Chapter 182: with translation of chapter title

It's over……

Looking at this hard-won perfect ending, Zhao Si couldn't help but sigh.

But after briefly summarizing the plot, one actually finds that this ending isn't difficult:

Because the three-generation protagonists of this chapter fundamentally do not face external life-and-death difficulties like Jin Bing does; the biggest problem Jin Bing faces in this chapter stems from the conflict between the two demon clans, and whichever side he helps he will die; to survive he can only stand in the middle, and in a desperate situation with no way out, he finds a path.

In this chapter, the protagonist's death is purely due to their own mindset.

A bird with excessively high moral standards cannot bear to see innocent casualties outside, so it single-mindedly wants to save them, and thus it forcibly turns from a free bird into a contradictory bird.

If we say the previous chapter was a 'human calamity':

Then this chapter is a 'mind calamity'!

Originally there was no calamity; it is solely self-inflicted by the mind.

That's why Zhao Si keeps getting a headache playing this game, because the problem entirely stems from the protagonist's mindset.

And therefore, this round has no ultimate boss; the protagonist's biggest enemy throughout is himself!

The previous chapter's boss was Di Jun's group of half-sages from the Heavenly Court, while this chapter can barely be considered to have a boss, and the actual ones are only the Three Ancestors; but the Three Ancestors were originally destined to be defeated underlings of Hun Dun, and no matter whether the protagonist deals with them or not, they will still die, completely unworthy of the title of boss……

"Without a boss, then I myself am the boss; Jiao Ming perfectly embodies this…… So after he dies, all problems will be readily solved."

Zhao Si let out a sigh:

"So, next time assign me a protagonist with a firmer mindset; Jiao Ming is good, but playing him is truly a headache……"

【System: The plot is fixed and cannot be changed, and moreover Jiao Ming was chosen by the player themselves; this system did not force you.】

"……"

"Okay!"

After fussing for a while, Zhao Si finally realized:

Turns out I'm also Jiao Ming; the problem is entirely of my own making……

After composing their mood, Zhao Si began to check this round's information:

"First is a reward for a perfect evaluation; this time we should definitely get another primordial-level prize, right? And there's a system update…… what new features will be updated this time?"

【Ding! Prize selection completed, detected gift from a primordial-level figure of the wilderness: "Primordial True Fire of the Golden Crow from an unnamed sage", "Primordial Power of the Wilderness from an unnamed sage"!】

【"Primordial True Fire of the Golden Crow from an unnamed sage": The primordial true fire of the Golden Crow bestowed upon you by an unnamed sage, containing the power of Hun Dun's Heavenly Dao, allowing you to draw upon part of the Heavenly Dao's power to face enemies! (Already bound!)】

【"Primordial Power of the Wilderness from an unnamed sage": Refined by an unnamed sage using their own Dao fruit to temper the primordial heavenly-earthly power, gathering the five directions' five elements and the celestial stars and other primordial essences, this is a strand of primordial power!】

After use, it can unleash an attack equivalent to a full-force strike from an ordinary sage, possessing the mighty power to open heaven and earth, to reset the geomantic forces of wind, fire, water, and earth! Hence it is rated as "primordial-level!" (Already bound!)

"Yo! Finally not another case of giving me the Golden Crow's true fire to offer flowers to Buddha!"

Seeing that there are two prizes this round, Zhao Si felt a surge of joy.

In the next moment, a familiar streak of fire flew out from the screen and landed in Zhao Si's hand!

Then, a small bird of seven-colored hue also flew out from the screen……

"Huh?"

Zhao Si stared blankly for a moment, then, disbelieving, looked at the reward information again:

【"Primordial Power of the Wilderness from an unnamed sage!"】

"Is this the primordial power of the wilderness?!"

Zhao Si finally reacted, but still felt curious; he extended a finger and beckoned, and that seven-colored small bird actually obediently flew onto his fingertip.

The small bird's eyes were lively, its body light, and it often preened its feathers and pecked at his finger, obviously wanting to play with him!

"What's the difference between this and a living bird?"

Zhao Si was quite astonished; seeing the system description's "capable of opening heaven and earth," he then carefully sensed for a moment, yet this sensing still detected nothing:

There was no anticipated destructive aura, nor any feeling of dread-inducing danger; no matter how he looked at it, it was still merely an energy-formed small bird.

"That's right; a sage's methods are extraordinary, so it's normal that I can't perceive them."

Thinking this, Zhao Si felt relieved again.

However, no matter how powerful this small bird is, he currently has no use for it, because there is no place for it in reality; to unleash its power, he still needs to be in the simulation game……

"Wait! Primordial-level?"

Suddenly, Zhao Si thought of something bad, and hastily placed the cute seven-colored bird far away.

His guess was correct.

Almost in the very next moment, a crimson radiance emanated from the seven-colored bird; although the color differed from previous times, it was obviously something using this to cross realms!

But unexpectedly:

【Ding! Detected a primordial-level wilderness figure crossing realms! Security system preparing……】

【Ding! Detected no danger; security system has been shut down.】

"What the hell? Why aren't you kicking people out?"

This system alert startled Zhao Si greatly, after all, his and the real world's safety are built upon system protection; if it doesn't kick people out, then……

【Don't panic, player; this intruder poses no threat to you.】

"Are you sure?"

Zhao Si felt somewhat doubtful, because those capable of cross-realm intrusion are only the Heavenly Dao or sages; either of them glaring at him would be enough to kill him!

