Calamity Messenger

Chapter 356 - 290: The Secret of the Foundation Establishment Pill (Part 2)

Based on the above summary, the official stance on real mode characters is: ’If you want it, you have to get it yourself’.

As for why it’s designed this way, the malice of the officials is evident: to increase the probability of sudden death for real mode characters!

Yan Qing hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment yet, but under the blessing of Catastrophe Milestones, he is invincible. To put it modestly, apart from Pharmacist’s Wish, there is no Third-Turn Messenger in the world who can rival him. Catastrophe True Damage + Bingzi Pepper Forest—whether it needs numerical value or mechanism, he doesn’t need much tactical literacy. Even if he swings randomly, he can still open a spree and mow down enemies.

Next, there is the Celestial Calamity Dao Foundation, and in the future, Immortal Ascension will surely have special mechanisms related to the calamity. As the core theme of the major version, Yan Qing has no doubt about the strength of the calamity route. But precisely because the calamity route in real mode is too outrageous, the officials will certainly lay traps in the game, in addition to adjusting through players like Hakimi.

How to handle overpowered characters? If they’re dead, they won’t be overpowered anymore.

If a thief wants to eat meat, they have to risk getting beaten.

Yan Qing even admires this planner colleague whom he has never met. Setting a threshold at the Foundation Establishment Pill stage is as precise as a surgeon’s knife, sufficiently disgusting to players, but at the same time stirs their competitiveness.

After all, players who reach the Third-Turn have already invested a lot in real mode characters and definitely experienced the strength of Celestial Calamity Karmic Force along the way. Even if they suddenly die on the eve of Foundation Establishment, most players probably wouldn’t quit the game. Instead, they would become more eager to see just how gratifying and powerful the ’Celestial Calamity Foundation Establishment’ could be!

However, admiration aside, Yan Qing still mentally cursed this planner. Initially, he could have relaxed in the Thief’s House waiting for a small account to present the Foundation Establishment Pill. Now, there are many more variables.

Yan Qing exited the activity interface. Although he looked at the information for a few minutes, the atmosphere in the hall did not cool due to Jiang Shi’s daze.

In just a moment, Xi Zifeng and Gai Louxian were chatting happily. While there is certainly an element of Gai Louxian deliberately currying favor, Xi Zifeng’s amiable demeanor undoubtedly was the core reason for these wanderers to let down their guard. In the end, both Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen revealed their identities, basically laying bare their backgrounds.

However, this might also be intentional on their part. After all, if one has to rely on the Murong Family’s shelter, it’s better to confess in advance than to be found out by them.

Jiang Shi: "Do you have a map? I want to know the exact location of the Demon Gathering Land."

Xi Zifeng ordered a servant to bring a map, "The Demon Gathering Land is about three hundred li from Yanzi Military Town, but the road is not easy. It has been raining in the Northern Territory for the past few days, making the roads muddy. Adding to that, the Demon Gathering Land is in a remote place. Besides this time of year, no one usually passes by... Canhe Baibao could escort you day and night, taking about four days to get you there."

"Not necessary."

"Don’t refuse. Although there isn’t a death quota for three hundred Baibao, you are a valued guest of the Murong Family. If this minor demand cannot be met, the Patriarch will blame me for poor hospitality when returning." Xi Zifeng said: "If you go by yourself, you might miss the opening time of the Demon Gathering Land. The Northern Territory hasn’t been peaceful recently..."

"Not necessary," Jiang Shi calmly said: "Because I’m not going, this was asked for someone else."

After looking at the map, Yan Qing realized that compared to Jiang Shi and her group, Ye Si, who was on the road, was closer to the Demon Gathering Land.

But compared to the map, Yan Qing also needed to understand something else: "How dangerous is the Demon Gathering Land? What is the casualty rate?"

"If you don’t provoke the demons inside, it’s almost not dangerous." Xi Zifeng said: "Every year, about two hundred messengers enter the Demon Gathering Land, mostly First-Turn Messengers. Their primary goal is to collect the resources inside the Secret Realm. Even if there are grudges, they rarely fight inside because others can simply hide near the demons, and most people would avoid trouble."

"Besides treasure hunting, some are attracted by the scenery of the Demon Gathering Land, like our Patriarch. Their strength varies, but they have things they are interested in, and naturally avoid conflicts inside."

It seems like the Demon Gathering Land, similar to [Mansu Forest Land], is a peaceful place. But that’s expected since this activity’s Secret Realm opens only once a year, and local muggles can’t get the event’s main reward, making it something insignificant enough that nobody wants to bother. With no conflicts of interest, everyone stays calm.

Yan Qing also breathed a sigh of relief. His biggest fear was the Demon Gathering Land being a hostile Secret Realm filled with messengers ambushing, plotting, deceiving, and fighting for treasures. Even if the event had a level cap to prevent Foundation Establishment involvement, Yan Qing probably wouldn’t go.

Playing a side account can be soft-hearted, make mistakes, or act decisively. But with a main account, avoiding risks and aiming for easy victories suits best.

Just as Jiang Shi was about to inquire more about the Demon Gathering Land, a servant suddenly pushed open the hall doors, walked quickly to Xi Zifeng, and handed her a rolled parchment scroll. Speaking of it, Yanzi Military Town is filled with mutton-related restaurants; parchment is even more popular than paper as there must be many sheep in the Secret Realm if parchment is so prevalent for documentation.

Upon seeing the parchment, Xi Zifeng’s expression slightly changed. Gai Louxian, perceptively, said: "We’ve been disturbing you for some time, so perhaps we should take our leave now."

"No, this matter... you should also be aware." Xi Zifeng placed the parchment on the table: "An urgent report from Nocturnal Heaven City. Prince of Lanling, Ying Rushi, assassinated the Commander of the Baibao Guard and defected to the Qi Kingdom yesterday."

Xi Zifeng closely observed their reactions. Although unaware of their connection with Ying Rushi, Ying granting them a token to come here was a life-saving gesture. If they showed no concern or even pretended not to, she would reconsider their character.

She was satisfied with the outcome. Gai Louxian looked worried, Bu Liuguzhen seemed shocked with a hint of shame, but the most remarkable among them, Jiang Niang, remained expressionless after hearing the news. However, since Jiang Niang showed no emotion from start to end, Xi Zifeng, thus, asked directly: "Jiang Niang, what do you think?"

Surprisingly, Jiang Niang’s lips curled into a faint smile, instantly melting the winter snow in the hall, where even the fleeting cherry blossoms paled in comparison.

"I’m very pleased."