Chapter One Hundred Eleven: The Chasm in Strength

The New Sun Game mutual aid chat group...

Chen Qi rested his chin on his hand. Although there were many nonsensical posts in this group, he had to admit that the quality of its members was quite high; many were hidden experts.

Seabird placed the seagull onto his hand.

"I don't know much about your group, though. According to the Calamity Diviner sister, your group discusses profound spell techniques every day, researches strategies for various dungeons, and even studies the direction of the world's fate. It's a group with a very strong academic atmosphere."

"..."

What exactly is the Calamity Diviner's image in the outside world?

Chen Qi maintained a serious expression, said nothing, and picked up a piece of marbled beef to eat.

Seabird's chatterbox had already been opened, and he continued:

"Night Traveler, if you can really make it to the Looming Train, I have some advice."

"Hm?"

Chen Qi could sense that Seabird was a bit tipsy.

This liquor isn't bad... Seabird blurted out:

"The Looming Train is a place filled with both danger and opportunity. It doesn't belong to the jurisdiction of any other district, which is why it holds many good things. But if there is one item most worth obtaining, it would be a Forbidden Grimoire."

A forbidden grimoire... Chen Qi thought for a moment; he already possessed the Book of the Black Prison.

"A forbidden grimoire?"

Seabird stopped teasing the seagull with his small hand.

"In the New Sun world, levels and equipment are certainly important, but based on my personal experience, learning techniques and planning upgrade paths through books is a better choice. The forbidden grimoires I'm talking about—the full term should be 'Forbidden Books'—are a general term for a special type of book in the New Sun world. These books share a key characteristic: the language used to write them is incredibly complex and sealed by an unknown power, making them difficult to decipher. These books often lead to a forbidden technique capable of turning the tide of battle. Such techniques are extremely dangerous to the user, but whether one can master these powerful arts becomes the dividing line of strength. It's hard to find these forbidden books elsewhere, but on the Looming Train, there are quite a few recorded, though the price is also very steep."

I didn't expect the topic to turn to forbidden books...

The dividing line of strength, huh?

Chen Qi pondered. The Dog Master had embarked on the journey to the Medicine Garden precisely to pursue the power within such a book.

Maybe I shouldn't be saying all this; for a newcomer, it's a bit too far off... Seabird shook his head and added at last:

"Of course, this is just a suggestion. The Looming Train is quite dangerous and very difficult to reach; many things are out of our control. You have to make the right choices based on how things change. Go with the flow and don't force it."

Seabird downed a cup of liquor in one go.

New books, huh...

For the time being, Chen Qi didn't really need them. He hadn't even finished learning the content translated by the book peddler, Xazo. There were some techniques recorded therein that he was currently unable to learn.

However, considering the translation issues with the Book of the Black Prison, Chen Qi asked:

"Senior Seabird, may I ask, is there anyone among us capable of translating those forbidden books?"

Seabird frowned and shook his head.

"So far, no player has been able to translate those books. The ability to translate them isn't something achieved overnight; even the first batch of players couldn't do it. Only the 'Erudites' within the game can translate them, or one must rely on certain powerful 'Lantern' aspect items. This must be left to the New Sun game itself, though perhaps in this open beta, a genius capable of translating these books might emerge."

Players can't translate the Book of the Black Prison, then...

Chen Qi's thoughts were in a whirl. He wondered how the Dog Master was doing now...

Chen Qi opened a bottle of fruit wine, drank it, and nodded.

"Thanks for the heads-up, Senior Seabird."

After some simple idle chatter, many players were drunk and passed out at the dining table. Although Seabird had drunk quite a bit of liquor, he wasn't dizzy. He glanced at his watch; it wasn't late.

During the open beta, everywhere was busy. The Holy Calamity Association lingered over the world like a nightmare, and all sorts of strange calamities were appearing across the globe. Seabird himself had many other matters to attend to and couldn't stay here long.

Although there was much more he wanted to talk about, he had to go... Seabird said:

"Night Traveler, I have to head off. When the Investigator returns, I'll ask for you."

"Hm, thank you, Senior Seabird."

Seabird flicked his finger, and the seagull on the table flew onto his shoulder.

"By the way, Night Traveler, your role in the attack on the Kin-Eater base is crucial. You should be able to exchange for the 'Aspect' exclusive equipment on the forum as you please. Better be quick; some strong players have also completed their missions. It would be a shame if the good stuff gets snatched up. I personally recommend checking out the item the Investigator put on the forum; it's a newly added item in the exchange pool."

To welcome this open beta, many high-level players put equipment they couldn't use on the forum for exchange. But there were differences in quality among this gear, and some high-level players would rush to grab the best equipment as soon as they finished their missions.

Chen Qi rested his chin on his hand. This required a certain level of clicking speed. He was fast enough, and he knew how to use scripts.

Seabird packed up his clothes, said goodbye to the other players, and left in a hurry.

"Ah..."

Chen Qi finished his fruit wine.

I should be getting back soon, too...

This journey had consumed quite a bit of his energy.

...

In the middle of the night, Chen Qi returned to the White River District and entered his Traveler's Box.

Inside, a pile of materials was stacked together, looking quite messy. Chen Qi looked at the small mountain of supplies.

I'll organize them tomorrow morning... He brought a rocking chair from Earth and lay down on it.

Chopping wood had exhausted a lot of his stamina, and he hadn't redeemed the rewards for this mission yet, so he was feeling a bit weary. At this moment, Chen Qi opened the New Sun game and looked at the text.

During this time, his game character hadn't slept but had been continuously studying "Intermediate Spirit Sight."

[You are sitting in a corner of the library, flipping through books.]

[Under the guidance of a bespectacled Catastrophe Messenger, you suddenly see the light and understand the final puzzle.]

[You close the last page of "Intermediate Spirit Sight," chant silently in your heart, and activate Spirit Sight.]

[Before you, you can see the flow of spirit power more clearly. Compared to before, you can now capture some faint traces of spirit power flow.]

[Intermediate Spirit Sight learning progress: 100%]

[You have comprehended: Intermediate Spirit Sight.]

[You are overjoyed, but a sense of fatigue washes over your body. Do you wish to return to your room to rest?]

Yes.

[You return to your room, exhausted, and slowly drift into dreamland...]

The game character's fatigue was transmitted to him.

Chen Qi rubbed his eyes. After learning Intermediate Spirit Sight, he could grasp spirit power much more clearly.

I should rest for a while too...

Chen Qi set an alarm, lay on the rocking chair, summoned the little Lantern Shadow Fox, and slowly closed his eyes.