They were likely the first outsider team to arrive at Deadwood Town. Compared to Yu Yu's last visit with Lynn, the scrutiny they faced this time was far more intense.
Wei Zishu paused, eyeing the towering figure in a black robe approaching. Her muscles tensed, hand instinctively gripping her sword hilt.
A damp, fishy stench thickened, enveloping them. Wei Zishu's eyes reddened, stung to the point of gagging, tears threatening to spill. Yu Yu shielded herself with mental energy, extending it to cover Shu Tu beside her. "Senior… must you always make an entrance?"
Fuyu had already turned away, crouching, gagging, and wiping tears.
"Magic Circle's pampered flowers," the figure's gaze raked over them brazenly. "All soft and delicate—think you'll make it back alive?"
His eyes settled on Yu Yu. "Last time, Lynn dragged you along. This is only your second trip, and you dare head to the mainland alone?"
"Little spellcaster, where's your guardian?" he asked. "The Magic Circle lets you go to the mainland solo? Not afraid you'll die out there?"
Passersby in the town stopped, their curious gazes lingering on the group.
Clean, untainted, soft-skinned—truly enviable.
Wei Zishu tightened her grip on her sword, finally adjusting to the fishy stench. "Senior, she's not alone."
Yu Yu chimed in, "Exactly! What's there to fear? I've got teammates!"
"If we die, we're back in three days—no big deal!"
"Teammates?" The black-robed figure seemed stunned, then burst into laughter. "The Magic Circle needs teammates?"
Yu Yu rolled her eyes, slinging an arm around Shu Tu's neck. "You know nothing—my teammates are awesome!"
Shu Tu: "…"
She nudged Yu Yu off. "Enough. Where do we report?"
Yu Yu: "To the Magic Circle. We're the first batch—they're probably not ready. Heh, not only do I skip returning 'Solanine' I can stock up from Senior Chong. Score~"
Oddly, the cold stares and exclusion they'd faced eased after Yu Yu mentioned teammates. Her latter comment barely drew scrutiny. The lingering crowd resumed their business, though the black-robed figure stayed.
Wei Zishu scanned the area. "Why's the vibe so grim? Allen Peninsula has no sun—does the mainland lack one too?"
Black-robed figure: "Of course not. What family are you from? No common sense?"
Wei Zi Shu: "…Outsiders don't have common sense."
Fuyu griped, "Why's everyone here so weird, hiding their faces?"
Yu Yu: "No face, no problem—we'll hide ours too!"
She handed out hats to the trio. "Put 'em on!"
She donned her own hooded cloak.
Wei Zishu, sans helmet, took a wide-brimmed hat, muttering, "Hoods are better. This just blocks sun."
Fuyu, already hatted, peered around. "This town's tiny. Any shops?"
Shu Tu asked thoughtfully, "What do we need for the mainland?"
Yu Yu: "Healing potions, anti-pollution meds. I know Star Guidance, but beyond that, I'm not sure…?"
The black-robed figure, still lingering, sneered, "Ignorant. Clueless and you dare go to the mainland?"
Fuyu snapped, "You're annoying! So what if we don't know? No one told us. Worst case, we die a few times and come back!"
Black-robed figure: "???"
Passersby: "???"
Die a few times? They said it so casually?
Who could die multiple times?
Once was enough to stay dead!
Deadwood Town's battle-hardened veterans clearly knew nothing about outsiders.
Fuyu, hands on hips, pressed, "So, do you know what we need?"
Black-robed figure: "Hmph, that's how you speak to an Senior?"
Fuyu shouted, "You're the one mocking us nonstop—how dare you call yourself an Senior!"
In the livestream, Feng Ye chuckled softly. "They're lucky."
They wanted to see what Yu Yu would encounter but feared affecting her will, so the livestream was kept secret from her.
Outsiders were different from the start. Even Feng Ye, on her first mainland trip, had been cautious, treading on thin ice. Yet these outsiders treated it like a field trip, humming and chatting merrily. Though not there, Feng Ye sensed their uniqueness—like a splash of color in stagnant water, vibrant and captivating, impossible to look away from.
Chang watched too, seeing Feng Ye's comment flash by as text. She grumbled, "Yu Yu can't see this. Why'd Zong bother with a chat overlay?"
Feng Ye, nonchalant: "For them to see, obviously. Hmph."
