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Chapter 1682 Final Chapter - Crossing the Shore [26] - "A Crowd Gathers".

[Countdown has ended.]

[Of the players who chose to participate: 1689201 adventure players and 187319 casual players.]

[Soon to be transferred to the "Source Point" space...]

……

Su Ming'an sat cross-legged, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He didn't expect so many people to come even though they knew they couldn't be resurrected. The players had been too well-fed by the resurrection mechanism of the game, and many of them simply didn't have the courage to disregard life and death.

But upon closer reflection, among them are soldiers, firefighters, people who routinely perform acts of bravery, people who want to take a gamble, and even more people who are truly fearless in the face of death...

Most of the top-ranked players probably didn't come. He specifically asked the chat to help spread the message, telling high-powered players not to come, and the fewer people who come, the better. Since he cleared the game by himself, he considered it a clear for everyone, so he didn't need too many helpers. What was happening outside was more important.

Whether it's the struggle between the two dream inheritors under the World Tree, the collapsing sky, or the siege by the fanatical followers of the Radiant Mother Goddess... every side desperately needs high combat power.

He even wanted to complete the challenge alone, but he didn't expect the players to be so enthusiastic.

Perhaps it was the fact that the world game was about to end that spurred them on, or perhaps it was the "failure to pass the level means certain death" mechanism that made them come decisively... The number of them was indeed beyond Su Ming'an's expectations.

He stood up, looked ahead, and waited for the players who would come to his aid. They had come to support him, and he had an obligation to lead them well.

The next moment, he lost his composure.

"Swish, swish, swish—!"

Waves of white light refreshed all around him. One humanoid figure after another appeared around him.

With over a million participants, the white light kept flashing non-stop, and more and more people kept spawning, gradually filling the surrounding area and even spawning beneath the black water... where people could actually stand! It even spawned a layer overhead, like a mob spawner in Minecraft, with one "villager" after another appearing, gradually filling the empty area to the point of being impenetrable...

The original intention of this "trial" was probably to accept only a dozen or even a few participants. Generally speaking, only beings of higher dimensions or god-like levels could set foot here. This place is like a pilgrimage site for the noblest beings in the world, and also the birthplace of many cosmic organs.

However, thanks to the game's mechanics, any player can now sneak in, turning this most dignified, solemn, and tranquil space in the universe into a noisy and chaotic auditorium!
—This has truly become what Xiao Ai jokingly calls a "public toilet"!

Logically speaking, the source point has no concept of space, and no matter how many people stand there, there is room for them. However, as soon as this group of people saw Su Ming'an standing there, they instantly pounced on him like hungry wolves seeing fresh meat, roaring!
"I'm on! Lights!"

...What kind of light?

"Hmph hmph ahhhhh Su Ming'an ahhhhh!"

...Don't come any closer!
"Mom, Su Ming'an!"

...What mother?
"I must have been incredibly lucky! Out of millions of people, I was born into Su Ming'an's family!"

...Don't make it sound so disgusting!
Su Ming'an immediately left his original position, pushed off with his toes, and stood on the back of a blue whale in the air.

The players immediately followed suit, but their bodies were as heavy as mud, and they could only hop around like grasshoppers, waving their arms like zombies.

Seeing such a serious trial turn into a free-for-all, Su Ming'an felt helpless and somewhat amused.

...This is a trial with an "extremely high mortality rate and the possibility of not being able to be resurrected."

What are you all here for?

The gloom in his heart dissipated a little, and seeing these lively characters made him feel less depressed.

But the thought that they might die here... made his heart tighten again.

He realized that the players' power was being suppressed; otherwise, they wouldn't be unable to jump. He himself could jump because of god-level power… Therefore, it seemed that only power approaching that of a god could be effective here. Most people were no different from ordinary people.

Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure flying over.

Blue hair flying, gentle eyes—Lu Licarbos.

“I know you told all the high-level players not to come in, and you even wanted to clear the game by yourself.” Lu stood on the blue whale and spread his hands. “But we can’t leave everyone out. At least let me accompany you through this most difficult part of the journey.”

Lu is indeed the most suitable person at the moment. Su Lin and Lü Shu and others need to hold on to the "past," while Yamada Machiichi and Bei Wang and others need to hold on to the "present." Only Lu has some free time, and his combat power is at the god level.

