NOVPUBChapter 173: Chapter 172 Your Wish
Chapter 173 -172 Your Wish
“…Is this really possible?” Zhang Zhiyuan furrowed his brow, “Wouldn’t that mean using it for crimes…”
“You could achieve a perfect crime without any flaws,” Qianyuan Mingzi spread her hands, “fortunately, such a thing doesn’t exist on Earth.” 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
“Perhaps we should actually test its effects,” Xue Quan suggested, “Can you still use it?”
Cui Zhen’en placed her fingers on the cross again, and this time it stayed in place, not pouncing on her.
“I think I can… It’s greeting me. However, these abilities all require flesh and blood as the price, so if Mr. Host is willing to offer his body for free…”
“Let’s leave it at that for now,” Chaoyang interjected. He just wanted to understand the function of the Ge Wei Weapon, so that in case of any future conflicts, they wouldn’t be completely defenseless. Now that he had the answer, it was better to return to the main topic. He didn’t mind spending some wishing power to enhance the players’ combat abilities, but there were more pressing matters at hand. “Let’s move on to the announcement of the new round of tasks.”
—
A pop-up appeared in front of everyone.
An orange scroll was gradually revealed as a cardboard box opened.
“The task system has been fully updated. Just by claiming the scroll, you can obtain the relevant intelligence, and it is imprinted into the brain in the form of memory, without any extra points being charged. The color represents the task level, with orange meaning the issue is of significant importance.”
“I thought the no UI design was a feature of Paradise,” Cui Zhen’en raised an eyebrow, “Turns out you hadn’t had time to work on it before.”
“When can the paid skins be ready? I’ve said it before, money is no issue,” Anthony complained, “Even if there are technical difficulties, can’t you make us look like the Zhang kid, with a fixed appearance every time?”
“Because ‘Zhang Qiang’ has a high association with the sanctuary, that’s a plot setting. Once you find a storyline that’s highly relevant to yourselves, you will receive the same treatment.”
Chaoyang replied earnestly.
Zhang Zhiyuan, of course, couldn’t be bothered to argue. He gazed at the scroll, tentatively touching it with his fingers, and when there was no response, he silently willed it to activate in his mind. In an instant, a memory that wasn’t his own crudely squeezed into his cerebral cortex!
He saw a vague and towering steel passenger ship—at least it was such for this world.
“Heretical cultists… the possible source?” he unwittingly murmured the memory.
“The rewards are really plentiful,” Zhou Zhi murmured.
Indeed, Chaoyang had set up four rewards this time, which were investigating information about the Evil God (1000 points), clarifying Heretical Cult activities (1000 points), capturing Mr. X alive (3500 points), and killing Mr. X (2500 points). Besides making Paradise seem well-planned, this could also provide the players with a bit of motivation.
“Speaking of which, the power of this Evil God is pretty exaggerated, huh? It can actually restore youth? Makes me want to try it,” the Russian exclaimed.
“What you want can’t be that kind of power, can it?” Zhou Zhi joked.
“Hmph, when you get to my age, you’ll understand the importance of youth.”
“Usually, becoming younger and such are just smoke and mirrors. If you’re not that guy’s proxy, you probably can’t enjoy such perks,” Zhang Zhiyuan maintained his usual calm tone.
“Who knows, this is an unknown world we’re in,” Anthony looked at Xue Quan, “Right, Mr. Xue?”
“You make a good point. Since divinities are not mere illusions, then the logic governing the world must be vastly different from what we are familiar with,” Xue Quan said with a smile, “Besides, I won’t be going. There’s still a lot of work to be done at the Gate of Destiny, and my points can be used to exchange for equipment for you.”
“Good, this time I will definitely avenge our grudge against the Heretical Cult!”
The atmosphere in the base was quite lively, visibly less pressured when dealing with Heretical Cultists compared with ordinary people. This was quite the reverse of the folks from other worlds.
Among them all, only Qianyuan Mingzi had a solemn expression, her eyes brimming with complex emotions.
Chaoyang noticed her unusual demeanor.
After everyone had returned to their rooms, she indeed stayed behind in the base’s hall, waiting for his arrival.
“Is this what I’ve been praying for…?” Upon seeing the host appear alone, Qianyuan Mingzi couldn’t help but ask, her voice tinged with uncontrollable excitement.
When the Gate of Destiny Pharmaceutical Company was established, Chaoyang sent a message to all players—not just Zhang Zhiyuan alone.
It was from that point onward that the rewards given by Paradise were no longer limited to game points but entered reality.
Zhang Zhiyuan’s choice was simple: a ticket to explore other worlds. The minerals, flora, insects, microorganisms… anything not found on Earth could serve as a reward.
Anthony chose a seat, a place that would never be turned away by Paradise. He longed to live in this entirely new world with a different body.
And the thing that Qianyuan Mingzi desired… was much more difficult.
She wished for the “magic” that granted eternal life.
“You’ll have to verify that for yourself,” Chaoyang said noncommittally, “But I must remind you— it’s filled with many variables. What works here may not necessarily work there, and even if it does take effect, it’s something obtained after dealing with the Evil God, so the price likely will be replicated in full. It will be a double-edged sword, and furthermore, to regain youth does not mean eternal life; if the price is too high, the person you want to help might end up hating you instead…”
“No, he won’t,” Qianyuan Mingzi shook her head, “because he is my father…”
“Father?”
“Yes.” Her voice grew incredibly firm, “I know him better than anyone, and as long as he can continue to live, even if it’s just for ten more days or even half a month, he is willing to pay any price.”
Qianyuan Mingzi paused, “Mr. Host, I actually lied… I don’t really believe in true eternal life. After all, if you stretch time long enough, even the myriad of stars will extinguish, let alone us? My wish was just to give myself an illusory hope, making it easier to accept when disillusioned.”
Because the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment? Chaoyang did not pick up the conversation.
“So the moment I saw the mission information, I was absolutely certain, I need this. There was even a moment when I thought that Paradise had intentionally arranged this reward for me…” She took a couple of deep breaths, gradually calming her tone, “If the information in the mission is correct, and people age differently after bathing in divine light, then what should I bring back? The emblem that emits the divine light?”
“That’s correct, and you should also clarify the reasons behind this change,” Chaoyang said, creating a square box and handing it to her, “Given that you might not return alive, place what you’ve obtained into this box. Whether you hide it on the ship or toss it into the ocean, I can recover it.”
Essentially, it was a steel sealed box with rubber isolation layers, both waterproof and fireproof. But the most crucial element was a piece of chewing gum that Ailuodi had chewed, which acted like a positioning beacon in a world without electricity.
“I understand.” Qianyuan Mingzi nodded, solemnly accepting the box.