Qiong: "Curious. I wanna know what Yu Yu runs into. Oddly, when I'm bored, I check what the kid's up to. Wish she'd livestream daily."
Chang teased, "Outsiders'd say you're too idle—caught livestream syndrome."
Xue: "Idler than you?"
Gui Fan: "Look what I found! No wonder the Magic Circle keeps picking up weird spell pulses. You set up a livestream and didn't tell me?"
As she spoke, [Chang Ming] entered the livestream, [Guang Chen] entered, [Gui Fan] entered…
In a blink, more joined. Xue shouted, "Zong, lock the permissions! Everyone's that free?"
But the stream already had a crowd: the Four Grand Archons, six High Stewards—Chang, Chong, Qiong, Dai, Zong, Xue—plus Meng, the pitiful, helpless steward.
Chong: "Hmph, her dreaming of me refilling her Solanine? Fat chance!"
Feng Ye: "Still, you can't skimp on a spellcaster's standard Solanine."
Chong: "She hasn't even used it!"
Chang: "Doesn't justify skimping."
Unaware her wristband was streaming, Yu Yu wandered Deadwood Town, briefing her team on the mainland's dangers.
Fuyu gasped, "So there are anomalies here too, right?"
"And pollution that can affect us, but we can see our pollution levels and drink meds to lower it," she asked. "How's this stuff made? Can we use it in reality?"
Shu Tu tensed. "High pollution grows a little tail?"
Wei Zishu, nervous: "In reality too?"
Fuyu: "Sweet! A little tail!"
Feng Ye: "?"
Chong: "Heh, and little tentacles, scales, bone spikes, hands, eyes…"
Yu Yu swatted her. "Dummy, even little eyes, ears, heads!"
Fuyu: "Okay, I take back the 'sweet.' That's deadly."
Yu Yu: "No clue how it's made. Replicating it's unlikely—herbs vary by world. Better to focus elsewhere."
To Zi Shu: "No idea if it happens in reality, but probably. I saw Wang Rui, and I'd have pollution in-game too. Pollution likely targets the mind, with the body just showing symptoms."
Feng Ye: "Hm~"
Gui Fan: "Sigh, the mind's one thing, but physical mutations are the real torment."
The group fell silent, drained by the topic.
Yu Yu: "Lynn says if pollution hits 20, drink meds immediately. Below 20, return to Silver Moon to let it drop naturally. These meds build tolerance."
"Seems—seems—if pollution stays low and wounds aren't exposed long, you won't sprout weird stuff."
"We're players. If something's off, we suicide back to town," Yu Yu said. "Just don't know if real-world pollution follows the mind. Would it regrow after respawn?"
Wei Zishu mused, "Doesn't seem realistic. Respawning's like swapping bodies. A new body wouldn't regrow in the same spot, right?"
"And you said Silver Moon suppresses pollution."
Yu Yu nodded. "Makes sense."
Feng Ye: "Best they keep thinking that. If it holds, outsiders will have an easier time."
Not everyone could handle physical mutations without a mental shift.
After a loop, Fuyu pouted, "This place has nothing."
Shu Tu, unfazed: "Silver Moon's trade is sparse, with zero entertainment. This is a frontline—way worse."
Wei Zishu: "Players won't stick around here…"
Yu Yu: "Yeah, frontline supplies are dull, dark, and creepy."
At the Magic Circle's doorstep, the black-robed figure hesitated, then left.
Yu Yu mused, "Wonder if Senior Chong's in…"
She strode inside. "Hope we can grab your supplies. I didn't use mine last time—no need for more."
"Oh, Senior Chong, you're here!"
Chong, hooded, wore her lively robe, drawing Yu Yu's curious glance.
"Senior, my teammates are mainland newbies. How do I get their supplies?"
Chong's voice rasped, "Not ready yet, but since it's their first trip, I'll give them a set."
Moments later, Wei Zishu and the others got their supplies. Compared to spellcasters' generous kits, theirs were just passable. Each got 10 potent healing potions, a stack of anti-pollution vials, and a temporary star map. Shu Tu got two extra sets of special arrows. That's it.
Scrolls? Dream on.
Yu Yu, ultra-polite: "Thank you, Senior Chong!"
Chong, half-smirking: "Not begging for Solanine refills?"
Yu Yu, sweeter: "Haven't used last batch."
Chong: "Then don't linger. Stay safe."
