The conversation with Shen Shiyi provided Xiao Muyu and her team with considerable information, essentially confirming many of their prior speculations. The key information they gathered can be summarized as follows:
Xiao Muyu has a significant connection to the system. There is something on her that the system and the people behind it must obtain.
The system is likely as they suspected: a powerful intelligent game system. Its precision and complexity might surpass their imagination.
For players, the Skynet game system isn’t a lifeline in times of desperation but another hell. The conspiracy it brews evidently isn’t meant to give players a way out, but the exact reasons for this remain unknown. Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu have some inklings, but the information they currently have is limited, so everything remains speculation.
The most pressing issue before them is how to successfully clear the game, so until things become clearer, they silently agreed not to bring it up.
Xiao Muyu looked at Shen Qingqiu, who was leaning against the bed, and asked gently, “Are you still feeling unwell?”
Shen Qingqiu smiled, her eyes fixed on Xiao Muyu with a radiant intensity. She replied softly, “Much better now, only a little bit uncomfortable.”
As she spoke, she pinched her fingers together to indicate a small amount, “If I shift my attention a bit, it will surely be completely fine.”
Xiao Muyu, without a word, just raised her eyes and glanced at Shen Qingqiu, with a look that was both reproachful and amused. After a while, she straightened up, closed her eyes slightly in exasperation, and smiled, “When did you learn to talk in such roundabout ways? If you want something, just say it directly.”
Shen Qingqiu, playing the victim, sighed, “No choice. Imagine meeting a reserved and self-disciplined girlfriend. Even when things are about to get intimate, she can stop at the last moment. A little kiss might take forever. I’m being subtle, hoping she won’t be so restrained, giving me a chance.”
Xiao Muyu felt both annoyed and amused. This time, she didn’t hold back at all and leaned in to silence Shen Qingqiu’s babbling mouth with a kiss.
Feeling sorry for Shen Qingqiu, who had suffered today, Xiaomuyu was gentle and indulgent. Shen Qingqiu closed her eyes, smiling at the corners, enjoying this intoxicating intimacy.
Previously, Xiao Muyu had decided not to tell Chen Kaijie and the others about matters concerning her and Shen Qingqiu. After all, these were their issues, and there was no need to involve more people.
Moreover, telling them in this situation would only increase the risk of alarming their enemies and wouldn’t help at all.
However, regarding some matters about Shen Shiyi and the hidden truths about Skynet, Chen Kaijie and the others were involved. Xiao Muyu had no intention of hiding these from them.
Besides, if they were to cooperate with Shen Shiyi, Xiao Muyu didn’t think it was just their business since they were a team.
Chen Kaijie, Su Jin, and Zuo Tiantian had strong impressions of Shen Shiyi. After hearing Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu’s account, the three of them took a long time to accept the truth.
Chen Kaijie was the most eager to return home among them. For days, he had been clearing stages, not wanting to expose too many negative emotions to his teammates. He hadn’t mentioned the nightly torments.
What kept him going, besides the reliable and lovely teammates in this team, was a faint hope of returning home alive to see his wife and child.
“Team Leader Xiao, has no team ever successfully cleared the game?” Chen Kaijie’s face turned pale, his emotions on the verge of collapse.
Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian were no better off, their faces full of distress. Not knowing how to console Chen Kaijie, they looked at Xiao Muyu with eyes full of desperation, hoping she could turn the situation around.
Shen Qingqiu wasn’t in a good mood either. She was never one for warmth and delicacy. She kicked Chen Kaijie and said coldly, “Look at your lack of composure. Just this bit of news, and you’re so discouraged. With attitudes like yours, it’s no wonder no team has cleared the game. Even if someone did, it wouldn’t be you.
I told you when we formed this team that I wouldn’t team up with useless people. If you’re staying in this team, get your act together.
So what if no one has cleared the game? Can’t you be the first? Besides, I haven’t even explained why no one has cleared it.”
Xiao Muyu glanced at Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu huffed and sat back, crossing her arms with a cold expression.
“You need to give them some time. Others would be wailing by now. But…”
Xiao Muyu shifted her tone to a more serious one, “Qingqiu isn’t wrong either. The current situation isn’t good, and clearing the game won’t be easy. This mentality and determination are not enough to handle it. So, think about what I said carefully. Do you think anyone can clear the game?”
