CSMCDB - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Impossible… Could it be because of the spacetime rift? 1947’s mind was in a mess. This was clearly, clearly a signal being sent to another plane. This plane actually had people from other worlds stranded here? …To think they could survive after drifting to another continent and still have the energy to set up a signal?

[Leave this place first,] 1947 said. [Find a safe spot. If others are evacuating, you should too… Go find the Flowing Cloud Sect.]

Was it that serious? Hearing 1947’s tone, Wen Yuncheng grew tense as well. She immediately took out her communication stone to contact Lin Jinyu, then sent messages to Yao Mu and the others one by one to report her safety and tell them to be careful.

When Wen Yuncheng arrived at the Flowing Cloud Sect’s temporary resting place, Lin Jinyu seemed to be discussing something with three Protectors. None of them looked pleased.

“Those bastards from Fu really wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like the Xuanhuang Tomb,” the Eighth Protector cursed under his breath, instantly capturing Wen Yuncheng’s attention.

“Eighth Protector, what is ‘Fu’? Which ‘Fu’ is it?” Wen Yuncheng asked curiously.

“An organization wanted by the Empire. They’re obsessed with creating a Star Saint and researching the existence beyond that level. A thousand years ago, they apparently made a proposal to the Empire of that time. The Empire refused, so those bastards set a trap and not only killed one of the Empire’s Protectors of the Nation but also sacrificed all of the Empire’s elite troops,” the Eighth Protector explained. “Originally, the sects weren’t involved, but who knows what madness possessed Fu. They secretly kidnapped several elders from various major sects. One of the elders had a special type of Star Power and managed to send out a message. Only then did we learn that Fu was experimenting on high-level cultivators, trying to use their blood essence, Star Power, and other miscellaneous materials to create a Star Saint.”

“Yes, the Empire officially turned against Fu after that, and the two sides fought for several hundred years. Then, three hundred and twenty years ago, a great war broke out, and we destroyed Fu’s secret base. But Fu wasn’t completely annihilated. They’ve kept a low profile since then, hiding within the Empire,” the Ninth Protector sighed. “Countless Star Venerates and Star Kings have died at their hands, and they’ve even managed to trap and kill a few Star Emperors. That bunch of trash are just rats in the gutter.”

Wen Yuncheng was stunned. This… is this the danger Teacher Yan mentioned? To think such a dangerous force was hidden within the Empire… No wonder a Protector of the Nation shows up immediately whenever something major happens. Are they… guarding against Fu taking the opportunity to cause trouble?

“Of course, these are not things you’ll come into contact with right now, so don’t overthink it,” the Eighth Protector said reassuringly. He gazed into the depths of the Xuanhuang Tomb. Although he didn’t know what Fu was up to with this sudden commotion… those guys had never done anything good.

They waited for a short while before the Eighth Protector took out his communication stone and glanced at it. “Ninth, come with me to the depths of the tomb to assemble. The various sects are all sending cultivators at the third layer of Star Lord to work together and thwart Fu’s plot. We naturally can’t fall behind. Tenth, you take the sect’s disciples and withdraw from the Xuanhuang Tomb. Go!”

Wen Yuncheng hesitated, wondering if she should retreat. 1947 was so nervous, which meant this was a major event. And if it was a major event… who knew if a mission would be issued? If she left now, it would be very troublesome to get back in later.

“What are you thinking about?” Lin Jinyu sensed Wen Yuncheng’s hesitation. They were all preparing to leave, but Wen Yuncheng not only didn’t follow but also kept looking back. Lin Jinyu walked over, raised her hand, and grabbed Wen Yuncheng’s wrist, squeezing slightly. “You’re only a Star Master 1.”

“…I-I know, but…” But… are we really just leaving like this? Wen Yuncheng didn’t dare say the rest of her sentence, because that single “but” had already caused the Little Ice Mountain’s face to turn cold. Even if she was slow, Wen Yuncheng could tell that this wasn’t the Little Ice Mountain’s usual cold expression; she was genuinely angry. Moreover… Lin Jinyu’s grip on her hand kept tightening. Wen Yuncheng could already feel the pain. Her voice softened, tinged with a hint of grievance. “Alright, I just wanted to know what happened… You’re hurting me.”

In the past, if Wen Yuncheng had said that, Lin Jinyu would have immediately let go and offered some stiff comfort. But this time, Lin Jinyu only loosened her grip slightly, still holding onto Wen Yuncheng’s wrist stubbornly. “I can have the Eighth Protector tell you what happened.”

[Let’s go. This isn’t something you can get involved in for now.] 1947’s weary voice echoed in her mind. It was clear this turn of events had caught it completely off guard.

Since they both said so… Wen Yuncheng looked at Lin Jinyu and placed her other hand over the one gripping hers. “I understand. Let’s leave together.” Wen Yuncheng felt her ears grow slightly hot, but she was too embarrassed to touch them, as that would be too obvious. Lin Jinyu’s actions this time—while likely just simple concern for her, concern for a friend—were… were a bit too stimulating for Wen Yuncheng.

Even for a friend, adding the word “only” or “best” imbued the relationship with more complex emotions.

