Chapter 190: New Mission: Internet (2/3)

However, this game did not possess a singular conclusion.

The original version harbored six disparate endings, and this version remade by the system likely contained even more; varied understandings and game progressions could easily trigger distinct finalities, just as a unique Silent Hill existed within everyone's heart, and the one Fang Qi had played through was merely one among them.

Of course, it was worth mentioning that the game's capacity to elevate and consolidate one's state of mind naturally differed depending on the individual's inherent mental cultivation; for those like Song Qingfeng and Shen Qingqing whose mental cultivation was fundamentally lacking, it was naturally impossible to ascend directly to Nalan Hongwu's level after finishing the game, whereas a player like Nalan Hongwu, who possessed an excellent state of mind, would naturally not emerge from the game entirely without improvement.

The central theme of the game's content lay in atonement, and the protagonist's psychological journey similarly represented the tempering of the player's own mind, so it inclined more toward eradicating the inner demons and distorted darker sides formed by inner sins, while to a certain extent consolidating the state of mind.

As for whether it was truly terrifying enough, that remained a matter of opinion where the wise saw wisdom and the benevolent saw benevolence.

For instance, cultivators like An Huwei and Xue Daolv, who firstly possessed no inner demons and secondly had decent mental cultivation, found the game quite thrilling, and though it was a bit horrific and bizarre, it was not to the point of being excessively frightening.

Su Tianji, though occasionally startled, still played with unbridled delight.

Yet for the majority of the disciples from the great academies...

"Junior... Junior Sister Luo, are we still playing Silent Hill today...!?" At the entrance of the internet cafe, Ye Fenghuo of the Xiyi Academy shook uncontrollably three times as he spoke.

"As excellent disciples of our academy!" Ying Zongxuan's face was cold and filled with righteousness. "What surpasses others should not merely be our cultivation level, but also an extraordinary courage!"

"Senior... Senior Brother Ying..." Luo Yun, who was sitting on the sofa having just finished watching Fang Qi's live stream, glanced at him. "Why is the back of your shirt drenched in sweat..."

Ying Zongxuan: "..."

...

Time reverted to two days prior.

The people of this world had never witnessed a horror game before, let alone the bizarre worldviews and frameworks concerning horror games and stories.

But it had to be said that under the impetus of Fang Qi and his group—the first to taste the crab—the results received were exceptionally good.

And it was at this time that Fang Qi received a new task.

New Task: The Journey of Binge-Watching in an Alternate World 2

Task Progress: The number of activated players for Silent Hill 2 reaches 200

Task Reward: The television series Wind and Cloud

The number of activations that day was barely nearing one hundred.

By the time Fang Qi finished streaming the entirety of Silent Hill, two days had already passed; it was the hour of noon, and Fang Qi, his calves feeling a bit weak, logged out of the game and glanced at the number of activations: 168

Because after Fang Qi streamed the grand finale, the numbers continued to rise.

"Whew..." Fang Qi exhaled a long breath.

Although it had been streamed intermittently over three days to finish the entirety of Silent Hill 2, this was simply too torturous!

Every day the stream started, he had to delve into the deep recesses of the earth where it was pitch black, and the entire game progression constantly cross-examined his own heart; Fang Qi felt as if his heart was about to be frightened right out of his chest.

In consideration of the host's hard work, which has brought significant revenue to this shop, a special reward is granted:

The Game Cultivation Room is open for three days

Fang Qi: "I just crawled out of a horror game only to enter hellish training, is this really a good idea?"

"Does this really count as a reward!?"

The system panel displayed:

The host may choose not to enter the Game Cultivation Room to cultivate, but the subsequent system tasks must be completed.

"There's another system task!?" Fang Qi stared at the system panel, dumbfounded.

New Task: Construction of the Internet

Task Goal: Open a branch shop in a new, unknown region and construct a cross-regional internet

Task Reward: Divine Weapon Fragments

Task Time Limit: 40 days

Task Additional Gift: Cross-regional Random Teleportation (Uses remaining: 11)

Task Failure: Seek another host

Fang Qi: "..."

