first player

Chapter 1571 Final Chapter - Crossing the Sea [44] - "For the Past".

“This magic circle…” Su Ming’an squatted down and quickly recognized the magic circle, recalling the events of the previous timeline:

……

After being dragged to a room by the executioner Hui Bi, Su Ming'an regained some of his vision. He looked around; this room... resembled Su Liujin's original room. Oil paintings, carpet, full-length mirror.

A blood-red pattern, resembling a ritual circle, was drawn on the carpet, surrounded by incense and candles.

[Su Ming'an lost too much blood; at the moment he collapsed, the sacrificial array on the carpet emitted a scarlet light.]

Before him stretched an endless ocean, and he saw Su Liujin standing in it.

……

Last time, after his survival time was reset to zero, he was dragged into a magic circle by the executioner Hui Bi, where he saw the Great Emperor of the Sea. The Great Emperor asked him, "Do you choose to go forward or backward?" This led to the choice between the sea-crossing line and the shoreline.

Therefore, it's right that Wang Xingkong's body is lying here. After all, this is the final outcome for "the previous self (the self controlling Wang Xingkong's perspective)." However, last time, Xiao Su didn't fall here.

It seems that this time, the series of butterfly effects I created have caused "my past self" and Xiao Su to fall here together.

“Destroy it,” Su Ming’an said.

Qianqin took a deep breath, raised the holy sword, and slashed down!
Holy light shot out, shattering the magic array into pieces.

The magic array that Li Ziqi could not destroy even with all her strength, Qianqin could destroy with just one sword strike.

"cluster."

At that moment, a candle was lit, and a blond, blue-eyed young man dressed in black, wearing an executioner's mask, appeared carrying a lantern.

"It's the executioner!" Fu Wenwen screamed in fright.

Hui Bi's gaze was fixed on the completely destroyed magic array, his eyes deep and somber. But he didn't react; instead, he looked at Su Ming'an: "Are you being chased? Come with me."

Time was of the essence, so Su Ming'an caught up with Hui Bi, and the others quickly followed.

“The first player is exceptionally intelligent. Can you deduce what I’m thinking?” Hui Bi seemed to have finally torn off her mask and revealed her true nature: “I’m not like that scoundrel brother. I won’t be as gentle and perfect as you all.”

He saw Li Ziqi come back from the dead and could easily guess that Li Ziqi's core was now Su Ming'an.

“Li Ziqi damaged a corner of the magic circle, and it is not yet complete. However, ‘my past self’ has already fallen within the magic circle and is meeting the Jellyfish Emperor.” Su Ming’an reasoned as he ran: “Therefore, meeting the Jellyfish Emperor should only be a side effect of the magic circle. Its true function will only be realized when it is completely completed.”

"I only admire intelligent people. Can you guess the true function of the magic array?" Hui Bi said casually.

"—Summon the Lord of Dreams or Pudding, right?" Su Ming'an asked.

Hui Bi glanced sideways, her emerald eyes appearing exceptionally deep under the light, like a pair of snake eyes.

“At the beginning of the instance, you and Pudding were the ones who guided me and acted as my novice instructors. At the time, I even felt that she was like a mother, and you were like… cough.” Su Ming’an said, “This magic circle is most likely related to that circle.”

He was worried that "every word spoken will be known," and he had already been tricked by Dieying more than once, so he used "that circle" instead of the term "the sober ones."

“I am not from that circle. My good brother Huimo insisted on flying into the fire like a moth, taking your clone with him.” Huibi said, “I am just a scholar. Apart from pursuing the mysteries of the universe, I do not want to get burned. I helped Pudding only because she can bring me the truth.”

“It’s a pity…you don’t appreciate it.” Hui Bi’s eyes darkened: “Why did you choose Lu Shen? Why not Pudding?”

"Hmm... because of first come, first served?" Su Ming'an tilted his head.

In truth, Su Ming'an simply believed that choosing Lü Shen was less risky. After all, Pudding had a close connection with the Lord of Dreams, while Lü Shen was alone and easier to control. He was used to holding hope in his own hands, and even if he had to choose someone to support, he wanted to be in the position of regent.

