Chapter 46: Bayberry
In the online game forum, Beiming Youyu found himself unable to resist the allure of playing the role of an otherworldly character, even though he was well aware that this game was unlike any other. Yet, even in such a short span of time, he couldn't shake off his inclinations to play.
In a hurry, he hastily posted a boastful message, titling it ambiguously: "Unveiling a Mind-Blowing Secret: The First Wave of Players are destined for greatness.
Deliberately leaving out crucial details in the title, Beiming Youyu knew that any post related to the trending "Prehistoric" game would garner an overwhelming response from the forum members. Every thread revolving around the game's hot topics was met with a flurry of enthusiastic replies, catapulting them to the top!
Unbeknownst to the players, a clandestine network of official staff members operated in the shadows, with even high-ranking officials deploying their agents to gain control over the game's backstage. Their objective was to unveil the identities of the initial wave of players.
I am determined to find were this game originated from!
Alas, their efforts would yield no fruit, for even external forces had caught wind of the frenzy surrounding the game and were relentlessly attempting to gain entry.
Within a mere minute of Beiming Youyu's post, it skyrocketed to the front page. Many users realized that this marked the arrival of the second batch of qualifying players!
Phoenix Strike: Boss, what have you discovered? Spill the beans quickly, don't keep us in suspense!
Endless Demon Soldiers: At this point, I'm convinced that this game is a gift from God. I believe every word you utter, even if you were to claim that in-game items can manifest in reality. I would probably buy into it!
Beiming Youyu: Just obtained the qualification. Following a "methodical" approach, I began a journey to find an NPC with whom I could communicate. I aimed to ascertain the current timeline, the progression of the storyline, and whether I could undertake the main quest.
Along the way, I cautiously traversed the treacherous terrain, evading formidable monsters, and consuming exotic flowers and fruits.
As Beiming Youyu unveiled his progress, he meticulously uploaded high-definition images. Suddenly, enormous creatures materialized, captivating everyone's attention. Among them stood a magnificent Optimus Prime, rising to unprecedented heights. However, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that what appeared to be Optimus Prime was, in fact, a single colossal thigh, deceivingly imposing in its grandeur.
One couldn't help but marvel at the boundless wonders of this prehistoric mythical world, where such inconceivable giants roamed.
In truth, Beiming Youyu dared not spare a second glance at this gargantuan creature. Consider the perspective—when one can only witness a solitary thigh, imagine the sheer magnitude of its proportions! It was estimated that even the slightest movement would result in being trampled to death.
As the mesmerizing spectacle unfolded before the viewers, a cluster of luscious red fruits came into view, teetering on the edge of releasing their succulent nectar. The sheer temptation was palpable, as if the sound of salivating could almost be heard resonating from the other side of the screen.
Jiutian Ouxian: Wait, does it resembled the red fruit in this picture and the legendary vermilion fruit? Could it be that you have encountered the elusive Zhu Guo, a rarity that appears once in a millennium?
Beiming Youyu chuckled mischievously and swiftly replied:
I've not only encountered Zhu Guo, but also an array of divine treasures that would leave you astounded. And that's just scratching the surface of the astonishing discoveries I've made. Get ready, because the most astonishing revelation is about to be unveiled!
Mengtun: Stop teasing us and reveal the truth already! I left the game the moment I heard there was a major revelation. Do you realize how much money I lost in those few minutes? I might as well have joined Laojun's sect in Honghuang by now!
Xiaozhang: You're absolutely right! The first wave players are logging off; they have no time for your empty boasts. We've seen it all!
With his head bowed, Beiming Youyu observed the ground beneath him, covered in a kaleidoscope of colorful fruits. The overwhelming sight made him almost retch!
Kobayashi: Think about what you're doing! I'm under surveillance while playing the game, and I'm already stressed enough!
Witnessing the growing impatience of the first wave players, Beiming Youyu could no longer hold back his revelation. Excitement surged within him as he moistened his parched lips, his nimble fingers dancing across the keyboard—a skill he had honed during his solitary life side by side his computer.
Beiming Youyu found himself traversing an indeterminate expanse of time until, at last, he encountered a fortuitous meeting with a humanoid NPC. Uncertain of the NPC's vulnerabilities, Beiming sensed his own inferiority in combat prowess. Prioritizing the acquisition of crucial information, Beiming hastened to engage the NPC in conversation, inquiring about the current year.
During their dialogue, the NPC's congeniality and intelligence displayed a distinct human quality that surpassed mere computer programming. It was as if a genuine person stood before Beiming, possessing depths beyond artificial constructs.
Jiutian Ouxian pondered the possibility that these individuals might indeed be more than mere data, speculating on the godlike nature of the game's creators, considering the immersive nature of their creation.
