Chapter 182: Spatial Repair, Fundraising for Wish Power

The suggestion put forward by the well-known forum player Explorer sparked heated discussion among the player community.

Only now did players realize that behind the Ghost Departure Clan there was actually a side storyline worth digging into.

The sixth-generation Meng Yuan Chu "Wishing" was only one of the perks in the underground space scene; there was also an apocalyptic small world that could be paired to produce Wish Power.

This discovery drew lavish praise from forum players for the official storyline designer's thoughtfulness.

They had actually taken into account how difficult it was for players to produce Wish Power, and thoughtfully designed a Fu Ben Shi Jie specifically for producing Wish Power.

But new problems followed.

The spatial teleportation array leading into the small world had gone dark—how could it be reactivated and put back into use?

The guild leaders of the major guilds were paying close attention to this problem too, posting real-currency bounties one after another on the forum in hopes of finding someone who could solve it.

The bounties sent a flood of players rushing to the library, all trying to become that lucky recipient.

The library had knowledge on the spatial system, freely readable at any time.

But the vast majority of players gave up after their first brush with spatial-domain knowledge.

The reason was none other than this: the spatial studies knowledge system was far too vast and complex, impossible to connect with what they had learned in real life—two glances in and their heads were already aching, making deep study impossible.

During this period, Yang Yang Tianxuan of the Arms Dealer Guild decided to step in and help.

After all, the better the player legions developed, the better their own guild could progress.

Although spatial studies knowledge was complex, it was a core technology they had long wanted to master.

Before this, they had already wanted to build a spatial container suited to mining robots, to hold the spirit ore obtained from mining and cut down on the robots' round-trip time.

A group of players specifically in charge of this area had been studying spatial studies knowledge in the library.

Most importantly, reactivating a spatial teleportation array was far easier than building one from scratch.

……

That evening.

At the Apocalypse Tech Guild, the player squad in charge of crafting spatial devices arrived at the underground 16th-floor space.

The one leading the team was Mo Ping, the person in charge of spatial studies research.

Arriving at the spot marked on the map, they saw the spatial teleportation array from the forum pictures.

The teleportation array was octagonal, its main body made of a black metal that looked archaic and heavy.

The Shi Zhu at the eight corners were carved with complex spirit-rune trajectories; at the center was a circular platform 15 meters in diameter, its edge inlaid with five-colored gemstones, and intricate rune compositions spread across every part of the array.

After carefully examining the structure of the spatial teleportation array, Mo Ping and his squad members did not rush into action.

Instead, they took screenshots of the entire array structure.

They also activated the Painful Painful Minghun trait "Spirit Eye," making a detailed record of the array's node structure to ensure there was still room to salvage things if anything went wrong during the repair.

Next came finding the specific reason the spatial teleportation array had shut down—a full survey.

Like a doctor diagnosing a patient, it required meticulous, close observation.

Before coming, they had already spent two weeks studying spatial studies knowledge and hadn't even learned the basics.

They had only picked up some introductory content of spatial studies.

The library held a total of 120,000 volumes of spatial studies knowledge—learning it all was out of the question in this lifetime; what they had studied was knowledge from a specific spatial studies domain.

This repair operation mainly hinged on whether the spatial array had gone dark simply because its energy was exhausted.

If it really was damaged and needed repair, they definitely couldn't handle it.

That kind of knowledge was already beyond the syllabus; it would take years of hard study before it might be possible.

Most importantly, different races had different spatial studies knowledge—the spatial studies they had learned might not necessarily apply to a spatial teleportation array built by the Ghost Departure Clan.

They began with an inspection of the array's spirit runes.

Array runes were the array's bones and meridians; during inspection one had to observe whether the rune connection trajectories showed any signs of breakage, blurring, or corrosion.

With Spirit Eye activated, their gaze followed the rune trajectories outward from the array eye position.

Working in a division of labor, after several hours of observation they confirmed the runes had not suffered any damage.

Next came the inspection of the array's materials.

This was an extremely complex project, but as players they could use the simple mode.

Analyze—activate!

Their gaze swept over every material making up the array; as long as the information presented in their minds did not contain the words "damaged," it proved the materials could still be used.

After a full sweep, the only issue was that the energy crystals inlaid at every node of the array had been exhausted—everything else was fine.

They decided to directly replace the energy crystals and run an activation test.

During the replacement, players like Mo Ping were extraordinarily careful.

If anything went wrong in the middle, they would probably be repeatedly flogged on the forum and become sinners recorded in the forum's history.