This reason made Hui Bi's eyes grow even deeper. He revealed the gentle smile that Su Ming'an was familiar with, a fake smile that, under the light, was as cold as a thousand-year-old glacier.
"You still have time to change your stance, otherwise we will be enemies."

"Is that lousy location really that attractive?" Su Ming'an said, "What if the Lord of Dreams is playing a trick on you? The previous successors have all disappeared."

“I don’t care,” Hui Bi said directly. “That’s Pudding’s business—she gives me the truth, I help her, it’s a fair trade, that’s all.”

"In pursuit of wisdom and truth, you slaughtered innocent people, you committed countless evils for Pudding, ensuring her hands remained clean and unstained by blood, ensuring her theory of 'supporting human good' would forever shine with righteousness..." Su Ming paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and whispered:

"...They do look quite similar."

"Except for being taller."

Suddenly, I bumped against something cold on my side.

It's the muzzle of a gun.

The frail scholar held a lamp in one hand and a gun in the other. Half of his mask was dark and menacing, while the other half of his face was cold and aloof like white jade. As he ran, the muzzle of his gun was silently pressed against Su Ming'an, and his wide black robe blocked the view of Qian Qin and the others behind him.

"Give me an answer," Hui Bi said softly. "Choose me."

“I don’t really like being on the same side as guys who kill innocent people,” Su Ming’an said.

"Do you know why Pudding is codenamed 'Magical Girl'?" Hui Bi wasn't angry. "Magical girls help the poor fulfill their wishes. The sacrifices we choose are people who don't have much time left and are in dire straits. Li Ziqi has a terminal illness, and she only has a few months to live. I gave her the opportunity to fulfill her wish. It's better for her to become a big star and then kill people for blood than for her to suffer bullying until she dies. If she hadn't insisted on resisting, she could have taken a lot of money to support her mother and sister. She couldn't earn that much money in her entire life."

Hui Bi's words are like a philosophical question: You have three months to live. Do you want to maintain your current impoverished life until you are tormented to death by a terminal illness, or do you want to give up these three months to realize your dreams in two or three days, become a world-class superstar, or a world-class painter or world-class e-sports player, leave behind a large fortune and die in the world's spotlight?

Many people would probably choose the latter.

A fleeting moment of brilliance lasts two or three days, while a life of mediocrity and suffering lasts three months.

However, Li Ziqi was an exception. She had seen the light and believed that the formation of the magic array would lead to the destruction of all living beings, so she resolutely gave up the opportunity and decided to sacrifice herself to destroy the magic array.

Some are transformed into butterflies by soaking in blood, while others burn themselves out to ignite the flames.

"So, you really think my actions are utterly heinous? Many people are extremely grateful to me for giving them a fleeting opportunity." Hui Bi said, "Mediocre people never even reach the footsteps of geniuses in their entire lives; they beg for this opportunity until their very death."

"I'm not criticizing your behavior, I just simply don't like it," Su Ming'an said calmly. "Give me some more time to think about it. I'll tell you my answer next time we meet."

"..." Hui Bi was silent for a while, then turned around.

"Turning around and saying to me, 'It's next time we meet, give me an answer,' doesn't count," Su Ming'an said immediately.

Hui Bi turned back with regret.

Suddenly, a sound came from behind.

“He’s caught up with us,” Hui Bi said.

"Who exactly is he?" Su Ming'an asked.

Hui Bi's expression was clearly different, but she shook her head and said, "I don't know. He's neither a staff member of the Disciple Game nor a player. I've never seen him in any of the countless loops before."

—Even someone appearing in the loop for the first time?

Su Ming'an really wanted to give Hui Bi a good scolding to make her like him more and tell the truth. However, the reversal mode was the Rovasa mode, which probably only affected the Rovasa people and did not include those related to the conscious ones.

“There’s a game level ahead. After you clear it, you can reach the third basement level and see what you’re looking for.” Hui Bi pointed to the door ahead: “Go forward.”

