On another tranquil night, with the moonlight shimmering like water and stars twinkling like bright jewels against a deep sky, Cao Yi was in the Daoist temple's courtyard, organizing items into a purple-gold red gourd.
First were the high-quality jade pieces he had air-freighted back from Myanmar, totaling two to three hundred. In today's world, they could fetch a fortune, assuming they remained intact. Next was a millennium-old zombie from the goddess's tomb, Yelü Zhi Gu, now reinforced with additional sealing talismans for safety. Lastly, he had spent $1.6 million on 5,000 ounces of gold, which converted to about 8,782 taels of gold from the Qin dynasty.
"Done," Cao Yi said as he closed the gourd's lid.
"Host, will you continue traversing or return to the modern world?" a cold, emotionless voice asked.
"If I stay in other worlds for a year, how long will pass in the modern world?" Cao Yi responded.
"The modern world remains static, regardless of how long you spend in other worlds."
"Then let's continue traversing," he decided.
With a loud rumble, the Daoist temple shook violently, shrouded in a thick mist, giving it a mysterious aura. Howlingsky rushed in, initially frightened but quickly composed, settling down nearby. Ignoring it, Cao Yi stood at the door, watching the transformations outside.
"Ding! The available worlds are as follows..."
A series of worlds appeared: Mythical World, Three Kingdoms Red Cliffs, Qin Shi Ming Yue, and more, each with tasks assigned.
Choosing quickly, Cao Yi declared, "To the Mythical World," appreciating its manageable difficulty and potential for immortality.
"Ding! World selected."
Golden text filled the air:
- Crossing World: Mythical World
- Crossing Time: One year after Yi Xiaochuan's crossing
- Location: Dongshan, Kuaiji
- Main Task: Refine an immortality potion, obtain the time-space treasure box, Tianxing
- Sub-Task: Alter the fates of Xiang Yu, Gao Yao, Xiaoyue, and Lü Su
- Identity: A recluse in Dongshan
- Plot Entry Method: Visits from Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan
- Success Reward: 200 Daoist luck points
- Failure Penalty: Eternal existence in the Mythical World
With that, he entered the world.
It was spring in Dongshan, Kuaiji, with blooming peach trees surrounding him. "Is this the Mythical World?" he wondered, recalling the protagonist's background.
Yi Xiaochuan, the youngest in an archaeological family, had a privileged upbringing, often indulging in his desires. While he lacked responsibilities, he possessed some skills from his martial arts girlfriend's training. His life took a turn when he was attacked, leading to an unexpected time travel to the Qin dynasty after a series of mishaps.
Cao Yi reflected on the intertwining fates of the characters, including the contrasting Gao Yao, who was neither handsome nor charismatic but resilient in his own way.
"If the protagonist's design weren't so flawed, it could have been a masterpiece," Cao Yi mused as the system chimed in, "Ding! Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan will arrive in 10 minutes. Please prepare."