Chapter 2196: I Want to Ask for Your Help
The two players from the Holy Land Temple first showed anger, then disbelief. "Are you threatening us?"
Their raised tones made it sound as if what Xu Huo had said was something ridiculous and absurd.
Indeed, from the standpoint of the Temple players, on their own turf, they held an almost absolute advantage. The scarcity of cities and population gave them total control over the district. The blessing of the eye patterns and the restrictions of the instance meant that players who came here dared not openly oppose them. So when Xu Huo spoke those words, they didn't feel threatened—they only found the speaker laughable.
It wasn't just the two of them. The players who had gathered near the hall after hearing Xu Huo's words felt the same way.
In the vicinity, there were at least twenty players, both in the open and in hiding. They watched Xu Huo from various vantage points, sizing up this arrogant outsider who didn't know his place.
Ignoring their gazes, Xu Huo turned his wheelchair and headed out, adding, "Remember what I said."
But the two players at the hall entrance had no intention of letting him leave so easily. They took two steps to block the wheelchair, but before they could even stop, they heard a command: "Move aside."
Those two simple words made them involuntarily step to the side. Even though they realized what had happened and tried to resist, the path was already cleared. Their faces darkened, and in the next second, they signaled to the players outside to activate the "eyes" within the Temple.
The Temple was filled with small mechanisms. Certain floor tiles or wall panels, controlled by these devices, would flip over to reveal hidden patterns. These "eye" patterns, perhaps specially treated, could release multiplied spiritual power. The Temple players deliberately avoided these patterns, directing them solely at Xu Huo.
This was far inferior to the inhuman thing Xu Huo had encountered in the Questioning Hall at Purple Lake City. Even if he could feel the pressure, it wasn't enough to render him unable to think or move.
As for the Temple players' performance...
"It seems that even those guarding the Temple are not blessed by the Goddess." After saying this meaningfully, he left the Temple.
The moment he stepped out of the Temple gates, the oppressive pressure vanished. The Temple players didn't follow him out, but a few bold believers did, apparently trying to keep an eye on him.
Xu Huo paid them no mind and headed to the Stone Pool Hotel to check in.
Many players from other zones were staying there. When they saw Xu Huo go in and come out, someone immediately approached him to strike up a conversation.
After a few exchanges, he learned that these out-of-zone players were all waiting to clear the instance. They hadn't rushed into the dungeon in a group. Instead, they had formed alliances, sending a few people in first to scout the way.
But the information sent back was sparse. The players who disappeared into the Temple seemed to have lost contact. Occasionally, they would send messages that were incoherent and nonsensical, making it impossible to understand what they had encountered inside.
What was even more puzzling was that before entering, the players would leave a small item outside. When the item became ownerless, it usually meant they had met with misfortune. Yet today, they had received messages from players who had died yesterday!
"Something might be affecting their minds, causing them to abandon the items they left outside," Xu Huo said.
"That's the logical conclusion. But it's still a big problem," said a player nicknamed Red Windmill. "Receiving their messages means they haven't been completely isolated from the game. But the messages sent back through the Under Dimension read like gibberish, which means the instance has affected their basic perception. They can't even write or send messages properly. That shows how difficult the instance is."
After listening, Xu Huo asked, "So, what do you want me to help with? I did see players disappear inside the Temple, but I'm not an instance player. I'm afraid I can't provide useful information for clearing it."
"Seeing you come out, we guessed as much," Red Windmill said. "I've gathered some information from a few stranded players. This instance can actually be entered by non-clearance players as well. And because the instance is bound by the game, non-clearance players won't be targeted like clearance players. After a certain amount of time, the instance will even release them..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the intention was obvious.
"You want me to enter the instance with you, or go in first to scout?" Xu Huo looked around at the group. "You're not planning to force me into the instance, are you?"
Everyone exchanged knowing glances. After all, the only non-ticket player who had appeared before them was an injured one. If it were an ordinary player, they'd worry about retaliation after entering. But an injured player was perfect—someone with limited mobility who would need their protection.
"If you can help, we'll pay you," Red Windmill said. "Items, potions, White Notes—anything."
Xu Huo raised a hand to stop him. "Don't bother. I won't help."
In a closed instance, ticket players still had the option to clear it and leave. Non-ticket players didn't have that guarantee. Even if the instance periodically released failed players, he wasn't about to gamble on it.
"We can pool together two A-grade items for you!" Red Windmill tried to persuade him.
"No need." Xu Huo gestured for him to move aside.
Red Windmill stared at him for a few seconds before finally stepping away from the wheelchair.
Two players considered making a move, but when they locked onto Xu Huo, they found him staring back at them. They hesitated and quickly restrained themselves.
After passing through the crowd, Xu Huo seemed to remember something and turned back. "If you're not in a hurry to clear the instance, you might want to wait a few days. Around the Goddess's Birthday, there could be a change in the Holy Land. If you're lucky, you might not have to do this instance at all."
Everyone present had come from the satellite cities and knew the atmosphere in the Holy Land was abnormal. Sensing trouble was one thing, but when it would erupt was another. They couldn't be sure that the Goddess Cult would definitely have problems around the Goddess's Birthday.
"What clues have you seen?" Red Windmill pressed, but got no answer.
Xu Huo went upstairs. He communicated with the Yellow Hair once and spent the rest of the time keeping an eye on the Temple.
There were too many local players inside and outside the Temple. The tension among them wasn't just for maintaining order or guarding against out-of-zone players. There were occasional minor frictions between their patrol teams.
After resting, Xu Huo removed the bandages from his hands. His arms had mostly recovered and could move freely. His leg injuries were more severe and would take more time.
Clenching his fist, he pushed himself up from the table and stretched his body. Just as he was about to order some food, there was a knock at the door.
(Chapter End)