"you……"

“I’ll hold him off for a while, otherwise you won’t even be able to get through the door.” Hui Bi picked up the oil lamp, stopped running, and turned around.

"You will die." Su Ming'an didn't expect Hui Bi to help.

“Hmm.” Hui Bi glanced sideways and curled the corners of her lips: “So, what I said earlier was, ‘See you next time.’”

The next time they meet, Su Ming'an will jump to an earlier point in time, when Hui Bi was still alive.

As for the present moment, it is not important.

They will meet again, in Hui Bi's "past" and in Su Ming'an's "future".

"You're so eager for the mysteries of the universe that you'd be willing to die here?" Su Ming'an was skeptical.

“Saving you here was a mission Pudding gave me. Once I complete it, she will reveal some truths to me, and the only way for me to complete this mission is through death,” Hui Bi said.

"Even if I die here, you will continue to jump to even earlier points in time. You can go back to the past and tell that past me—"

He curled his lips into a smile, his emerald eyes gleaming with a flickering light.
"My future self has completed my mission and died for you. My past self can then exchange this for the truth from Pudding."

"I thirst for knowledge, regardless of the time or the 'me' at any point in my life. I believe that no matter what stage of my life I am in, I can open the door to new knowledge and glimpse the myriad wonders of the universe."

"So what if this still ignorant me becomes the stepping stone for the 'knowledgeable me,' and the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe?"

“I die here, but I can gain wisdom for my past self.”

"Go."

Hui Bi raised the oil lamp, and in an instant, the lamp shone as brightly as the sun, and the wooden handle resembled a magic staff.

This oil lamp turned out to be his real weapon.

Like the philosopher in the cave, he lit a fire and waded forward. The light source was the wise man's best weapon, dispelling the dull darkness in the cave.

Su Ming'an never expected that Hui Bi would be so resolute... exchanging her future death for the wisdom of the past.

“Go on, forward,” said the blond lantern bearer.

"Click——"

The heavy door was pushed open, and the group rushed inside.

The blue-eyed youth carrying the oil lamp disappeared into the distance, leaving only the flickering lamplight.

……

"Ding-dong!" A system notification sounded:
"Welcome, contestants, to the second basement level!"

"This level is called—'The Demon King and the Hero'! A simulation management game!"

"You can form teams freely, divided into two teams, only one team can win and enter the third underground level!"

Upon hearing this name, Su Ming'an looked up at the ceiling, surprised that the Supreme Lord's pirated game had become so shameless, even stealing Su Lin's.

Two people were already waiting in the hall; they were the two who had just scattered and fled. The man was named Liu Chongping, the old soldier who had scolded Qianqin. The girl was named Song Ziyi, the eldest daughter of a wealthy family from the Celestial Clan.

There were seven people present: Hui Zi, Su Ming'an, Fu Wenwen, Liu Chongping, Zhou Sheng, Song Ziyi, and the seriously injured Qian Qin. It seems they must form two teams of three and two teams of four.

Fortunately, the room was already enclosed after the game started, so the pink-haired girl didn't come in. However, the moment the game ended, they had to scatter and escape again.

"Before the grouping, we must consider one issue: given the cruelty of this game, the losing team will definitely die." Song Ziyi said arrogantly, "The best way is to put the superior races in one team and the inferior races in another, and let the despicable inferior races all die."

"On what grounds?" Liu Chongping frowned. "Every life is priceless. How can we differentiate based on race?"

"Heh..." Song Ziyi sneered, "You're nothing but a lowly Hourglass Clan member, cannon fodder on the battlefield. How can your life compare to that of the noble Celestial Clan?" She flicked a speck of dust between her fingers and mocked, "Do you know? The War of Eden was orchestrated by our Celestial Clan. With just a few words from us, you—can only go to the battlefield as cannon fodder. If you talk back again, once we're out of the game, I'll send your entire Hourglass Clan to the battlefield to die!"

No wonder Su Liujin wanted to abolish the food chain; there are countless people like Song Ziyi in the Disciple Game.

