CHAPTER 1008: CHAPTER 1005: IMMORTAL’S TALISMAN · TRANSFER

Su Ming’an, Mizushima Kawa Sora, Zou Yuqing, Taslyche Goddess.

——People from three worlds gather here, the modern, ancient Louyue, and the steam age.

"Alice." Su Ming’an shouted.

He stood directly beneath the Second Tower. The people of the Steam Age also spotted him immediately. A priest whispered in Alice’s ear: "Goddess, these people are different from our era, and their worldview may vary greatly. It’s best not to form deep connections with them."

Alice nodded slightly, looking at Su Ming’an with a gaze unfamiliar to him, observing him calmly.

"How should I address you?" Alice asked gently.

Su Ming’an was silent for a moment, then responded from afar: "I am the Old God from a thousand years ago."

The people of the Steam Age immediately showed angry expressions. They revered gods and were ignorant, not allowing any disrespect. A knight pointed at Su Ming’an and shouted: "There is only one deity, what is this Old God!"

"This is our era, the Old God is our deity!" The modern people immediately drew their swords, with the Human Self-Rescue Alliance taking the lead, protecting Su Ming’an.

One side possessed medieval shrine maidens and knights’ spells, while the other had modern advanced thermal weapons.

Alice slightly raised her hand, and in an instant, the people behind her fell into silence. Although she was only sixteen, she seemed to have traversed countless mountains and rivers, despite her actions and posture still appearing inexperienced.

Seeing Alice like this, Su Ming’an vaguely felt that he had missed a significant part of her growth. The year from fifteen to sixteen was when she transformed from an ordinary girl into the much-honored Taslyche Goddess, also her most vulnerable, confused, and support-needing year. And Su Ming’an... was preoccupied with the First Tower, missing that year.

At this moment, the rules were announced, and Su Ming’an opened the system interface.

...

[There are 29,103 participants in the Second Tower, half of whom are "Disruptors," and the other half are "Order Seekers."]

[Rule 01: Each "Order Seeker" initially has four hours of free action time. When the free action time runs out, they will be forced into an inactive state for one hour.]

[Rule 02: "Disruptors" can always act freely and can sabotage important tasks around the world, guiding "Order Seekers" to repair them.]

[Rule 03: Each participant can enhance their skills by completing various side missions. Each participant has a unique skill that is not disclosed.]

[Rule 04: Every five hours, all participants will gather for a group discussion to obtain clues about identities and story backgrounds.]

[Rule 05: Each participant can choose one person as their "companion" to act together. Note that you do not know the identity of the "companion."]

[Victory Condition: When the Exotic Species King is sealed, if at least one "Order Seeker" survives, the "Order Seekers" win. Otherwise, the "Disruptors" win. All members of the losing camp will permanently lose the qualification to increase positional rank.]

[Winning Reward: Positional rank enhancement.]

...

Su Ming’an finished reading the rules and pondered for a moment.

The rules aren’t too difficult; as long as one "Order Seeker" survives, it’s a win. But on the "Disruptors" side, there must be some incredibly perverse skills to find "Order Seekers."

...

"Ding dong!"

[Identity has been assigned.]

...

The nearly thirty thousand participants present all looked down to check their identities. Su Ming’an also looked down—

...

[Player (Su Ming’an), your identity is—"Order Seeker."]

[Your unique ability: Fall into a sustained state of feigned death for one hour. (If you suffer a fatal injury during the feigned death, you will fall into true death.)]

[Your remaining free action time: 4 hours (Order Seekers can increase their free action time by completing various side tasks)]

[Exotic Species King clues collected: 0]

...

Su Ming’an was speechless. This unique ability... is actually quite strong.

It can allow him to safely pass through an hour of inactivity. When he’s about to become inactive, he can fake death, and it’s unlikely anyone would whip a corpse. However, this skill is only effective the first time; if used a second time, others would surely become suspicious.

The victory condition for Order Seekers is simpler. Surviving until the end is enough; there’s no need to search for people everywhere, which suits his action mode well.

At this moment, a wooden token appeared in his palm as white light shimmered.

...

[Detected that you cleared the first tower, receiving a clearance reward.]

