Chapter 214: The Splendid Commerce Guild Buys Back Dungeon-Dropped Antiques at High Prices

Although since meeting Wu Chang, He Yun had already seen far too many things that science could not explain, at the most critical point of modifying the rules, using luck to decide the outcome still left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

If it had been anyone else, even her brother He Yi, she would surely have thought they had gone mad.

But out of trust in Wu Chang, she did not stop him right away, and instead watched the three dice in his hand.

They were three 24-sided dice. He Yun had never seen dice with so many faces before. She usually only saw dice in bars, where two people would compare the numbers, the loser drank, and the difference in the roll was the number of cups.

With 24-sided dice, if your luck was bad, one round and you'd be spending the night in the bar's restroom.

She looked at the dice in Wu Chang's hand and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Wu Chang activated his Loaded Dice, tossing the three dice forward. After a spin, all three dice stopped neatly on the side showing 1.

The Lucky effect triggered.

Then he took out a normal six-sided die and tossed it again; the die showed a 2.

He turned to He Yun and said, "Delete the second rule."

He Yun, who had watched the whole thing, looked as though she wanted to speak but held back. She very much wanted to say that this choice was a little too hasty—Wu Chang hadn't even numbered the candidate rules.

Wu Chang saw He Yun's hesitation. After all, He Yun was not a player and could not see the attribute panel of "Goddess of Fortune's Favor." It would have been abnormal if she had no doubts at all.

In this situation, he could only use his personal charm to dispel He Yun's doubts.

He took He Yun's hand, lowered his voice, and said in a slightly breathy tone:

"My method may look like child's play, but please believe me—when it comes to matters concerning you, I will always treat them seriously."

He Yun was moved by these words. She nodded and said, "I trust you."

He Yun took a deep breath and used the Wish Stone to erase the rule Wu Chang had mentioned.

As the superfluous rule was erased, the flow of energy within Underground Shelter No. 88 became smooth. The faint alarm sound coming from the distance gradually faded, as if everything was returning to the right track.

"Warning, warning."

Hmm? Why is there still an alarm?

Wu Chang followed the sound of the alarm and saw that it came from He Yi, who was flying in the air. He Yi's camera was aimed at Wu Chang and He Yun's interlocked fingers, and the speaker kept blaring the alarm.

He Yi's meaning was obvious: brat, that's enough, how long do you plan to keep holding her hand?

He Yun also noticed He Yi's action. With her brother causing trouble on the side, her face flushed a few shades redder, but despite the blush, she did not let go of his hand.

Instead, Wu Chang patted the back of her hand, signaling that she still had things to do.

Wu Chang's mind had been entirely on the Desire Stone Tablet, and only now did he realize He Yi was still beside him. He let go of He Yun and went to He Yi's soulless body.

Because the entire underground shelter was being rewound, He Yi's body on the ground had not yet gone cold.

He waved at the drone in the air and said, "While there's still warmth, you have one choice: do you want your original body, or the latest model of the Invincible Big Cannon?"

The drone's propellers suddenly spun rapidly, and He Yi asked in disbelief:

"Can I still return to my own body?"

Wu Chang shrugged. "What do you think?"

Ten minutes later, He Yi, who was lying on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes. He slowly sat up, held his hands in front of him, spread his fingers wide, then clenched them tightly into fists.

Feeling his own body, He Yi, whose face usually showed no expression, could not help but reveal a look of excitement.

Being able to be rescued from the Mother Goddess's space by Wu Chang, He Yi was already very content. He had originally accepted his fate as a mechanical life form, and had not expected there would still be a chance to regain his flesh.

Wu Chang, like a doctor, instructed:

"Your soul and body have been separated for quite some time. During this initial period after they've reunited, don't have overly strong emotional fluctuations, and don't receive too great a stimulus."

"For the perfect fusion of soul and body, no staying up late, maintain sufficient sleep, no smoking, alcohol, or prohibited substances, and remember to do rehabilitation exercises every day. You can only stop after at least half a year."

Wu Chang was about to say more when he suddenly felt He Yun tugging at his hand from behind.

He wanted to see what was going on. The moment he turned his head, his neck was wrapped by He Yun. He tried to speak, but before he could make a sound, He Yun sealed his mouth.

What followed was a bout of lip-and-tongue combat intense enough to make one suffocate.

He Yi watched the two of them being so passionate in front of him, and his old-father mentality kicked in. He picked up the drone beside him, ready to give the two of them another round of alarms.

But remembering that his resurrection was entirely thanks to Wu Chang—eating from someone makes your mouth soft, taking from someone makes your hand short—and on top of that he could tell his sister truly liked this kid, he shook his head and turned to leave the main hall.

Out of sight, out of mind.

After an unknown amount of time, He Yun finally let go of Wu Chang. Whether it was from lack of oxygen, from what had just happened, or both, He Yun's face was unusually flushed. That posture, simultaneously carrying aggression and shyness, made it impossible to look away.