Don't just toss out 'die and return'—life's not that cheap.
As Yu Yu left, Chong fired back at the chat, "Not giving, not giving, not giving! She's not like you lot, chugging Solanine like addicts. Little spellcasters should touch it less!"
Facing her colleagues' barrage, she stood firm. "Bet you're scheming to trick her into drinking more, Chang!"
Outside the camp, Yu Yu's team let loose.
"Wow, so many anti-pollution vials?" Fuyu gasped. "Will we even need that much?"
Yu Yu: "Nah, the Magic Circle's generous—always overstocks. Lynn's batch wasn't this big."
Shu Tu nodded, stroking her arrows. "Mid-tier arrows, super pricey. My teacher wouldn't even use these."
Yu Yu divvied up her leftover scrolls. "Use them when the time's right—don't hold back."
Wei Zishu cracked, "Aren't these worth hundreds of gold each? How do you have so many?"
Yu Yu, innocent: "Last trip's leftovers. Didn't use 'em."
She patted her bag. "Got four fourth-circle scrolls too. Can't bear to use those."
"Fourth-circle? Those start at 2,000 gold!"
Yu Yu blinked. "That valuable? Should I sell them back?"
Wei Zishu quipped, "Our lives aren't worth 2,000."
Yu Yu agreed, "True. Won't use them."
Feng Ye, about to praise Chong's generosity, overheard their chat and facepalmed. "What's with her? Money-grubbing? Does the Magic Circle starve her?"
Chang mused, "She mentioned wanting a manor outside but lacks funds."
Xue: "She's living fine—why a manor?"
Chang: "No clue. Maybe Lynn's influence?"
Feng Ye, miffed: "Why's that half-elf always tagging along?"
Qiong: "Frame her and lock her up?"
Meng: "She's trailing Yu Yu's group."
Feng Ye: "Pin her down."
Meng: "Yes."
The four-person squad left town, humming and marching.
Yu Yu pulled out a music phone. "What song?"
Fuyu: "Something epic~"
"Drums thunder east to west, crossing rivers like shooting stars~"
"Bold songs end, yet the march goes on~"
The quartet sang, striding boldly like generals to war, spirits soaring.
Feng Ye: "…"
Chang: "…"
Gui Fan: "They're… unique."
Long stationed at the defense line, they hadn't seen such lively vigor in ages.
Chong: "That song's got gusto. Pretty good."
Her words barely landed when Fuyu said, "That Senior Chong—does she have a little tail?"
Chong: "??"
Yu Yu: "No clue. Think I've got x-ray vision?"
Fuyu, curious: "Her robe's all fluttery. Wanna lift it."
Chong: "Heh."
Feng Ye couldn't hold back a laugh. "Go for it."
Yu Yu egged her on, "Sneak and lift it."
Wei Zishu, earnest: "Do it. We'll say you're not with us."
Fuyu stomped her foot. "Piss off! I'm not dumb—try and die!"
"I'll wait till I'm a Legend," she sighed skyward. "Ugh, everyone here's so fierce. Not friendly."
Shu Tu: "Lynn's great. Doesn't mind ear-pinching."
Chang: "Really?!"
Xue: "…Chang, spare the Magic Circle some dignity."
Chong: "Legend? I'll deal with you first."
Yu Yu: "No need to wait that long. Once players flood in, Senior Chong's robe won't stand a chance."
Chong: "???"
Yu Yu: "Risking death for chaos—daily player routine, no?"
"Before that, nag Senior Xue to hurry up with universal screenshot functions. Even if someone dies for the scoop, we can't see it otherwise."
Chong: "Heh heh heh…"
Caught you, you little sneak. All sweet on the surface, but full of mischief.
Chang: "Haha, I wanna see too."
Chong: "Heh heh heh…"
Yu Yu continued, "There's [Eating Without Washing Dishes] too—she's a spellcaster!"
Pinching her chin, she mused, "She's nearing mid-tier, right? I'll nudge her later."
"Oh, wonder if she's grinded Chang's favor. I haven't checked Chang's favor bar. Gotta ask what she saw."
Yu Yu sighed, "Hope Senior didn't take after the Grand Archon. That stingy jerk's consistently cheap."
Feng Ye: "Hmph…"
Gui Fan laughed hysterically. "Hahaha, so in her eyes, you're a stingy jerk, hahaha…"
Chang Ming: "Fun, fun, too fun."