Before the Disciple Game, superior and inferior races would never even meet in their lifetimes; the princes and princesses of Sky Island were worlds apart from the common folk in the vegetable garden. However, the Disciple Game gave them the opportunity to interact, and they desperately discovered the vast chasm between social classes.

Liu Chongping remained calm in the face of such injustice.

He pounded his chest and said calmly:

"While you guys are racing cars and dancing every day, we're the ones on the front, eating dry rations and digging for wild vegetables."

“My wife was killed in a suicide attack by militants, all for the sake of the honor of ‘killing civilians’.”

“My comrade was hit by a shell and was left with only his hands. These hands had won a gold medal in a national piano competition, but they were useless. No one cared how much he could achieve in the future because you gave the order that even the most precious talent would become dust on the battlefield.”

"I know you young masters and ladies of the Celestial Clan aren't unaware of human suffering, but knowing we're enduring hardship, you still flaunt your extravagant spending for your own amusement. There's really nothing I can do for you. If it weren't for this game, I probably would never have seen your noble face in my entire life. All the military pay I've earned for my country, risking my life for it, wouldn't even be worth a single piece of your jewelry… But…"

"Thank goodness for this game."

His weathered face revealed a wildness:
"I can drag you down with me."

"What can you do? If I could attack now, I could easily slap you to death!" Song Ziyi pointed at Liu Chongping.

Liu Chongping turned to Su Ming'an and said, "You guys should form a team. You, Qianqin, Ms. Huizi, Mr. Zhou Sheng, or Ms. Fu Wenwen. You should all survive."

"No! Qianqin must team up with me!" Song Ziyi, having witnessed Qianqin's strength, immediately shouted.

"..." Qianqin remained silent for a moment. Just moments before, Liu Chongping had reprimanded her so harshly, yet now, it seemed as if a silent reconciliation had been reached between them. He didn't cling to the chance to live; instead, he decided to drag Song Ziyi, this ruthless member of the Celestial Clan, down with him.

“There are many people like Song Ziyi in the world,” Qianqin reminded her.

...You can't kill them all, but you only have one life.

“I know.” Liu Chongping raised his head. “But she alone is enough to kill countless soldiers. If I have to sacrifice my life to drag her down with the game, that’s the only thing I, as a lower race, can do.”

“If I kill her, there will be one less officer in the world who despises human life, and more poor soldiers will live.”

“Killing to protect life…” He paused, “So that’s what it means, Knight Thousand Harp. Was that what you were thinking when you killed those Dark Side soldiers? Kill one to save ten thousand.”

“I will not defend my sins; murder is murder,” Qianqin said.

Liu Chongping patted his chest and said, "Therefore, I will not defend my sins. I just feel that if the four of you live on, you can save far more people than if she and I live on."

"so."

"Please live on, and go save more and more people."

He walked to the left, which was the position of the red team.

After his wife died, his life seemed to have a void.

He couldn't distinguish what he was fighting for, or what glory he was fighting for. The politicians on the stage laughed heartily, swirling their glasses, while he and his comrades walked towards death, carrying pain and burning passion.

His son disappeared and never returned home. He ate alone, drank alone, looked at the framed photos on the wall alone, and watched the armed men on TV, swaggering and vying for the honor of attacking civilians...

He didn't know what was wrong with this country, or what was wrong with this world.

As an ordinary person, even the smallest happiness is difficult to achieve. Yet, adults in high positions can shatter all of a family's plans and future with just a single word.

Many things in this world have changed, but some things in his heart remain unchanged. As a soldier, some things are still deeply rooted in his heart.

—Kill the enemy.

Once, the enemy he deeply hated was a warrior saint like Qianqin.

However, he gradually realized that the real enemy sometimes comes from within.

"So, in this world, not all enemies are ugly. Although the Thousand-Piano Knight is the enemy, she showed me the justice in her heart. And although Song Ziyi is on our side, she chills me to the bone more than the enemy..." Liu Chongping thought to himself.

Fortunately, he used to be able to protect his country.

Now, he can also protect the last piece of land in his heart.

"You choose, Zhou Sheng or Fu Wenwen?" Hui Zi looked at Su Ming'an.