At this stage, players across the major warbands were highly enthusiastic about the Wishing Painful Painful Minghun.

They were just waiting for the spatial array to be repaired, so they could take players who possessed the Wishing Painful Painful Minghun into the small world to save the world.

If the repair simply failed, that was fine—it could be treated as not having found the key to open the small-world Fu Ben yet.

But if they broke it, then they were sinners.

Cutting off other players' hope of exploring the apocalyptic small-world Fu Ben would probably mean having to pass it down to descendants, only possible to complete the repair after spatial studies knowledge was perfected.

After all, learning spatial studies knowledge required the accumulation of long years.

Carefully, they removed the energy crystals from the array nodes and the array eye—a total of 128 pieces.

Then they pooled their money to buy 128 low-grade energy crystals from the Shangcheng, and with Spirit Eye activated, placed the new energy crystals into the original positions, carefully checking to ensure every face of each crystal made good contact with the array base so it could receive and transmit energy to the greatest extent.

A few of the nodes had shapes that differed from the crystals bought from the Shangcheng, so they could only use a file to grind the energy crystals into shape, striving for perfection.

It was not until the small hours of the morning that the energy crystals on the spatial array were finally inlaid.

But this did not mean success.

The next step was how to activate the formation.

Like flipping a switch to light a lamp, they had to find where the switch was.

Searching carefully through their Spirit Eyes, they locked onto an unusual node in the lower-left corner of the spatial formation.

After taking a deep breath, the squad leader Mo Ping said in a low voice:

"You all step outside the formation."

Once his teammates had left, Mo Ping pressed the node with trembling hands, then decisively stepped out of the formation himself.

At that moment, the surrounding air seemed to be stirred by an invisible giant hand, rippling outward in layers visible to the naked eye.

The spirit-pattern lines within the formation flickered with faint light, like dying embers of stars in the night sky, now slowly awakening.

Immediately after, the energy crystal at the formation's eye began to hum, the light flowing across its surface growing ever stronger.

The energy inside the crystal was continuously drawn out. The light spread along the spirit-pattern channels.

Like luminous snakes winding through the formation, each time a glyph was illuminated it would burst forth in dazzling brilliance for an instant, then settle into stability.

Wherever the spirit-patterns reached, the surrounding space was gently stretched, producing a strange sense of distortion, as though some connection with another dimension was being established.

Once the light had completely covered the formation, the entire spatial formation erupted in intense radiance. The light shot straight up toward the dome of the underground space, like a sharp sword slicing open a crack in space itself. The rock walls trembled violently, and sharp, piercing sounds rang through the air.

Compared to the spatial teleportation formation at the newbie village used by players, activating this one was like starting a tractor.

It made Mo Ping and the others' hearts pound with dread.

During the process, they were also using their Spirit Eyes to observe whether the formation patterns were lighting up in the expected sequence.

Under normal circumstances, as the energy flowed, the formation patterns would light up one after another, and the brightness of the spirit-patterns should then remain steady.

If the formation patterns flickered when lighting up, or showed an abnormal color, it meant a problem had occurred during energy transmission, or that they were incompatible with the energy crystal.

The process of activating the formation made every second feel like a year.

Gradually, a rotating black vortex appeared centered on the formation's eye, with faint starlight glimmering within. At the vortex's edge, streams of radiant energy constantly overflowed, like meteors streaking past.

The spatial formation began automatically reconnecting with the lost coordinates.

As the world operates, coordinates change at any time, but the two spatial nodes are like two communication devices—after a reboot they can still complete the connection, but it takes time.

Seeing that the formation was now running steadily, Mo Ping and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They realized that this spatial formation had merely run out of energy, and had not suffered any damage.

Otherwise it would have been impossible to enter a stable operating state, and forcibly activating it might even have caused a spatial explosion.

Just as Mo Ping and the others were about to celebrate, something unexpected happened.

The energy crystal embedded in the formation node suddenly dimmed, like a river whose source had been cut off. The energy supply became intermittent, and the light retreated step by step along the formation patterns. The once-bright nodes gradually went dark, losing their luster.

The spatial vortex at the formation's eye also subsided at this moment, and the continuously rippling spatial waves dissipated along with it.

Before long, the spatial formation fell completely silent, leaving only cold formation patterns and a dull, lightless energy crystal.

"This is… the energy ran out?" a teammate asked in confusion.

"What do you think?" Mo Ping replied irritably.

The activation being interrupted meant that low-grade energy crystals simply couldn't sustain a spatial teleportation formation for long.

