Mini World Game Console-Chapter 847 - 848: Ready to Go! Zhao Huo’s Miserable Life!
April 10th was their last day in New York. After watching a Broadway musical in the evening, Ren Suo would take an early flight to Los Angeles the next morning, so he could finally have a good night's rest.
However, what made Ren Suo slightly uneasy was that he didn't know what Gu Yueyan and Ren Xingmei had told Qiao Muyi, or perhaps they hadn't said anything at all. In any case, Qiao Muyi's gaze had Ren Suo feeling nervous all day long—as if he were looking at a Female Demon who toyed with people's lives.
Ren Suo had initially thought of seeking Dong Chengling for protection, only to find Dong Chengling also giving him subtle glances.
Even Lin Xianyu suddenly came over, patted his shoulder with a look of pity, and said, "Big Brother Ren, good luck! You're still young, you'll be fine! It's just a few late-night Meituan snack orders; I'm sure you can satisfy all your 'customers'!"
"Late-night snacks? What late-night snacks?" Ren Suo pretended not to understand Lin Xianyu's teasing words.
He believed he had found the culprit who had led Gu Yueyan astray.
But when trouble arises, one must be prepared to handle it. Having five girlfriends, Ren Suo had long braced himself for such things.
Although he didn't know what schemes they were plotting, getting enough rest and conserving energy was definitely the right move. So, Ren Suo planned to finish the third chapter of "Cataclysm of Tomorrow" that night and then go to sleep.
First of all, of course, was "Open Recruitment"!
With the sponsorship of the "Lord of the Stars," Ren Suo could recruit up to a hundred thousand people this time!
What did a hundred thousand people represent? The current Cultivators Legion only numbered just over twenty thousand!
Although the number of recruits had increased tenfold, Ren Suo knew it was unlikely he'd recruit ten High-Tier Cultivators, but… There should be at least six or seven, right?
However, Ren Suo could still only choose one echo tag. After brief contemplation, he resolutely chose "Heavenly Calamity"!
Healing might overflow, defense might overflow, but you can never have too much attack power!
Before drawing cards, Ren Suo had, of course, already visited each of his girlfriends to replenish mana... or rather, to borrow their luck!
He didn't even let Little Jiu and Lin Xianyu off the hook!
Believe it or not, when Ren Suo was patting Lin Xianyu's little head, he really felt like he was replenishing mana and borrowing luck; his palm had a weighty sensation, as if he had plundered something from her.
When Ren Suo mentioned this, Lin Xianyu thought for a moment and nonchalantly said, "Sorry, I haven't washed my hair in a few days."
She paused, then added, "I'm lazy."
Although it was a free touch, Ren Suo still declared the user experience extremely poor.
"Successfully recruited 99,998 Fourth-Stage Cultivators!"
Ren Suo felt a bit disheartened—only two High-Tier Cultivators had been recruited.
Could it be that I didn't borrow any luck, but instead had my own jinxed by Lin Xianyu?
However, as Ren Suo carefully read through the information on these two cultivators, his expression suddenly changed.
"Discovered a Seven-Turn Cultivator!"
"I am no longer a mere tool, but have become a person true to my name."
"Seven-Turn Cultivator, Waning Moon Green Dragon Changsheng, arrives in search of the Way."
"Changsheng, Calamity Cultivator, Long-Range Position, Deployment Cost: 20 points."
"Attack: Strong, Defense: Weak, Attack Range: 3 squares."
"Trait: Non-Human—Attack Power of all Non-Human Cultivators +10%."
"Unity Magic 'Spring and Autumn Single Slash': Changsheng has fully mastered the ultimate technique of the ancient Martial Saint. The Sword Qi he unleashes will pierce through anything, dealing armor-penetrating damage to all units in a straight line."
"Trustworthiness: 0%"
"Unity Magic Cultivation: Fourth-Stage 0%"
...
"Discovered an Eight-Turn Cultivator!"
"Sometimes, I can't help but remember someone who once made me look forward to tomorrow, but he never appeared in my tomorrow."
"Eight-Turn Cultivator, Shuiyue Fairy Wang Shu, revived."
"Wang Shu, Calamity Cultivator, Long-Range Position, Deployment Cost: 31 points." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
"Attack: Strong, Defense: Weak, Attack Range: 3 squares."
"Trait 'Water Moon Streaming Light': Capable of attacking three enemy units simultaneously."