Wu Chang, taking advantage of a break to catch his breath, said, "Wait, aren't we moving a little fast?"

He Yun licked the corner of her mouth, watching Wu Chang with a hunter's gaze, like a lioness who had already pinned her prey.

"Fast? This is my first time, so I don't know what you mean by pacing. Was your usual pacing very slow?"

He Yun asked casually, but Wu Chang's intuition told him this was a fatal question.

He hurriedly answered, "This is still my first kiss, I wasn't prepared. And your change is a bit too big, I'm having trouble adjusting."

Until just now, between him and He Yun, he had always been the one taking the initiative, and He Yun had always been the one being teased by him. How did the roles suddenly reverse?

He Yun showed an expression of having succeeded, and said:

"Do you still remember the divination results you gave me? Judgment upright, Four of Wands reversed, and Six of Cups reversed."

Wu Chang nodded. He had just done it casually back then; he hadn't expected He Yun to remember it so clearly.

He Yun said, "Judgment upright told me to bravely face the past and create a new future. With your help, I've already done that."

"The Six of Wands reversed and the Four of Wands reversed told me to find a partner who gives me a sense of security and will walk into a new life with me. Clearly, I've already found one."

Wu Chang: ……

Why did he remember the original interpretation being different from this?

He Yun leaned closer to Wu Chang and continued:

"You know, in a world where resources are extremely scarce, whether it's people or things, the good ones are extremely limited. Hesitate for a moment, and they might be snatched away by someone else."

"I don't know about pacing, but I know that right now, you're mine."

Wu Chang, a giant in theory but a dwarf in actual action, had never lost when it came to talking big, but now he had turned cowardly.

"No, wait, um..."

Although He Yun really wanted to claim Wu Chang for herself right away, now was clearly not the time.

This time she only tasted briefly, and stopped very quickly.

After calming down a little, He Yun gazed at the Desire Stele and asked:

"What do you think our world will become?"

Wu Chang asked in return, "The initiative for your future lies in your hands."

After he destroyed the Desire Mother Goddess's projection, all the power within the Desire Stele entered He Yun's control.

As long as she wished, and without Mercury's influence, she could completely continue the ascension plan, allowing Underground Shelter No. 88, stuck at the middle layer, to successfully ascend into a Reason Realm plane.

He Yun understood Wu Chang's meaning. She thought for a while, then said:

"I've decided to maintain the status quo."

Wu Chang asked curiously, "Why?"

He Yun said slowly, "During the time I was deceived by Mercury into signing the contract, although the me who had lost my memories lived in a muddled state, in the process of studying the Desire Stele's energy, I would always feel a vague sense of worry." "The spread of that higher-level power—what it truly brings may not be what I want, nor what the Underground Shelter can bear. If we can maintain things as they are now, it is undoubtedly the best outcome for the Underground Shelter."

Wu Chang nodded after hearing this, secretly relieved in his heart.

If He Yun wanted to continue the ascension plan, he wouldn't stop her, but if possible, he also wanted the Underground Shelter to remain as it was.

There weren't many Pillar of the Present World left, and he very much needed one that belonged to him.

He Yun paused, seemingly sensing Wu Chang's thoughts. She looked at him and said with a smile, "And you also want me to maintain this state, don't you?"

Wu Chang scratched his head. He didn't deny it and asked, "How did you know?"

He Yun was very satisfied with Wu Chang's reaction. She said slowly:

"That fellow called Lone Peak once said that the Underground Shelter is in a special state, which makes it extremely important. And Mercury lurking in the Underground Shelter, scheming against us with ulterior motives, was precisely to make the Underground Shelter take on this form."

"Lone Peak said you were a treasure hunter who followed the wind, and that this Underground Shelter, coveted by them, is itself the most precious treasure."

Wu Chang was silent for a moment, then said, "Actually, there's an even more precious treasure here."

"This Desire Stele?" He Yun asked.

Wu Chang shook his head, then looked at He Yun and said, "It's you."

!

He Yun was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile, "Are you trying to seduce me? I admit, I liked your seduction just now."

Wu Chang gave a dry cough, cutting off He Yun's eagerness to try.

He had only been flirting offhandedly; today's progress was already fast enough, and he wasn't prepared to keep accelerating.

"I'm just stating facts. Alright, we should head out now. After everything that's happened, don't you want to go out and see the Underground Shelter after its changes?"

Wu Chang and He Yun walked out of the main hall. They didn't see He Yi, and only when they reached the entrance of the Stone Temple did they see He Yi confronting Lone Peak and the others.

The disturbances inside the Stone Temple, especially the regression of the entire Underground Shelter, had long attracted the players' attention. Lone Peak's group and the Bliss Cult members had already finished their battle.

The Bliss Cult members, upon realizing their Mother Goddess had been destroyed, had long since scattered like birds and beasts.

If he could, Lone Peak also wanted to leave, but he couldn't.

Because as He Yun terminated the contract with Mercury, the usage and development authorization for Underground Shelter No. 88 was also revoked along with it.

