Chapter 2915: Jin Zi
Lou Fei fell silent, then after a moment said, "Maybe I've been stranded too long. I've long forgotten the bloodlust of a player. I just want to maintain my current life and not take any more risks."
"Your thoughts, your plans—I don't care about them. Just do as I say." Xu Huo finished the water in his cup and gestured for her to leave.
Lou Fei hadn't returned empty-handed, at least. She now knew that Xu Huo had cleared the instance and had no intention of turning hostile and destroying the Twelve Main Cities afterward. It was just that he, who had seemed so urgent at first, was now in no hurry to leave.
"I wonder how long he'll stay."
Once this news spread, the stranded players obediently went back to work. After the new king was born, the entire nation began to regain its vitality.
Xu Huo stayed for another two days. After adapting to the physical changes brought by his evolution, he summoned Lou Fei to the castle once more. He had used an instrument to seal the castle in advance and directly told her he was preparing to leave, but he hoped she would delay the news of his departure as much as possible.
Lou Fei couldn't understand his motive. Even if she stalled for a month or two, would the environment of Zone 031 improve?
"You're unwilling to leave for the sake of your friends and juniors, aren't you?" Xu Huo said. "In a few more years, there might be more and more degenerating players. The more comprehensive the rules you establish, the harder they'll be to overturn. Your days will be better off in the future."
"Don't just focus on the present. Look to the future. If you're determined to retire in Zone 031, put more attention on the locals. They are the foundation, not a group of players who might disappear or leave at any time."
Emotions were cultivated day by day. The reason King's City treated ordinary people better than other main cities was not only because the stranded players centered around Lou Fei had principles, but also because they had been stranded for so long. Time was the cornerstone of emotional bonds. They had gradually come to regard Zone 031 as home, not a temporary shelter that could be abandoned or ruined at will.
Lou Fei wasn't very hopeful, but she compromised, saying, "I hope things really do develop the way you say."
As long as she agreed, that was enough. Xu Huo didn't intend to truly convince her.
Decades of time might be a lifetime for one person, but for a district, it might be nothing more than a passing mention. If stranded players only consumed Zone 031, relying solely on the players of the Allied Forces to develop the district would be impossible. Fishing the pond dry might lead to complete extinction one day, or it might be replaced by another force. In any case, given the current situation, Zone 031 was like a pool on the verge of drying up.
"I'll tell everyone you've evolved again and are adapting to your new abilities." Lou Fei gave a slight bow. "I'll take my leave now."
Xu Huo watched her leave and only spoke as she was about to step out the door: "Good luck to you."
The blockade barrier closed again. Lou Fei turned back but no longer saw Xu Huo. She stared blankly at the hall's entrance, then saw Chan Juan approaching from the other side. This young person had once received her care but had parted ways with her due to differing ideals.
In terms of age, the other party was also middle-aged, but because of the physical changes brought by evolution, she was still as energetic as someone in her early twenties, like a spring constantly gushing with fresh water.
"That kid sure puts on airs. Does he really think he's the king, not even stepping out the door?" Chan Juan came over and started complaining, adding disdainfully, "Others may be old in body but young at heart, but I see you haven't lost your teeth either. Why are you so gloomy and submissive in everything you do? In terms of age, you could be his mother three or four times over. Have you no backbone? A proper Archon, running errands for someone?"
Lou Fei found it amusing and actually laughed out loud. "Your mouth is so foul, you'll get yourself into trouble sooner or later. It's just that others don't bother with you."
Chan Juan snorted. "Would someone who kills over a few unpleasant words reason with you? At worst, we'll both die. Who's afraid of who?"
Lou Fei sighed. "You're good at everything except your sharp tongue. You have courage and drive, but you also need to learn tact. Sometimes, a few words can solve a problem without resorting to force. That reduces losses and saves costs."
She didn't give Chan Juan another chance to speak. "I'm going to check on how the new policies are being implemented in the surrounding areas. Come with me."
Chan Juan pouted and pointed at the castle. "What about the people inside?"
"The others will stay and keep watch. If anything happens, they'll call from inside." Lou Fei glanced back at the blockade barrier, then turned and said, "Let's go."
The two left the King's Castle one after the other. The blazing sun hung overhead, and King's City seemed both the same as before and somehow different.