"Second Trait: (Activates after Eighth Revolution)"
"Unity Magic 'Time of the Qin's Bright Moon': Shuiyue Fairy, who has cultivated for thousands of years, has accumulated a vast amount of Moonlight energy. Harnessing the Immortal Origin, she will unleash stellar-level destructive damage. Her next 8 attacks will be wide-area attacks hitting all enemies, dealing 225% critical damage."
"Trustworthiness: 0%"
"Unity Magic Cultivation: Fourth-Stage 0%"
Drawing this incredibly popular monster duo, Changsheng and Wang Shu, was a complete surprise!
After the first episode of "Door of Truth," the whole world recognized these two Demons and Ghosts from Mysterious Country: Changsheng and Wang Shu!
Although recruiting only two High-Tier Cultivators from a hundred thousand applicants was somewhat disappointing, drawing the Eighth Revolution Cultivator Wang Shu overjoyed Ren Suo.
Not to mention, Changsheng's "Non-Human" trait could perfectly strengthen both himself and Wang Shu, significantly increasing their tactical value.
Wang Shu's own traits and Unity Magic were considered mid-to-upper tier among Eighth Revolution Cultivators, second only to You Jiu and Zack. Their practical value was even greater than the previously recruited Chen Liao and Hasuka. Ren Suo found nothing to complain about.
However, what surprised Ren Suo the most was not their tactical value, but their... daily-life value.
Suddenly, a man and a woman appeared in the Cultivator Base. The man was tall, pale, and slender, dressed in a white shirt and jeans, with white hair like a street punk, scaring the children into keeping their distance.
The woman, however, was dressed in flowing, ethereal robes with a gentle smile, as if a fairy from a folktale had descended to earth. The children nearly swarmed her with affection.
Changsheng and Wang Shu... they were already adults back in 1999!
On further thought, it makes sense. Neither of them is an ordinary human; they're Demons and Ghosts at least two thousand years old. Time cannot bind them.
Changsheng could be set aside; Ren Suo hadn't expected that by the millennium he'd be into such a white-haired, over-the-top punk look.
But Ren Suo remembered seeing Wang Shu as a man, yet the Wang Shu that appeared in the base was a woman...
Either these two Wang Shus aren't the same person, or because Spiritual Energy hadn't yet resurged in 1999, the current Wang Shu is her original form. Considering that her Unity Form is also female, it means Wang Shu changed back by 2049... Could the Earth Spirit be this playful?
And Wang Shu's words confirmed Ren Suo's speculation, "Supreme Supreme of 2049, thank you for awakening me from my endless slumber. Wang Shu is willing to become your blade, to fight for the protection of our home."
Wang Shu was indeed the initial version recently awakened by the Supreme Supreme.
Changsheng looked at the Supreme Supreme with an unpredictable gaze and quietly found a spot in the base to sit. He might have felt ashamed at being unable to resist the Supreme Supreme's summons, but he still tacitly agreed to follow orders.
Wang Shu spoke again, "Wang Shu spares no effort in fighting for her home, but I have an impudent request. I wonder if the omnipotent Supreme Supreme would grant it..."
The Supreme Supreme said, "I know what you want. You will see him soon."
The current Supreme Supreme was no longer the timid figure cowering before the Lord of the Stars, but the respected Cultivator Lord leading the Cultivators Legion across the universe—the savior of the Solar System!
His word was law! His decrees were immutable!
Even Changsheng, who dared to fiercely assault Ren Family Cultivators, didn't dare to act up around him; and Wang Shu, who would later deal with Mysterious Country's Tactical Bureau as an equal, spoke to him with extreme caution!
Receiving the Supreme Supreme's promise, Wang Shu's face lit up with joy. Without a hint of doubt, she gratefully said, "Wang Shu is willing to die for her home!"
The Supreme Supreme said, "The 'Transformation Art' Cultivation Method you developed yourself has many flaws. I am willing to perfect this technique for you, but you must help me with daily affairs as payment. Are you willing? Additionally, you need to teach the refined 'Transformation Art' to those who need it, like Changsheng."
Wang Shu looked up suddenly, "Wang Shu is willing!"
A game prompt popped up: "Spend 155 Fantasy Experience Crystals to raise Wang Shu's Unity Magic Cultivation to Seventh Stage 0%?"
Ren Suo blinked.