“…I’m really worried this is the last time I’ll see you. You must take good care of yourself,” Su Ming’an said.

Lu laughed heartily, a smile rarely seen on his face: "You have a wealth of skills in spotting flags. Don't worry, I'm confident I can go all the way with you."

He lowered his gaze to the surging crowd. "But...they, have you considered what would happen if they were all wiped out..."

"Total annihilation?" Su Ming'an's brow twitched.

“I feel the mortality rate will be very high,” Lu said.

Su Ming'an was already considering whether to revert to a previous state after his death and issue an order for everyone not to come.

“…Don’t worry too much.” Lu spoke up at the right moment, shrugging his shoulders. “The system rules say that it ‘may not be able to be resurrected,’ not that it is certain, right? Even if you tell them not to come, many people will not listen to you at all. I think that more than 70% of the people chose to come in for their own benefit, and it has little to do with you.”

Su Ming'an was taken aback.

He lowered his gaze.

“Indeed, there are many people in this world who would do anything for their ideals. Even if you try to stop them, they will still desperately come in to help you. There are also many people who come in for personal gain, hoping to reap benefits. If you try to stop them, they will resent you, thinking that since you have already gained so much, why don't you let them come in and grab some too? What if they are still alive?” Lu Wenrou’s eyes flashed with a cold light. “Some people will not be grateful for your protection at all; they will only feel that you have robbed them of their chance to take risks… That’s human nature. Even if you try to stop them, those who are meant to come will still come. Respect everyone’s choices. You cannot make decisions for them, nor are you their babysitter. The game has already progressed to this point. Everyone should have their own judgment about what to face and what path to take. Your reminder has been very timely.”

He paused here, then suddenly laughed, "Sorry, I said something terrible."

Su Ming'an closed his eyes: "No."

At this moment, he thought of another crucial question—if death rewind is also a kind of "cosmic organ," which is superior or inferior as the "origin point" of the cell? Would it still be effective?

……

"Ding dong!"

[Gathering complete, trial begins.]

……

The white light finally stopped refreshing, and the area below was now packed like a monster spawner. The venue was actually quite large, but everyone was crowding towards the center, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Su Ming'an.

"It's so crowded! Those on the edge, please move to the outside!"

"I heard that Su Ming'an is in the central government, where is he?"

"Stop pushing! Su Ming'an is already in heaven!"

"Anyone looking to team up? Tier 4 Fire Warrior, guaranteed to be tanky and invincible!"

"My abilities are being suppressed... Is this a trial that purely assesses overall qualities?"

"I'm starting to regret it. I want to leave! Can I go back?!"

"Regret my ass! I regret not bringing my roommates along! I'm bursting with energy and incredibly strong right now!"

Su Ming'an glanced around and, sure enough, despite his warning, none of the high-level players had come, and the players fighting on the front lines were unable to leave. However, he saw a group of familiar faces—Xiao Xiao, Wang Zhenzhen, Talia, Hang Xin, Si Nian, Chen Yuhang… This was the escort team.

Strange, why isn't Wang Xingkong in there?

……

Three minutes ago.

Rovasa, outside the central city, a stronghold city.

Night fell like a thick, dark ink wash, pressing heavily upon the dilapidated city walls. A wind blew from the distant ruins, carrying the chilling scent of dust. The flames of war reached the sky, yet the escort squad awaited the signal from the front, a tranquility as if it were just before dawn.

Wang Xingkong vividly described the jokes he made at school, Mo Yan talked about his experiences in ancient martial arts families, and Ottilia told him about the funny things that happened when she went on missions with her daughter... They talked about Su Ming'an, the person who connected them from all over the world, and also about the uncertain tomorrow, what would happen to the world if they won.

Gradually, as if sensing that fate was approaching, they quieted down and waited for a signal from Su Ming'an.

Chen Yuhang drank his water and waited quietly. He didn't have any grand ambitions; he just wanted to tell his parents about this wonderful adventure if he could return safely.

"Hey, buddy." Wang Xingkong shifted his position, leaning closer in the silence, and lowered his voice, "Seriously, aren't you scared at all?"

"Yes, I'm scared," Chen Yuhang said honestly. "Of course I'm afraid of dying. Who isn't afraid of dying?"

"You look very calm."