Guang Chen: "She's not wrong."
Xue: "Why not learn from her? No rewards for slacking. Dream on."
Chang: "What's [Eating Without Washing Dishes] looking at? Why not check yourself?"
Yu Yu: "I must get Senior Meng to 60 for her exclusive voice line. It's mine!"
"Exclusive voice line?" Fuyu asked, curious.
Yu Yu: "Just a line from Senior Meng~"
Fuyu: "I wanna hear it."
Yu Yu: "Grind for it! Senior Meng loves good food. Why can't you bring stuff in? Next time, test some mental stats."
Chang: [@Meng, listen to this. I'm curious about your voice line.]
Meng: "None. Don't ask. Shut up."
Yu Yu: "If the Grand Archon gave a voice line, I'd stuff her with food daily. Too bad—stingy jerk."
Feng Ye: "Heh…"
Guang Chen: "Stingy jerk~~"
At the dock, Yu Yu's team kept the music blaring.
Their morale soared, while the black-robed locals, dour and sluggish, eyed them oddly, a stark contrast.
Yu Yu: "Got carriages for rent?"
The guard tensed, spooked by the strange song. "My lady wants a carriage?"
Yu Yu, caught off-guard, glanced at her robe and got it. "Yeah, any? I'll pay!"
The guard wanted to say no. "I'll ask the officer."
Soon, they boarded a ship, a carriage somehow ready on the other side—where it came from, who cared?
Yu Yu explained, "This is Broken Sword Cape. Lynn said a fallen Legend cleaved it during the retreat to Allen Peninsula?"
"That's what she said. I'm not sure." She added.
Fuyu gazed at the sea. "Why's it so black? Deep here?"
Yu Yu: "No clue. Lynn said don't stare at the surface—you might see weird stuff."
Fuyu peeked again. "It is weird. My senses are tingling."
The others clammed up, watching these fearless newbies with mixed feelings.
And that song—never heard it, but catchy…
Ashore, Fuyu raised her hand. "Charge! Reclaim the mainland, aaaaah!"
Yu Yu joined, "Charge!!!"
Wei Zishu facepalmed. "Enough! What about the carriage?!"
Other high-tier professionals disembarking: "…"
What kind of weirdos were these?
They wouldn't dare talk of reclaiming the mainland, yet these mid-tier newbies shouted it?
Back on track, Yu Yu's team boarded the carriage, singing and heading to the mainland.
Others fought for survival; they picnicked.
The Magic Circle's livestream crowd gave up commenting.
Wei Zishu drove, Shu Tu and Fuyu inside. Shu Tu opened the window. "This mainland's barren—like it's been nuked hundreds of times."
Fuyu: "Yeah, awful scenery, no sun. Stay long, and it'll mess with your head!"
She asked Yu Yu, "No illusion spells? Conjure some birds and flowers!"
Yu Yu: "Thanks, didn't learn any."
"My points are still negative—don't make it worse," Yu Yu said, reading a book. "I'll suggest it to Senior Chong next time."
Chong: "Self-deception? What's the point?"
Others stayed silent. Xue asked, "What's she reading?"
Feng Ye, leisurely: "I bet The Great Purge."
Chang: "Gotta be. Meng told her Magic Circle history, but she skipped it in her post. Seems she wasn't impressed."
Wei Zishu glanced over. "What's that?"
Yu Yu, eyes glued to the book: "The Great Purge."
"Remember my post?" Yu Yu said. "Senior Meng explained a ton, but…"
Meng: "Hm?"
Chang, teasing: "What'd you tell her? She's so unimpressed."
Meng: "I'd love to hear her take."
This kid went wild off-leash, all sweet in person but calling the Grand Archon a stingy jerk and plotting to trick [Eating Without Washing Dishes] into lifting Chong's robe. Hmph, she'd get hers.
Yu Yu, engrossed, griped, "I'm supposed to share Magic Circle history, but what Senior Meng said and what players want are totally different."
"How so?" Zi Shu focused on driving, having learned plenty from the Duchess—useful stuff.
Yu Yu: "Imagine this: Senior Meng's history is like a history exam. Which figure invented what, which hero led the Magic Circle to victory, which Legend pioneered a spell that made the Magic Circle unstoppable, which sage wrote a book and its significance…"
"She's precise to the year—like she aced fill-in-the-blanks," Yu Yu grumbled. "I couldn't even interrupt."
