no longer one without hope, my vision no longer confined to a mere clod of earth,"

"Even so, gazing upon other worlds’ affairs, this old man has gained enlightenment, and the sword path that had troubled me for years finally achieved a breakthrough."

"This old man would not let any thing or emotion control him, my body and soul can only be governed by myself. The Sword Sect from then on, will have one more Sword Saint with passions and desires."

"This old man has been able to glimpse the heavenly light, such a great opportunity met!"

Having said that, Xiao Yaozi’s voice suddenly became impassioned:

"Therefore, this old man believes,

World game — this is opportunity!

It’s an opportunity for mankind, an opportunity for the Sword Sect.

It aids us in breaking through barriers, in introspection, in advancing human civilization and our path of the sword, to further refine our prowess!

Despite a lifetime flashing by in an instant, the laws of heaven remain constant, cycling endlessly.

In the struggle of the great paths, what is there for us to fear?"

As Xiaoyaozi spoke to this point, it seemed he wanted to continue passionately, when suddenly a sharp "beep—" was heard—it was someone pressing the red button on the table.

This was a characteristic of the current conference. If someone wanted to join in on the discussion of a topic, they could press the button to interject and debate.

However, each person only had three chances and it could not devolve into a stubborn argumentative slugfest. The United Group, fearing that this bunch of players, each with their different temperaments and barely containable urges, would physically brawl at the conference table, still required Wilson’s intervention mid-way through.

The person who stood up had slightly dark skin and wore a flax-colored headscarf. He looked at Xiaoyaozi, his emotions seemingly very turbulent.

He was the fifty-fourth-ranked player Gadi. Unlike the many players who had some form of psychic issue, he appeared quite normal among the group, and his actions were more in line with the reasoning of a peaceful human from Zhai Xing.

"No, this is war! This is a war initiated by alien colonizers against humanity! They want to completely dominate us, both physically and mentally, turning us into tools for colonizing other worlds!" Gadi spoke with resentment.

Xiaoyaozi frowned, "To pursue the great path, one must naturally face obstacles. The organizers bestowed upon us this opportunity, so why insist on such antagonistic rhetoric?"

"Beep—"

Another sound rang out, as another player, a white-skinned blonde dressed in a suit, joined the discussion.

"Elder Xiaoyaozi is right. Now is the best moment to showcase our splendor, everyone is—acting towards the same goal. Together in development, united in destiny. This is our finest era! We are the world!" he declared, spreading his hands.

"Beep—"

A beautiful blonde-haired lady with a graceful figure stood up:

"What a joke, do you really think those aliens are so kind as to give you an evolutionary opportunity out of the goodness of their hearts, to play the great benefactor and foster human civilization’s progress, doing unprofitable business?"

"Beep—"

"Wield, I have to say something, if you don’t step out of your comfort zone, you’ll never progress!" a man with a big pompadour said, frowning.

"Beep—"

"But it shouldn’t be like this, being suddenly pushed out into the freezing wilderness without properly dressed clothes, we’d just freeze to death!" retorted a long-haired man in robes.

"There’s no such thing as a free lunch, my dear. We have already signed a contract of servitude with the aliens. There’s no escape. We can’t escape! Only by doing as they say do we have a way out!"

"Beep—"

"But isn’t it marvelous, isn’t it? Destiny is truly in each of our hands."

"Beep—"

"I long for freedom, but if one is destined to dance in shackles, I’d rather choose a brighter and clearer place to stay."

"Beep—"

"Wait, wait, everyone, don’t rush. I have developed a treatise on body refinement. With long-term practice, relaxation of the spirit, and circulation of breath, one can achieve a harmony of Yin and Yang and aspire towards unity with heaven and earth..."

"Beep—"

"Beep—"

"Beep—"

In the midst of the argument, Ma Qiaoli turned her head.

She saw the Number One Player sitting there properly, smiling as he watched the impassioned scene unfold before him.

As if enjoying a thrilling stage play.