Chapter Eighteen: The Law of Reflections

Luo Qing logged in as usual and announced to everyone that she was available for knowledge exchanges.
Was this knowledge exchange really based on a first-come, first-served basis?
With nothing better to do, Chen Qi found himself growing more and more intrigued by this deputy group leader.
Who, exactly, was the person behind the online alias “Luo Qing”? And why did she only ever ask for knowledge?
The owner of the New Sun Game Support Group was always offline, and Chen Qi had never once seen them speak.
Perhaps the group leader was already dead…
Judging from past chat records, Luo Qing was, in fact, the true authority in this group.
Chen Qi sat on the sofa, spinning his knife as he pondered.
This “Luo Qing” was undoubtedly a high-level player, likely higher than anyone else in the group.
It would explain why she refused all trades involving “items”—the things offered by other players were useless to her.
She didn’t need anyone else’s equipment at all—just how high was her level?
A chill ran down his spine. According to the game’s release notes, New Sun Game hadn’t been out that long.
At present, Luo Qing only accepted two types of knowledge in trade: one was game-related tips and strategies, the other was knowledge about so-called higher beings.
The first was easy enough to understand.
According to the introduction, the game was still in closed beta. If she could amass enough strategies before official launch,
she could leverage that vast trove of guides for enormous profit—draw in a flood of new players, maybe even found a huge organization!
But what about the second? Why did she want knowledge about higher beings? What even were they, exactly?
Did she need it to solve a puzzle in some high-level dungeon? Was she a follower of some higher being herself?
Or perhaps she sought something from them?
Of course, these were only his wild guesses—there was no way to verify any of it right now.
Chen Qi shook his head. With what he currently knew about the world of New Sun, the game’s enigmatic owner, Luo Qing, or even the situation of all the “players” on Earth, he couldn’t figure any of it out.
Trading knowledge for strategies…
The New Sun Game Support Group had a long list of rules, one of which was: unless Luo Qing gave permission, her answers could not be shared with anyone else.
Every single member abided by this rule, which was why Luo Qing had been able to maintain her place as the group’s “treasure trove of knowledge.”
Did he have any “knowledge chips” to trade? Chen Qi thought for a moment. He had just used Earth’s cuisine to satisfy the Gluttonous Flower’s hunger.
That meant Earth’s food was far superior to anything in New City.

That could count as a minor strategy or tip, though the conditions were rather strict, since you had to be able to obtain the Gluttonous Flower first.
Still, it was worth a try—for a faster start, he needed more strategies for this new game.
Chen Qi opened up his chat with Luo Qing.
He started typing.
Night Wanderer: “Hello, Deputy Leader. I have a small game tip, though I’m not sure if it’s broadly applicable or if it meets your requirements for a knowledge chip.”
To avoid being taken advantage of, he made sure to set expectations right away.
On the other side of the network, Luo Qing paused. The first person to approach her for a strategy today was actually a newcomer.
Normally, new players should be busy learning basic mechanics or getting acquainted with veterans in the group.
Was he here to mess with her? It wasn’t common, but some people had tried to trade obvious, basic knowledge for strategies, which always made her shake her head.
She smoothed her white hair, her blue eyes blinking, and typed a reply.
Luo Qing: “Night Wanderer, since this is our first trade, no matter whether your tip is useful or not, I’m willing to answer your question.
But you can’t try to fool me with basic game background knowledge.”
Willing to answer regardless—she was clearly reasonable. After all, for people in the knowledge business, the first successful trade was crucial.
Night Wanderer: “Thank you very much! (thumbs up)”
Night Wanderer: “The tip I have is about the Gluttonous Flower. I wonder if that’s enough to trade for a strategy?”
Luo Qing: “Are you saying… you found the Gluttonous Flower?!”
She used three exclamation marks to convey her shock. For a Night Watcher who had only just started to stumble upon the Gluttonous Flower—that was insane. And his class was Night Watcher, no less.
Luo Qing shook her head. Encountering the Gluttonous Flower was both a blessing and a curse for Night Wanderer.
He was probably trapped now—that was her best guess from what she knew.
Was he trying to trade information on the Gluttonous Flower for a strategy? Or did he want a strategy about the Gluttonous Flower?
Either way, Luo Qing decided to show this newcomer that she was reliable.
Luo Qing: “I understand. The Gluttonous Flower is a floral-type entity with a terrifying appetite for gourmet food. Only the very finest offerings from New City can satisfy it.
But preparing such food is nearly impossible for ordinary people.
Normally, the Gluttonous Flower’s roots burrow deep into its territory, making it very hard to face.
To defeat it, you need ample preparation: first use fire to destroy its territory, then attack its main weak point—the roots.”
What was all this? Was she giving him a primer on the Gluttonous Flower?

Chen Qi was confused. Did she think he wanted information about the Gluttonous Flower?
She was putting her knowledge base on display. Confidently, she typed: “I know a fair bit about the Gluttonous Flower.
If you tell me your tip, I’ll share more about the Gluttonous Flower—how to survive, how to escape it.”
She had misunderstood him completely. Chen Qi realized she thought he was trapped and was seeking a way out.
Night Wanderer: “Deputy Leader, what I meant was, I know a little trick to satisfy the Gluttonous Flower.”
After he sent that, she froze.
…
A long silence.
It seemed she really didn’t know this method.
Could that be?
Chen Qi idly spun his dagger as he typed.
Night Wanderer: “I’d like to trade this trick for the most useful early-game strategy you have.”
After much deliberation, and convinced he wasn’t lying, Luo Qing replied: “Really?”
…
Do I look like the sort of person who’d lie? Chen Qi was a little exasperated.
Night Wanderer: “Really.”
He omitted certain details, emphasizing the role of the elegant Witch of Flowers, and shared his trick of satisfying the Gluttonous Flower with Earth’s dish—spicy hot pot.
So it could be done that way! Luo Qing tucked her white hair behind her ear and typed:
“Sorry, your situation was so rare that I misunderstood at first.
That’s a truly valuable tip—you’re the first to share this with me.
Night Wanderer, in exchange, I’ll give you the most useful early-game strategy, one that helps you digest Fruit of the Meal.
I call it the Mirror Principle.”