Wait, if I remember correctly, when raising Unity Magic Cultivation, Future Cultivators receive Future Echoes. Even the children can receive many memories—Little Zhao Huo even found out who his future wife would be! Surely Wang Shu will receive even more. That means if I use Fantasy Experience Crystals to raise Wang Shu to Seventh Stage 0%, she'll likely gain cultivation techniques from these Future Echoes... Throughout this whole process, the Supreme Supreme actually did nothing! After all, I was definitely going to raise Wang Shu to Eighth Revolution anyway. Yet, the Supreme Supreme presented this inherent bonus as a reward, tricking the naive Wang Shu into signing an unequal contract!
Ren Suo tut-tutted, inwardly criticizing the Supreme Supreme's deplorable character and cunning, then selected "Yes."
After Wang Shu was raised to Seventh Stage 0%, she paused briefly, then bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Supreme Supreme, for your gift."
Wang Shu probably already figured it out, but being under someone else's roof, she had no choice but to bow her head and go along with the Supreme Supreme's wishes. After all, she couldn't defeat him; what else could she do but reluctantly compromise? At first glance, it looked like the Supreme Supreme pulled a fast one with a conspiracy, but in reality, it was an overt scheme!
The Supreme Supreme said, "Very well. Teach the 'Transformation Art' to Changsheng. Then, the two of you will be responsible for looking after the children in the base."
Wang Shu and Changsheng paused, then turned to look at the one hundred twenty thousand little monsters in Earth's largest daycare center.
Who knew how the Supreme Supreme had managed to raise this horde of little monsters to be so plump and healthy all this time.
After settling this matter, Ren Suo glanced at his 213 Critical Value points and continued with the panda instances.
However, having cleared the Lianjiang Panda instance five times, he had collected "Gluttonous Panda's Fragrance (5/5)". So, Ren Suo turned his attention to the next victim—the Changbai Mountain Pandas, consuming 30 Critical Value points for an instance with 80,000 pandas.
In the snowy forests of Changbai Mountain, fifty thousand pandas, clutching liquor jars, lay drunkenly on branches, mountainsides, and frozen lakes.
Several hibernating Northeast brown bears had also been dragged out, their faces bruised and swollen, forced to serve as humiliating beds for the pandas sleeping on top of them.
It seemed this group of Northeast pandas was quite fierce. However, Ren Suo now commanded an army of 120,000, plus Little Ren Zuo, the ultimate master of crushing weaker foes.
After deploying his troops, Ren Suo quickly discovered that Changsheng and Wang Shu, despite not possessing Little Ren Zuo's Fourth-Turn Combat Power on Earth, still wielded destructive power around the Third-Turn level. They thrashed the Northeast pandas, sending them and their liquor sprawling!
Naturally born Demons and Ghosts gain a combat power boost on Earth!
"Victory in Battle"
"Contract 80,000 pandas"
"Acquire 5,000 Fantasy Experience Crystals"
"Acquire Liquor Panda Qi (5/5)"
"Liquor Panda Qi (5/5): After a Liquor Panda is defeated, the residual liquor scent on its body stimulates the victor, allowing them to exhibit stronger battlefield performance (Attack Power +10%)."
"'In your saddest moments, only a drink and a hearty meal can provide you with a bit of comfort. In a sense, food and drink are truly eternal friends since they never abandon you, which is why the world has an increasing number of sad, fat people'—one of the excuses used by drunken pandas when they freeloaded off the gluttonous pandas."
"Fewer than 50 local pandas remain, on the brink of extinction. Fearing your might, they have voluntarily left this place to seek a new habitat to breed (this instance is permanently closed)."
"Your reputation among pandas has greatly increased."
Looking at the loot data, Ren Suo nodded thoughtfully.
He wasn't surprised they had smashed through the panda instance in one go.
After all, the Cultivators Legion had gained a hundred thousand new recruits, and each of these cultivators needed a panda. Naturally, upon seeing pandas everywhere, they each picked one to take home.
What Ren Suo hadn't expected was that by clearing the panda instance in one sweep, they also automatically collected all the BUFF rewards for that instance. Normally, the "Liquor Panda Qi" effect would require a player to clear the instance five times to accumulate.
Moreover, the number of Fantasy Experience Crystals was significantly two to three times higher. Although slightly less than clearing the instance five times fully, the Critical Value consumed was only one-fifth. Ren Suo had no complaints.
Ren Suo continued selecting panda instances. This time, he chose to challenge the Liangshan Po Pandas, costing 36 Critical Value points for an instance with 130,000 pandas.