And the high-quality energy crystals in Shangcheng were prohibitively expensive—far beyond what they could afford.

There were Void Stones for sale on the trading platform, but these crystals were also very pricey.

With no other choice, they could only contact the guild leader, "Yang Yang Tianxuan."

Shortly after, an old man with a head of white hair appeared in the floating light-screen image before Mo Ping.

After explaining the situation in detail, Yang Yang Tianxuan in the light-screen image nodded:

"Maintaining it long-term will definitely be a considerable expense—there's no way our guild can bear that alone… Here's what we'll do. I'll contact the leaders of the major guilds and ask what they think. If they're willing to put up the funds, you all help activate the teleportation formation. If they don't want to, that's fine too."

……

Six o'clock that morning.

A new post appeared on the forum raising Shou Shou Jili, initiated by the leaders of the major guilds.

【Regarding the opening of the Doomsday Small World instance, a prerequisite condition is needed, so we come to the forum to seek everyone's help】

Poster: Divine King.

Content:

The Doomsday Small World that has been hotly discussed on the forum recently has been investigated by the Arms Dealer Guild. They found that the spatial teleportation formation was not damaged—only its energy was depleted and it can no longer be used.

In order to restart the spatial teleportation formation, we come to the forum to raise startup funds.

The price of one premium energy stone in Shangcheng is 15,000 Shou Shou Jili. We need 128 premium energy stones to activate the teleportation formation.

Our few guilds have pooled together 700,000. The remaining Shou Shou Jili shortfall cannot be raised for the time being, and we need the help of our forum brothers.

Let me explain the specifics first.

This trip to the small world is definitely not for hunting monsters. According to the guidance description, there aren't many spiritual resources in the small world. Whether hunting or treasure-hunting, neither is suitable. It is only suitable for players who possess the Painful Painful Minghun to grind Wish Power.

Therefore, to prevent players from going to the small world to cause trouble, our few guilds will jointly guard the teleportation formation. Only players who contribute to the teleportation formation's startup funds and whose teams or warbands include a Painful Painful Minghun may use the teleportation formation.

I know this action will certainly cause dissatisfaction among many players, but it is done so that players with the Painful Painful Minghun can grow better.

There is absolutely no need for ordinary players to go to the Doomsday Small World instance—it brings no benefit at all.

Compared to that, you'd be better off continuing to hunt and treasure-hunt in Monster World—that's the way to maximize your gains.

There is no upper limit on this fundraising. All funds raised will be spent on the teleportation formation, and if there is any surplus, it will subsequently be used for the maintenance of the spatial teleportation formation.

During this period, the Shou Shou Jili consumed will be updated in real time on the forum by the guild management @Divine Hall - God's Right Hand.

Players who wish to donate can choose to tip directly in the post, and we will tally it up. You can also private message God's Right Hand to trade. A single donation starts at 100 Shou Shou Jili, which grants one slot to enter the Doomsday Small World instance, with unlimited entries and exits.

Thank you all for your support.

Comment section:

Extreme Blade Dawn: Support. I'm just afraid those troublemaking players will cause chaos in the small world and prevent players who want to advance their Painful Painful Minghun from grinding Wish Power.

I am a melancholy guest of the human world: I have already privately messaged the admin. I am donating 1,300 points of Shou Shou Jili for 13 slots, so my brothers can accompany me to the Doomsday Small World to farm Blessing Power. Poor survivors of the Small World, your savior has arrived!

Mysterious Walker: You are monopolizing this. I want to go to the Small World to show off, yet I have to pay? I protest!

I Love Show Off: Support, strongly support. I just asked the Guide; the strength of a corpse's reanimation after infection with the Immortal Virus is affected by one's own attributes. The creatures of the Small World are already weak, and their reanimated hunting levels are only 1 to 5. Even a newbie player would slaughter them recklessly. I suggest imposing restrictions: those with needs pay to enter; those without needs, do not go and cause trouble.

Creation of the Blue Sky: Hearing the description above, the Small World seems very weak. If we enter, we might truly be like Outer Demons descending, slaughtering everything the whole way. Fortunately, we are going this time to be saviors; we never intended to do evil. Players without needs, please do not go and cause trouble. With more players embedding the Wish Painful Painful Minghun, everyone will benefit. Imagine a group healing spell during future wars; just thinking about it feels awesome.

