Chapter 462: Is It the Same Type of Time Stop?

Campus novel Blue Star 77nt Blue Star text / Chapter: 5431:

"This Dang Hun squad is different from our teams participating in faction confrontation missions—they're already an S-class squad and are currently undertaking a promotion mission; logically, we shouldn't be entangled with them."

In a corner of the inn's main hall, a white-haired man with short hair, polishing a pistol, sat with several others around a square table and spoke slowly:

"A Reincarnator has obtained the identity of the scripture seeker and walked out of Chang'an without the Dang Hun squad's assistance, even clashed with them—do you know what that means?"

Lu Beiyun was supporting the Gu Master Xue Rui, channeling spiritual energy into her, while the man named Bai Zhou was cleaning a massive bear pelt, greenish, eerie flames scorching the black fur; the inn's air reeked of charred flesh.

Many common townsfolk sat around them, yet they seemed utterly unaware of this anomaly, casting no glances—as if this were perfectly normal.

"It means they're stronger than us," Lu Beiyun said. "Bai Mingsheng, I sense you're hinting at something."

"Not just stronger—their entire team's fortune is better than ours. What do we have to fight them with?" The man called Bai Mingsheng pointed his gun at the bear head, tiger head, and ox head laid out on the table.

"No matter how lucky we are, we only scavenged and killed these first-tier monsters to replace them—the main quest is already complete."

"Kill one more squad, earn enough points, and we can exit this team battle outright—let them drown the world in floods and turn heaven and earth upside down."

"Think about it—if they could easily handle the target, would they let other squads go eat Tang Seng's flesh? We have no need to be the stone thrown to test the waters; a little probing, just enough to show intent, is sufficient."

This Journey to the West world differs from others, with unique nicknames: "Scripture Seeker's Graveyard," "Promotion Mission Dead End," "Team Battle Exclusive Dungeon."

Compared to our group of Reincarnators barely holding ground, the Dang Hun squad is already somewhat famous within the Reincarnation Space.

After all, they're among the top tier of S-class squads, possessing a rudimentary understanding of the Reincarnation Space and the Abyss's inner workings—yet even such a squad has been stuck in this dungeon for years.

The Dang Hun squad posted a notice on the Reincarnation Square bulletin board, informing other squads that the world's natives are targeting Reincarnators who've obtained the scripture seeker identity.

They also promised not to let other Reincarnators attack the scripture seeker, so generally, no Reincarnator would refuse to cooperate.

"Tang Seng seems to follow the Gu Master path too, yet managed to annihilate Xue Rui's life Gu—estimated power at least one tier higher, forcing your three to flee; another tier higher."

"No one else has moved yet—we know nothing about their team composition, power system, or equipment."

"Do we know Dang Hun squad well? Do we have many revival points? We're all veterans—no need to risk this."

Bai Mingsheng analyzed, the backbone of this team, wielding heavy influence in major decisions.

A bespectacled fatty hesitated: "But won't we offend them, considering…"

"Are they the current rulers of this world? Are they already a double S-class squad?" Bai Mingsheng retorted; seeing everyone shake their heads, he tapped his gun against the ox demon's skull and said:

"I've said before—you can treat the Abyss as a peculiar natural phenomenon: it expands, grows, and devours countless universes, including our native world, yet it has no active aggression."

"When mortals face natural disasters, who do they blame? Themselves for bad luck."

"This universe has been affected by the Abyss—originally a minor issue, but the Reincarnation Space dragged it deeper. If the Dang Hun squad completes this act, only then will they gain the SS-class squad's exclusive world jurisdiction."

"Right now, they're nothing at all—yet these plague-bringers have arrived. Fatty, open the Shanhe Map and let them in."

The others in the team quickly sat down; after a few breaths, the people and objects in the inn gradually blurred, leaving only black-and-white shapes in heaven and earth.

When dozens of beings with varied skin tones and powerful auras entered, the surroundings reverted to the inn; the serving boy hurriedly wiped the square table clean and pushed together four or five tables.

"White Team, long time no see," Yi One smiled as he entered, his soft face tinged with seduction: "Why not join Dang Hun today, right now?"

Bai Mingsheng swiftly scanned the others, then said: "You're making a huge move—the majority of this world's souls have been…"

"Hey, don't say that," Yi One placed a finger to his lips, softly.

"Everyone who knows, knows—don't show off, you're just a junior from an SS-class squad."

"How about it? Still not planning to join us? I wouldn't mind warming your bed."