[Randomly rewarded with a "Immortal’s Talisman."]

...

Su Ming’an immediately clenched his palm. He was very much looking forward to what sort of authority this would be. The "Sleep" Immortal’s Talisman encountered earlier and the "Establish" Immortal’s Talisman held by Li Mingyue were both very powerful.

Now he finally owned his own Immortal’s Talisman.

He sneaked a peek at it.

...

[Immortal’s Talisman — "Transfer Object"]

[Transfer Object: You can transfer other higher talismans (including the Immortal’s Talisman) to redirect their attack targets to someone else.]

[Combat Power: 4800+50!]

...

Very good.

Although not offensive, it seems quite powerful. It’s equivalent to being immune to all Immortal’s Talismans, making it the strongest defense, and it can even reflect them back to others. However, as the strongest talisman, using the Immortal’s Talisman always bears a significant mental strain, so future usage requires caution.

Su Ming’an engraved his name on the wooden token, signifying ownership.

...

"Ding dong!"

[Participant, please select your companion.]

...

The choice of a companion is especially important for "Order Seekers." Choosing a "Disruptor" as a companion is like seeking death.

As Su Ming’an was contemplating, Zou Yuqing approached him.

"So... shall we continue to form an alliance, Your Highness?" Zou Yuqing smiled, touching the blood-red tattoo on her shoulder.

Su Ming’an looked at her. Zou Yuqing was indeed a good partner. Throughout the duration of the First Tower, she followed Su Ming’an’s instructions alongside Mizushima Kawa Sora, restraining Mizushima Kawa Sora’s instant death rule without betraying him. As a native of Louyue Nation, she had a natural reverence for the Eldest Prince.

"What’s your identity?" Su Ming’an asked.

"I wish to become your ’companion’ because I am an Orderly. If I were a Destroyer, you wouldn’t trust me, right?" Zou Yuqing said, "My Instant Death Rule can almost counter all Disciples. With me by your side, you’ll be safer."

Su Ming’an’s palm was icy cold, detecting no lies. It seemed Zou Yuqing was indeed a good choice—

"Choose me, Old God."

Another person approached Su Ming’an, a young man with flame-like red hair, looking dazzling in the sunset. He reached out to Su Ming’an, smiling subtly: "Although I’m not very strong, if I gain extra free action time through tasks, I will pass it to you. I will do my utmost to prioritize you in all matters."

"Li Yuxuan..." Su Ming’an said.

Li Yuxuan was also quite good. As one of Su Ming’an’s subordinates, Li Yuxuan’s family had always been dedicated to tracing history, and Li Yuxuan stood with the Old God from the beginning. If a life-or-death crisis really occurred, Zou Yuqing might not protect Su Ming’an, but the loyal Li Yuxuan definitely would.

Su Ming’an looked at the two of them, momentarily indecisive.

At this moment, another person approached Su Ming’an.

"I want to be your companion, Old God." The Bluebird smiled with crescent-shaped eyes, glass earrings jingling.

"You... better not." This time, Su Ming’an did not hesitate and directly declined.

"I truly wish to protect you." The Bluebird sighed, "As this generation’s Divine Son, if the Deities have any Oracles, they will be relayed through me first. If you want real-time communication with the Deities, you can do so through me. We can certainly become companions, Old God."

Su Ming’an’s palm was still icy, yet the Bluebird genuinely intended to protect him.

If it were the Bluebird... though the risk was greater, if the Deities caused trouble, Su Ming’an could know immediately.

While Su Ming’an was thinking, a fourth person approached.

By now, five people stood on the platform, and four had extended their hands to Su Ming’an. The people below were dumbfounded; they thought the Old God was nearly an outcast, yet when it came to selecting companions, everyone was stepping forward one after another.

"Choose me, First of the Dream Patrol Family." Yi Zhongyu had settled his father’s corpse, extending his hand to Su Ming’an: "If you are an ’Orderly’, you needn’t fear. Though I am a ’Destroyer’, I will protect you. When you are unable to act, I can guard you."

Faced with this large-scale companion selection scene, Su Ming’an didn’t know what choice to make at the moment. His identity was too important.