The three, initially panicked, felt ashamed after Shen Qingqiu’s scolding. Now, with Xiao Muyu’s remarks, they had no time for self-pity and quickly pulled themselves together to consider Xiaomuyu’s words.
Shen Shiyi wanted to cooperate with Xiao Muyu, indicating a desire to leave Skynet. She revealed that no one had successfully cleared the game. Given this, what was the point of Shen Shiyi’s cooperation?
Initially, the news had shocked them into losing their minds, but now that they had calmed down, they suddenly realized.
“Shen Shiyi believes we can clear the game. Besides trusting in your strength, Team Leader Xiao, she is certain that the game can be cleared.
We panicked at the thought of no one clearing the game. With millions of players here, none of them cleared it, making us think it’s impossible.”
Su Jin, a bit embarrassed, hurriedly explained, while Zuo Tiantian and Chen Kaijie nodded in agreement.
“Yes, I remember when I registered on the player forum, it showed over fifty million registered players.
With such a large base, there must be many capable people even if leaders like you and the deputy leader are rare. Shen Shiyi can’t be focusing solely on us. Why didn’t they clear the game before? Team Leader Xiao, is there some reason?”
Chen Kaijie had difficulty accepting that over fifty million players hadn’t cleared the game. If true, he doubted he could make it through all ten stages.
Shen Qingqiu nodded, her expression softening, “Not hopeless after all.”
Chen Kaijie looked embarrassed but was full of expectation, needing Xiaomuyu to give him more hope.
“According to Shen Shiyi, some people might be capable of clearing the game but are afraid to.”
“The further you progress, the longer the rest periods. I suspect some gave up on the risk of clearing the game and chose to live in the Skynet world. After all, isn’t living in a fantasy better than dying in a dungeon?”
Xiao Muyu’s expression was somewhat dazed. Her last sentence was spoken very softly, like her own sigh, which suddenly made her feel a bit uncomfortable, so she couldn’t help but glance at Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Qingqiu noticed Xiao Muyu’s unusual demeanor. She raised an eyebrow and said, “Even though staying here seems like living, they are well aware that everything here is fake, and they won’t be truly happy.
Moreover, most people have attachments. Abandoning their original lives to live in a world where everything follows a set program is really uninteresting.”
“The deputy captain is right. When I think about what happens in those instances, I find it terrifying. It’s not only a purgatory for the players but also for the NPCs.
Those instances are just a game, and as the central control system of these instances, I don’t think Skynet is a good place.”
Sometimes, he was grateful that Skynet gave him a chance to return to reality. But most of the time, he even felt that dying without any choice might have been a relief.
“Captain Xiao, Shen Shiyi said he wanted to leave. Is he also a player? Did he choose to give up on clearing the levels and become a so-called native?”
Zuo Tiantian suddenly thought of a possibility, which instantly filled her with terror. “If you die, you become an NPC. If you live and stay, you become a Skynet resident. Right, I remember that those who are eliminated in each instance don’t just disappear but stay there forever.”
Chen Kaijie and Su Jin quickly searched their memories, their faces full of horror. “It’s true… that’s how it is.” The three of them felt goosebumps rise.
Xiao Muyu glanced at Shen Qingqiu. “It seems we’re not the only ones who think this way.”
“We’ve said so much because we think you need to know some truths. More importantly, you should have the right to choose when working with Shen Shiyi. And, I’ll ask you again, are you really determined to clear the levels, even if it means dying inside?”
The three of them looked at each other and nodded firmly.
“If that’s the case, what’s the difference between staying in Skynet and staying in the instance? Dying in the instance, becoming a ghost, losing your consciousness, and repeating a life that doesn’t belong to you like a zombie.
Living in Skynet, those residents have forgotten they are players. What’s the difference between them and the NPCs?
Instead of that, we might as well fight. I need to know the truth about this game that has tormented me so much.”
Chen Kaijie said each word with a tense face, his eyes filled with a desperate determination.
Shen Qingqiu laughed, “Well said. If that’s the case, there’s no need to say more. Let’s just wait for the news. In two months, we’ll continue with Instance No. 006.”
Xiao Muyu understood Shen Qingqiu’s meaning. After returning, Xiao Muyu contacted Shen Shiyi and agreed to cooperate.