Qianqin and Huizi are both highly capable and must be included in the team; only one of them can be chosen as the fourth person.

Zhou Sheng clutched his chest wound and slumped to the ground. He was already barely clinging to life, and the constant running had left him on the verge of death.

Fu Wenwen was not injured. This girl is exceptionally lucky, with helpful people assisting her along the way.

They all looked at Su Ming'an with pleading eyes; the weight of human life was extremely heavy at this moment.

However, Su Ming'an quickly made a decision.

"Zhou Sheng, is this okay?"

This is not a choice made against Zhou Sheng.

This is an inquiry to Zhou Sheng, asking if he can accept being abandoned.

Zhou Sheng's pupils contracted for a moment. He had expected the big star to become hysterical, but instead, he sighed with relief:

"Alright... then it's me. After all, my internal organs were almost falling out. If it weren't for Knight Qianqin's healing, and if it weren't for your heroic rescue, I would have died at the hands of Qi Meng and the others long ago."

"I really can't go any further... Consider it repaying you with my life. Cough!"

Song Ziyi finally couldn't hold back any longer. Unable to defy Su Ming'an's decision, she turned her anger on Fu Wenwen and roared:
"You despicable, inferior race! What's the point of you living! Zhou Sheng is a big star; his life can bring joy to so many people. You're just a student who can't do anything! Why don't you just kill yourself here and let Brother Zhou Sheng die in your place?"

Fu Wenwen lowered her head and remained silent.

She also understood that her value in life was far less than Zhou Sheng's. Although Liu Chongping said that human life is priceless, in reality, everyone's value has a price tag.

Su Ming'an chose Fu Wenwen solely because Zhou Sheng's injuries were too severe and he wouldn't survive without Qianqin's continued treatment; it wasn't for any other reason.

"Don't scold her..." Zhou Sheng spat out a mouthful of blood and pulled out a blood-stained origami star from his pocket.

Since it was during the game, the pink-haired man was already waiting outside the door, so no one stopped Zhou Sheng from giving his last words.

Zhou Sheng handed the origami star to Su Ming'an:

“Here, I feel… you are the most trustworthy person. I would like to ask you to help me find someone.”

“I came to participate in the game… to find an online friend… Rovasa is too big; we’ve always been separated by mountains and seas, unable to meet… but this online friend told me… she’s very famous in the game. I want… to meet her, so I joined the game…”

"To become famous... I have to eat super spicy chili peppers... wear revealing clothes... and sleep with high-ranking nobles..."

"But only she...would...comfort me...she didn't know I was a celebrity, she was just comforting me as a person..."

"Fold paper stars and give them to her."

"She was gentle, reserved, and shy... I don't know her real name, I only know... her eyes were beautiful, like flames..."

Su Ming'an heard these words again.

The last time was before Zhou Sheng died. He was covered in blood and collapsed in the poison gas. Tian Ying was passing by and casually shot him, shattering his skull.

This time, it was still before Zhou Sheng died.

On the colorful origami paper, a line of neat handwriting reads: "I've always wanted to see you. Our online chats, day and night, have healed my pain. When I finally see you, I want to give you the most beautiful flowers and tell you... I like you."

Su Ming'an took the origami star and remained silent for a moment. He was the only one who knew the truth.

A moment later, he put the origami stars and the nightingale's tin foil hearts into the same pocket.

The two netizens who huddled together for warmth, neither of them actually survived.

If Tianying had known that the online friend was Zhou Sheng, she probably wouldn't have dared to recognize him given his pained appearance. His offline personality was vastly different from her imagination.

Zhou Sheng felt the same way. If he knew that the gentle and reserved netizen was Tian Ying, and saw her go on a killing spree... he probably wouldn't be able to accept it either.

Sometimes, whether to know the truth or to hold onto illusions, no one knows which is right.

Zhou Sheng, clutching his swaying body, walked towards the opposite side, as if heading to the execution ground.

Su Ming'an was very familiar with the game "Demon King and Hero". Even if he played alone, the other side could not beat him.

He manipulated his largest piece to gather resources, blocked the opponent's pieces in time, balanced the battle, and finally sent his largest piece to the top...