To a normal Reincarnator, he'd truly have no interest.

But Bai Mingsheng was one who survived an A-class mission right after entering the Reincarnation Space—immense potential; had his former squad not been wiped out, he wouldn't be soloing now, taking this old-hand-newbie route.

How he survived remains a mystery.

He'd heard rumors that Bai Mingsheng inherited much of that squad's legacy.

"Don't disgust me," Bai Mingsheng said bluntly. "State the reward, the plan—be clear. And we know nothing about that squad."

"Heh, you're impatient," Yi One didn't mind his tone—Bai Mingsheng had the right to be. "Their squad has two newcomers."

Chu Lingyun, female, 37, from Ming Wanli 20th year, Great Ming Empire, descendant of Prince Zhu Zhen of Chu.

On the sixth day of the first month, Wanli 21st year, the great victory at Pyongyang—Japanese invaders suffered a crushing defeat.

Afterwards, defeated and furious, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with aid from native onmyoji, began seeking a power called Crimson Moon.

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, Wanli 22nd year, Obon Festival, the Japanese invaded Korea again—but this time, every soldier wore crimson demon masks, radiating ominous energy; they ate nothing, drank nothing, rested not at all; wounds healed merely by bathing in blood.

In Wanli 30th year, again on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, a coalition of cultivators from many nations marched onto the transformed dead land of Japan—every sight was ruins and rotting corpses.

Seven days later, on the day the Crimson Moon swelled, the cultivators saw in the depths of the flesh-fortress of Fushimi Castle a monster formed from countless samurai skulls.

The crimson demon masks emerged from the mouths of these skulls, carried outward by demonic creatures; at the deepest core of Fushimi Castle lay a pool of blood, within which sat Toyotomi Hideyoshi wearing a golden demon mask.

Chu Lingyun drew her long blade, its surface unnaturally crimson: "That battle was catastrophic—many elders used the Soldier's Liberation technique to gain a sliver of chance to destroy the culprit."

"Then what?" Zhang Heng asked.

"Only during the seven days of Obon could one enter the Dead Country. When we withdrew, I didn't make it out in time," Chu Lingyun's eyes darkened slightly, as if recounting something trivial.

Su Lin nodded, pressing: "How did you enter the Reincarnation Space?"

"Beneath Fushimi Castle's blood pool lay a door. To survive, I and the remaining comrades chose to enter," Chu Lingyun said with faint relief:

"What slept there was the True Body of the Heavenly Demon—luckily, its power was already exhausted, narrowly avoiding disaster."

"After killing it, I gained entry to the Reincarnation Space—but I don't know if my fellow warriors entered here too."

In late autumn, roosters crowed early; the group boiled porridge from last night's takeout and set off.

Lately, ingredients were scarce—even takeout offered little in the way of Great Sage-level fare; last night's meal still came from the Immortal Palace's stock, delivered during their first collaboration with Mr. Shi.

Even so, both new Reincarnators broke through immediately after eating.

Along the way, per the contract Su Lin had made with them, he provided certain cultivation assistance, and in return, they gave him information about their world.

Of course, Su Lin also bartered—exchanging equal-level spells for their world's cultivation techniques.

"It's similar to your modern world—invaded by demonic creatures," Su Lin, riding his horse, thought of Zhang Heng's situation.

But Zhang Heng's world was a bit more elaborate—zombies, superpowers, interdimensional magic, demons, urban apocalypse, legacies… why does this feel familiar?

"Senior, how did you enter the Reincarnation Space back then?" Zhang Heng asked curiously.

"Have you ever watched those streaming broadcasts? The eerie kind—no puzzles to solve, no clearing, and you get killed by the eerie entities." Su Lin saw the other nod and said, "I cleared one demon livestream."

This Reincarnation Space's method of filtering Reincarnators is truly inhumane—it plays all sorts of tricks. Isn't there even one option like 'yes' or 'no,' or 'yes' or 'yes'?"

But because of this, even newcomers filtered out here aren't pure novices, and the survival rate for missions increases significantly.

Still, the constant apocalyptic crises in today's infinite stream are just too terrifying.

"That's actually quite up-to-date," Zhang Heng said, surprised—but upon further thought, he figured the alternative probably wasn't any better.

Compared to the early days of the apocalypse in my world, where all the zombies could be physically killed, eerie horror is far more dangerous.

"What about the others?" Zhang Heng looked ahead at Shi Hao: "Senior Huang Tian Di, you—"

"Same as him." Shi Hao pointed at Su Lin. "All of us cleared that livestream."