"I can confirm, what it says is correct."

A strange male voice suddenly sounded, making Zhao Si's heart jump; he hastily turned vigilant toward the source:

That seven-colored bird at this moment was emanating a layer of crimson light all over its body, while it curiously looked around and spoke in human words:

"I merely transmitted a sliver of divine sense over; I currently have no attack capability, so you need not panic."

"You are……"

Hearing it say that, Zhao Si barely steadied himself and probed:

"Number Three Little Bird?"

"... is me."

Hearing this strange codename, the bird was somewhat speechless, but there's nothing wrong with them calling it that……

It said with a smile:

"I can't believe you actually enjoy pretending to be an ordinary person!"

Zhao Si had finally calmed down by now, planning to discuss the plot thoroughly with this Number Three Little Bird and exchange feelings, but hearing that, he instantly felt a bit embarrassed:

"Actually, I'm not acting……"

"Huh?"

Number Three Little Bird looked bewildered.

Facing its bewilderment, Zhao Si, protected by the system, didn't want to show off, so just like when he met Jin Bing, he explained part of the game's setting to it……

After listening a long time, Number Three Little Bird vaguely grasped all this, but still found it hard to imagine that its world was merely a few lines of text in a game.

But when Zhao Si placed his phone in front and scrolled through the historical info, it finally believed, and couldn't help sighing:

"Taking the world as text, indeed is a transcendent existence……"

"Actually I'm really ordinary……"

Having been praised several times by a sage, Zhao Si really felt a bit embarrassed, but since they were willing, there was no need to overemphasize.

The person and bird chatted a few sentences; as they chatted, the topic unconsciously turned to Jiao Ming:

"Jiao Ming, I really have no way……"

Zhao Si said helplessly:

"This kid always dislikes asking me questions, constantly causing me unexpected trouble!"

The bird also felt the same, complained:

"I have all his memories…… you're right."

"But this is also due to his own personality……"

The bird sighed:

"We three so-called protagonists actually have personalities not quite right; from the start our moral quality was too high, thus we could only walk the path of saving others."

"If our mindset were like that of other contemporaries, actually there wouldn't be this much trouble……"

Zhao Si listened, thoughtful:

"So the root is actually in the system? Just like Jin Bing's predicament……"

"Jin Bing?"

Seeing the bird somewhat puzzled, Zhao Si simply pulled up the previous chapter's historical info for it.

After reading the legendary tale of Jin Bing becoming the Savior Heavenly Emperor after three lifetimes, the bird first marveled at his abilities and aspirations, then discovered that Jin Bing's Primordial Wasteland and its own Primordial Wasteland shared many similarities.

Then it proposed a shocking hypothesis:

"Jin Bing's Primordial Wasteland…… could it be the result of developing into later ages in the Primeval Era without Jiao Ming and me?"

"Yao-Shang Yao people, six sages, Heavenly Dao indifferent, Yao people contradictions……"

After a long while, it sighed:

"It seems Jiao Ming and I are still useful…… at least we avoided those pointless later-world conflicts."

"However, this Gold Heavenly Emperor is also impressive, being able to solve such a major problem rooted in the Heavenly Dao without sage cultivation!"

The bird felt some regret:

"Not being able to chat face-to-face with this outstanding person of the age is truly a pity……"

"……"

"【Ding! Cross-world traveler has left the mortal realm!】"

"A system notification sounded, Zhao Si saw the red light on the seven-colored bird gradually fade, undoubtedly representing that the sage had withdrawn his divine sense."

"What a pity, I still wanted to take it out to play; finally the system updated to allow going out……"

"A friend we could talk to left, making Zhao Si feel sentimental."

"However, after great difficulty crossing worlds, the result was just to come see me?"

"Zhao Si scratched his head:"

"System, does it have some plot to invade reality?"

"【No, even if it did, it couldn't invade reality; with this system guarding you, players need not worry.】"

"Also right, even the system said it's fine, so it truly is fine; no matter how powerful the Primordial Wasteland sage, before the game it's just an NPC, there's an essential difference that can't be erased!"

"Zhao Si thought:"

"Then why did it come all this way across worlds? Surely not just to see me?"

"……"

"Primordial Wasteland."

"The incarnation of the Heavenly Dao woke up from bed."

"The Number Three Little Bird, already waiting aside, curiously looked at him:"

"How is it? What does a transcendent existence look like?"

"Looks just like a person."

"A person?"

"Number Three Little Bird's heart stirred:"

"Could it be that the transcendent existence is related to Pangu?"

"The incarnation of the Heavenly Dao stretched lazily, intrigued said:"

"I don't know that…… but at least I know he harbors no ill will toward the Primordial."

"Furthermore, from now on, he will no longer intervene in the workings of heaven and earth as he did before; in other words, we are truly free……"

"Freedom."

Three Little Bird silently recited these two words, and the stone weighing on his heart finally fell to the ground:

"Regardless of whether the game has ended or not, that transcendent being capable of interfering with the operation of the Primordial is truly real; to put it without exaggeration, even if it were a Heavenly Dao plus a sage, under His shadow there would still be no sense of security to speak of……"

"His promised freedom seems not to be empty words."

The little bird let out a sigh, and then asked with a strange expression:

"Then…… did He recognize you?"

"No."

The incarnation of the Heavenly Dao looked awkward:

"He thought I was you……"

"Um……"

It seems this transcendent being isn't as terrifying as everyone imagined……

……

(End of Chapter)