"Su Ming’an! Let’s be together!" came a shout from below; it was Yamada Machiichi and Lu.

"You two pair up." Su Ming’an shook his head.

"Minister, I can continue to protect you," said a voice from the cloaked person nearby.

"Hmm..." Su Ming’an pondered.

"Alliance Hierarch, I can help too," Xin Yue stepped out of a car.

"..." Su Ming’an continued to contemplate.

"Su Ming’an, you can work with me," Mizushima Kawa Sora also spoke.

"Not you," Su Ming’an’s face changed instantly.

Mizushima Kawa Sora’s Instant Death Rule was through forming alliances, and he wasn’t going to fall for that.

And at that moment.

Footsteps were heard as the Goddess, clad in a white dress, walked onto the platform. Behind her were several priests and knights, surrounding her.

Su Ming’an met her gaze, which remained clear and transparent. In the overwhelming cacophony, it seemed only their gaze remained.

"Become my companion, Old God." At this moment, the Goddess revealed a holy smile, her gloved hand extended towards him.

"Goddess!" the priests behind her immediately blocked, "How can you ally with someone claiming to be a God? Who knows if he might harm you..."

It was then that Alice gently approached, seemingly inhaling something.

"I never mentioned it, but you always have a faint scent of black tea," Alice said softly. "Just like the tea I brewed for you back then. Are you... Detective sir?"

At that instant, Su Ming’an extended his hand.

Though Alice might have sensed another type of tea, she recognized her Detective among thousands, even if he had altered his appearance.

No further words needed, their hands clasped.

"Sorry, everyone. I’ve decided to become ’companions’ with Ai... with Taslyche the Goddess." Su Ming’an declared.

The others could only withdraw.

...

[ (Alice) Favorability: 90 points. ]

[ Current Favorability Evaluation: Life and Death Alliance. ]

...

"Dingdong!"

[ You have decided to become "companions" with (Taslyche the Goddess). ]

[ In the coming time, you will act with her until the resurrection of the Exotic Species King. ]

...

The priests still wanted to obstruct, but Alice stopped them. She held significant authority.

"Can you tell me about your experiences this year?" Su Ming’an took her hand, stepping off the platform. Even through the cold gloves, it was still her hand.

"On my sixteenth birthday, I went to the church to become a Goddess. I began learning etiquette, but had no time to learn more," Alice said with a blink, softly, "Let’s do some tasks first. You must be an Orderly, right?"

Su Ming’an nodded.

"Rumble...!"

At this moment, he suddenly heard a tremendous roar coming from the black mist behind. This place was at the forefront, bordering the Black Mist.

He suddenly recalled—during the previous cycle, when the First Tower opened, the Exotic Royals appeared at the First Tower’s edge, slaughtering Yamada Machiichi, Lu, and others, leaving a scene of blood and corpses, forcing Su Ming’an to reset.

So, when the Second Tower opens...

"Boom—Boom—Boom—!"

The Black Mist dawned, like a fire scorching the ice, silhouettes emerging densely.

Dozens of men and women appeared in the mist, their faces faintly tinged with purplish black. Their appearance instantly triggered a calamity. The ground shook, dirty rain descended, and the temperature plummeted.

—The Exotic Royals looked no different from humans. They were the vanguard army of the Exotic King, laying groundwork before his revival.

People showed panic, fleeing in all directions. Just in Dao Ya City, a single monster was already a major concern, and now wasn’t the time for a direct confrontation.

Amidst the chaotic crowd, Su Ming’an and Alice easily left. Looking back, Su Ming’an saw the Holy Alliance Army and the military had already formed lines, using arrays and talismans to engage the Exotic Royals, forming a defensive line to protect the people.

—Though the Holy Alliance Army has historically appeared as villains, when facing exotics, they indeed protect humanity fearlessly. In a way, they are also heroes.

What makes them foolish is not themselves, but their faith.

Su Ming’an shielded Alice, using a Spatial Barrier to block the arrows and talismans flying around.

He already possessed the Immortal’s Talisman and the Eye of the Old Days, with the seal on him unsealing to the first layer. As long as he kept going, he wouldn’t fear these Exotic Royals.