"Bet Senior Meng was a total study nerd."
Meng: "?"
"Am I wrong?"
Yu Yu flipped through The Great Purge. "Players aren't spellcasters. If I'm not into it, how will they be?"
"Players don't need exam prep."
Meng: "…Hmph."
Yu Yu: "Look at this—The Great Purge is the real deal!"
"Silver Era 1789, the Magic Circle launched a surprise attack, wiping out the Mages' Guild!"
"Silver Era 1986, the Magic Circle relocated its headquarters, conveniently crushing the Thunderbird Tribal Alliance for slandering them, with plenty of slaughter!"
Yu Yu: "My bad. I should've asked Senior for the Magic Circle's war history—that's the good stuff~"
Meng: "…"
Feng Ye chuckled. "She wants that?"
Xue, puzzled: "I thought outsiders didn't like that kind of history."
Yu Yu, shaking her head, "This book's unsigned. Bet the author got erased by the Magic Circle."
Wei Zishu: "Sounds like it exposes their dirt. No surprise they'd be dead."
Yu Yu skimmed fast. "Thrilling, satisfying. The early parts are the Magic Circle's rise, cherry-picking the messy bits."
"Like, the Magic Circle broke from the Mages' Guild, struck as allies, then turned and butchered them."
Feng Ye: "Oh? And?"
Yu Yu couldn't hear them, but Feng Ye watched eagerly, as if awaiting her response.
The book was thick, but Yu Yu speed-read, every page detailing the Magic Circle's 'atrocities'—or rather, endless killing.
"After the origin story, from the Golden Era, they backed the Minos royalty, partnered up, and went unstoppable."
"The so-called Great Purges were just purging dissent," Yu Yu summarized. "From the Golden Era, casualties were countless, with dozens or hundreds of enemy Legends dead."
"Razing cities, annihilating clans, scattering ashes—it's brutal."
Yu Yu: "Heh, your enemies know you best."
"This is what players want."
"Undefeated, unconquerable, Legends crushed underfoot, faded nations and factions dust beneath the Magic Circle's feats. What's better than that?"
Gui Fan, stunned: "That's… good?"
Chang Ming: "Fun, fun, too fun. I'm playing with her when she's back."
Yu Yu: "I'll add this to the post later, heh."
Wei Zishu: "So, the Magic Circle's no saint?"
Yu Yu scoffed, "Obviously not."
Feng Ye: "Hm?"
Yu Yu: "I know this book's biased, but it's spread wide, and the Magic Circle hasn't banned it, so it's likely true to some extent."
"Depends how you read it," Yu Yu grinned. "Different folks see different things. Lynn thinks the Magic Circle kills too much—bad news."
"But for the faint-hearted, wouldn't they think the Magic Circle's unbeatable?"
Feng Ye: "Oh? What'd you see?"
The chat went quiet, all eager for Yu Yu's take.
Yu Yu: "Isn't this just a continental hegemon's growth story?"
"Even if it wasn't the Magic Circle—War Circle, Hero Circle, whatever—given the chance, they'd do the same."
"Look at the Magic Circle now, ruling Allen Peninsula, pulling strings. You think they won others over with love and peace?"
Yu Yu: "An era's 2,000 years. The Magic Circle's been the mainland's boss for at least 1,500."
"That's long enough for them to set rules by habit and for others to accept their rule."
"Lynn loves and hates the Magic Circle—probably why."
"But," Yu Yu muttered, "they used to avoid direct governance. Silver Moon's an exception."
"Back then, the Magic Circle was like a violent academic institute. Meet their resource needs, and they stayed out of political messes," Yu Yu said. "They'd rather hole up researching spells than manage affairs."
Wei Zishu: "You called them a violent institute."
Yu Yu, helpless: "Can't help it. Spellcasters hold power."
Is strength a fault?
It's the world's fault, not spellcasters'.
Yu Yu flipped pages. "Look, seven Great Purges in the Golden Era. The first three foundational ones were led by Nightingale."
Guang Chen couldn't hold back. "She doesn't even say 'Speaker'!!!"
Yu Yu: "Three purges spanning over 200 years. What's that tell you?"
"Spellcasters don't just hold power—they live long."
"With that, the Magic Circle, passed down generations, is a natural hegemon."