Lone Peak realized that his authority as the guardian had vanished. Not only that, he could also feel that all the entrances to this Pillar of the Present World had been sealed shut, leaving only one exit.

This wasn't because He Yun couldn't close that exit, but rather leaving an opening to let the players who had already entered get lost.

Lone Peak couldn't leave. He had a premonition that once he left here, he would never be able to enter again.

As the guardian of the Pillar of the Present World, he had to find a way to keep this Pillar of the Present World for the Management Bureau.

Lone Peak was a qualified warrior, but not a qualified negotiation expert. Facing He Yun and Wu Chang, he appeared especially awkward, finding it hard to speak.

This wasn't Lone Peak's fault. Anyone in his place would find it hard to open their mouth to tell the owner of this place, "Could you open up your home and let us use it as a passage, and also demand the owner hand over management authority in case the owner refuses certain people's entry?"

Lone Peak stewed for a long time before bracing himself and asking:

"Miss He Yun, I'm Lone Peak, we've met before. I have a cooperation I'd like to discuss with you. I wonder if it's convenient?"

After the Mercury incident, He Yun had not the slightest goodwill toward any outsiders other than Wu Chang.

She had no desire to talk with Lone Peak and said, "If you have business, go talk to Mr. Peace directly."

Lone Peak's brow furrowed slightly. He Yun's regard for Wu Chang made him feel the situation was tricky.

Players were far more troublesome than locals.

Lone Peak tried his best to show goodwill and said, "That doesn't seem appropriate. After all, this is the area under your control, and both Peace and I are outsiders..."

Before Lone Peak could finish speaking, he saw He Yun loop her arm through Wu Chang's, kiss Wu Chang on the cheek, and then say:

"Now this place is his territory too."

Lone Peak:...

Wu Chang looked at the flustered Lone Peak and asked with a smile, "Is there still any need for us to keep talking?"

Lone Peak took a deep breath and said, "Yes!"

It wasn't a matter of whether it was necessary; this matter had to be discussed.

The Pillar of the Present World was one of the core authorities of the four great organizations. They had to keep it in their own hands. Whether negotiating with locals or players, the difference was only how much blood they had to shed.

Players had more desires, so they should actually be easier to cooperate with.

Wu Chang shook his head noncommittally and said, "Before we talk, you need to answer one question for me. Is Mercury someone from the Management Bureau?"

Lone Peak didn't hesitate. He shook his head and said:

"Mr. Peace, the Mercury you're asking about is related to the formation of this Pillar of the Present World, isn't it?"

Wu Chang nodded, but said nothing more.

Lone Peak explained;

"Although this Pillar of the Present World is guarded by the Management Bureau, its formation was not the work of the administrators. The four great organizations first search for Pillars of the Present World, and then, based on which organization's managed area a Pillar is closer to, they exchange them with each other."

"This Pillar of the Present World was something we traded for from the Western Union."

Wu Chang nodded. He could tell Lone Peak wasn't lying, and whether it was Mercury Qiu's abilities or his appearance, he didn't look like someone from the Management Bureau.

"What do you want to discuss?"

Lone Peak said, "What I want to discuss, you should be very clear about. I want to continue retaining the function of the Pillar of the Present World here, allowing deep-layer players to pass through and return to reality."

"Mr. Peace, you know this isn't about our Management Bureau, but about all deep-layer players. The specific cooperation plan, we can discuss everything. Your demands, we will do our best to satisfy."

Saying this, Lone Peak paused, then said with a hint of deeper meaning:

"Moreover, Mr. Peace, you are still a player of the Wasteland Realm. The World Instance is imminent. With a player as outstanding as yourself, you will surely enter the World Instance. With our support, it's certainly easier than without."

Wu Chang glanced at He Yun, then turned to Lone Peak and said:

"I'll allow you to use it. Do you have the ability to protect this place?"

Lone Peak was just about to say yes, but then recalled how, right under their noses, the Bliss Cult had just completed a divine descent ritual. Although he didn't know why they ultimately failed, it was obvious that without Wu Chang and He Yun's intervention, relying solely on themselves, they had no power to stop the Mother Goddess of Desire from taking control of the Pillar of the Present World.

Lone Peak said, "We will do our utmost."

Wu Chang scoffed and said, "Effort is the most worthless thing. I don't trust you, and I don't trust anyone. Past matters, we can let them go, but starting today, Underground Shelter No. 88 will no longer be open to the outside world as a Pillar of the Present World."

"Starting today, this Pillar of the Present World has been taken over by me, Peace. Feel free to spread the word. Whether it's the Four Great Organizations, or those hiding in the shadows wanting to destroy the Pillar of Reality, they can come find me anytime."

"The name Peace may sound a bit unfamiliar to you, but this name—you must have heard it."

Saying this, Wu Chang revealed the nickname on his attribute panel.

Lone Peak looked at Wu Chang's panel and read aloud, word by word:

"Brocade Merchant Guild buys dungeon-produced antiques at high prices?"

(End of this chapter)