Cat in the Dream: The Wish Painful Painful Minghun is ready. We are just waiting for the brothers to quickly repair the Spatial Teleportation Array. Saving the dying and healing the wounded starts with the Doomsday Small World. The True God sowing happiness is about to initiate an airdrop mode.

Regarding the post collecting Shou Shou Jili for the Divine Body, the forum players launched a heated discussion.

Although some players expressed dissatisfaction with this.

The vast majority of players affirmed the idea proposed by the God King.

After all, repairing the Spatial Teleportation Array costs money. Several major guilds contributed nearly half the funds; the rest being made up by players with needs is nothing to be faulted.

After the post was published, the Shou Shou Jili deficit was filled in less than one hour.

By noon that day, the total Shou Shou Jili raised reached 3 million.

Many players, although lacking the money to embed the "Wish" Painful Painful Minghun, had already begun preparing in advance, purchasing teleportation qualifications to use after embedding the Wish Painful Painful Minghun, fearing that the qualification slots would not be opened again later.

Regarding the God King's credibility, both veteran players and new players trusted him.

3 PM.

The God King, having received the funds, purchased 128 Premium Teleportation Stones in Shangcheng. Each sold for 15,000 Shou Shou Jili, totaling an expenditure of 1.92 million Shou Shou Jili.

The remaining Shou Shou Jili was kept by an admin of the guild.

As for whether the admin would flee with the huge sum, the God King was not worried at all.

The Right Hand of God had followed him in the game for many years; he was originally a top whale player and would never abandon his brothers for profit.

Usually, the guild's funds were also managed by this brother, who was trustworthy.

Through remote trading, after completing the purchase, the God King transferred the 128 Premium Energy Crystals to Mo Ping's team, who were responsible for activating the Spatial Teleportation Array.

Mo Ping's team did not disappoint the forum players.

They immediately launched the action to activate the Spatial Teleportation Array.

After removing the Low-Grade Energy Crystals, this time they embedded Premium Energy Crystals.

Comparing the two types of crystals, there was a clear difference in appearance.

The surface of the Low-Grade Energy Crystals glowed faintly, and their color was relatively dim.

In contrast, the Premium Energy Crystals were exquisitely shaped, forming perfect cubes. Their cut surfaces were smooth as mirrors, and their surface colors were brilliant, resembling a dazzling star that could be held in the hand. Through the crystal's surface, one could see the interior as clear as deep blue seawater, possessing a powerful visual impact.

The originally dim Spatial Teleportation Array was activated again after the Premium Energy Crystals were embedded.

This activation process was far quicker than the first time.

Light spread rapidly along the patterns, like a swimming spiritual dragon. Energy continuously gushed from the array's core, gathering and rising.

Before long, the surrounding space was pulled by invisible force, rippling with fine wrinkles, twisting and deforming.

Amidst the surging energy, a rotating spatial black hole reappeared at the position of the array's eye.

A spatial tunnel slowly formed within the black hole.

During this period, the energy injected into the black hole generated irregular light blocks resembling building blocks, connecting tightly within the black hole.

Like the Tetris game, as light blocks continuously emerged, they paved a tunnel extending endlessly forward.

As time passed, the length of the tunnel grew at a speed visible to the naked eye. With every extension, the space within the tunnel would experience a brief distortion.

Soon, a spatial tunnel began to take shape within the teleportation array.

The tunnel's inner walls were wrapped in white energy, intertwining with the light emitted by the blocks to form colorful beams of light, illuminating the tunnel.

As the spatial tunnel continued to extend into the distance, its end gradually vanished into a hazy light and shadow.

This process lasted 17 minutes until the hazy light and shadow at the end of the spatial tunnel dissipated, revealing the scene of the Small World, shrouded in heavy gloom, before Mo Ping and the others.

Applause and cheers followed immediately.

Although during the repair process, they did not provide much technical expertise.

But this was their first successful activation of a teleportation array; this moment was worth commemorating.

In the endless milestones of players exploring spatial domain knowledge, they would inevitably be the first milestone recorded in the history of the forum.

After two days of cautious exploration, success was finally achieved now. They had not disappointed the forum players.

After the cheering, Mo Ping immediately conveyed this news to Yang Yang Tianxuan and the heads of the several major guilds.

Upon learning the good news, the God King also conveyed this news to the forum at the earliest opportunity.

Before long, a large crowd of players who had obtained qualifications rushed toward the underground space crafted by the Ghost Separation Clan, preparing to display their prowess in the Doomsday Small World.

To bring the light of players to this Small World ruled by Immortal Zombies.

(End of Chapter)