“Brother Wang.” Chen Yuhang sighed and patted Wang Xingkong on the shoulder. “I’m more afraid of staying in what might be a fake Mingxi campus, day after day, attending classes, taking exams, getting meals, doing practice problems… until the college entrance exam, then going to university, finding a job, getting married and having children, growing old… I can see the end from the beginning. Then one day I suddenly realize that I haven’t really experienced anything in my life, I haven’t risked my life for anything I felt I had to do, and I don’t even know if I’m really myself. I’ll just die in a daze, following the routine.”

Wang Xingkong was stunned.

Chen Yuhang raised his head, braced his hands on the ground, and looked up at the sky: "Brother Wang, maybe we're all fake? We're just background figures created by the Disciple Game later."

"The more I think about these things, the more scared I become. I'm afraid that the mother I remember who would cook braised pork for me is a fake, that the father who would cover me with a blanket in the middle of the night is a fake, and that they don't recognize me as their fake son at all."

"But if we help Su Ming'an and buy even a fraction of a second for victory... Brother Wang, wouldn't our existence have some justifiable meaning? Even if we're fake, wouldn't what we did be real?"

"Many comments only know how to criticize, nitpick and blame, and treat other people's sacrifices and efforts as entertainment. But Brother Wang, I believe there will always be some people who can understand. People will not deny our hopes and efforts. Our existence will also be recognized."

Wang Xingkong took a deep breath, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Chen Yuhang's shoulder with a "smack": "Good buddy, that's right, I'm not dead! How could a top game streamer have suddenly died! I certainly couldn't have become the final boss of a dungeon and been killed! I'm still alive and well here, we'll become players, we'll find our parents—we'll go home together!"

They climbed over the school wall together, complained about the cafeteria food together, and slacked off during PE class together... Could all of this be fake?
This feeling, this connection, is absolutely real!
Even if the whole world is fake, they won't be fake.

The night wind blew in their faces, lifting their already dirty and tattered school uniform jackets.

Looking from here, the settlements are sparsely lit, while further away, the silver pillar of light in the direction of the Lord's Palace remains conspicuous.

"Brother Ming'an is really amazing." Wang Xingkong looked at the pillar of light and exclaimed, "One person has to face so many things... God, fate, the expectations of so many people."

"Yeah. They're about the same age as us."

"Yes, about the same size."

"I hope I can help him," Chen Yuhang said, something he had said many times.

“Yes,” Wang Xingkong repeated, “If only I could help him…”

He paused for a moment:
"If we can help him get things done, and then we can all get back alive, that would be even better..."

They sat side by side, gazing at the sky above.

The night breeze seemed to soften for a moment, carrying the scent of settled gunpowder. In the distance, the palace's pillars of light shone steadily, like an inextinguishable beacon in this world.

Silence fell between them. Chen Yuhang closed his eyes, his exhaustion relaxing at the edge of his tense nerves. He could feel the warmth of Wang Xingkong's body beside him and hear his calming breathing.

The sense of presence at this moment is real; the companionship of friends, shared goals, and the longing to go home... gradually isolate one from external pressures and fears, bringing a sense of peace.

Just as Chen Yuhang was almost immersed in the illusion of peace—

Suddenly, Wang Xingkong, who was standing next to him, seemed to shrink in size.

Chen Yuhang subconsciously reached out and grabbed Wang Xingkong's hand...grabbed it?
His eyes widened.

"Shh-!"

A deafening buzzing sound filled my ears, as if all other sounds had been torn apart...

A gaping maw, dark purple and abyss-like, suddenly appeared where they were sitting, like a door that had been abruptly opened!

The rift stretched from the edge of their territory all the way to the center of the town, and the fire went out instantly, as if all their powers had failed at that moment.

"Grab him!" Chen Yuhang reacted swiftly, his eyes wide with fury. He gripped the edge of the grass with one hand, his nails stinging, while his other hand firmly grasped Wang Xingkong's hand!

"Holy crap!" Wang Xingkong roared.

He glanced down instinctively, a wave of dizziness washing over him. Below him lay a viscous, purplish-black expanse, like surging lava, spreading outwards at an alarming rate, engulfing bricks, houses…

"Hang Xin!" a loud shout rang out.