"To uproot them, you'd need to rewind time, keep the Mages' Guild alive, split spellcasters internally, and rival the Magic Circle."
Yu Yu: "But too bad—the Mages' Guild got dusted early."
She laughed. "A loose group like the Mages' Guild couldn't match the Magic Circle's organization or execution."
"This book," Yu Yu struggled to describe, "shows the Magic Circle made the right, decisive call at every key moment."
"Every Magic Circle leader was flawless, never erring," Yu Yu couldn't fathom. "Either Legends had unmatched vision and restraint, or the Magic Circle had a secret selection method, or their system was so advanced that even a slacking Speaker could steer them to the next triumph."
"And their foundation's so deep, their error tolerance is insane…"
Wei Zishu: "Which do you think?"
Yu Yu pondered. "Error tolerance. They always moan about their decline, but even 'declined,' the Council has eight Legends…"
Yu Yu finally vented, "Even if half slack off, that's four Legends working!"
"Isn't that tolerance high enough?"
"Look at Senior Xue—not a Legend, but her work efficiency's sky-high, outpacing Blue Star coders by miles," Yu Yu said. "High mental stats mean fast work, no need for food or rest. How's that not OP?"
"At their peak, even if 99% of the Magic Circle was partying, 1% working normally kept it running."
Wei Zishu fell silent. "…Too advantaged."
Yu Yu: "And maybe it's just me, but I haven't met a dumb Senior."
"Yami's a bit quirky, but…" Yu Yu trailed off. "The Magic Circle's rock-solid."
She closed the book. "This book wasn't banned because it's true, even with its sly jabs."
Wei Zishu: "How'll you explain this to Lynn?"
Yu Yu: "Tell her it's all past leaders' doing—not my business. A cute, harmless spellcaster like me wouldn't love fighting, right?"
"I should eat fruit and listen to music with the half-elf~" Yu Yu declared passionately. "If there's bad stuff, it's definitely the Grand Archon's fault."
Feng Ye: "?"
Guang Chen: "?"
Gui Fan: "?"
Chang Ming: "She means Feng Ye."
Gui Fan: "Oh, then it's fine."
Xue: "Feng Ye's lucky, haha."
Feng Ye: "Heh heh heh…"
Chang: "Real talk, how'd she pick up this habit? Dumping blame on the Grand Archon?"
Feng Ye: "Heh heh heh… I've been too soft on her…"
"In sum, the Magic Circle was badass, is badass, and will likely stay badass."
"A rising stock company—great benefits, tons of big shots. Jump ship now; don't miss out."
Wei Zishu, coolly: "What's that to us?"
Fuyu: "Yeah, exactly."
Yu Yu: "Who says it's nothing?"
"The Grand Archon said with resources, even a pig could hit high-tier spellcaster."
"They're stingy with resources now, but players can hunt their own."
"You're not worse than pigs mentally, right?"
Shu Tu: "…Xiao Yu."
Yu Yu coughed. "Locals have professional pride; players don't."
"No choice now, but once the mainland opens, resources will pour in," Yu Yu said cryptically. "Who says the mainland won't drop meditation techniques?"
"Picking spirit 7 is just cost-effective—doesn't mean 6 can't learn."
Yu Yu: "I'll raid the library later for historical bios. If the Magic Circle doesn't stress Legends' starting spirit, then…"
Wei Zishu's eyes shifted. "Then?"
"Then starting spirit might not matter much."
"Only critical when resources are tight."
Yu Yu muttered, "Listen to Senior Xue's tone—back in their prime, they churned out spirit 9s yearly. Yearly!"
"A century of spirit 9s? If they protected their young, they'd have Legends crawling, Archons like dogs."
Feng Ye: "…"
Guang Chen: "…"
Gui Fan: "…"
Chang Ming: "She's not wrong. Senior Yami was a top-tier spellcaster, but back then, you needed a license to advance."
Xue sighed, "The Magic Circle was already fading then."
Chang: "Why doesn't she think we're faded?"
Meng, mimicking Yu Yu's tone perfectly: "Must be because elders compare to back then~"
Feng Ye snorted. "She's exploiting Magic Circle loopholes."
Wei Zishu: "We can learn too?"
Yu Yu: "Players are unpredictable. The Magic Circle handed out tons of slots, plus the military's in."
