Chapter 229 | Cultivating Through a Game, Becoming Unstoppable

“Hypothesis one: if the game world I experienced is merely a projection of a real history, then what are Hongluo and Corn? Virtual data? System consciousness?”

“Hypothesis two: if the game world I'm in is a real world already altered by the butterfly effect, then logically, this grasshopper-headed Ma San shouldn't exist right now.”

“Hypothesis three: these two worlds are parallel worlds to each other, and the real world is the intersection point of the game world and the Four Provinces Continent where Ma San was. Their historical paths are different; the former has not yet been torn apart by a great heaven-and-earth disaster, while the latter has already collapsed, shattering into countless secret realms scattered across Great Xia.”

Nan Zhi glanced at Hongluo, who was happily eating snacks beside her, completely oblivious. Arching an eyebrow, she spoke sharply to the game panel in front of her:

“Stop playing dead. I know you can hear me. Although I don't know what the Honghe Game Company behind this game actually is, you at least owe me a reasonable explanation.”

The game panel fell silent for a long moment, pale blue system data scrolling continuously.

“Crack! Pop!”

“Crackle! Crackle!”

Suddenly, colorful virtual electronic fireworks burst in front of Nan Zhi, and a long string of small gold characters slowly rose:

【Cultivate in the game, boundless magic power!】

【Congratulations to cultivator “Nan Zhi” for discovering a fragment of the truth of the world! Current Four Provinces Continent fragment collection progress: (1/49)!】

【Congratulations to the cultivator for achieving the achievement: Behind the World (I). Obtained title: “Eagle Eye” (You can always keenly perceive truths that others cannot easily notice), Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Ticket × 10】

【Congratulations to the cultivator for achieving the achievement: Collector (I). Obtained title: “Novice Collector” (Under the interference of certain unknown factors, your chances of encountering secret realms have increased), Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Ticket × 10】

Dog developers, actually being so generous this time?

Nan Zhi narrowed her eyes, suddenly thinking of a possibility:

“What is the full name of this game?”

This time, there was no hesitation or lag. The small gold characters appeared directly:

【Path to Immortality—The Savior's Cultivation and Longevity Road Simulator for Finding the Lost Continent】

Nan Zhi was almost driven to laughter by sheer anger:

“Even scammers aren't as good at hiding text as you guys. Just tell me straight, what exactly is the situation with the Four Provinces Continent right now? Since history has already been changed, why has the future of Wanniang and the Demon Suppression Division recorded on this jade slip still not changed?”

She felt that the Four Provinces Continent right now was more like Schrödinger's cat, locked in a sealed box. Whether the ending was good or bad, no one knew.

It was forever in a blurry, unstable state.

Commonly known as “on the verge of collapse.”

However, no one came to answer Nan Zhi's question. The only response she received was a crisp “ding” sound.

【Finding the Lost Four Provinces Continent (Long-term) (Epic) (Main Quest) (Mandatory): History can repeat itself, the past has already changed, and the future is about to be realized.

The Four Provinces Continent collapsed, turning into forty-nine secret realm fragments scattered across the main world. Cultivators, please collect as many secret realm fragments as possible before the main world perishes due to the fragmentation of these secret realms, to change the destined collapse of the Four Provinces Continent.

(Current collection progress: 1/49)】

“In other words, everything in the game world can be changed. It's not a parallel world, nor is it a time loop, but an uncertain simulation of salvation.

If I succeed, everything I've done will become real history, and the real world will also be safe. If I fail, the tragedy of the Four Provinces Continent will repeat itself, and the real world will be dragged down with it, turning into a hunting ground for demons.”

Nan Zhi had never felt her mind so clear and calm.

Her eyes burned as she stared at the game panel. Clenching her fists, she let out a steady breath, feeling a scorching, blazing wildfire spreading from top to bottom across her entire chest:

“So, the one I have to save isn't just the game world, but also the real world?”

The game system continued to remain as quiet as a chicken.

—After all, tricking someone into becoming a savior using a cultivation game was a level of deception that would get them cursed to high heaven.

Nan Zhi sat on the edge of the altar, her eyes blank as she stared into space, lost in thought.

Below the altar, the members of the exploration team were busily gathering Sun-Burning Stones. They moved back and forth, cooperating seamlessly, like a well-ordered colony of ants.

Qin Yue stood in front of a giant boulder, working with the accompanying geologists to refine the topographical map of the secret realm. Her expression was focused and serious.

Lyu Dongfang enthusiastically carried a half-human-tall rabbit into the camp, followed by the soldiers who had returned from scouting, supporting one another.

On the other side, Hu Manni was tending to the wounded alongside the young soldier. Liu Guansheng, leaning on a crutch made of beast bones, limped around as he built a fire and cooked, his chubby face showing a touch more kindness.

Hongluo sat not far from Nan Zhi, her legs swinging back and forth in the air, holding a plate of snacks in her hands.

“I say, since I'm the savior now, you should at least give me a gold-quality title.”

Nan Zhi propped her hands on the ground and let out a lazy yawn, speaking as casually as if she were saying “the weather is nice today”:

“Even though I complain a lot, this world is actually pretty good, right?”

【Ding—】

【Cultivator “Nan Zhi” has obtained the unique gold title “Savior.” Heavenly Dao Favor +1, Favorability with all factions +200, Constitution, combat power, and Luck stats increased by 30%, and all negative debuffs cleared.

Special Bonus: You cannot truly die, and you cannot be cursed, sacrificed, or possessed.

You have obtained the world's favor. When you appear, the eyes of all living beings will unconsciously gather upon you.

You are more likely to obtain the admiration of other individual creatures.

You are more likely to obtain fortuitous encounters.

You are more likely to survive trials of heavenly lightning.

You are more likely to obtain immortal opportunities.

Your words are more easily believed.

Your disguise will not be easily penetrated.

The world exists because of you; you are the center of the world.

You shine at the center of the world, and all living beings are attracted by your shining soul.

You are more likely to attract dark creatures, and the hatred value of red-named monsters is doubled.

You are more likely to feel the malice of individual creatures toward you.

You are more easily noticed by dark forces, and more likely to attract the gaze of deities in the void and rifts.

You can slay gods.

(This title is soul-bound, cannot be transferred, and cannot be unequipped.)】

【Cultivate in the game, boundless magic power.】

【Savior “Nan Zhi” is online.】

...

Liu Ruhe, possessed by the locust-headed Ma San, was indeed brought under control by Qin Yue and the others.

She was locked in a tent, held in solitary confinement, with armed soldiers guarding the door in twenty-four-hour shifts. Qin Yue had given the order: at the slightest sign of abnormal movement, they really would open fire.

If not for the fact that they couldn't guarantee Professor Liu Ruhe's survival, they wouldn't have hesitated at all.

Locked inside the pitch-black tent, with no one to talk to her and no one to tell her what her fate would be, she could only waste her life away in the agonizingly long wait...