Calm down, calm down. Wen Yuncheng told herself to cool it. She didn’t want her racing heart to attract Lin Jinyu’s attention. Especially since… Lin Jinyu still hadn’t let go of her hand, as if she might run away at any moment. Aside from a secret delight, Wen Yuncheng also felt a little helpless. Do I really look like the kind of person who would risk their life for treasure? I’m worth a million Star Stones now, you know!

[Activate Mission: Leave the Xuanhuang Tomb]

[Mission Reward: 500 EXP]

Wen Yuncheng was momentarily speechless. She got 2000 EXP for entering the Xuanhuang Tomb, and now she was getting 500 for leaving? Was 1947 afraid she wouldn’t be willing to go? She said nothing and silently followed Lin Jinyu to evacuate the Xuanhuang Tomb.

They didn’t hold hands the entire way, but Lin Jinyu kept her attention fixed on her. After all… the gossipy look in the Tenth Protector’s eyes and the stares from the other Flowing Cloud Sect disciples were a bit unsettling.

Host: Wen Yuncheng
Race: Human
Age: 17
Class: Mechanical Master
Level: 32
Experience: 17805/19000
Points: 1349

They were out.

Wen Yuncheng glanced back at the Xuanhuang Tomb before joining Lin Jinyu and the others to rest temporarily at an inn. Protector Chu Han had already set up a barrier outside the tomb. He was clearly aware that something had gone wrong inside, such as the remnants of Fu having infiltrated it.

Unfortunately, a secret realm… he couldn’t force his way in. If he tried, his strength would be suppressed to the third layer of Star Lord, and he might even suffer a backlash from the measures left behind by King Xuan back then. In such a weakened state, he could very well be killed by the people from Fu—such tragedies had happened before.

Therefore, no matter how furious Chu Han was, he could only stand guard outside the tomb. As a Protector of the Nation, he could not take the risk.

After returning to the inn with Lin Jinyu, Wen Yuncheng sensed that Lin Jinyu was no longer angry. She thought about it and figured Lin Jinyu must have been angry that she seemed to value treasure over her own life. But explaining the system was difficult, so Wen Yuncheng could only accept the misunderstanding… Anyway, it was good that Lin Jinyu wasn’t angry anymore.

Once Wen Yuncheng was alone in her room, having taken a long-overdue bath and lying refreshed on her bed, she finally asked the long-silent 1947: What happened?

[…It’s very complicated,] 1947 said.

It was indeed very complicated. 1947’s plane was a higher-level plane, while Wen Yuncheng’s was a lower-level one. According to the laws of the planes, higher-level planes could not actively interfere in the affairs of lower-level planes—and that signal was being sent to another lower-level plane.

“Will people from that plane come here? But it should be very difficult for them to get here, right?”

[It is very difficult, but that signal acts as a locator,] 1947 said.

With a locator, even if traveling to another plane was difficult, it wasn’t impossible.

[Moreover, your plane doesn’t have… hmm, how should I put it? Your Heavenly Dao, which is the Plane Consciousness—you can also think of it as the god of your plane—in short, that thing hasn’t awakened yet. It hasn’t cultivated its own sharp sword, its own spokesperson,] 1947 said. Normally, a system like itself… the Long Aotian it cultivated would be the most likely candidate to become the Heavenly Dao’s spokesperson. But Wen Yuncheng was an accident. It had stumbled here due to a spacetime turbulence and had even nullified all of Wen Yuncheng’s Starry Sky Continent characteristics… Wen Yuncheng was very strong, but in her current state… even if she reached the max level in the future, it was uncertain whether she would gain the Heavenly Dao’s recognition.

If the Starry Sky Continent were a secret treasure, then the lower-level plane at the other end of the signal was like a coveter. The Plane Consciousness, the Heavenly Dao, was akin to the treasure’s guardian, but right now, the guardian was empty-handed, without a weapon, making it very difficult to fend off an attack.

This was also why 1947 had been able to arrive here so easily when it was caught in the spacetime turbulence. Its template and system had sustained almost no damage; the chaos of the turbulence had merely drained its power supply. After being activated by Wen Yuncheng, it contacted its main system and, as compensation, remained here to assist her, no longer using her energy to sustain itself.

“…That sounds really bad.” Wen Yuncheng couldn’t help but sigh. She buried her face in her pillow. She really didn’t want to get involved in such complicated matters at all!

[Perhaps it will depend on the actions of the people from that plane after they discover the signal. Higher-level planes cannot interfere in the wars between lower-level planes, so my main system and the powerful beings from my plane cannot possibly get involved in these matters.] 1947 sighed. [I am truly sorry.]

“You don’t have to apologize. After all, this has nothing to do with you.” Wen Yuncheng scratched her head. Besides, 1947 hadn’t wronged her again. As for the initial accident… 1947 was already doing its best to make up for it.

[The array wouldn’t have activated for no reason, and the signal wouldn’t have been discovered by the people of your plane by chance. If I’m not mistaken, there is someone from another plane within the Fu organization. 1014 is helping me decrypt information about that plane. I’ll tell you once I know more.]

They were actually colluding with people from another plane? This Fu organization was really… Perhaps the person from the other plane didn’t present themselves as an outsider, but instead used the guise of a “god” or something else to entice the members of Fu into action. To be able to arrange for such an array to be set up in the Xuanhuang Tomb, that person’s status in Fu must be very high.

VerseVoyage