*
In a barren district at a D-level wormhole point, the morning bell rang again. Residents of the newly renovated urban area quickly dressed, put on their shoes, grabbed their tools, and filed downstairs in groups. At the convenience station downstairs, they filled a pot with energy-boosting, thirst-quenching tea, then slowly made their way toward the reclamation area outside the city.
This was a barren district. In the early stages of evolution, it had taken a wrong turn. Overnight, crops withered, the soil dried up, and every patch of green visible on the land disappeared in large swaths. At the same time, the environment became extremely harsh, with scorching heat year-round. Not even crops could survive, let alone people.
After multiple rounds of war, the district's population had plummeted. Those with connections had long since moved their families to other districts. Only those who wanted to leave but couldn't remained.
Even the locals had given up on this place. It seemed no outsider would take an interest in this barren soil, leaving it to continue rotting away.
However, less than a year ago, a large number of ordinary people suddenly moved here. They occupied the abandoned cities, repaired houses with the help of players, restored production, and carved out new farmland, struggling and suffering to survive.
Unlike most local players who had abandoned their hometowns, many of the players who followed these ordinary people had put down roots here. Although they were low-level and often had to leave for long periods before returning, the gradually bustling city showed that they hadn't given up on this new relocation site. Instead, they were striving to turn it into a true home.
Over time, the local people living in misery gradually trekked here and naturally mingled with these new residents. Strangers with completely different appearances gathered together, as if injecting new vitality into the district.
In a building near the city exit, a young woman with sun-darkened skin hurried down from upstairs and rushed to the convenience station to get water.
"Don't rush, don't rush. There's still time." The old man in charge of dispensing water had a kindly smile on his wrinkled face. "Were you training all night again? Even though you're a player, you still need to take care of your body. You don't have to work in the reclamation area if you don't want to. We're not short-handed here."
"I'm home right now, so I might as well help out more. Once I leave in a few days, I don't know when I'll be back." The young woman tightened the lid on her water bottle.
The old man felt a pang of sympathy. "Then you must remember to rest."
"Don't worry, I know." The young woman waved and joined the main group. Along the way, people greeted her, and some even offered her their treasured dry rations.
She politely declined them all. Soon, as other players gathered around her, the ordinary residents nearby gradually dispersed.
At six in the morning, it was already very hot. By the time they reached the reclamation area, everyone had broken a sweat several times. After replenishing their fluids, the players and ordinary residents worked together to drive specially modified extraction devices into the parched soil. Only when they hit moist soil underground did they plant seedlings at the top of the devices.
Most of the plants in the reclamation area's greenhouses were grown this way. Although they didn't grow very well, there was at least hope. With year-after-year improvement, the soil quality would slowly get better and eventually become fertile again.
Work continued until nine in the morning, when everyone stopped to rest and eat some dry rations to regain their strength.
But the players had to leave at this point for their training.
The vehicle picking up the players didn't return to the city but headed to a more distant training ground. Some props were too destructive and required open spaces to be used.
The young woman got off with the others. In the militarized training ground, other players had already started their drills. Unlike her gentle and approachable demeanor in the city, once she entered the training ground, she was like a young leopard just coming of age, radiating sharpness from head to toe.
She first went to the laboratory for a physical check-up, received her new training schedule, then headed to the meeting room to confer with players in key positions and arrange the next batch of people for clearing instances.
During this time, she ate a meal and had blood drawn again, then immediately entered the training ground for the morning's targeted drills.
She hadn't been a player for long, and her evolution rate hadn't increased that quickly, so her best means of self-preservation for now was to improve her physical fitness. Strong physical ability and combat experience would allow her to protect herself to the maximum extent as a low-level player.
By twelve-thirty, she was almost completely exhausted. Covered in wounds and sweat, she went to the cafeteria, trembling hands carrying a tray as she sat down. She had only taken two bites of food when someone sat down across from her.
The cafeteria, which had been somewhat noisy, suddenly fell silent at the appearance of this person. The young woman instinctively gripped her whistle, ready to strike—not because she or the other players present didn't want to act, but because they couldn't move. In that instant, all their attention was forcibly drawn to the newcomer, but the pull didn't lead to the alertness and aggression of facing an enemy. Instead, it was a deep, overwhelming fear.
Xu Huo smiled at the young woman before him. "Long time no see. Do you still remember me?"
A flicker of confusion passed through the young woman's eyes, then as if recalling something, she quickly masked her emotions and asked cautiously, "Who are you?"
"We met in Zone 017. Your friend is still receiving treatment at my place." Xu Huo named her. "Jin Zi."