Chapter 176
Chapter 176
At the same time, explosive news immediately spread across the world:
Sakura Region Prime Minister Fujita Daimu had been killed, and the murderer came from the Eastern Region!
“Someone like that should be humanely put down!”
“The killer is vicious and clearly a psychopath!”
“That may be true, but the prime minister was a broad-minded man. Surely he won’t mind.”
…
No footage had surfaced, so no one knew the culprit’s face or name. Online reactions varied: some hurled furious abuse, while others applauded the act.
Of course, most people were simply spectators enjoying the drama.
“He really did it!” Lin Zhongshan had complicated feelings.
Zhouyou Shijie was certainly an uncontrollable existence, but fortunately, he came from the Eastern Region and was not evil at heart.
“It seems the Sakura Region has decided not to pursue the matter,” Zhang Nianwen reported, equally lost in thought.
Back when Destiny first launched, he had confidently boasted that his grandson, Gaibang Laoda, would secure the first kill on Zhouyou Shijie and become famous throughout the Eastern Region.
Looking back now, he felt ashamed.
Zhouyou Shijie’s growth had surpassed every other player.
“Would they dare pursue it?” Lin Zhongshan shook his head. “If the situation spirals completely out of control, the secrets of Destiny will be exposed to the public, and that could cause even greater turmoil!”
Bringing power from the game into reality was no laughing matter.
Many people with impure intentions would try everything possible to bring that power out and use it for the wrong purposes, causing the current order to collapse rapidly.
No national government wanted to see that happen.
Everyone supported Destiny for two reasons. First, outside forces had interfered and left them no choice. Second, none of them could reject benefits this astonishing.
After all, as a person’s strength increased, their lifespan in reality would break beyond humanity’s limits as well.
Immortality!
Supernatural power!
A glimpse into a higher-dimensional world!
Who could resist the temptation of such mysteries?
…
Elsewhere…
After killing his targets, Zhou Ming returned along the same route.
When he reached his home in Su City, he received another call from Lin Zhongshan. The official told him not to worry about international public opinion. Spectators remembered things for only a few days; once the topic was removed from the trending lists, they would forget all about it.
After a night of rushing back and forth, dawn had begun to break.
The eastern sky turned pale, bringing the tumultuous night to an end.
Zhou Ming did not rest. Instead, he called Ning Wushen.
“Hello?”
“I have the Yasakani no Magatama,” Zhou Ming said directly. “Brother Ning, please help me cross the domains to Qianying’s homeland.”
“That quickly?”
Ning Wushen sounded quite surprised. “How did you get it?”
“Through a wager.”
“…All right, I understand.” Ning Wushen did not know whether to laugh or cry.
A wager?
Just hearing those words made it feel inevitable that Zhouyou Shijie would win!
After some thought, Ning Wushen returned to the subject. “I can help you cross the domains at any time, but there are two things you need to keep in mind!”
“Go ahead.”
“First, you can only make one round trip. This isn’t permanent. Second, you can’t remain there too long. Three days at most. Otherwise, the teleportation array will dissipate, and you’ll probably find it very difficult to return.”
“I understand.” Zhou Ming committed the warning firmly to memory.
“When do you plan to go?”
“Tomorrow.”
Zhou Ming did not have time to leave today. The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon Egg was still being nourished at Undying Mountain. He needed to retrieve it before setting out, lest someone intercept it while he was away.
“All right. Let me know when the time comes, and I’ll visit your home.”
“Thank you for the trouble.”
“It’s nothing.”
Ning Wushen did not take it seriously. He merely reminded Zhou Ming, “You need to grow stronger quickly. Time is running out.”
“Hm?”
Zhou Ming was surprised. “Brother Ning, what do you mean?”
Time was running out!
It sounded as though Ning Wushen was warning him that something major was about to happen.
“It’s nothing, just a small push,” Ning Wushen said without explaining further. After chatting for a little longer, he ended the call.
…
“Time? I feel like I’ve always been the one running short on time…”
Zhou Ming sighed inwardly.
Refusing to dwell on it, he put down his phone, washed up in the bathroom, and lay down for a short nap.
At Zhou Ming’s current level of strength, going without sleep for a day or two would do no real harm. Still, poor mental condition would inevitably affect his performance.
Besides, he was about to visit Qianying’s homeland and would probably meet her parents. He had to make a good impression.
Noon.
The sun stood high overhead.
Well-rested, Zhou Ming rolled out of bed and ordered several dishes at a nearby fast-food restaurant. He ate seven or eight bowls of rice in one sitting, drawing strange looks from everyone around him.
In ancient myths, immortals lived on wind and dew without needing food. Yet as Zhou Ming grew stronger, his appetite only increased.
“Did you hear? Zhouyou Shijie apparently went to the Sakura Region.”
“Damn. Their prime minister died in reality, and now Zhouyou Shijie is giving them trouble in the game too. The Sakura Region just can’t stop getting lucky!”
“I finally completed my second class advancement. There really are a lot of skills to learn at Level 50!”
…
Much of the nearby diners’ conversation revolved around the game.
Zhou Ming was used to it.
By now, with governments vigorously promoting it, Destiny had nearly become a second world. Zhouyou Shijie’s overwhelming strength and dominance over ordinary players did nothing to diminish their enthusiasm.
That was only natural.
In any game, ordinary players could not compare themselves to the tiny handful at the very top. Besides, the leading experts were so distant that most people would never encounter them.
As long as they kept a healthy mindset and did not force themselves into a hopeless competition, Destiny offered countless life classes, including herb gathering, equipment forging, fishing, and more. These were not only fun, but could also provide some income.
Occasionally, someone might even get incredibly lucky, trigger a hidden quest, and obtain exceptional equipment or items, gaining an opportunity to change their life.
After eating his fill, Zhou Ming returned home in high spirits and put on his gaming helmet.
The Sacred Dragon Egg was about to hatch. How could he possibly remain calm?
…
Whoosh!
White light scattered. When Zhou Ming opened his eyes again, he had returned to the Lonely Wind Plains.
The blazing sun filled the air with heat.
Everyone resting nearby saw him return to the Destiny Continent and immediately gathered around.
“We leave tomorrow!” Zhou Ming brought Qianying the good news at once.
“All right!”
Joy brightened Qianying’s lovely face as she nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
She had been away from home for far too long!
Now that she could finally return, her excitement was impossible to put into words.
“Why thank me? You’ve always been the one helping me, Qianying. I’m delighted to finally have a chance to help you for once!” Zhou Ming said with a laugh as everyone returned to Undying Mountain together.
The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon Egg was still absorbing the vast amount of fire-element energy within the magma and nourishing itself. Its incubation progress had unknowingly reached 68.42%.
Zhou Ming could hardly wait to see the little creature hatch!
Glancing to the side, he saw a golden rock lying quietly at the edge of the crater, seemingly fast asleep.
Rather than disturb Renee’s pleasant dream, Zhou Ming withdrew halfway down the mountain. He took Ask the Heavens from his inventory, brimming with fighting spirit.
He could use this rare free time to gain a few levels first.
“Come to think of it, that wasn’t my only gain this time!”
Remembering something, Zhou Ming took Shadow of Heaven’s Way from his inventory, had Xiaoyou enhance it, and then let it learn the skill.
Ding!
[System Notification: Your pet [Celestial Sacred Beast ยท Xiaoyou] has successfully learned [Shadow of Heaven’s Way] (Rare SSS-Rank)!]
Honestly, this was another divine skill!
Shadow of Heaven’s Way created a projection at a marked target’s location.
Did that mean it could only provide long-range support?
Wrong!
Completely wrong!
It could also…
…