"They tried controlling it, but outsiders are wild, and Silver Moon's population is tiny."
"I know I can't spread meditation techniques—you're players; any mental growth would pinpoint me."
"But some might not care," Yu Yu tapped the carriage. "Some will take risks or get cocky."
"How will the Magic Circle handle rogue spellcasters?"
"Or, when players hit high-tier or Legend, self-teach meditation, camp at the Magic Circle's gate, swearing loyalty. How awkward for the Grand Archon?"
"Players lack locals' honor."
"The Magic Circle doesn't fear those who don't think of this, or those who overthink it, but the half-smart ones."
"Then, the Magic Circle's stuck," Yu Yu glanced at her book. "Unless they never teach meditation."
Wei Zishu: "That confirms players as tools. If high-tier players surge, uncontrollable chaos follows."
Players need emotional and power checks—both.
Feng Ye's gaze deepened. "Knew it. The kid gets me. Look at that foresight, that vision, heh~"
Yu Yu: "Player power is still power. The Magic Circle dares train enough spellcasters before the main force, letting players fight players, cutting local losses."
"They're too few to afford deaths," Yu Yu mused. "But training spellcasters is costly, and resources are tight."
"The issue is racing time—grab resources, train spellcasters, and balance players."
Yu Yu's expression grew complex. "I don't want Senior and them to die."
It'd hurt.
Feng Ye: "Hmph."
Talk when you're grown—too early now.
Wei Zishu sighed, "Players are a double-edged sword. Wonder what they're thinking."
Yu Yu: "No-choice choice. With just Silver Moon's population, who knows when they'd reclaim the mainland?"
"They're racing anomalies too," Yu Yu mumbled. "Why else bring in outsiders?"
"Burst in silence or perish in it—pick one."
Wei Zishu, after a pause: "By then, players are high-tier. You're fastest, heavily backed. You might be Magic Circle brass. If players cause trouble, won't you suffer?"
Yu Yu's smile vanished. "Great prediction. Don't do it again."
Recalling the Grand Archon's pettiness, she felt ill.
When the Grand Archon schemed, she'd likely hint at Yu Yu first, and then…
Yu Yu mused, "I'll hit spirit 17 in two levels. Even if high-tier's tough, I can prep early."
"I planned to cling to Senior Chang, but now you've given me ideas."
Feng Ye squinted. "Hm?"
Yu Yu: "Wonder if Internal Affairs needs staff. Other Senior shouldn't be as scary as Senior Xue, right?"
Xue: "Hm?"
Yu Yu, tiring: "If only Senior Chang ran off with me. What a dream job—gods wouldn't trade~"
Qiong: "What if she gets busy even after switching?"
Chang: "Didn't know Yu Yu liked me that much."
Chang Ming: "Purification's nice too."
Gui Fan: "War's not bad either. Why's she not considering it?"
Yu Yu pondered, "Senior got an offer after squatting at home forever. I could coast a while, right? The Magic Circle doesn't force work, does it?"
Feng Ye: "Heh, does it?"
Her hand-raised kid, wings hardening, thinking of flying without asking her?
Yu Yu decided, "Nah, Senior Xue's out. Senior Zong seemed to invite me before."
"I study enchanting—sticking with Internal Affairs is natural, right? The Grand Archon'll get it."
Feng Ye: "Heh, afraid not."
Meng, pitying: "Poor kid. No clue it's all overheard."
Guang Chen: "Hmph, slacking before starting? Dream on."
Think Internal Affairs is a lounge?
Xue: "Heh, we'll train her well."
Feng Ye stayed silent.
Wei Zishu thought Yu Yu's Magic Circle favor would push her to plan ahead.
Shu Tu thought simpler: Xiao Yu wouldn't let her favorite Seniors die.
But her own position was precarious, caught between the Magic Circle and Federation, shining bright but teetering over an abyss—one slip, and she'd be lost.
This role was tough.
Why did the Grand Archon pick Xiao Yu?
At the teleportation array, Yu Yu adjusted her hood. "Crap, this senior's super cold. How do I politely ask if the carriage can enter?"
Wei Zishu pulled her back. "Don't bother—probably won't let it."
Yu Yu sighed, "Ugh, poverty."
"Hey, Senior~"
The black-robed woman, face shadowed, asked coldly, "Where to?"
"Rock Tomb!"
"Get in."
They stepped into the array.