"No... we've cooperated for so long, do you really have the heart to abandon this boss and leave me behind?" Fang Qi spoke up, "Do other hosts have game skills as good as mine? Is there anyone as adept at earning spirit crystals as this boss? If you can't earn spirit crystals, will you be able to eat your fill then? What if you starve? What if you miss me?"

System: "..."

What if I just don't change hosts after all!

Fang Qi knew this fellow of a system would resolutely refrain from answering such questions, so he could only wave his hand and say, "Then, can you tell me what this Divine Weapon Fragment is used for?" "Synthesizing divine weapons." The system panel displayed the introduction to the Divine Weapon Fragments; for instance, to synthesize the Dustless Sword, three Divine Weapon Fragments were required.

"Then this cross-regional teleportation..." Fang Qi asked, "Even coming back would be a problem for me, wouldn't it?"

System: "After upgrading permissions, a teleportation array between shops can be constructed."

"Just like... the one in Diablo?" Fang Qi remembered that the system had completely replicated the technology from Diablo within the game...

However, it wasn't just Diablo; presumably in this world where cultivators existed, things like teleportation arrays were also present, though it was estimated that such contraptions were exceedingly rare, because even Nalan Hongwu, Xue Daolv, and the others had never mentioned them.

...

"The boss is simply too incredible!"

"To think he actually played through to the ending!" At this moment, quite a few people had only just reached the Otherworld, and even those with faster progress were still a ways off from beating the game.

Yet with this kind of thing, even if one had watched the process once, the parts that were meant to be frightening were still frightening, and the fear that was meant to be felt was still felt; take Fang Qi for instance, this... was simply not on the same level of fright as the keyboard and mouse version.

One had to know that back when he played Silent Hill up to the later generations, he was someone who frequently toyed with all kinds of monsters in the game...

Having finished watching Fang Qi's live stream, while savoring the experience in their minds, they simultaneously prepared to get on the machines to try out some of the game highlights Fang Qi had streamed.

As for those who had missed this stream, they could only ask others or figure it out on their own.

"Cough! Cough!" Before the entrance of the internet cafe, a majestic middle-aged man dressed in yellow robes was seen standing within this small alleyway.

This middle-aged man possessed a square face, his eyes shining like torches, and he stood with his hands behind his back, revealing a hint of self-pride; he stood tall and erect, commanding awe without anger.

"It is right here!" An old servant following behind him spoke in a shrill voice; his face was flushed and his beard white, and though his appearance was aged, his eyes were quite spirited.

"Remember, this time I have altered my appearance and raiment, which counts as a disguised royal visit," the man in the yellow robe said. "There is no need to be too ostentatious."

"Your old servant understands!" The old servant was clearly extremely respectful.

"I shall see for myself just how miraculous this shop truly is, to have received the mutual praise of several chancellors and the high esteem of even several generals!"

...

And it was at this very moment, at the border of the State of Jin.

Rain fell drizzlingly from the sky above.

A colossally massive dharma boat flew from the distant clouds.

At this time, the sky was gloomy, with lightning flashing from time to time; this dharma boat was completely enveloped in a layer of spiritual light, remaining entirely unaffected.

In the sky, to say nothing of birds, even a colossally massive demonic fowl in the distance dared not approach! It steered far clear of it!

A young man with a cold and detached expression, dressed in white robes with gold thread that exuded an aura of supreme magnificence, stood precisely at the bow of the dharma boat, gazing intently at the city ahead, his face devoid of any expression.

His appearance looked to be about twenty years of age, but judging from his eyes, demeanor, and conduct, he lacked the greenness that should belong to this age.

Instead, he possessed a cold detachment that ordinary people could not comprehend.

"Jin, we have arrived."

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Apologies, the next chapter will likely be delayed, quite possibly past midnight...

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