What gives you the courage to come here?” Qin Chuan looked up to see Luo Zi Shang’s cold, emotionless face. “Long time no see.” Qin Chuan closed his eyes. “Yes, indeed, long time no see, how have you been, Senior? Seems like you’re doing quite well? Ha ha, ha ha ha…” Luo Zi Shang laughed to himself, his eyes still cold, and he gave a glance at Su Yao’s silhouette before raising his glass to Qin Chuan. Qin Chuan’s fingers gripped his glass, his knuckles turning white, not accepting Luo Zi Shang’s toast. As the two were in a standoff, Han Yan Yan entered, immediately drawing the attention of most present. The host, seeing everyone had arrived, cleared his throat, signaling everyone to take their seats as the final competition for the Western Divine Artifact officially began. “After the meeting, I’ll wait for you on the rooftop. I’ve been looking for you for ten years; there’s much I want to say.” Luo Zi Shang left a message and walked away. After some formalities, the host announced the rules of the final competition.
Everyone except for Qin Chuan, who was absentmindedly staring into his wine, and Tao Zhi Yao Yao, who was distractedly playing her silenced phone game, listened intently:
- “Due to various time constraints, our final will last three days, starting tomorrow at 8 AM and concluding the evening of the day after tomorrow at 8 PM. During this period, whoever obtains the divine artifact will become its master. If no one finds the artifact, the winner will be decided by the number of monsters killed within these three days, with the highest kill count winning the artifact and second and third places receiving sets of divine gear.”
- “The final is not just a simple PK; it includes storylines, mazes, and challenges. Whether or not you can obtain the artifact depends entirely on your wisdom, courage, and skill.”
- “You can form teams or fight alone. Tomorrow, at the start of the finals, individuals or pre-formed teams will be randomly teleported to different parts of an unreleased world, the same location where players are transported after triggering the space-time gate outside Loulan City.”
“It’s worth mentioning that in this divine artifact competition, there’s an element of PK involved. Regardless of whether players die in the game or in PK, they will be eliminated.”
The game-related information ends here. Lastly, let’s go over the on-site rules. You represent your respective IDs, and there can be no substitution during the entire final, nor any behavior resembling cheating. If discovered, your eligibility will be revoked immediately. Communication between players can only be through the game’s built-in chat system. If you need a break during the event, you cannot log off. Any disconnection due to reasons other than network issues will be considered an immediate forfeit…
The host went on at length about the rules, finally concluding his script and looking satisfied at the crowd of players below, who were eager to start the slaughter for the divine artifact. “Alright, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask now. Make sure you understand everything, so there’s no confusion later when you’re disqualified.” The host nodded, aiming for this intimidating effect. However, as soon as he finished speaking, the female player with the ID ‘Peach Blossom’ stood up.
“I’ll forfeit now,” she said with a carefree smile.
Chapter 47: With the Dragon in Hand, No Evil Shall Harm
As the banquet ended, Han Yanyan approached Qin Chuan’s table. Su Yao immediately tugged at Qin Chuan’s pants, chuckling, “It looks like your ex-wife has taken a liking to you.”
Under the tablecloth, Qin Chuan squeezed the restless hand of the little lion in protest.
“May I know this gentleman’s ID?” Han Yanyan, holding a glass of red wine, approached Qin Chuan. “You look quite handsome.”
“You don’t need to know,” Qin Chuan said, putting on his cold, distant facade.
“Oh, don’t be so distant, brother. I’m Han Yanyan, ID Liuli, Princess of Dayan. You must have heard of me, right?” Han Yanyan leaned in, completely ignoring Su Yao by Qin Chuan’s side. “Which room are you staying in? I’d like to visit you after the meeting.”
Su Yao choked on the juice she was drinking, thinking, “This woman is shameless!”
“What he said next made her spit out the entire glass!”
“Room 8119,” Qin Chuan replied curtly.
“Great! I’ll be there, brother, make sure to wait for me!” Han Yanyan walked away contentedly to toast with Old Chen and his boss.
Su Yao was coughing violently. “You’re too cruel!” she slapped Qin Chuan’s thigh, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “Jeez, Ji Canghai just mentioned going to room 8119, and you’ve already held a grudge. Not only that, but you’ve also sold out Ji Canghai!”
“Either you focus on killing monsters or you search for the divine artifact; you can only bet on one…”
“So, it’s a big gamble. Bet on killing monsters, but fear someone might actually find the artifact. Bet on the artifact, but fear you won’t find it within three days, and it ends up going to those who focused on killing monsters.”
On the way back to their rooms after the meeting, players discussed in groups of three or five, pondering which path to take. Su Yao was also considering whether they should each take a different path or if one should focus on killing monsters while the other searched for the artifact. That way, the artifact would be hard to escape, but many challenges might require teamwork, as she had experienced firsthand after the Snow Mountain quest. It was indeed a tough choice…
The divine artifact, oh divine artifact. On the forums, many players had already posted sky-high prices, waiting for the competition results to buy the artifact.
Su Yao, who was reluctant to part with her Snow Goddess Umbrella, was just as eager for this second artifact that could secure her financial future. She pondered all the way back to her room only to realize Qin Chuan was missing. “Crap, when did I lose him?” She called his phone, but it was off. Su Yao felt a bit miserable, wondering if Han Yanyan had dragged him away.
Wave after wave of players returned to their rooms, but Su Yao kept opening her door, checking if her Grim Reaper had returned. She felt like a stone waiting for her husband.
She waited until midnight, but Qin Chuan didn’t come back.
Exhausted, she had no choice but to go to bed, albeit miserably. At six in the morning, her doorbell rang. Qin Chuan stood there, his eyes bloodshot, and immediately embraced her tightly, almost suffocating her. “What’s wrong?” she asked, seeing his haggard look. “I met an old friend.” “Your ex-wife?” “Luo Zishang.” As he spoke those three words, Su Yao recalled the youthful yet weathered face she saw at the banquet the night before. “Him?” “The guy you always hide from in the game? I keep feeling like I’ve seen him somewhere before.” “During the semifinals in 2004.” “Oh…? Oh! Is he the LZS I took down? Damn, the world is really small… What’s your connection with him that you stay out all night?” Su Yao started to pinch his waist. Qin Chuan finally let her go, his voice hoarse: “He’s my junior. It’s a long story.” Seeing Qin Chuan’s reluctance to elaborate, Su Yao said, “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. You clearly didn’t want to see him, yet you came here with me… Anyway, I like you.” Su Yao flashed a smile, checked the time, and seeing they had two hours before the match, she pushed Qin Chuan back onto the bed. Holding her, Qin Chuan suddenly said earnestly, “Yao Yao, during the finals, you must follow my lead, okay?” “Yes.” “You must listen to me…”
Even if I tell you to kill me. “…Huh? Why?” A passionate kiss prevented her from asking further, and she could only nod in agreement, mumbling. Anyway, being by his side was good enough; she didn’t want to leave him again after six years.