The Liangshan Po Pandas were very strong, with cavalry (pandas riding pandas), spear soldiers (pandas using bamboo), javelin throwers (pandas throwing bamboo), and a song and dance troupe (pandas playing flutes).
But in this version, Little Ren Zuo was invincible.
Ren Suo played five solid rounds, exhausting his Critical Value, before finally collecting "Thief Panda's Righteousness" from Liangshan Po.
"Thief Panda's Righteousness (5/5): When a Thief Panda is defeated, its Righteousness lingers in the victor's heart. Inspired by this Righteousness, the victor can execute more powerful coordinated tactics on the battlefield (damage +10% when multiple allies attack the same target)."
"'Charge through the nine provinces with vigor; strike when it's time to strike!'—the sneaky Thief Pandas, hiding their rears in the bushes, would wickedly thrust their bamboo spears at the enemy's behind."
With his Critical Value depleted, Ren Suo clicked the "+" beside "Critical Value," hoping to add more.
The Heavenly Maiden Sovereign suddenly popped up and said, "Oh dear, I can't activate the Storm of All Laws consecutively. Even if you offer more Merit Points, I can't help you delay any longer. Really, even with 999 points, I still can't do it."
Who would offer 999 Merit Points anyway...
"Keep it up! It's just a few Ark Legions; you'll definitely make them feel right at home!" the Heavenly Maiden Sovereign encouraged before disappearing.
Ren Suo had anticipated this. The game wouldn't let him nurture the Cultivators Legion to its absolute strongest state, like some Shilipo Sword Deity, before facing the upcoming battles.
This was the limit of the development mode; he had to begin the third chapter's cosmic war.
But first, Ren Suo wanted to use up his ten thousand-plus Fantasy Experience Crystals.
First up was Dragon King Zhao Huo. Ren Suo estimated it would take 4,000 crystals to raise him to the Eighth Revolution.
This means my ten thousand-plus crystals can only produce about four or five Eighth Revolution Cultivators.
Ren Suo sighed quietly and chose to consume 4,420 crystals.
Dragon King Zhao Huo, ascend to the Eighth Revolution!
In the United Path Interface, flames erupted around Dragon King Zhao Huo. A golden dragon phantom coiled beside him as he firmly planted a black iron spear into the ground, looking so cool his graphics card might just explode.
"Even if sunlight abandons the sun, crops forsake the earth, and direction deserts the arrow, I will never forsake you. I am your army of thousands, your unfalling fortress. Let us, together, set this world ablaze!"
"Trait: Big Dragon King's Celestial Lord's Form: Can intercept two enemy units, dealing damage to all intercepted units (enhanced after Ninth Revolution)."
"Second Trait: Martial Deity: Increases entire army's Attack Power by 20%. Dragon King's attacks have a 15% chance to deal 450% damage (enhanced after Ninth Revolution)."
The Nine Revolutions Cultivator, Dragon King Zhao Huo, was finally starting to bare his fangs.
The second trait, unlocked upon reaching the Eighth Revolution, greatly increased his tactical value, boosting his overall damage output by 20%.
And the critical damage significantly improved his combat capabilities.
At the same time, Dragon King Zhao Huo gained a new "Knocking on the Heavenly Gate" option: "Consume 10 Celestial Origin Stones to knock on the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Gate?"
Ten stones!
I don't even have 10 Celestial Origin Stones right now!
Ren Suo immediately dismissed the idea of pushing Dragon King Zhao Huo to the Ninth Revolution in one go and began promoting other Eighth Revolution Cultivators.
First and foremost were those Ren Suo considered the strongest Eighth Revolution Transcendents: You Jiu and Zack.
You Jiu continued to wear that plain, unremarkable sportswear, hands in his pockets, lazily sitting on the sofa, eyes half-closed in a doze.
However, behind You Jiu, a golden phantom appeared, clad in imperial robes and wielding a long sword. It made Ren Suo wonder if You Jiu, after reaching the Eighth Revolution, would become one of those popular Stand users.
"I swear in this life to honor you as my king, to use my blood to secure your domain. Let's go! Our journey is to the stars and the sea!"
"Second Trait: Sword of the Nation: The more comrades on the battlefield, the more significantly the Unadorned Sword Emperor will be enhanced—up to 350% increased Attack Power, Defense Power, and recovery speed. Furthermore, all damage dealt by the Unadorned Sword Emperor will be converted into healing, distributed equally among all legions."