Hearing this, Zhang Heng froze and turned to the others: "You all cleared the demon livestream too?"

"Mm." Li Huowang and Han Li nodded.

Zhang Heng was stunned: "You're talking about the same demon livestream?"

"The same one. We cleared it together in that world and entered the Reincarnation Space." Su Lin said.

No wonder they all took such names—they're all fellow countrymen from the same place.

Zhang Heng felt a tinge of envy; for instance, Chu Lingyun also came into the Reincarnation Space with her comrades, though they hadn't met yet.

But on my side, everyone is dead.

"The Reincarnation Space's exchange list contains many methods to revive the dead."

Su Lin's voice drifted into Zhang Heng's ears: "As long as you survive, everything can be salvaged. When you become a Great Master, you can even reverse time across an entire planet."

"Thank you, Senior Gu Yue Fang Yuan." Zhang Heng knew the man was encouraging him, but thinking back to what he'd read before, he found it strange.

At least one Tang San must be in the team to keep things under control.

Wait— isn't there a Tang San right here?

Zang? Hidden away? Gu Yue Fang Yuan traveled back to Earth, hid, and became Tang San—is this the ending of that book?

【I'm just reminding you: don't indulge in wild fantasies. My cultivation technique has already been traded away with the senior. And even if the senior doesn't have a similar ability, you now—】

"What you lack right now is time to grow," Su Lin spoke up, drawing the attention of the two.

"Inside the Reincarnation Space, you can use Reincarnation Points to exchange for cultivation time."

Su Lin's words cut off abruptly. The two, who had been eagerly gathering information from this kind senior, were left confused.

Why stop mid-sentence? Don't tease us like this—what kind of time?

The thought vanished instantly, for they realized everything around them had fallen silent.

No breathing, no hoofbeats, no noise—absolute stillness.

Even the horses beneath them stood motionless.

Chu Lingyun drew her crimson longblade; Zhang Heng spread his spiritual sense, rapidly scanning—their two days of cooperation had forged a certain tacit understanding.

"Not bad." A laugh came from between them: "Excellent talent."

They sensed no presence at all—yet a man with jet-black hair, upright posture, and a massive frame appeared in their vision.

"Gentlemen, after this mission ends, would you be interested in joining Huang Yu?" The man's face radiated an aura of natural authority, yet now he grinned cheerfully.

"Don't worry—I've merely separated your spirits so you can move in this frozen time. That should prove I mean no harm."

"Let me introduce myself—I'm Cang Lang, deputy leader of the A-rank Reincarnation squad, Huang Yu."

"In this mission, we've assumed the identities of the Heifeng Cave—replacing the Black Bear Spirit, the Wolf Demon, and the Snake Demon."

Heifeng Cave?

That's far beyond Liang Jie Mountain—they haven't even reached Guanyin Chan Yuan yet, and this squad has already advanced here?!

And this ability to stop time—

"Relax," Cang Lang crossed his arms and smiled. "I came here to ask you a few questions. But since you're promising talents, and I value talent, I won't harm you."

Seeing Zhang Heng and Chu Lingyun remain silent, Cang Lang glanced around at the frozen figures of Su Lin and the others, then continued on his own:

"What do you know about these Reincarnators?"

Zhang Heng shook his head.

"No matter. I'll give you a task: along the way, gather intelligence on these Reincarnators and report back to me." Cang Lang spoke with an air of absolute authority.

"Now, manifest your wristwatches so I can see your squad and member names."

Zhang Heng's nerves were stretched taut—he had no idea how to respond to such an unprecedented powerhouse.

In this frozen time, even their freedom of movement depended entirely on his whim.

"I don't repeat myself," Cang Lang said, seeing no movement—he waved his hand, and two long swords, engraved with repeating patterns, formed above each of their foreheads.

Who said that?

Cang Lang's pupils shrank—just for an instant, a hand clamped around his throat.

Just as suddenly as he had appeared before Zhang Heng, a heroic young man wielding a nine-tined rake now stood right before him.

Shi Hao tugged at his lip and asked, "Where's my wolf?"

"You tell me—is this guy even human?" Lu Mingfei said to Su Lin.

"Half a person," Su Lin said, sounding disappointed.

Li Huowang sighed: "I knew you all stopped moving—turns out it was time stop."

These people—

Cang Lang's eyes widened in disbelief.

【They all have similar time abilities?!】

(End of Chapter)