In just ten minutes, Su Ming'an's blue team won.

At the moment the verdict was announced, Song Ziyi was still hysterical:
"I am a Celestial! I won't die here! This damn game, it won't dare kill me! Let me out, I'm going to call my family here and kill you all!!!"

Liu Chongping remained quiet, simply clutching his wife's pendant.
"I hope my actions today will protect my missing son from being harmed by his ruthless superiors... Soldiers should truly defend their country, not become meaningless cannon fodder in the struggle for power..."

"Hopefully, in the new world, that newly born member of the Rin clan can become the best world lord, eradicating these deep-rooted darkness..."

Zhou Sheng was barely able to speak; he had lost too much blood and was swaying precariously.

He looked at Su Ming'an:

“I… own a property in… Qiluo Kingdom, it’s the only thing that truly belongs to me…”

“If I sell it, I can give it to… the Blue Sky Orphanage that I’ve been supporting…”

"Please... you."

Su Ming'an closed his eyes.

A flash of red light, and the three defeated men vanished from their spot.

The gates were open, signaling that the victor could proceed.

"Shh!"

At the same time, a pink and blue scythe suddenly flashed past the spot where Su Ming'an was standing!
The game is over, the pink-haired guy has arrived!
Her long, wavy hair was striking and beautiful, and she wore a floral mask that glided across the room like a rainbow, dazzling the eye.

"He's here again! If the Great Emperor doesn't show his power, he really thinks I'm a jellyfish!" roared the War God Dragon King.

“…I thought you were asleep,” Su Ming’an said as he stepped aside.

"Well, I was just checking on 'Wang Xingkong's' situation." The Emperor pointed his finger: "Anyway, Lao An, kill him!"

……

You can choose to "punch". Please roll the dice.

[Required points: 20 (Points > 20, punch successful. Points < 20, punch fails.)]

[Your throw is 20 points! A great success!]

……

Just by looking at the required number, you can tell how strong the pink-haired person is; under normal circumstances, you couldn't beat them at all. But unexpectedly, they rolled a "Critical Success." In the judgment system, a "Critical Success" means ignoring everything and succeeding immediately, possessing an almost rule-based dominance.

Under the worried and shocked gazes of the crowd, Su Ming'an threw a punch!
"boom--!"

The pink-haired man's figure flew out like a cannonball and was slammed into the wall by this punch, leaving a dent!
The wall was cracked and covered with countless spiderweb-like cracks!
A series of muffled, loud noises emanated from all around, like the sound of meteorites hitting the ground!
A fierce wind howled, and in everyone's eyes, the slender "girl" who threw the punch seemed incredibly powerful, with arms as strong as walls and a body as large as a mountain! One punch could split the heavens and the earth and shake the azure dragon!

It can be used to strike down the heavens above and punish villains below!
God of War! Dragon King!
"Could she actually be the incarnation of the Dragon King?" Fu Wenwen exclaimed in surprise, overwhelmed by this powerful force.

"This, this is too outrageous..." Qianqin grabbed the person and ran, shocked as she ran.

"Old An, quickly smirk and give me a wicked smile," the Emperor said.

Su Ming'an ignored him; he couldn't laugh at all. He quickly turned around and ran underground.

The Emperor got incredibly lucky, rolling a 20 for a Grand Success. Any 19 would have rendered the punch completely ineffective. What defeated the pink-haired man wasn't Li Ziqi's power, but the rules of Grand Success.

Finally, he arrived at an archive room.

With time of the essence, there was simply no time to search bit by bit, so he had no choice but to use his own skill—"Clues Insight." Using his skill carried a risk of being targeted by a higher dimension. Fortunately, after using it, Su Ming'an experienced no immediate reaction.

Following the direction of the red circle, he found a videotape.

After the video played, the screen clicked, and a white-haired boy appeared.

"We were all wrong, we were all deceived." The white-haired boy seemed to be speaking to someone:
"His true authority... is not 'creation' at all!!"

"The foundation of Rovasa... is conceptually flawed!"

……