A blur later, they stood on a barren plain.
"Cold senior," Yu Yu muttered. "I didn't dare ask what's special about Rock Tomb."
Chong: "Maybe too much Solanine numbed her brain?"
Feng Ye: "Her pollution's high, relying on Solanine to suppress it. Call her back."
Gui Fan: "Mm."
Yu Yu gaped. "Rock Tomb's actually a grave? Thought it was just a fancy name!"
Fuyu, uneasy: "Even in a game, is delving tombs okay?"
Shu Tu, spooked: "And this atmosphere…"
Wei Zishu, deadpan: "A breeze away from a hundred ghosts' parade."
Yu Yu mused, "If it's a spellcaster's tomb, I'm game."
Feng Ye: "?"
What's your beef with spellcasters?
Yu Yu: "My points are negative, but if I meet a spellcaster senior, I'll max out spells in one go, no more Magic Circle point debts!"
Feng Ye: "Keep dreaming!"
Chang Ming: "She can see spell models directly now."
Meng, softly: "Fourth-circle and up spells are complex. She'll ask us for sure."
Feng Ye: "Meng, charge her decoding points."
Meng: "Yes."
This kid's too sharp—can't let her lose reliance on the Magic Circle, or who knows what she'll do.
Already planning to flee the city, hmph.
Fuyu stealthed, and the trio scouted, finding an entrance.
"Why's it look smashed open?"
Yu Yu: "No clue. Maybe a Speaker smashed it ages ago?"
Inside, Yu Yu couldn't stand the dark, casting a massive Candlelight. "Much better."
"Why no monsters yet?" Zi Shu couldn't grasp it.
Shu Tu: "Someone didn't clear it first, did they?"
Yu Yu: "…No way, right?"
"Would the Grand Archon let me snag rewards for free?"
Feng Ye slammed her desk. "Am I that stingy with you?"
Gui Fan: "Well, hahaha…"
Chang Ming: "Hahaha…"
Guang Chen: "No worries, hand her to me. I won't skimp."
Feng Ye snapped, "Scram, don't even think it."
No monsters appeared, leaving Yu Yu bummed.
She hadn't fought in ages.
Chang: "Why not give her the voice line early? She'd grind your favor hard."
Feng Ye scoffed, "Dream on. She thinks I'm that silly half-elf?"
Meng: "…"
Chang: "It's fun. Outsiders obsess over rewards, especially voice lines."
"Meng gave her tons of spells, but she fixates on the voice line."
Feng Ye, icily: "Not happening."
Chang shrugged.
"Wow, how free were they? This tomb's fancy!"
Yu Yu: "Yeah, fancier than the Duchess's castle. Look at these magic lamps, this floor, this soaring ceiling."
Fuyu scrambled up a wall. "These lamps are lootable!!!"
Yu Yu: "Loot later—lose the lamps, we're blind!"
She fired Candlelight bursts, igniting each magic lamp.
Chong: "Her Candlelight's upgraded?"
Meng: "I didn't teach her."
Xue: "It's enhanced—toward spell potency."
Qiong: "Maybe what outsiders call 'skill points'?"
Guang Chen: "If so, won't she learn fourth- and fifth-circle spells faster than we thought?"
Meng: "Not quite. They need to grind proficiency to master. Direct points seem wasteful?"
Xue: "Still fast. Outsiders are blessed."
Yu Yu's task panel went wild.
—[Task: The Lost Soul]
—[Task: Unopened Door]
—[Task: Endless Quarrel]
—[Task: Forgotten Tome]
—[Task: Unravel Rock Tomb's Secrets]
—[Task: Lost Power (Epic)]
Yu Yu's jaw dropped. "Whoa, so many tasks!"
Feng Ye: "There's actually tasks?"
Fuyu: "Rich vibes!"
"Why's there no underground map?"
Yu Yu: "Keep moving. Places like this always have maps. Bet we'll find bones soon, with a notebook nearby, sketching the map!"
She walked, lighting lamps, missing none.
Feng Ye: "…"
Fuyu gasped, "There it is! Didn't expect Eternal Darkness to be so cliché! Thought it'd be a task to hunt for!"
Wei Zi Shu stepped forward, then backpedaled. "Wait, it's standing up!"
Yu Yu: "Finally, monsters! No anomalies here?"
Feng Ye couldn't hold back. "You love anomalies that much?"