Actually, it’s not that she truly wanted to rely on Shen Shiyi to clear the levels. After all, Xiao Muyu didn’t really trust him. But sometimes, an enemy sent to you can also be an asset, especially when it’s hard to distinguish between friend and foe.
Before Xiao Muyu hung up the phone, Shen Qingqiu smiled and said, “I remember Mr. Shen is quite wealthy in Skynet. As your partner, can I have the honor to benefit from that?”
Shen Qingqiu’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Her lips curled up, but her eyes were full of teasing and calculation, looking like a complete fox.
But the difference in how she treated Shen Shiyi and herself as a fox was vast.
Thinking of this, Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but laugh. No matter how she was, she found her adorable.
Shen Qingqiu, seeing Xiao Muyu staring at her without blinking, restrained her expression and winked at her.
Again Shen Shiyi laughed heartily, “What do you need, Miss Shen?”
Shen Qingqiu played with Xiao Muyu’s fingers and laughed lightly, “I have bad luck and drew a defective sword. I happen to have materials on hand and need to reforge the item card. Can Mr. Shen recommend a reliable craftsman to help me out?
Besides, I’m quite extravagant. We’ve almost run out of our team’s gold coins. Well, this counts as team construction, so, you understand?”
Shen Shiyi couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head and said, “I understand. It’s only right. I’ll have someone take you over later. Just put it on my tab. Also, I’ll give you a card you can use freely. This was my oversight; I should have thought of this earlier.”
Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow and seriously wrote three words in Xiao Muyu’s hand, holding back her laughter, “I don’t need the card for now. I keep work and personal matters separate. Thanks.”
After saying that, Shen Qingqiu hung up the phone and looked at Xiao Muyu with a smile, “Why don’t you want the card?”
“What’s the use of the card? Because you’re a spendthrift, I can’t support you and need someone else to give you a card to spend freely?”
Xiao Muyu’s face remained expressionless, but her eyes darted around, appearing indifferent but inexplicably revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.
Shen Qingqiu burst into laughter, “How could I not support you? My capable Xiao Muyu is very good at making money and can easily support me. I wouldn’t ask for the card even if you didn’t remind me. But I should be a bit more frugal. This reforging of the sword is a legitimate team expense. There’s no reason not to take advantage of it. The rest of the money will be enough for me to use for a while.”
Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but laugh but didn’t argue. Since it was cooperation, there had to be some sincerity. As long as Shen Qingqiu was happy.
Shen Shiyi was very sincere, finding the best craftsman at the venue. The reforging of two cards was very successful, costing ten thousand gold coins, which made Shen Qingqiu very happy. However, her smile froze when she got the card.
The sword was now called the “Pinduoduo Edition Warring States Bronze Sword,” with a rarity of SS (which didn’t mean it was powerful, just that the two C’s hurt the player’s pride).
Item Description: A C-level bronze sword reforged by a famous craftsman, finally finding its destined half. Even though it doesn’t break, it has some depth.
But as the ancients said, “A child that cannot be taught and a rotten wood that cannot be carved.” No matter what it is, the system cannot tell. Don’t be sulky. Maybe the system is annoyed, so it’s messing with us. After all, putting two C’s together is indeed SS-level.”
Shen Qingqiu activated the card and looked at the sword in her hand. It was newly forged but exuded an ancient and understated elegance, carrying a sense of grim sword intent. From the hilt to the blade, it was steeped in history, a beautiful sword.
Touching it brought a sense of coldness. Whether or not it had special functions, it was indeed a good sword.
During these two months, everything that needed to be done was prepared. Shen Shiyi did reveal some key information, such as the theme of the instance and the most common mistakes in the instance.
Instance No. 006 was still an A-level supernatural instance called “The Unclosable Music Box,” with difficulty similar to the previous two instances. Because of Shen Shiyi’s accurate information, they navigated through it without much danger.
After clearing it, their suspicions were confirmed. From S-level instances onward, the rest period after clearing extended to a year.
However, this didn’t mean the instance could only start a year later. If needed, it could start anytime, with the longest limit being a year.
Additionally, during this period, the first six instances could be replayed, though they would be similar types of instances, not the original scripts.
This made the choices Xiao Muyu and her team faced even more complex.