Yet, the urgency remained palpable as Mengtun eagerly awaited the cultivation of immortality within the game, urging Beiming to quicken his inquiry. The group understood the gravity of this moment, aware that they were on the verge of a unique opportunity during the prehistoric era—a period characterized by rampant chaos and the absence of celestial hierarchy.
Determined to acquire vital knowledge, Beiming posed a question to the NPC regarding the origins of the Monkey King and the creation of humans by Nüwa. Surprisingly, the NPC displayed no knowledge of God Nüwa but recounted encountering a deranged monkey in a time predating the world. Astonishingly, this encounter occurred shortly before the emergence of Pangu, marking the advent of the prehistoric era—a tumultuous period wherein even golden immortals paled in comparison to dogs, and Taiyi roamed unchecked.
Along their journey, Beiming and the group chanced upon exotic flora and fruits possessing extraordinary spiritual properties, highly coveted by future generations of immortals. Moreover, the treasures they stumbled upon were not yet formed but simply strewn about, innate objects lying at their feet.
The revelation of this momentous news incited excitement within Mengtun, who recognized the immense potential lying within the era's unclaimed treasures. While the birth of saints and the subsequent conquest of the world's riches had not yet begun, the current environment teemed with gangsters wielding the power of Da Luo and a profusion of innate magical artifacts.
Kobayashi seized upon the unparalleled opportunity, declaring the group's chance to contend for the position of saint, as the saints themselves had yet to emerge. Game Zhang, equally emboldened, aspired to surpass the seat of Hongjun and ascend to the position of Supreme Dao Patriarch. Hongjun's secluded training in Yujing Mountain paled in comparison to Game Zhang's journey eastward, where he sought to become the Taoist ancestor.
Eager to join the endeavor, Xiaobai proposed accompanying Game Zhang on his quest, vowing to seize Hongjun's fortune jade plate before engaging the creator himself. Game Xiaozhang rallied his companions, urging them to locate Yujing Mountain and inform the group upon discovery, enabling a unified assault against the othwr aspiring Taoist ancestor.
Mengtun interjected, noting that while the Tai Chi Diagram and the Pangu Banner resided in Hongjun's possession, the Chaos Clock likely lay upon the sun star—a coveted innate treasure destined to captivate the hearts of future saints. Reaching the celestial body itself seemed like an arduous undertaking.
Ji Laochan, realizing his current form enabled him to soar to great heights, relished the prospect of ascending to the heavens and sharing the sky with the sun. His newfound ambition also encompassed dethroning Donghuang Taiyi, the holder of the Chaos Clock, harboring an insatiable hunger to claim the mantle of Yaozu Celestial Emperor.
Concerned about the possibility of a bird assuming possession of the Chaos Clock, Mengtun contemplated the potential repercussions on their gaming experience, fearing the consequences of such an outcome.
Game Xiaozhang, seeking to uncover the true identity of the enigmatic being they had encountered, considered the difficulty of transforming into humanoid animals during the primordial era. He suggested that this individual might be a supernatural being of great might, raising the question of her true identity.
Beiming, with a mischievous grin, revealed a crucial detail he had gleaned during their interaction. Before his departure, he had forgotten to inquire about the name of the enigmatic entity, but when he left the game, the name "Yangmei" inexplicably surfaced in his mind, accompanied by her extraordinary beauty and amiable temperament.
The screenshot Beiming surreptitiously captured was promptly shared among the group, unveiling a commanding figure adorned in a resplendent green robe, standing proudly at the center of the image. Notably, the individual possessed long, willow-like eyebrows that fluttered gracefully, while her piercing gaze seemed to acknowledge Beiming's covert act, hinting at the existence of the camera.
A hushed silence descended upon the group as they collectively absorbed the profound implications of their discovery. Beiming, breaking the silence, pondered aloud about this Daoist. Regrettably, Fengshen and Journey to the West made no mention of this individual, implying her demise in later eras.
Game Xiaozhang, somewhat timidly, shared his limited knowledge of a deity absent from orthodox mythology—a great god also known as Yangmei.
However, the Yangmei they had encountered proclaimed herself as an Immortal. She claimed to originate from the primordial chaos—a contemporary of the mighty Pangu, if her words were to be believed.
In fact, this Immortal Yangmei could be considered the foremost master of chaos following Pangu's fall.
Beiming, now bewildered on the other side of the screen, uttered in disbelief, "What? Doesn't she resemble a bayberry tree in appearance?"
Stupefied, Beiming fumbled with the keyboard, attempting to reconcile the initial words spoken by her, which seemed to allude to her origins in chaos.