Scratching his head, Ren Suo thought, Although You Jiu's first trait hasn't been strengthened, this second one is terrifying—the more people, the stronger he gets, and it even includes group life-drain! But You Jiu, you're totally out of character! Weren't you supposed to be the type who respects only himself? How did you end up sucking up to someone like a vassal? Still, who could possibly be worthy of You Jiu's fawning?
Ren Suo recalled his observations at the Sky Capital Research Institute and the intel from the game, quickly reaching a conclusion: He must be fawning over the Supreme Supreme. After all, back at the Great Wall, he seemed to look down on everyone else.
As for Zack, he was much more conventional. In the United Path Interface, holy light descended, feathers drifted down, and hymns played. Born in light, Zack wore angelic war armor, unfurled seventy-two light wings, wielded a light saber in his left hand and a shield in his right—looking every bit the pay-to-win player in a cash-grab browser game.
"Many can easily speak of forgiveness, only because they do not understand hatred. If any seek pardon, my sword and I are willing to send them to meet their gods."
"Second Trait: Human Angel: Each enemy killed adds one stack of 'Courage Hymn' to any legion. Each stack grants +2% Attack Power and +2% Defense Power. Each legion can stack up to 5 'Courage Hymn' layers."
Ren Suo let out a deep breath.
Angel Zack's second trait is in no way inferior to You Jiu's! Indeed, they're worthy of being the top two Transcendents from East and West. Their stats are almost comparable to Dragon King Zhao Huo's!
Now, with the crystals he had left, Ren Suo could only raise one more Transcendent to the Eighth Revolution, not two.
After thinking for a moment, Ren Suo decided to give the spot to Zhao Huo's wife, the Calamity Cultivator, Fan Fan.
From a strategic perspective, this spot should go to a damage dealer; from a loyalty perspective, Ren Suo would definitely prioritize his brother's wife.
Most importantly, Xiao Meng and Sun Shu had appeared when his forces were small. Now, the Cultivators Legion numbered 120,000, including 17 Elite Cultivators. If Ren Suo didn't enhance Fan Fan, she risked being overshadowed.
That would never do. I need to use Zhao Huo's story to really astound everyone: Zhao Huo not only has three wives, but each one is stronger than the last! Perhaps it could even create a butterfly effect, compelling Xiao Meng and Sun Shu to upgrade to the Eighth Revolution too.
In the United Path Interface, Fan Fan floated in mid-air. The tips of her ink-black hair danced like tongues of flame, her eyes held starlight, fire itself became her scepter, and a blazing phoenix her throne!
"Before meeting you, I spent three hours choosing the prettiest clothes, applying the most elegant makeup, and picking the most suitable handbag. But when I saw you in the arrivals hall, I wasn't as excited as I expected; my body temperature merely rose by 0.2°C."
"Trait: Indestructible Scorched Earth Flame: The undying flames cause area-of-effect explosion damage, harming multiple enemy units and igniting them for continuous damage."
"Second Trait: Blazing Soul: Due to mood swings, the Remnant Soldier's Fire within her can cause intense heat surges. High body temperatures don't bother her; in fact, they make it easier for her to control flames. Each time 'Blazing Phoenix' is cast, Fan Fan gains a stack of 'Blazing Soul,' each stack increasing attack speed by 8%, up to a maximum of 4 stacks."
Very strong! Although Fan Fan's traits don't benefit the entire army like You Jiu's and Zack's, her first and second traits maximize destructive power! Area damage, ignition, and attack speed boost! Truly an indispensable ace damage dealer! But... reading the 'Blazing Soul' description about 'intense heat surging due to emotional reasons,' I wonder if Miss Fan suddenly heats up and even bursts into flames when she gets excited? If that's the case... wouldn't Zhao Huo be... Hmm, no need to worry about Zhao Huo. Given his beastly constitution, ordinary flames probably wouldn't incinerate him... right? Actually, even if he did get burned, it's no big deal since it wouldn't be *me* getting scorched. But given our friendship, Zhao Huo would definitely come to me for healing. The thought of having to heal Zhao Huo's 'potentially scorched parts' makes me a bit queasy. Looks like I need to get used to 'no-contact' long-distance healing sooner rather than later. I sincerely hope Nine-Turn Zhao Huo is more fire-resistant.
After worrying for a moment about Zhao Huo and Miss Fan's blissful life, Ren Suo turned his attention back to the game.
The crystals were almost gone, and ability items had been used to strengthen the Cultivators Legion via the Beacon Tower and Watchtower.
Everything was ready!
「The third cosmic war of 1999 erupted!」