Before Chen Yuhang's shocked eyes, Hang Xin fell into the abyss, and the next moment, her mother Talia jumped down without hesitation.

"Save them!" Wang Xingkong shouted instinctively.

“Brother Wang!” Chen Yuhang shook his head.

No one expected such a sudden turn of events. One second they were all calm and peaceful. The next, this abyss, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, burst open beneath their feet!

No one knew what lay below. Boundless demonic energy surged into the sky, mixed with the aura of evil, bloodshed, and desire, as if a gate to hell had been opened.

Chen Yuhang groaned, his body being dragged forward abruptly, his shoulder slamming heavily against the sharp rock, a sharp pain shooting through him. He gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white.

"I can't hold on any longer... Brother Wang!"

"Damn it! Use your strength! Pull me up!!!" Wang Xingkong wasn't going to say anything touching; he needed to live. "You're usually so strong in LOL, but now you're out of strength? Pull me up! Pull me up!"

Just as Chen Yuhang's vision went black—

A large, well-defined hand firmly grasped his wrist.

Red hair flowing in the wind, scars on his face.

This is the year.

He had somehow rushed to the side, his other hand swiftly extending, his wolf-like green eyes sharp as knives in the purple light reflected from the abyss.

"Hurry up!" Si Nian's voice was low and short.

With a "whoosh!" sound, the two were finally pulled up.

"Quick, get out of here! Don't fall down! This thing is getting bigger!" Si Nian shouted.

The two scrambled and stumbled as they rushed out, their steps never faltering.

The crowd fled in panic, their screams and shouts tearing at their ears.

"What is this?!"

"It's a monster, it's hell...!"

Countless pale, ashen hands emerged from the surface of the abyss, some resembling segmented insect limbs, others like pinched human body parts, twisted and combined together, inlaid with lips and eyeballs, clawing at the air.

More "hands" reached out, layer upon layer, like wronged souls trying to climb up in hell.

The purplish-black lava reflected scenes that did not belong to this world—distorted and warped reflections of towns, nests piled high with flesh and blood, and wastelands strewn with bones…

Rotting undead, imps with tattered fleshy wings, multicolored poisonous mist, transparent ghosts, armored monsters...

Just as people were trembling with fear, they all stared in the same direction.

Countless eyes, burning with will-o'-the-wisps and malice, pierced through the chaotic smoke and purplish-black mist like searchlights, locking onto the same direction.

—Chen Yuhang.

The key mark on Chen Yuhang's palm emitted a blinding light and a burning sensation, causing him to cry out in pain.

By the way, this is something that the great Su Ming'an instructed him to escort!

He suddenly realized that he had "luckily" become a hot commodity, and his existence protected others because he was the first target of these devils!

"I..." Chen Yuhang's throat went dry. He wanted to say something, but only managed to utter a single syllable.

The immense pressure made his bones creak, his soul felt exposed to countless greedy gazes, a storm of blades turned towards him, eyes from behind masks cast intrigued glances, and countless dark faces turned to him in unison…

Helpless.

It's despairing.

Just then—

"Roar--!!!"

Chen Yuhang only felt a blur before his eyes when a strong figure flashed by, picked him up, grabbed Wang Xingkong, and carried Xiaoxiao and Wang Zhenzhen on his back!

Its bare, dark red fur billowed like flames, and its canine teeth protruded from its lips. Si Nian instantly transformed into wolf form, reacting immediately and leading them in a hasty escape—

However, the next moment.

Like waves crashing against the shore, the pitch-black "tsunami" instantly overwhelmed their senses.

……

within the source point.

Su Ming'an waved his hand, and Chen Yuhang immediately flew over.

"Hmph! Ahhhhhhh—!" Chen Yuhang was so frightened that he trembled and screamed wildly.

Si Nian leaped up, but couldn't grab Chen Yuhang. He immediately tried to pull him back, but the frantic shouts of the people around him interrupted him:
"Holy crap! How did that guy get sucked away by Su Ming'an?!"

"That's Su Ming'an in the sky!"

"Who is that guy? Does he know the number one player?!"

Chen Yuhang was startled and realized that the person he was flying toward had jet-black hair flowing in the wind, a pair of almond eyes as calm as a lake, and wore a slightly tattered gold and white holy robe, like a slender lighthouse in a dark sea of ​​stars.